Ep 9. Fresno

Alex and Valerie drive up to Fresno to support Laura who is competing in a regional barista competition. Despite their best intentions, things quickly fall apart as tensions rise between Laura and Valerie and Alex becomes fixated on an old crush.

The majority of the episode takes place at the barista competition, where Laura is determined to prove herself as a skilled coffee maker. However, tensions run high as Valerie, who is feeling particularly on edge due to recent personal problems, constantly questions and critiques Laura's techniques. The tension between the two sisters is palpable, and it only continues to grow as the competition progresses.

As the day wears on, Alex becomes preoccupied with a woman he crushed on in high school who also happens to be at the competition. Despite the fact that she's clearly moved on, Alex can't help but be drawn to her. This distraction leads him to ignore Laura and Valerie's increasing animosity towards one another, further exacerbating the situation.

While the episode certainly has its humorous moments, particularly in the form of various coffee-related gags, it's ultimately a rather tense and uncomfortable episode to watch. The chemistry between the three main characters, which has always been somewhat fraught, is pushed to its limits in Fresno.

What's particularly interesting about this episode is how it highlights the different ways that people deal with stress and anxiety. Laura, determined to prove herself, channels her nervous energy into trying to make the perfect cup of coffee. Valerie, meanwhile, allows her own personal problems to color her interactions with Laura, unable to set aside her own issues for even a day. And Alex, well, Alex tries to look to the past for answers and ends up getting sidetracked by his own desires.

Overall, while it's not the most action-packed episode of Casual, Fresno is a well-written and well-acted installment that highlights just how complicated even the most seemingly mundane activities can become when individuals with vastly different temperaments come together.