Ep 8. If I Were a Bell

Maura is excited as she takes part in an LGBTQ festival in Israel. In ‘If I Were a Bell,’ she meets a young transwoman from Syria called Nisreen and the two strike up a friendship that will have a significant impact on Maura. Meanwhile, Ali, who is struggling to connect with Judaism, takes an unexpected trip into the desert with Sarah. The siblings are aided in their journey by an enigmatic local man who Ali sees as a messenger from a higher power. Josh, meanwhile, is finding it hard to come to terms with his feelings about Raquel’s pregnancy and seeks out Shelly for advice. The episode is a beautiful exploration of family, faith, identity and sexuality, and one of the highlights of the series.

As the episode opens, Maura is in Israel performing at an LGBTQ festival. She is excited to be in the country for the first time, and takes time to explore the local culture and customs. During the course of her trip, she meets a young transwoman called Nisreen who fled to Israel from Syria. Nisreen is seeking asylum in the country and is struggling to come to terms with her identity and her status as a refugee. She and Maura strike up a close friendship, and Maura is able to offer Nisreen some crucial support and advice. The two women spend a lot of time together, and Maura is deeply touched by Nisreen’s story.

Meanwhile, Ali and Sarah also find themselves on a transformative journey. Ali has been struggling to connect with Judaism and is frustrated by the disconnection he feels with his roots. Sarah, always up for an adventure, suggests a trip to the desert to help him find some deeper sense of spirituality. Together, the two siblings, along with their enigmatic guide, head out into the wilderness. Over the course of their journey, they have a series of epiphanies about faith, family and identity. Ali, in particular, finds himself drawing sustenance and peace from the landscape around him, and is able to find a deeper connection to his heritage.

Elsewhere, Josh is having a harder time coming to terms with the news that Raquel is pregnant. He is struggling to figure out his feelings and reaches out to Shelly for advice. Shelly, never one to miss an opportunity to mother her children, is supportive and kind, and helps Josh to find some perspective on the situation.

Overall, the episode is an emotive and empowering exploration of some of the key themes of the series. It is tied together by the beautiful performances of the cast, who bring a sense of tenderness and authenticity to their roles. Fans of the show will be delighted by this episode, which takes them on a journey into the heart of family, faith, identity and sexuality. It is a powerful and moving installment that will leave viewers with much to think about, and much to discuss.