Ep 2. Holding

Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon) is back with another season of Better Things and the second episode of season 3 is called Holding. The show follows the life of Sam Fox, a single mother of three daughters, as she navigates through her busy life in Los Angeles. In Holding, we see Sam’s struggles to be a good parent, maintain her career, and keep her life in balance.

The episode begins with Sam picking up her daughter, Frankie (Hannah Alligood), from school. As they are walking to the car, Frankie informs Sam that she is going to a party, even though Sam said no. Sam tells her that it's not a good idea and is concerned that Frankie is trying to grow up too fast. Later, she has to juggle a therapy session with her assistant, Tressa, and an impromptu meeting with her best friend, Sunny.

Throughout the episode, we see Sam trying to find a balance between being a good mother and pursuing her own career. She has to attend a meeting with her agent, who wants her to audition for a role in a romantic comedy. Sam is hesitant because she doesn't want to disappoint her daughters, who need her to be there for them.

We also see Sam struggling with a personal dilemma when she meets a man named Robin (Henry Thomas) at a dinner party. She's not interested in him at first, but as the night goes on, the two of them develop a connection. However, Sam's commitment to her family causes her to hesitate when Robin wants to take things to the next level.

As the title suggests, Holding is ultimately about the act of holding on. Sam struggles to hold onto her values and sense of self amidst the chaos of her life. She's trying to hold onto her daughters, who are growing up much too quickly, and to maintain her career, which seems to be slipping away. Additionally, she's trying to hold onto her own happiness and personal life, which always seems to take a backseat to her family responsibilities.

Holding is a powerful episode that deals with the complexities of modern day life. Sam's struggles are universal, as many parents today can relate to the constant pressure to be all things to all people. The episode is filled with sharp writing and poignant moments, all of which are expertly performed by Adlon and the rest of the cast.

Overall, Holding is a must-see episode for fans of Better Things. It's a poignant and relatable exploration of modern day life and the struggles that come with it. As always, Adlon's performance is outstanding, and the rest of the cast deliver powerful and resonant performances as well. Whether you're a parent or just trying to find balance in your own life, this episode is sure to strike a chord with you.