Michael invites Suzanne to Billy’s skating event that night but she says she needs a night off. Michael reiterates that he cannot bear having dinners alone and that is why indulges in dating. And Billy’s silly events.
Billy leaves Jerry to Stanley, who reluctantly strikes up a conversation. Turns out, Jerry is a huge fan of Stanley’s exhibition and follows the art collector’s new picks and praises his insight into modern art. ..
Michael bumps into Luke, a stranger who leaves his number on Michael’s phone to check on him, who by the way, has broken a toe. Michael is still hunting for an apartment for Claire, who insists everything has a price, even if it is not for sale.
The two men seem to be having a great time together. They are critical of their exes’ habits and seem to be hitting it off. Michael seems happy and boasts about Luke to Stanley and Suzanne.
She tells him that a client wants to see Jack’s apartment, but when she tells him that it is Claire, he gets a bit bogged down. He explains that although Claire is nice, she bothers him too much with her texting and recent status.
Michael decides to sell the apartment in a way that Suzanne wouldn’t be interested in buying it. Suzanne, of course, counters him the next day in front of Claire. But she gets hung up on the fact that the apartment has only two bedrooms. Michael promises he will find her something nearby. Luke texts Michael for a night at his house to “Netflix and chill”. Suzanne warns that he shouldn’t smother him when Michael mentions the poker game at Billy’s the next day.
That night, Michael will have some distance from the Jonathans. He invites Jack to the game and Luke comes over to his apartment. The next morning, Michael notices the frother that Luke bought for them. When he mentions the poker game, Luke insists he comes as well. Michael’s hand is forced and he obliges. The Jonathans, Michael, Jack, Billy, and Luke are at the game. Everyone seems impressed by Jack’s poker skills and Luke’s healthy but tasty food. He even calls him “babe”, which throws him off and makes him rather uncomfortable.
Billy reveals that Stanley is out on a date with Jerry. He wonders what they’re saying about him and it turns out that a lot of it is negative. Jerry takes Stanley back to his place and we learn the true reason he wanted to date Stanley. ..
Jerry’s mother is an amateur artist and Jerry wants Stanley to sell her paintings. Jerry decides to give him “something” in return but Stanley is caught up in two minds. Allow Jerry to keep pleasuring him or tell him the truth and keep his integrity. ..
Jerry is left feeling betrayed by Stanley, who tells him the truth about the paintings.
When Luke lets out a fart and indicates that he is getting comfortable with Michael, the realtor himself is disturbed and breaks up with Luke as he has not given him adequate space in their courtship and thinks Luke is taking things way too fast. Luke leaves with his frother. ..
Michael is more distressed when he hears a knock on the door. Claire, who has just bought the penthouse in the building, reveals that she paid a high price for it. The implications of this news are serious for Michael and his future.
The Episode Review
Jack’s awesomeness was well known to us before this episode, but Andre De Shields stood out as the best performer.
The poker night brought out the obsessive partner in our relationship world who does “too much.” Luke captures the essence of someone we all have been with in life, or at least other people end up with them. ..
Michael and Colin’s relationship was suffocating. They were both low-key and didn’t really let anyone in. It sort of gave them a peek into how suffocating that behavior can be for the other person.
Stanley got the first partner for season 1 and it turned out disastrously. The partnership was doomed from the start because Stanley is a lonely person who can’t handle being alone. This problem manifested itself in a negative way when Stanley’s loneliness led to him making poor decisions. ..
Claire is a refreshing character who always has the potential to bring an episode out of its rut. She is like a breath of fresh air every lighthearted show needs.
The final brings along many possibilities of her bumping into Michael every day and keeping him on his toes. Credit to Harden for creating such an affable, fleshed-out person who feels so relatable and real.
Episode 6 is likable in parts, but suffers from inconsistency that diminishes its appeal from time to time. ..
