Warning: Spoilers for Season 5, Episode 1 of Younger.
Younger,TV Land's quietly brilliant comedy, is back for Season 5 and making some serious changes.
In the post #MeToo world, creator Darren Star felt a responsibility to revisit some former problematic plot lines in the show, kicking off the new season by shining the spotlight on the inappropriate behavior of Empirical Publishing House's most successful author, Edward L.L. Moore.
Over the course of the 35-minute episode titled "#LizaToo," viewers are given a condensed look at the struggles associated with experiencing and speaking out against sexual misconduct, responding to allegations, and ensuring workplace harassment policies are clearly defined.
While the episode certainly isn't perfect, it's a breakthrough moment for television that touches on important issues and thoughtfully attempts to right past wrongs.
SEE ALSO:Every episode of 'Younger' is a delightful, lit-themed mini rom-comThree minutes into Tuesday's premiere, which was without a doubt the series' heaviest episode yet, Liza and her boss, Charles — who've carried on a secret workplace romance in the past — launched into a full-on discussion of sexual harassment.
"I’ve been reviewing some of the things that went on here over the past year and I'm concerned you've been put in a compromising position," Charles tells Liza at the start of the episode. "It’s been weighing on me, and if you think that the behavior was inappropriate you have to let me know."
After kisses shared in Charles' office and romantic moments outside of work, Liza initially assumed Charles was addressing his own behavior. She assured him she felt no discomfort and has feelings for him, to which he explained he was referring to the show's parody George R.R. Martin character, Edward L.L. Moore.
Moore's problematic past
Over the course of the show's first four seasons, Moore, an older, extremely outspoken author, had his fair share of problematic scenes.
Since his hit series Crown of Kingssingle-handedly keeps Empirical running, employees were instructed to cater to his every need and whim whenever he visits the office. This included Liza having to dress as one of his book's characters, Princess Pam Pam, (who wears a revealing fur-lined bikini) in Season 2, Episode 11.
In the episode, Moore makes clearly inappropriate advances towards Liza, commenting on her physical appearance, inviting her into his trailer and hotel room, and telling her "I'm going to eat you," on several occasions.
via GfycatSeason 5 starts with Charles announcing Moore's plans to write a new book called The Pam Pam Chronicles, explaining to Liza that an anonymous accusation on a fan site claims the author made "lewd and inappropriate comments" towards a woman.
Upon asking Liza if Moore has ever made her feel uncomfortable, she flashes back to a moment when he clearly had and replies, "He’s a flirty old man but he never crossed the line. No."
A rare glimpse at addressing misconduct in the workplace
Addressing human resources issues in the workplace doesn't necessarily make for glamorous television, and yet Younger proceeded to go all in.
Following the discussion with Liza, Charles says, "What's important is that going forward we have clear guidelines at this company regarding appropriate behavior." Yes, Charles. This is a GOOD step.
"Younger" Ep. 501Credit: tv landThe team then attends an HR seminar later in the day. How often do we see THAT on television?! The company lawyer is present, and employees are shown openly shown asking questions about appropriate workplace interactions and being taught about policies.
The scene not only serves as a reminder for companies to take action and ensure internal policies are followed and addressed, but a reminder to viewers that though it may be hard, it's important to bring these delicate issues up in the workplace.
#LizaToo
After Liza initially excused Moore's behavior, she reunites with the author at Comic-Con so the team can announce The Pam Pam Chronicles to fans.
After a group greeting, Moore approaches a costume-clad Liza privately and says, "Let me tell you a secret. When I sit down to write every morning I think about burying my face in your royal fur." Are you KIDDING, dude?
Unable to stomach Moore's behavior any longer, Liza seeks comfort in a room full of women who also work with the author, andasks, "Has Edward ever made any inappropriate remarks or unwelcome advances that has made any of you feel uncomfortable?"
"Younger" Ep. 501 (Airs 6/5/18)Credit: tv landFollowing the lead of the #MeToo movement, the women bravely share their own negative Moore experiences with Liza, which she takes to Charles. And after hearing Liza's claims, Charles tells the crowd, "In light of recent disturbing allegations against Edward L.L. Moore we’re going to postpone the publishing of The Pam Pam Chroniclesuntil further notice."
Again, GOOD MOVE CHARLES! (Companies, take note.)
Pointing out persisting problems
Liza's initial decision to cover for Moore highlighted the internal struggle victims face when deciding whether or not to speak up about sexual harassment. And the scene where the women shared their experiences with each other touched upon how courage can be gained from hearing others speak their truths.
But while the episode intended to right old wrongs, it wasn't without some new problematic moments. Though she tries to use humor when addressing these sensitive topics, Diana Trout, head of marketing at Empirical, says all the wrong things this episode.
Miriam Shor as Diana Trout on "Younger."Credit: tv landWhen asking Liza if she wants to speak out about Moore, Diana said, "It could destroy the company, but we’ll support you," later joking about millennials needing their "safe spaces" after Liza retreats to the bathroom mid-HR meeting.
Another person who doesn't seem to get how harmful his behavior is, is newly hired editor, Zane. He used to date his now co-editor, Kelsey, and following the HR seminar, the two meet at a bar.
Zane immediately asks, "Do they give awards for the best legs in publishing?" to which Kelsey replies, "Did you hear anything that lawyer had to say today?" Still not believing he could be doing anything wrong, Zane says, "We’re not AT WORK, alright?" Then, after leaving the bar he proceeds to make an inappropriate comment about Kelsey's skirt.
Zane and Kelsey on "Younger."Credit: tv landAnd finally, there's Moore himself, who predictably lost his cool after his book was put on hold due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Following backlash, he assures Charles the allegations are a "witch hunt," (sounds painfully familiar,) and attempts to explain away each woman's claims, saying things like, "This here is a woman I met at a fantasy convention who’s been trying to shake me down for years," and, "This fan says I grabbed her ass during a photo but my arm is actually around her lower waist."
THEN, Moore dropped the bomb that Liza is in fact a 40-year-old mother from New Jersey, not a 26-year-old Brooklynite, which, after waiting four seasons I BARELY NOTICED because I was too caught up in how #MeToo plot was panning out.
A meaningful effort to call itself out
Though other shows have taken on the topic of sexual assault in recent months, Younger talking #MeToo feels different. While shows like 13 Reasons Whyand Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidtseemed to be headed toward those themes prior to the movement, Star made the conscious and considerable effort to bring Younger'sto life in response to the movement.
Instead of ignoring old episodes that were written prior to allegations sweeping Hollywood and letting them remain in the past, Star observed the powerful cultural movement going on in the real world and embraced the opportunity to weave a meaningful storyline from Moore's pre-#MeToo behavior.
"Wow, we wouldn’t find that funny anymore."
"This year, with everything going on with the #MeToo movement, we looked back and we were having a lot of fun with a character like Edward L.L. Moore and really played it for laughs and now realizing, 'Wow, we wouldn’t find that funny anymore,' Star said during a panel Q&A at Vulture Festival last month.
Watching as a fan of Younger, the creator's decision to put the lightheartedness of the show on hold felt like he was saying this was a topic worth doubling back and checking themselves on, and a conversation worth having. And it meant a lot.
Bottom line: "#LizaToo" was a bold episode that went the extra mile without being asked, and that's what makes it matter so much.
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