Platonic (Season 1) Episode 8: “Platonic” on Apple TV+, starring Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, is inching closer to its finale for its first season. The series is scheduled to have ten episodes, and the eighth episode (titled “San Diego”) initiates the long-anticipated conflicts that the title of the show hints at. With more intensity than previous episodes, it throws open the question of whether the world is ready to truly accept a ‘platonic’ relationship between two people who are romantically involved.
This episode ups the ‘seriousness’ of the show but with its usual quirky humor. If you are still watching this series, then there is no reason you would not continue, as it is seemingly going towards a strong season finale.
Platonic (Season 1) Episode 8 Recap:
Sylvia’s Lies
After the eventful last episode, where she gets herself fired from her job on the very first day, Sylvia (Rose Byrne) is confronted with reality. The reality of telling her husband, Charlie (Luke Macfarlane), and the children that she no longer has the coveted job. But it is a tough job. Especially seeing how happy her entire family is seeing her going to the job, which she desperately wanted to do, it becomes much easier to continue the facade.
Thus, Sylvia gets up every day and dresses up to go to the ‘office.’ Except that the office is Will’s (Seth Rogen) pub. Will tells her that she needs to tell her husband the truth and that she cannot keep hiding here and pretend to be at work. Sylvia promises to break the news to Charlie, only to eat her words again and again. Eventually, she does muster the courage and tells Charlie about her getting fired on the very second day. She recounts the entire portrait fiasco.
Charlie, always the supportive husband, comforts Sylvia. He pacifies her by saying that these things do happen. Sylvia mentions that she was tired, and that is why she fell asleep leaning on the painting. Charlie repeats what his friend, Stewart (Guy Branum), told him – that the job Sylvia got is generally catered to young law graduates. It is understandable that Sylvia felt overwhelmed by the amount of work. Despite all the comforting words, Sylvia cannot help but feel a twinge of irritation as Charlie does not attack Kirk Friedkin as much as she had hoped.
Will’s San Diego Trip
Sylvia later finds from Katie (Carla Gallo) that Will’s party is going to San Diego to meet the celebrity restaurateur, Johnny Rev (Ted McGinley). Katie is going there as she is dating Will’s partner and friend, Andy (Tre Hale). Sylvia, who is a fan of Johnny Rev, begs Will to take her as well. Will, who had previously decided not to go on the trip due to creative differences with his partners Andy and Reggie (Andrew Lopez), reluctantly agrees to accompany Sylvia to San Diego.
Andy and Reggie beg Will not to say anything critical about Johnny’s establishment. Will, who does not correlate his creations and his beers, with anything mainstream, finds a hard time not doing so. The moment comes when Will and his party taste the beer that is produced by Johnny’s brewmaster, Jenna (Rachel Rosenbloom). Will cannot help but provide his suggestion. To everyone’s surprise, Johnny agrees with Will’s criticism. He cites that honest feedback is integral for the partnership.
Johnny Rev’s Advances
Will, and his entire party, which includes Sylvia, get invited for dinner at Johnny’s house. They are amazed by Johnny’s luxurious collections of cars and armors. During the conversation, when Sylvia is alone with Jonnny, Johnny makes an unwarranted advance towards Sylvia. He tries to lunge at her in order to kiss her. Sylvia swerves and avoids that but falls on the ground.
Will, after learning this, tries to confront Johnny. However, Reggie asks him not to say anything, as they need Johnny’s business. Sylvia also asks Will to ignore it and just get the dinner over with. However, at the dinner table, Johnny starts throwing shade at Sylvia, insinuating that she spends time with other men and not her husband. In Johnny’s perspective, that puts her ‘up for grabs.’ Eventually, Will and Johnny get into a quarrel, which quickly turns into a hilarious brawl.
Platonic (Season 1) Episode 8 Ending. Explained:
What Does Johnny Rev’s Action Mean?
Understandably, Will and his gang lose the deal with Johnny. But why does Johnny act like that? The answer lies in the title of the show. From the pilot episode, the show has established that the platonic relationship between Will and Sylvia would always be questioned. Johnny Rev’s actions and his subsequent words form the crudest example of attacks that this relationship gets.
From Will’s ex-wife to Charlie’s colleagues, everyone has questioned or expressed doubt about the ‘platonic’ nature of this friendship. When Johnny hears from Sylvia that she is married and yet traveling with another man, he immediately thinks of that as bait from Sylvia. This shows the general societal stigma and the reluctance to accept that Will and Sylvia could just be friends.
Why Did Charlie Call ‘Gandalf’?
It is not only Johnny – Charlie, too, gets his suspicion rekindled. Charlie had his concerns somewhat lessened when he spent time with Will at the baseball game and later at Will’s pub. However, it comes to his notice that Sylvia had told Will about her loss of her job before telling him. Although we know why Sylvia did not tell Charlie immediately (to not disappoint him), Charlie gets suspicious.
He gets his entire cavalry working on this relationship, to find some evidence that might show more things that Sylvia has hidden from Charlie. Or, to find “the smoking gun,” as they call it, to establish that Will and Sylvia might not be involved platonically.
And they find one. It is the photo of the lizard that Sylvia had Charlie and the kids adopt as a pet. The pet lizard that Charlie now loves is known as “Jessipa.” When Sylvia comes back from San Diego, she finds Charlie caressing Jessipa. Charlie asks Sylvia whether he should call Jessipa ‘Gandalf’ instead. If you remember, “Gandalf” was the name Will used to call the lizard by because Jessipa was originally Will’s pet lizard named ‘Gandalf.’
