Life isn’t an island for two…unfortunately
Grace Hanson (Jane Fonda) and Frankie Bergstein (Lily Tomlin) find their worlds rocked when their husbands announce their law partnership is more than just a business arrangement. Robert (Martin Sheen) and Sol (Sam Waterston) are planning to get married and divorcing Grace and Frankie. Sol and Frankie’s children Nwabudike “Bud” (Baron Vaughn) and Coyote (Ethan Embry) and Robert and Grace’s children Mallory (Brooklyn Decker) and Brianna (June Diane Raphael) are finding out about their parents new change in life. Grace and Frankie are forced to live in their beach house together and are going to have to learn to get along. They might just become friends in the process.
The girls still can get down!
Grace and Frankie is a Netflix original series. The series was dropped on May 8, 2014. It was received mostly positive reviews.
I watched Grace and Frankie on a whim. I like Lily Tomlin, and I’m ok with Jane Fonda. I found that the show was pretty watchable though it does have problems.
The biggest problem with Grace and Frankie is that it is unbalanced. Sometimes the jokes are great and other times are a bit mundane and not up to the standards of the show. I like the Frankie and Grace combo but find that the kids and Sol and Robert seem to bog down the story. I just don’t care much for the children’s lives and the writers can’t seem to make a decision if they really want them part of the show. Likewise, Sol and Robert are a necessary evil for the plot and need more reflection on their new lives if they are going to be part of the show.
What if everything from episode 1 on is just Grace and Frankie tripping on peyote…
The crude humor actually works with the older actresses who still deliver it with gusto. It is a good combination between Tomlin and Fonda. Fonda always had a sense of class with her and she works as the straight man while Tomlin has always been cruder and more open to darker comedy.
Grace and Frankie is a pretty standard sitcom with a little more bite than a mainstream TV show. It comes close to rising above the line and feels like a worked on second season could provide a bit more spin to the series. It is good to see older actors and actresses getting work in a series which doesn’t feel like it is all just old jokes (there are a lot old jokes). I’m anxious to see where the series go…and will “tune in” next season.
Grace and Frankie—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“The End”
1.1 The End Airdate: 05/08/15
Law partners Sol Bergstein (Sam Waterson) and Robert Hanson (Martin Sheen) have called a dinner party with their wives Frankie (Lily Tomlin) and Grace (Jane Fonda) to announce they are gay…and in love with each other. Now, Frankie and Grace find their lives thrown into turmoil. Escaping to the beach house shared by their families, Grace finds herself stuck with Frankie and her new age ways.
“The Credit Cards”
1.2 The Credit Cards Airdate: 05/08/15
Sol and Robert take the next step in the divorce by cutting off the shared credit cards sending Frankie and Grace into a rage. As Frankie and Grace try to hammer out their finances with Sol and Robert, Frankie’s children Coyote (Ethan Embry) and Nwabudike “Bud” (Baron Vaughn) and Grace’s children Mallory (Brooklyn Decker) and Brianna (June Diane Raphael) deal with their parents’ new lives…and Coyote’s problematic past relationship with Mallory.
“The Dinner”
1.3 The Dinner Airdate: 05/08/15
Sol and Robert decide to throw a dinner for their children, but Coyote, Bud, Mallory, and Brianna decide they better not tell Frankie or Grace. Frankie and Grace go out for cigarettes but find being older means being invisible.
“The Funeral”
1.4 The Funeral Airdate: 05/08/15
Sol and Robert’s old law partner dies, and it means the first big coming out for Sol and Robert. Unfortunately Frankie and Grace feel that they need to attend the funeral as well.
“The Fall”
1.5 The Fall Airdate: 05/08/15
When Frankie and Brianna get high and demand frozen yogurt, an accident lands Grace in the hospital and facing surgery…plus her relationship with Frankie.
“The Earthquake”
1.6 The Earthquake Airdate: 05/08/15
An earthquake strikes sending Frankie into a panic with Sol trying to calm her. Grace enters the world of dating by means of a dating site. Coyote stops by Mallory’s home and has another confrontation with her husband.
“The Spelling Bee”
1.7 The Spelling Bee Airdate: 05/08/15
The annual spelling bee is on and has Sol feeling nostalgic toward Frankie. Frankie tries to get online for the first time and befriends her tech help. Grace runs into one of Robert’s old friend Guy (Craig T. Nelson) and finds a spark. Brianna adopts a dog and finds herself attracted to the foster owner.
“The Sex”
1.8 The Sex Airdate: 05/08/15
Grace is ready to make the sexual jump with Guy but finds herself trying to appease Robert. Frankie questions dating her friend Jacob (Ernie Hudson).
“The Invitation”
1.9 The Invitation Airdate: 05/08/15
Frankie finds she hasn’t received an invitation of Sol and Robert’s wedding and questions if she’s even invited. Grace wonders if Robert is sabotaging her relationship with Guy when he invites him to officiate the wedding.
“The Elevator”
1.10 The Elevator Airdate: 05/08/15
The divorce is happening but Sol, Robert, Frankie, Grace, and Bud are trapped in an elevator…and recalling a Labor Day weekend at the beach house.
“The Secrets”
1.11 The Secrets Airdate: 05/08/15
As Grace and Guy get closer, Frankie wonders if they are moving too fast which is augmented when Frankie learns about Grace’s fling with Byron (Timothy V. Murphy). Brianna goes on a date, but runs into Coyote and Bud. Frankie reveals Grace’s secret to Sol, and Sol learns Robert had an affair during a break-up.
“The Bachelor Party”
1.12 The Bachelor Party Airdate: 05/08/15
It is Sol and Robert’s bachelor party and Coyote and Bud are struggling to throw it. Frankie and Grace head out for a “yes” night and go to a bar.
“The Vows”
1.13 The Vows Airdate: 05/08/15
Grace tries to end her relationship with Guy and tries to find a way to do it. The wedding is coming, and Robert is struggling to write his vows…but an indiscretion by Sol could jeopardize their relationship.
