Ep 5. Future Fever

Sam is a working actor, a divorcee, and a mother to three daughters. In episode 5 of the first season of Better Things entitled "Future Fever", Sam is trying to cope with the fact that her youngest daughter, Duke, is growing up and becoming more independent. Duke has recently been told that she will soon have to leave her elementary school and attend middle school, which is causing her to feel uncertain about her future.

Sam tries to reassure Duke that everything will be okay, but she is also feeling anxiety about her own future. As an actor, she is in a transitional period in her career and is not sure what her next move should be. She attends a party where she runs into a former acting colleague who is now a successful writer. This encounter prompts her to start writing a screenplay herself.

Throughout the episode, we see the theme of future fever play out in different ways. Sam's eldest daughter, Max, is planning for her future by studying for the SATs and preparing her college applications. Sam's mother, Phil, who is also a working actress, is feeling her own sense of future fever as she struggles with ageism in the industry.

Meanwhile, Sam's middle daughter Frankie is dealing with her own form of future fever as she navigates her first crush and the uncertainties of young love. This storyline provides a relatable and heartwarming moment between Sam and Frankie as they bond over the awkwardness of first dates and the importance of honesty.

As always, the show tackles serious issues with humor and heart. Pamela Adlon's writing and acting are both exceptional, and the honest portrayal of the ups and downs of motherhood make Better Things a standout show. The future is uncertain for all of us, but this episode reminds us that we can face it with honesty, humor, and love.