Too Much Recap: Crazy, Fancy Freaks

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In the last episode, we peeked into the world of the Remens following their financial downfall; in “One Wedding and a Sex Pest,” we delve into the high-class social circles they once graced due to their wealth. The intricate dance of social etiquette at the wedding between Georgia-Peach, a distant royal cousin, and Oriel, who affectionately plants a smack on his old schoolmate Felix’s lips, much like Polly did with Jess in their first encounter, will resonate with anyone who has read a couple of Jane Austen novels. Despite the relaxation of English customs and rules governing manners since the early 19th century, it seems they still hold some sway.

Throughout the wedding, it felt as if everyone was intentionally creating a barrier between Felix and Jess. When Felix implored Jess to adhere to “the customs of our land,” even for a single night, and she retorted with, “Are you Edith Wharton?” I couldn’t help but recall Undine Spragg: so self-assured in her desires until the moment they were within reach. Polly, Auggie (wearing bright yellow Crocs), Linnea (still upset), Wheezy (a former French lover), and virtually every woman Felix has ever had romantic feelings for were all present at the wedding. Before entering the ceremony, Felix seemed anxious to be in such prestigious company. “Besides Auggie and Polly,” he told Jess, gasping slightly, “these aren’t exactly my kind of people.” He wasn’t suggesting they shouldn’t be themselves, he was just saying, “Well, not our completely authentic selves.

Just like how Jess was put in an unusual situation when she dined with Felix at Jonno’s, she finds herself in a bewildering world during their stroll through Notting Hill. This world has customs that are hard for her to comprehend – from casually talking with a suspected rapist to carrying cocaine in a wedding dress and engaging in physical fights on the dance floor. The title, “Too Much,” aptly captures Jess’s struggle as she doesn’t quite fit in due to her unique style and sincerity, which are deemed excessive in this peculiar environment.

Jess interprets the situation like this: Sylvia-Violet thinks Jess is really enjoyable. After the Donkeyfest incident, which caused Jess to feel incredibly insecure, she’s finding herself envious once more. The problem is that these high-society people seem as if they’re speaking a different language, making it difficult for her to fit in. Given that Jess always strives to be unique, blending in is challenging for her. In order to be a suitable match for Felix on this particular occasion, using Jane Austen’s terminology, she needs to step back and assimilate, but she simply can’t do it.

In my perspective, her unwavering resolve and perhaps a touch of self-centeredness could be the reasons, but what stands out most is her endurance through a seven-year relationship with Zev. He derived his power by reducing her to fragments and forcing her to conform to someone she wasn’t. This past haunts her during the wedding, as she finds herself imagining Zev in every nook and cranny – the church pews, party corners, dancefloors, even the bathroom. The series opens with “One Wedding and a Sex Pest,” where we see Zev himself discussing his tumultuous relationship with Jess in therapy sessions. He explains to the therapist how his mother’s overbearing love, contrary to Felix’s mom Aiko’s neglect shown earlier, primed him to be drawn to women who needed a kind of love that was so strong, so overwhelming, it ultimately consumed them.

If Jess tends to be dependent, it’s not like Felix is without fault either. The fact that the gathering is filled with women who have, at one time or another, been left by him, says a lot about his typical behavior. One of them shares how she married her therapist after Felix stopped responding to her calls, a blow made more painful by the fact that he was otherwise kind, romantic, and entertaining. “Good luck to whoever you’re here with,” she tells him. This is how the Nice Guy Syndrome can be deadly – expectations are set extremely high, but they often end up being disappointed.

In this situation, Hyacinth, the daughter of an ex-girlfriend, is currently confining Jess in the bathroom by locking it from outside. To escape, Jess must perform a daring maneuver reminiscent of James Bond movies, scaling out through a window and descending a pipe, much like a firefighter. However, her descent is more of a short drop than a thrilling plunge, with her only being a couple of feet above the ground. Meanwhile, Hyacinth continues to cause mischief on the dancefloor, though we don’t witness the consequences. Instead, our focus shifts to Polly who, as she had vowed, defeats Wheezy in their dancefloor altercation. This kind of fight could be damaging to any man’s self-esteem, regardless of how endearing he may be.

Previously, Polly strolled around with Jess, while Felix was assisting Auggie in searching for mushrooms. Polly shared with Jess that she and Wheezy were once the closest of friends, almost like sisters; however, when Polly left for a month to Marseille, Wheezy “attracted” Felix, which leaves Jess taken aback. Despite her attempts to cope, Jess brings up her own ex, causing Polly to leave, stating she’s “tired and hungry.” The scene is humorous – I enjoy seeing Adèle Exarchopoulos display numerous comical aspects – but it also emphasizes the unstable behavior Felix tends to exhibit. Wheezy’s seduction only worked if Felix allowed himself to be swayed. The parade of ex-partners and lovers we witness at the wedding reminds me of an early scene in Jerry Maguire, where during his engagement party, a video features all of Jerry’s ex-girlfriends saying how much he dislikes being alone.

Among Felix’s endearing traits is his apparent understanding of the situation as deeply as we do. He’s so jittery about being at a party with skeletons rattling in his closet that he drinks a glass, then another, possibly three. When Jess returns from the bathroom and kisses him, she detects a wine flavor on his lips, and he denies having any. The situation escalates when everyone takes their seats, and amusing toasts are made all around. While Lena Dunham is exceptional at penning an awkward speech, Janicza Bravo, who plays Kim in Too Much and is a filmmaker herself, directs the scene with flair and energy. Polly slaps Wheezy, and Jess learns that their table companion William, Sylvia-Violet’s ex-boyfriend, has just been released from prison on sexual assault charges.

The situation where everyone accepts William as a rapist yet remains unperturbed leaves Jess extremely frustrated. Matters escalate when Felix suggests she shouldn’t be so upset and could discuss it calmly instead. “Don’t tell any woman to stay calm with you,” Jess angrily retorts. Her anger, though justified, seems misguided; her demeanor changes, her humor becomes strained, and even her Coke order reflects her frustration – she asks for a “Diet Coke” when only “Coke Light” is available. What’s more, Felix behaves as if he can casually use phrases like “old boy” and “young chap,” which contrasts starkly with his usual character, and Jess resents this change in him.

Despite any previous disagreements between Felix and Jess, what follows is their initial argument. Jess accuses Felix of insincerity, while he counters by calling her self-absorbed. He clarifies that he’s just pretending to be someone normal so he can interact with others. He finds it draining to discuss his feelings as much as she desires, especially given his British background. However, Jess struggles to understand the idea of sacrificing one’s true self for social norms. And it seems valid when she suggests that those he tries to impress may not care about him much. To make matters worse, he never refers to her as his girlfriend!

Instead of leaving Jess outside and indicating vaguely toward the bus with gestures, Felix simply tells her, “Here you go, catch your bus,” while Zev stands nearby. When asked in therapy, Zev describes his relationship pattern as, “I initially come across as a hero for them, but gradually, they grow to dislike me.” This observation mirrors Felix’s situation to some extent. I am concerned about Felix, given the easy access to drugs and alcohol around him, his anger, isolation, and the fact that he has already consumed a few glasses of wine. Whatever transpires next is unlikely to be positive.

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2025-07-11 01:54