Thus far on the show, there hasn't been a lot of mention of racism, nor sexuality discrimination. In this episode however, diversity comes so quickly that it does take some getting used to. For, paraphrasing Bill's new boss, rather than the show easing us into racial relations, among other things, instead the show jumps right into the topic and though it doesn't necessarily drown with this sudden insurgency of the various levels of prejudice that we see, it certainly may make you feel a bit uncomfortable, and certainly will take some getting used to.
Sign of the Times – Betty & Libby (Featuring Cora)
Libby's past treatment of Coral catches up to her when Coral boyfriend Robert, who seems to be at least 5+ years older than her, pays Libby a visit and being that Libby was alone in the house, and felt threatened, she tries to play the victim of the situation. First with Coral by trying to make Robert seem like a bad guy who Coral should break up with but, being that Coral is starting to get tired of Libby, she decides to throw shade at Libby's marriage by mentioning that as much as Robert may have a temper, at least they sleep in the same bed and have sex. Something which upsets Libby because even this young girl who is barely an adult gets more love out of her relationship than Libby.
So Libby then decides to push Bill to not only have sex, which ends up mediocre compared to how he has sex with Virginia, but then Libby tries to at least get some sympathy about how scared and demeaned she was from Bill who says he doesn't blame Robert. Not only that, Bill says she needs to apologize. Something she does do toward Robert, but refuses to with Coral. Making for a lot of awkward moments in which you can see how as nice as Libby seemed in season 1, when it comes to Negroes it seems her kindness dissolves into a something which barely can be considered tolerance.
As for Betty, her ex Helen (Sarah Silverman) tracks her down and on top of the marital problems Betty is dealing with Gene, seeing her ex is too much. For while Gene has a lot to offer in terms of stability and openness, Helena maybe the love of her life who, if they were born in a different time, would have been her life partner. So seeing her, and then Gene trying to hook her up with someone, leads to old feelings coming back which leads to a regretful kiss.
The Cold Lake (Part 1): Ease Out – Virginia (Featuring Dr. DePaul)
With Virginia hiding her affair with Bill, and Dr. DePaul seemingly feeling like she was just Virginia's ends to a means, the two have a really loud fight dealing with Virginia affair and Virginia daring to think Dr. DePaul handed her study to someone else just to spite her. Something ridiculous, if just because while Virginia knows how to market and work with people, the issue remains she isn't a doctor so her expertise and credibility are limited. Though with Dr. DePaul's harsh words about how she is disappointed in Virginia, and how she sets women back, Virginia storms out of her office and joins Bill at Buell Green with little hesitation.
Though even with their professional relationship over, the friendship between the two survives. For even with harsh words said, and Dr. DePaul offering no apologies, Virginia picks her up for not only her cancer treatment, but also after Dr. DePaul faints in the bathroom and has only Virginia to call. Leading to the closest thing she can give to an apology: She recognizes what Virginia does, and may not accept it, but being that she needs a friend more than she feels the need to judge, she is willing to put her feelings aside. Something which Virginia seemingly accepts. If just because she realizes that she is all Dr. DePaul has.
The Cold Lake (Part 2): Jump in – Virginia and Bill (Featuring Charles)
With Dr. DePaul's comments on Virginia setting woman back, among other comments, it makes Bill and Virginia's relationship a bit strained as she starts to, once again, see herself as Bill's mistress. But, this doesn't mean she stops having sex with him. If anything, she just takes control of the situation in terms of both the study and her pleasure. Though she also tries to do it at work as well. For in Buell Green Virginia wasn't going to be offered a contract for she was considered support staff, but after Bill firmly advocates for her, he arranges it so she gets a contract.
Leaving us with the many racial issues which come with Bill's white patients coming to Buell Green. They worry about the neighborhood, their car being stolen, and one gets into a fight with a Black guy over him suspecting he was about to steal. Then, when trying to stop the fight, Bill gets slugged and then the cancellations start pouring in. Though perhaps what makes the situation worse is Virginia's prejudice starting to show, as well as the two faced actions of Bill's boss Charles. You see, Charles seems to want to integrate Buell Green and accepted Bill, warts, Virginia, and all, just to have him. He even turned one of his doctor's offices into a private exam room for the sex study, but it seems his support for the study is feign. All he wants are Bill's white patients, not the study, and despite the room being given to Bill, any posters Virginia puts up are torn down for apparently he just said what needed to be said to get his dream of integration done.
Sign of the Times – Betty & Libby (Featuring Cora)
Libby's past treatment of Coral catches up to her when Coral boyfriend Robert, who seems to be at least 5+ years older than her, pays Libby a visit and being that Libby was alone in the house, and felt threatened, she tries to play the victim of the situation. First with Coral by trying to make Robert seem like a bad guy who Coral should break up with but, being that Coral is starting to get tired of Libby, she decides to throw shade at Libby's marriage by mentioning that as much as Robert may have a temper, at least they sleep in the same bed and have sex. Something which upsets Libby because even this young girl who is barely an adult gets more love out of her relationship than Libby.
So Libby then decides to push Bill to not only have sex, which ends up mediocre compared to how he has sex with Virginia, but then Libby tries to at least get some sympathy about how scared and demeaned she was from Bill who says he doesn't blame Robert. Not only that, Bill says she needs to apologize. Something she does do toward Robert, but refuses to with Coral. Making for a lot of awkward moments in which you can see how as nice as Libby seemed in season 1, when it comes to Negroes it seems her kindness dissolves into a something which barely can be considered tolerance.
As for Betty, her ex Helen (Sarah Silverman) tracks her down and on top of the marital problems Betty is dealing with Gene, seeing her ex is too much. For while Gene has a lot to offer in terms of stability and openness, Helena maybe the love of her life who, if they were born in a different time, would have been her life partner. So seeing her, and then Gene trying to hook her up with someone, leads to old feelings coming back which leads to a regretful kiss.
The Cold Lake (Part 1): Ease Out – Virginia (Featuring Dr. DePaul)
With Virginia hiding her affair with Bill, and Dr. DePaul seemingly feeling like she was just Virginia's ends to a means, the two have a really loud fight dealing with Virginia affair and Virginia daring to think Dr. DePaul handed her study to someone else just to spite her. Something ridiculous, if just because while Virginia knows how to market and work with people, the issue remains she isn't a doctor so her expertise and credibility are limited. Though with Dr. DePaul's harsh words about how she is disappointed in Virginia, and how she sets women back, Virginia storms out of her office and joins Bill at Buell Green with little hesitation.
Though even with their professional relationship over, the friendship between the two survives. For even with harsh words said, and Dr. DePaul offering no apologies, Virginia picks her up for not only her cancer treatment, but also after Dr. DePaul faints in the bathroom and has only Virginia to call. Leading to the closest thing she can give to an apology: She recognizes what Virginia does, and may not accept it, but being that she needs a friend more than she feels the need to judge, she is willing to put her feelings aside. Something which Virginia seemingly accepts. If just because she realizes that she is all Dr. DePaul has.
The Cold Lake (Part 2): Jump in – Virginia and Bill (Featuring Charles)
With Dr. DePaul's comments on Virginia setting woman back, among other comments, it makes Bill and Virginia's relationship a bit strained as she starts to, once again, see herself as Bill's mistress. But, this doesn't mean she stops having sex with him. If anything, she just takes control of the situation in terms of both the study and her pleasure. Though she also tries to do it at work as well. For in Buell Green Virginia wasn't going to be offered a contract for she was considered support staff, but after Bill firmly advocates for her, he arranges it so she gets a contract.
Leaving us with the many racial issues which come with Bill's white patients coming to Buell Green. They worry about the neighborhood, their car being stolen, and one gets into a fight with a Black guy over him suspecting he was about to steal. Then, when trying to stop the fight, Bill gets slugged and then the cancellations start pouring in. Though perhaps what makes the situation worse is Virginia's prejudice starting to show, as well as the two faced actions of Bill's boss Charles. You see, Charles seems to want to integrate Buell Green and accepted Bill, warts, Virginia, and all, just to have him. He even turned one of his doctor's offices into a private exam room for the sex study, but it seems his support for the study is feign. All he wants are Bill's white patients, not the study, and despite the room being given to Bill, any posters Virginia puts up are torn down for apparently he just said what needed to be said to get his dream of integration done.
