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My Love Affair With Television

 One thing I like very much in "The Outs" is a climactic battle between the two central characters, Oona and Mitchell.


As a viewer in his middle aged years, I still strongly relate to both of these people. Oona has residual anger because Mitchell's former boyfriend sabotaged Oona's relationship. This isn't Mitchell's fault--but, also, Mitchell has dragged the former boyfriend back into Oona's life. (At an Oona-sponsored party, Michell called his ex to assist in the search for a missing shoe. Drunkenly, Mitchell said, "I just think that other shoe is so lonely.....so alone....right now....")

At the same time, Mitchell is furious with Oona. Having been laid off, Mitchell wants to talk about his work woes. But Oona can't listen; she is more concerned with her dating issues, since she is with a guy who is "not mean enough" during sex. Oona has also forgotten Mitchell's birthday. The screaming ends with an oddly lyrical exchange. "Mitchell? Fuck you a little bit." "Fuck me? Fuck YOU a little bit!" "Well, fuck us BOTH....I guess..."

Now that I understand Goldman's debt to Sharon Horgan, I can see bits of the Horgan/Delaney battles ("Catastrophe") within the big Oona/Mitchell battle. I think my favorite Horgan/Delaney moment occurs in the "Catastrophe" finale--labeled "the greatest TV finale since THE SOPRANOS"--in which Rob (besieged by unresolved filial issues, flummoxed by a major loss) says to Sharon, "You're mean and you're selfish and nobody likes you." (Sharon then discovers that she is pregnant.)

(OK, I have to point out that "The Outs" season one happened *before* "Catastrophe" ....but season two happened *after* "Catastrophe." Also, it's clear that Adam Goldman is a student of Sharon Horgan's "Pulling"--and *that* show began in 2008.)

More from both Horgan and Goldman....please....
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