Loveday Writing

Meanwhile, Diana is still heartbroken over her break-up, with Nayani visiting to comfort her. Diana, thinking of restarting her life, tells Nayani that she’s thinking of asking Ben for a job, however Nayani suggests going back to work with Easton.

Throughout the episode, a cameraman, Frog, is filming Easton at the house as he tries many ideas for his TV show, with Brett, Denise and Diana constantly interrupting him. A real estate agent comes by to tell them she’s there for an appraisal as they’re selling the house, when Easton tells her they’re not, Brett asks where June’s van has gone.

As Diana, Denise and Easton go on a drive to find her, Diana pitches a web series idea of trying to get to know people through their food narrative, echoing the dessert she made at the fundraiser lunch a couple of episodes earlier. During the drive, Diana realises that Denise is tracking June’s phone, which leads to a fight between them. Diana tells Denise that June leaving isn’t entirely on her as Jim wasn’t perfect, but Denise points out that he stayed for her and Easton which counts for something.

Later, they stop for a bathroom break, with Diana going into the men’s bathroom due to the apparent mess in the ladies’ bathroom. While they are in separate but adjacent cubicles, Diana asks Easton if he thinks she made a mistake by not going back to London. He tells her no, and she asks if he means it and not saying that because he’s afraid she’s going to become more famous and successful than him. He asks her why he’d care about that and she tells him because it’s always been about him not wanting her to succeed. He dismisses her claim by pointing out that he discovered her talent, but she adds that he used her talent for himself. Easton counters by saying they used each other and Jim’s Restaurant was a hit, but Diana points out it was until he screwed it up. Easton implies that he missed her. Diana discovers Frog filming them from outside and when they chase him, he drives off.

Denise, Diana and Easton eventually track June down to Tranquility Grove, a retirement home. While June tries to get away from them by hiding in a resident’s bedroom, they eventually find her, she admits that she needed to sell the house to fund her stay in the retirement home, as she wants to settle down in her remaining years and doesn’t want to die alone. When Easton asks if June came back just for the money, she says yes, but Diana doesn’t believe it. Denise then asks her if she has any idea how her leaving affected them. June tells her that some people aren’t meant to be mothers and she was depressed after their births. Denise dismisses her, saying she was depressed after Diana was born but she didn’t give up on motherhood.  June apologises for leaving and selling the house.

Towards the end of the episode, June, Easton, Denise, Diana and Brett sit outside on the property arguing about who will stay where in the house. Denise settles the argument by telling June she’ll sleep in her van but she can come in for meals and to use the bathroom, which she’s fine with.

Later, Easton calls Terry to offer his services to the soup kitchen, only to get a call from Matt Preston halfway through and hang up with the promise to call back. Moments later, we see that Ben has given Terry a job at his restaurant. When Easton answers Matt’s call, he tells him that he saw all the footage, and the network is interested in a show featuring him and Diana together. The episode and season ends with Easton trying to play it cool and offer Diana the chance to appear on a show with him, only for her to figure out that the network wanted her as well. Easton asks her if she’ll be on the show, she doesn’t answer the question but smiles.

Overall, I felt that this was a solid finale with the June story arc brought to a close, Diana and Easton finally dealing with their unresolved issues, and Diana and Easton’s story arc possibly continuing on to a third season with a new venture, a cooking show.

In terms of the season as a whole, I felt it was an improvement over the last, not because the previous season was bad, but as the characters were firmly established in the previous season, this one allows for deeper character development and the introduction of new ones with Harry, June, and Terry.

I appreciated that Harry showed the changes in Diana due to being in London and away from the family, however the outcome of their relationship was predictable. I also appreciated that Terry humbled both Diana and Easton due to the reality of his situation and calling them out on their immature and privileged behaviour when needed. I was happy to see Terry getting a job with Ben, but I am a little concerned that Ben’s motives aren’t entirely genuine. Hopefully if there is a third season, Terry returns.

I appreciated June’s return and her filling the parental role to Easton and Denise, even if she, as self-described, didn’t take to being a mother. She provided the family with a breath of fresh air, honesty and support. I also appreciated that her motives for returning, whilst selfish, were based in the reality of ageing. On a smaller note, I also appreciated that the season ended on a more optimistic note than the previous one.

I’ve enjoyed reviewing the second season of Aftertaste and I hope it’s renewed, but if not, it ended on a good note.

Stray Observations:

-When Easton is eating barbecue chips and drinking pinot, he tells Margot that the show should also focus on unlikely food pairings with wines. Margot suggests pairing butter popcorn with oaky chardonnay.

Best one liners and interactions:

“What she needs is a rebound.” “Brett, you can’t replace a boyfriend like that.” “No, a rebound hobby. When I was a kid and my dog died, I rebounded with saxophone lessons.” (Brett-Denise-Brett on Diana and her break up with Harry)

“Well, that dress really brings out your grumpy face.” (Easton to Diana)

“You know you could use your stupid home brew as like a deglaze for the pan or something, it’s not like anyone wants to drink it anyway.” “Yeah, well, that’s not a bad idea, but you can still piss off.” (Diana-Easton)

“I’m the content maker, copy cat!” (Easton to Diana on her web series idea)