Somebody Somewhere Recap: The Joel Anderson Effect

As a long-time fan of this heartwarming show, I must say that the latest episode of Somebody Somewhere has left me feeling all sorts of emotions. It seems like each week, we are given a slice of Sam’s life that resonates deeply with many viewers, myself included.


Thanksgiving TV specials are simply the best! Tensions run high, inhibitions seem to vanish (thanks to generous drinks), and unexpected characters end up interacting. This setup often leads to intense drama or serves as a heartwarming reminder of why we cherish being with these people. Sometimes it’s a mix of both! _Somebody Somewhere_ adds to the tradition of Thanksgiving TV episodes in a way that is just as delightful as you’d expect from a show like this. It also demonstrates how skillfully season three manages to maintain its warmth, humor, and emotional depth while providing substantial character growth. In summary: _Somebody Somewhere_ is fantastic, and I’m incredibly thankful it’s around this year. Shall we dig into some “Num Nums?” And more “Num Nums?

Last week, Joel openly shared his wish to spend more time with his friends, which is delightful to witness. Now, it’s heartwarming to note that he and Brad are organizing a Thanksgiving dinner for all of Joel’s companions. Interestingly, Tricia becomes part of the gathering as her daughter Shannon opts to celebrate with Shannon’s father instead. However, Tricia seems furious. She vents her frustration to Sam, saying, “If he feeds her a TV dinner, I will tear his dick off,” and it’s clear she means it. It appears that Tricia’s anger stems from the pain of Shannon choosing Rick over her and her expectation for a different Thanksgiving experience, but in an unexpected twist, she experiences my dream Thanksgiving: Beginning in a foul mood, getting intoxicated on wine, being moved to tears, enjoying delicious food, and dozing off during the car ride home. By all accounts, it was a wonderful holiday.

Overall, our Friendsgiving gathering turned out splendidly. The atmosphere was filled with joy as everyone enjoyed each other’s company, an unexpected revelation about Tiffany and Irma’s relationship emerged, and Sam delivered an exceptional prayer/toast, even managing to slip in a joke about her crescent roll mishaps. Huzzah! However, there was one moment that dampened the mood, unsurprisingly instigated by Susan, who stubbornly refused to acknowledge the appropriate vibe of the gathering.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to say, after Joel successfully persuaded Brad to bring more family photos into our home, the Thanksgiving gathering was quite an emotional ride! Hanging on the wall was a heartwarming snapshot of young Brad with his two sons from back in the day. Many of our friends were taken aback to discover that Brad had been married before and is not only a father but also a grandfather. The sight of that picture stirred up some raw feelings for Brad, as he’s not particularly close to his sons. However, Susan, ever the curious one, couldn’t resist delving deeper during dinner.

As a cinephile, I found myself at the heart of an emotional scene unfolding around Brad. Tricia, with a warm smile, shares her feelings, “Brad, you’re just the sweetest person out there. I’m so grateful that you’ve found your someone.” After she gracefully toasts to love being love, Sam swiftly reminds us all of how much Tricia has grown and evolved (and we couldn’t be happier about it). By the time Fred refers to our group as family, the room is filled with a sense of deep emotion.

Apart from being tipsy, Susan and Tricia become quite inebriated during the dinner. This allows Sam and Joel some private time afterwards to converse. During their conversation, they tease Susan for her poor behavior at dinner, expressing disbelief that Fred didn’t notice the chaos she caused. However, there are also heartwarming moments between them.

Perhaps the phenomenon Sam has coined as “the Joel Anderson Effect” might hold some truth, given that after their conversation with Tricia unconscious nearby, Sam displays courage by deciding to act. Instead of simply leaving things as they were, she chooses to drive to Iceland’s farm to offer Thanksgiving leftovers. She explains that turkey is essential for Thanksgiving. Daringly, she inquires about his drinking habits with anyone other than Jerry, which subtly hints at her desire to spend time together. Iceland responds characteristically: “No.” However, before he can say another word, Sam interprets his response as a rejection and swiftly returns to her car. The show Somewhere Somewhere makes us endure yet another scene of Sam crying! It’s becoming too much for me! Yet, she cannot help it – exactly what she dreaded came true: she put herself out there, as others encouraged her to do, and was turned down.

Contrary to what he initially believed, it wasn’t rejection at all. That night, she helped her tipsy sister home with shoulder rides from the car and soothed her to sleep with an off-the-cuff rendition of Charlene’s “I’ve Never Been to Me.” The next morning, Iceland was there outside Sam’s house, before she even had a chance to complete her thoughts. He hesitated, unsure if she’d want to share a beer with him. But when she said, “Well, I did,” he felt relieved and excited. His face beamed, as did hers! The whole situation was so adorably awkward, it was almost too much. Let’s keep this between us or Tricia might freak out (in a good way). As for what I’m most thankful for this Thanksgiving, it’s that our friend, Sam Miller, has a date lined up!

Tender Moments

It seems unfortunate that the Joel Anderson Effect doesn’t apply to Joel Anderson himself. Despite agreeing with Sam about making sacrifices for love, Joel later weeps in solitude in the kitchen. This suggests that Joel might be yearning for more in his relationship and life than he’s openly expressing to Brad.

• Sam’s host gift for Joel is a bag full of magnets on which she’s drawn stick figures in various sex positions. Somebody Somewhere should sell these in a bundle with the cunt pillows. They’d make a fortune!

• Okay, you knew Sam was going to give a perfect Thanksgiving prayer/toast when she kicked it off with “Jesus … that’s his name, right?”

On Thanksgiving, I believe only my mom should be permitted to bring tears to our eyes. Thanks for adding to the emotional moments, Fred.

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2024-11-25 08:54