Transparent Episodes 4 Thru 10 Recaps: We Need More Mustard (Season Finale)

If you've gotten this far, I assume you're watching "Transparent". But just in case, here's the breakdown. "Transparent" is available on Amazon Prime. There are 10 30 minutes episodes (all released simultaneously). That adds up to 5 hours of viewing time total. Instead of a series, think of it as a long movie or two typical episodes of "Sons Of Anarchy". "Transparent" tells the story of the Pfefferman family in Los Angeles. There's father Mort, ex wife Shelly and their three adult children-- Sarah, Josh and Ali. Mort (a retired polisci professor) tells his family that he's transitioning into a woman. He will now go by "Maura".

Maura Has A Caftan For Every Occassion

Given the big changes in Maura's life, you'd think she would be the most unstable of bunch (but you would definitely be wrong). Maura's children are an absolute mess. The oldest child Sarah is cheating on her husband with a woman that she had a relationship with in college. She spent zero time worrying about her marriage before jumping Tammy's bones. Josh (the middle child) gets fired with his job. He's busy having bad relationships with lots of women. Through one of many flashbacks, we see this pattern started earlier in life with his babysitter Rita (while his parents turned a blind eye). Ali is the youngest and the most untethered. She has no job and lives off of her parents. Throw in some drugs and lots of free time and she's a recipe for disaster.

I love Maura (Jeffrey Tambour deserves ALL the awards this year) but I just hate the Pfefferman children. They are horrible people. They dont think of anyone but themselves.They cant even sit through a talent show that Maura performs in (even after learning how much it means to her). Maura knows the score saying "I don't know how it is that I raised three people that cannot see beyond themselves.".

Did the lies Mort/Maura kept earlier in life cause (or at least exacerbate) this behavior? We see in flashbacks that Maura has been struggling with her identity for many years. Shelly was aware of some issues but she considered them Mort's "private kink". We also see that when Mort/Maura does something for one child, she wants to make sure it stays a secret.

What I Wouldnt Give For An Alligator Right Now

There are some good points about the Pfefferman offspring so I cant COMPLETELY hate them (although I really want to). Curse you Amazon for pulling me back in!!! Of course that's the hallmark of a great show. There's no definite black or white-- just shades of gray.

The girls accept their father's new identity fairly easily. Hey no big deal. They have enough problems of their own to worry about Maura. Sarah has her children call their grandfather "Moppa" (which is a combination of momma and pappa). I thought that was sweet.

Maura goes to Ali's house one night to tell her of his transition. Ali fully supports Maura's decision but has a somewhat over the top reaction due to her recent ingestion of ecstasy. We also see Ali genuinely concerned about her step father Ed (who has gone missing). Ed has Alzheimers and wanders off on occasion. The kids pretend to search but of course stop for a quick meal. Ali is the only person that is alarmed. Their mother Shelly isnt. She is exhausted from non stop caring for Ed (and unloads on her family at one point saying no one is there for her).

I especially liked the episode where Sarah, Ali and Maura all went to the women's restroom (only to encounter some bitchy teenage girls). Talk about horrible children! Sarah immediately comes to Maura's defense and tries to rip the girls a new one. Maura wants to avoid conflict and tries to leave. Good for your Sarah. You got some brownie points in my book for that!

Josh has the hardest adjustment to his father's new life. Josh is not a bad person but just a lost soul. He gets a girl pregnant and decides to settle down with her (but she has an abortion without consulting him). He freaks and loses his job. He gets close to the new female rabbi (but that relationship may be ruined thanks to Ali).

Run Rabbi! Run Away From This Crazy Family!

Speaking of Rachel the Rabbi, I didnt buy that she would start a relationship with Josh. She initially pays a house call to visit Ed and then meets the entire dysfunctional family (minus Maura). Seeing their interaction would be enough to make me run away screaming. But nope, the next thing we know she's in bed with Josh. At Ed's shiva, Ali hints of Josh's conquests and that he's a love addict. Then Josh seals his fate by asking who Rachel spoke to. Was it Syd? Was it Rita? How bout you keep your trap shut dude?

After the shiva guests leave, the family is eating around the table. Ali (who is a complete ass in the final episode) joins everyone again. Sarah announces that she and Tammy are getting married. That's a 180 considering she and Len almost got busy in the laundry room earlier. Josh brings Colton (who we think is his son). Colton is a born again Christian and makes everyone hold hands and pray before the meal. Maura exclaims "Oy gevalt". And end season.

Tammy: The Ultimate Butch

Before I close I'd like to say how much I enjoyed Tammy (Melora Hardin was excellent). She tries to seem self assured but is as dysfunctional as the rest of the characters. What was up with her trying to horn in on carrying Ed's casket? And that speech about the house's decor choices while they were sitting shiva? Too funny.

Ali & Syd In Gender Studies Class

Also I found Syd (Ali's friend from childhood) to be very interesting. She sleeps with Josh but knows it's not a permanent thing. She later tells Ali she loves her but is spurned. She attends Ed's funeral but Ali says dont bother coming to shiva. Why does Ali treat her so badly and why does Syd hang around? Did I mention I hate Ali?

What will season 2 of "Transparent" hold? It looks like Sarah and Len might get back together at least for a little while (although Sarah just announced her marriage to Tammy). Will Ali ever get a real job? How will Josh get along with his (and Rita's) newly discovered son? Now that Shelly no longer has to take care of Ed, what trouble will she get into? She is hell on wheels so you can bet she'll be up to something. I hope Maura's friend Davina remains in the picture. She is a great support.

Favorite Quotes:

All my life, my whole life, I've been dressed up as a man. This is me."- Maura to Sarah when she asks if he's going to dress like a "lady" from now on.
"I don't know how it is that I raised three people that cannot see beyond themselves."- Maura.
Ali:"You are telling me I didn't have a Bat Mitzvah because Dad wanted to out in the woods and dress up like a woman?" Shelley: "That and you were a spoiled brat."
"This is my father? And he's a woman! And he has every right to be in this bathroom."- Sarah to a bratty woman and her EVEN MORE bratty children. You tell em Sarah!
"Where is the mustard? There's not enough mustard out there."- Shelly during Ed's shiva. She brought a LARGE container of mustard with them in the limo.
"I didn't want to throw you off with too much Jewiness on the first date."- Rabbi Rachel.
"Politically I am basically a lesbian. I see male privilege everywhere and I would totally love to be a lesbian. But I am not a dyke I am totally into dudes."- Ali (but she later wears a suit to Ed's funeral so who knows).
"In five years you are gonna look up and none of your family are gonna be there. Not one."- Davina to Maura.
Sarah: "You know that thing you do when you are falling in love." Maura: "Not really."
"If I didnt give you any money would you even talk to me?" Maura to leech of a daughter Ali.
"Bye Ed!"- Shelly wastes no time in grieving her dead husband Ed.

It's About Family

Transparent Season 1 Episodes:

Pilot
The Letting Go
Rollin'
Moppa
Wedge
The Wilderness
Symbolic Exemplar
Best New Girl
Looking Up
Why Do We Cover the Mirrors?

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love, you'll hate, you'll want some more mustard. "Transparent" is about truly seeing each other and loving those around you (even when you dont like what you see).