Walker Roundup: Season Four Episode Two “Maybe It’s Maybelline”

Walker episode 4.02, “Maybe It’s Maybelline,” exemplifies the wonderful mix of humor, heart, and action that this show excels at. Interwoven throughout was the recurring theme that sometimes one needs an objective third party to talk to. People in our lives are sometimes too close to the situation and an outside perspective is necessary. The eponymous character for this episode is that for …

Cordell

Struggling with the fact that his youngest child is about to leave home, Cordell is experiencing the pain many parents feel. He first rebuffs his father’s attempts at conversation about August as “meddling.”

Because what he really needed was a middle of the night conversation with the bold, sassy, wise septuagenarian, Maybelline. After a rocky start, Maybelline softened considerably after finding out Cordell was a single parent like she was. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she sagely advises upon discovering this truth from his family pictures. It is her experience and wisdom as a single parent herself that Cordell really needs, that and the lack of baggage that comes with acquaintances. His spirits are lifted by reassurance that his children’s ability to leave the nest is a sign of strength on their part and a job well done on his, instead of them trying to get away from him, which he also fears. She also reassures him that they often come back. Which is hilariously accurate considering they’re sitting at his parents’ table. His discussion with Maybelline enables him to have the conversation he really needs to have, the one with August. Many agree that Kale is perfect casting as Jared’s son, and this scene showcases that. Their performances are amazing. The tears in Cordell’s eyes as he tells August how proud he is, but that he will always worry about Auggie bring tears to the eyes of the viewer, as well.

The manly handshake that Cordell offers turned into a son hugging his dad by August visualizes a truth about their relationship. August may be almost a man now, but he will always love his father.

As if this heartfelt scene wasn’t both heartwarming and tear inducing enough, the callback to the scene in the first episode, their first moment in the farmhouse that became their home, caps the moment off perfectly. Afterwards Cordell is off to meet…

Stella

Witt’s apparent death at the end of last season still haunts Stella. She blames herself for cutting his life short. She tortures herself by searching his social media and discovers he loves rugby, which leads her to his roadside memorial and an unsettling run in with Witt’s “uncle.” Even her sleep isn’t safe, as like her father, her guilt invades her dreams turning them into nightmares. After she leaves suddenly when she wakes up from such a nightmare, Liam follows her to her dorm bringing gifts, because he’s worried. But he’s not who she needs to talk to, and she lashes out and tells him to leave. Whom she really needs to talk to, is Ben. He is someone who cares but doesn’t have the last name Walker. He also has something else: experience dealing with guilt edged grief.

This is a beautiful scene that showcases how Violet has matured as an actress and how great Matt is. Violet was amazing as teenage Stella and is great at showing her grow into young adulthood. Ben is able to reassure her that what she’s feeling is normal and proves she is a good person. This is exactly what Stella needs, and it enables her to offer Liam an olive branch. Sadly, her lifted mood is soon plunged into fear with a threatening message on her dorm window. Now she knows her place is unsafe. Speaking of knowing your place is unsafe, so does …

Geri and Cassie

These two were just beginning their friendship at the end of last season. So, it was great to see them reigniting that friendship at the beginning of this episode. However, they still aren’t too close to not be objective. Which is why Cassie is able to admit that her love of the FBI task force was because it was new and temporary. It is why the audience finds out through their conversation that Cassie is staying. The still newness of their relationship also helps Geri admit that she is still shaken by the break in at her place and that’s one reason she would love for Cassie to move in with her. Odette and Ashley are so fun together. It’s wonderful to see these two together more.

However, this episode was so wonderful. It wasn’t just the scenes described above that were amazing. Bonham had many delightful scenes. It was hilarious when he accidentally eclipsed Trey’s date. Mitch and Molly are also always amazing together as Bonham and Abeline. The delivery of the line, “Please tell me more about raising two boys, I’m dying to know,” was comedic perfection.

The way this show is able to blend action and heart, plus have a more fun filler like episode that still advances one of the plot lines is incredible. Trey hitting the bad guy with Maybelline’s purse from the elevator was a great moment. Witt’s “uncle” is incredibly disconcerting, transforming Stella’s storyline from grief to fear. And Debra Mooney was an absolute delight as Maybelline, it’s kinda sad she moved away. Kudos to all involved for another fantastic episode.