S01.E10: Imperfect Harmony

[photo fox]

Eliza confesses her growing feelings for Henry.

[applecrisp]

Love this show.  Can someone tell me about the song Eliza sang?  Not up on my songs. Thanks

[allonsyalice]

Love this show.  Can someone tell me about the song Eliza sang?  Not up on my songs. Thanks

Chandelier by Sia!

perfect song for her imo.

[Bean421]

This show is so good! I'm praying to all the TV Gods that the writers were able to give us a satisfying ending.

[pamplemousse]

I thought sitcoms were supposed to make me laugh, not break my heart.

 

And this one has done it twice. First, when it got canceled. And now again, with this episode.

 

The only thing more amazing than how accomplished Gillan and Cho are at being funny is how accomplished they are at showing despair. It really hurt to watch Eliza put herself on the line to Henry over and over again only to end up smacking into his emotional walls. It really, really hurt to watch that moment when she tried to salvage the situation in front of Julia (for Henry's sake?) by claiming she was practicing a monologue to audition for a part -- she seemed so strong and fragile in that moment. And her spiral back into her party-girls-don't-get-hurt hardened shell after that final rejection from Henry was pretty sad to watch.

 

Only thing I hate more than doing karaoke is watching other people do it and this episode was no exception, although in a very different way. This episode was rough. Sitcom, my ass. :(

[mamey2422]

I thought sitcoms were supposed to make me laugh, not break my heart.

 

And this one has done it twice. First, when it got canceled. And now again, with this episode.

 

The only thing more amazing than how accomplished Gillan and Cho are at being funny is how accomplished they are at showing despair. It really hurt to watch Eliza put herself on the line to Henry over and over again only to end up smacking into his emotional walls. It really, really hurt to watch that moment when she tried to salvage the situation in front of Julia (for Henry's sake?) by claiming she was practicing a monologue to audition for a part -- she seemed so strong and fragile in that moment. And her spiral back into her party-girls-don't-get-hurt hardened shell after that final rejection from Henry was pretty sad to watch.

 

Only thing I hate more than doing karaoke is watching other people do it and this episode was no exception, although in a very different way. This episode was rough. Sitcom, my ass. :(

 

The balance between the comedy and drama was so great this episode. The stuff between Eliza and Harry was so sad. Yet that blinking scene was so funny. Everything Charmonique did was hilarious - especially her fighting with Eliza's neighbor.  I've never seen a show take absurd things like that and make them seem realistic and charming. 

 

I love the continuity of little things - like Eliza always asking "how are you", her little bow, and Charmonique's blocking. 

 

Is that Karen Gillan's real singing voice? She's a great singer. I love how that was all edited too. The version of Chandelier that played was a cover by The Wind & The Wave. John Cho sounded great too. 

 

Two episodes left! 

 

Emily Kapnek tweeted about the last episode:

‏@EmilyKapnek

@TokyoPopRocks @adtr_D14 episode 13 is a great, resolved episode-- but was never intended to be the end of the series.

[FireFoxy]

Why does ABC have to cancel all the shows I love? 

 

RIP Selfie. May you rest in peace with Apt 23 and Trophy Wife.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Although I wouldn't want my boss to have mandatory karaoke night, I love that Saperstein does stuff like that. His Terence Trent D'Arby performance complete with backup dancers was awesome, as was Joan's outfit for Word Up! They provided some much needed levity amidst the serious Henry/Eliza drama.

[Oscirus]

That was frigging brutal.  Henry sent her life and his into a spiral really quick. I don't see how they'll be anything other then friends by these last three episodes. This is probably the only cancelled show out there that deserves better then it's getting.

[BooBear]

Well this show makes me laugh. The opening was hysterical. Loved HR. I love where those two work and the entire workplace team. But I new Henry would resist. And the way he resisted, so Henry.  I thought the eye blinking scene was funny.  But I was a little disappointed in the way it went down. Sort of a romance cliche and makes me think she hasn't learned as much as she thinks she has in running back to Freddy when she doesn't get what she wants.

 

But for some reason I thought it was super awesome that when she want to confront Henry about his feelings for her she looked like she was ready for bed and wasn't dressed up. She uses her looks a lot and it was like she realized that didn't matter to Henry.

[Eolivet]

I like how emotionally honest this show continues to be. The "You're talking about songs, but I'm talking about something else" scene with the HR guy has been done a million times before, but it worked here (plus, Henry deciding he's grown to love "Hollaback Girl" was classic). Once that happened, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and I'm sort of amazed it came from Freddie, of all people -- though I suppose that's a comment on how terrified Henry was of being vulnerable with Eliza. When Freddie makes sense to you, you've definitely got other issues.

 

My one complaint about this show is the way the other romantic interests were so glaringly plot devices. I'm sure they are on every show, but I noticed it particularly here because every other part of the show was more developed. It made little sense for Freddie to suddenly want a relationship last week, other than as a way for Eliza to realize that's what she wanted with Henry. And part of me is kind of annoyed that Henry slept with Julia (implied) and then she disappeared almost completely. If she was going to be the safe, comfortable relationship, don't bring sex into it -- because that's kind of icky.

 

Kudos to the costume department, though -- to have Eliza laid emotionally bare, as dressed down as we've ever seen her, contrasted with buttoned-up Henry in the nice suit/tuxedo was a powerful visual.

 

Very interested to see the fallout from this next week.

[allonsyalice]

That was rough and I feel betrayed. I signed up for a light hearted sitcom, not this. Not what I want to watch at 8:00 in the morning. But the episodes keep getting better, and I keep falling more and more in love each week. I love Saperstien, although I'm not sure how fun a boss like him in real life would actually be, his character is perfect for this type of show (also, where was Charlie? I look forward to Charlie every week. What song would Charlie have sung?)

I like the little jokes as well, i like how the "how are you" has become a little running gag.

Also, I'm amazed with how much both Eliza and Henry have grown (until the end of this ep, sigh) 

Next week the fall out is going to be intense, and I am not ready. 

[pamplemousse]

It seemed to me like Freddie introduced Eliza to his parents because she's the girl he's been hanging out with (and sleeping with), and to someone like Freddie, who still seems to be stuck in frat boy college mode, that equals a 'relationship' -- hanging out together but on their individual phones the entire time, making out, and having sex. I guess I didn't see it as very sudden because it seemed as though the limited relationship Freddie and Eliza had 'progressed' to what Freddie believed at this point in his self-absorbed life to be a real relationship. That seemed to be indicated after he showed up at the hospital to escort Eliza home, it seemed pretty clear to me that their relationship was getting a tad more 'serious,' even though all the development since that ep has been offscreen and only shown somewhat in bits and pieces in the past couple of eps. So it didn't seem that sudden or  just used as a plot device to me. JMO.

 

The problem with Freddie and Julia is that on the surface and on paper, Freddie and Eliza have so much in common and so do Julia/Henry (really nice juxtaposition between last week's scene of Freddie and Eliza walking through a park both absorbed in their phones with that scene from several eps back with Henry/Julia strolling through a park dressed in matchy-matchy denim outfits). But Freddie and Julia aren't similar to Eliza and Henry underneath the surface at all. That's why those relationships would never work -- they only relate well with each other on a one-dimensional level. Although I would argue that despite limited screentime, neither Freddie nor Julia have turned out to be one-dimensional characters. Props to Julia for showing up to KinderKare's annual karaoke party to surprise Henry (even though it backfired on her) when I'm sure it was another one of those things -- like the Blues Traveler concert -- that would be way out of her comfort zone. But she showed up, made the effort, because she cares about Henry and she's a good person. Freddie has shown some depth in the past with helping Eliza brainstorm about Henry's surprise bday party (even going so far as to sneak into Henry's house with her to get the lay of the land for party planning). And Freddie also seems pretty mature/accepting about the friendship between Henry and Eliza as evidenced when he said to Henry that Henry knows Eliza better than anyone else (although I'm guessing the main reason why Freddie is okay with Eliza and Henry being bffs is because he doesn't view Henry as a legit threat in the romantic interest department).

 

I actually like everyone in this show. This has literally never happened to me before with a tv show.

 

Charmonique and Terence Trent D'Saperstein are the best ever.

 

(ETA: Shallow alert! Between her Celine luggage totes and the chains Chanel Boy bag she had in this ep, Eliza's designer handbag game is pretty strong)

Edited December 10, 2014 by pamplemousse

[shapeshifter]

Oh, Henry. *sob*

Well, if network execs ever do see/read remaining shows/scripts before axing a show, this was not one of those times. *sigh*

...Kudos to the costume department, though -- to have Eliza laid emotionally bare, as dressed down as we've ever seen her...

Until seeing her like this on the stage right before she started singing, I had forgotten that Karen Gillan and my middle daughter are clones except for the red hair. *Cue more sobbing*

Although I wouldn't want my boss to have mandatory karaoke night, I love that Saperstein does stuff like that....

As I go to address to my boss and his wife a Christmas card/polite-decline-to-attend the office party in his home an hour away on a Sunday (note: I have actually used ihateofficparties as a screen name), I must say that if mandatory karaoke was involved, I would go.

Dreads on Terence Trent are okay for comedic effect, I suppose, but that is all. But I bet he'd look hot with a fro.

[Whimsy]

Is that Karen Gillan's real singing voice? She's a great singer. I love how that was all edited too. The version of Chandelier that played was a cover by The Wind & The Wave. John Cho sounded great too. 

 

 

I can't find that version on iTunes.  Boo!

 

I've watched this episode twice in the last hour now.  I just love it so much.  I am so very sad that it's cancelled!!  I was a big champion of this show before it even aired.  There were some naysayers due to the name, but I stood fast by it's side.  I hate that these gems of shows get no chance.  I get so frustrated at network TV.  :(

[BooBear]

Ok, just me or does it seem that had this show continued, I have NO idea how they would have a "series" out of this romance. The show I think has dispensed with the hook that brought us in (teaching Eliza) and is now just a love story. So It almost does seem like the show was not meant to go beyond 13 episodes. Though, I could be wrong.

 

In a way it might have been a good thing it got cancelled. It has been so tight and focused... I would have hated for it to be watered down or spinning its heels with plots that were stalls.

[Eolivet]

That was frigging brutal.  Henry sent her life and his into a spiral really quick. I don't see how they'll be anything other then friends by these last three episodes. This is probably the only cancelled show out there that deserves better then it's getting.

 

I really, really want to believe this is a love story at heart, but I keep remembering the Pilot was seemingly about Eliza forming relationships that weren't sexual. If a show's finale is based off its Pilot (i.e., How I Met Your Mother), we aren't heading for an actual romance. I hope I'm wrong, though -- because no show should ever base anything off what HIMYM did.

[shapeshifter]

Ok, just me or does it seem that had this show continued, I have NO idea how they would have a "series" out of this romance. The show I think has dispensed with the hook that brought us in (teaching Eliza) and is now just a love story. So It almost does seem like the show was not meant to go beyond 13 episodes. Though, I could be wrong.

 

In a way it might have been a good thing it got cancelled. It has been so tight and focused... I would have hated for it to be watered down or spinning its heels with plots that were stalls.

I tried telling myself that until this episode. Now I see that even after they become a couple, Eliza would need coaching on making friends and Henry would need coaching on appearing/acting more human.

Edited December 11, 2014 by shapeshifter

[mamey2422]

 

In a way it might have been a good thing it got cancelled. It has been so tight and focused... I would have hated for it to be watered down or spinning its heels with plots that were stalls.

I 100% agree with this.***

Did anyone notice Charmonique's scene in the conference room when Saperstein announced karaoke night? She intensely jammed with him for one line and then abruptly stopped. So great.

***Opinion subject to change if it doesn't end with Eliza and Harry happy and together.

[thuganomics85]

Damn, that was sadder then I ever though it would be.  How did a show called Selfie end up provoking such an emotional reaction out of me?  And that I would feel so sorry for Eliza, the person who came off on the Pilot, like an obnoxious, vapid, self-absorbed flirt?  And, yet, I did.  Every time she was rejected, I just felt sad, but and I wanted to throttle Henry for ignoring the obvious signs that he's into her, and keep putting that wall up.  And, look at him now.  Eliza has gone back to Freddy, and he still lost Julia in the process.  Yeah, being this closed-off can come back to bite you, Henry.

 

Was that John Cho and Karen Gillan singing their respected songs?  They are actually pretty good.  Go figure.

 

Still some hilarious moments.  Saperstein is still a hoot.  Charmonqiue vs. Bryn kept making me laugh.  Uptight Joan busting out "Word Up" at karaoke, in an outfit and everything, was a sight to behold.  Henry with Raj.  Eliza trying to calm down Freddy (the Backdraft reference was randomly awesome.)  Eliza not knowing who Ricky Schroider is and Henry's reaction to that.

 

Actually really curious to see where this is going in the last three episodes.  It's just too bad it will be it.  I almost wish if ABC always attended to kill it by now, they told them earlier, so they could have more time to give it a decent series finale.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Loved the blind guy yelling, "It's time to get ill!" at the company meeting. That's my go to answer whenever someone asks what time it is.

Edited December 11, 2014 by ElectricBoogaloo

[BestestAuntEver]

How in the hell did this freaking show have me tearing up? Amazing. So not only can this show make me laugh, it canake me cry.

I love the office supporting characters. Each one has a distinctive personality that adds to the show.

Please let them put this show on DVD.

Edited December 11, 2014 by BestestAuntEver

[cteaglefan]

Anytime you bust out with solid as a rock, you know it will be a good episode.

 

This show did not deserve cancellation. I am interested to see how they will wrap this one up.

[blueteainfusion]

Sad and poignant episode. I hurt for everyone involved. Of course Eliza's pain was the most palpable, but for some reason my heart goes to Freddy - the guy was a mess. I think he didn't deserve to be treated like that. The scene where drunk Eliza goes to find him, you could feel desperation from both of them. She's throwing herself at him out of despair, but it's obvious he misses her very much, willing to take every scrap she offers him. Yes, he's a tool, but it's not his fault that she's developed above his level already and is not interested in him anymore. Do you think he's started to appreciate her more and more as she's been growing as a person (aside from her harsh and careless way she dumped him, of course - that was uncalled for)? Or maybe he's not that deep, lol.

 

I wonder what Henry is thinking in the end of the episode. Is he sticking to his decision to reject Eliza or is he already regretting it? He feels awful, that's certain, but I wonder what was his motivation to go and see her that final time. I'm assuming he lied about Julia waiting for him downstairs... I just don't get why. Did he feel it was necessary to repeat that he doesn't want her? He was clear with his message the first time. If he didn't come back, Eliza would have gotten it anyway.

 

It just really hurt to see Eliza so happy and hopeful in the beginning, and Henry crushing her first with his avoidance and then with his condescending rejection. He hasn't learnt anything at all, still thinking he always knows better. I know that he's terrified of this relationship, but projecting his own fears on Eliza is seriously insulting to her. I have a sinking feeling that he still thinks of himself as better than her. The repeated reminders that she had a few office relationships before him must be humiliating for such a judgmental guy like Henry. This is an ugly thought of his, especially since he knows her well enough now to know better. It's frustrating to watch him sabotaging himself and yet you can't help but feeling sorry for the guy. He's letting his own insecurities not only ruin his happiness, but seriously hurt Eliza (and Julia) too. Such a heartbreaking situation, but very believable and true to the character. I was fearing he would react like this - sadly, I was proven right :(

 

Fortunately, there were some great moments to ease the pain of this episode. I adored 1) Eliza's first conversation with Freddy, especially "Your Adonis belt?! *spit* Freddy, NO!". All in the delivery. 2) Eliza storms to Henry's room and he looks for an escape route, great physical comedy 3) Charmonique vs. Bryn 4) Joan!! She was amazing on stage! Wish Saperstein's performance was a tiny bit longer too.

 

Overall, fantastic episode. I wouldn't even mind if the show would last only one season, provided it told a finished story. However, I feel that 22 episodes would be perfect to address all the underlying issues those crazy kids have. My fear is that they'll have to sweep most of them under the carpet to give them a happy ending. There's so much room to grow for both the characters and the show! Somebody, please #SaveSelfie!

 

One more thing: is it true that we have only two more episodes left, instead of three? IMDB lists 12 of them, but I haven't seen any official confirmation that they're skipping one. Can somebody please confirm?

Edited December 12, 2014 by blueteainfusion

[Mockingbird]

On Twitter, Emily Kapnek says there are three more episodes. Someone must have been messing around with IMDb. And I second the hope for a DVD. *crosses all fingers and toes*

Thank god for Saperstein and his "Mandatory, son," for laughs this episode. It was great-especially Eliza's Chandelier and her reaction to Julia overhearing her and Henry-but I count on this show for goofy happiness. I was not expecting all of this sadness. But it was so well-done.

I swore I was through with ABC after they canceled my still beloved Pushing Daisies, and seeing how great Selfie has gotten is only fueling the fire of my ABC hatred. I'll never forget and never forgive, ABC.

[mikem]

This show is so much, well, deeper than I would have thought from the pilot.  Not to oversell the show, but the characters and writing are much more three-dimensional than the one-sentence original premise.  Not every sitcom could make this whole thing work.  And Karen Gillan in particular is really selling the complexity of her character.  There were so many different things going on while she was singing "Chandelier," and she sold them all.

 

Was anyone else reminded of the end of the musical Cabaret (in a good way), in which Sally Bowles retreats into singing a good-time song to avoid confronting the fact that her life is falling apart? 

[Raachel2008]

Fuck Abc for cancelling this and fuck all the others networks//Netflix/AmazonPrime/insert for not picking up Selfie. This show has more layers than most of ABC's lineup and more warm and genuine good feelings than almost everything on TV right now. Fuck all those idiots in charge

 

This episode was amazing, the right balance between comedy and drama, fun and sadness. Karen and John were amazing, Eliza and Henry seemed so one note in the first two episodes, and eight episodes later they are so rich - for me, especially Henry, since we knew Eliza was going to have some growing up ahead. I'm going to miss Selfie and all its characters a lot.

 

Like I said, fuck all the idiots in charge.

[HotForBacon]

I cried. Too many times. Ugh.

[wayne67]

I love how this show can make me feel sad and make me crack up at the relentless wacky absurdity.

 

The Charmonique conversation with the neighbor and the arguments about the crazy interactions with men it implied... HILARIOUS. I love how many secondary characters get a personality and they're all unique and yet not that absurd for a corporate environment about selling ideas.

[AnilBKK]

I don't know why I keep re-watching this episode. Her singing breaks my heart every single time.

[ljp]

I'm so unhappy this was canceled. Each episode gets better and better. I'm dreading the end.

[Blakeston]

Having seen all of the episodes now, I think this one was easily the best.

 

I wonder if they filmed Karen Gillan singing all of Chandelier on the stage, If so, I'd love to see the whole clip.

[aradia22]

I love this episode so much. I don't that was Karen singing. Or if it was, she did not do a good job of lip-syncing to the prerecorded track. But other than that, wow. How did the first season of this show have so many good episodes?