Rufus got to experience something we’ve seen him experience a lot during our team’s time travel: racism! How do you feel about the way Timeless handles this subject?
Lizzie: I think this exact topic was my first indication, back in the Pilot episode, where Rufus comments about how, as a black man, there’s no place in American History that’s good for him, that this show was going to be different. Especially because it’s more than a throwaway comment, it’s something they always make a point of, and deal with. And that speaks not just to the writers allowing Malcolm to have a voice in how Rufus react, but to a diverse writers room that understands these issues in a way so many rooms filled with middle-aged white men just can’t. So kudos, Timeless. You’re doing amazing, sweetie. Keep at it.
Alyssa: Timeless is a show that not only addresses racism but it takes the time to deal with it as evidenced by this episode. Racism has been an issue that’s existed throughout history, and getting to deal with it in different ways is really important. But perhaps most important is that Timeless allows ALL of our characters to handle it. But no one more than Rufus, a black man traveling throughout history where there is literally NEVER a good time in history for him. This episode highlighted racial tensions in the South in the ‘50s and also reflected the determination of blacks during this time. We saw that with Wendell Scott. We saw that in Rufus and Wendell’s discussion. Yes, unfortunately, blacks are always going to have it worse. But, as Wendell said, “What’s too tough for everyone else is just right for us.” And luckily for us, we get to see that every week. We see it in the historical figures we meet. And we see it in Rufus’ traveling through time and experiencing it firsthand.
Erin: One of the things I love the most about Timeless, is that they don’t back down from anything. They take everything head on. I admire the fact that don’t handle anything with kid gloves – they want to make everything historically accurate.
None of what happens to Rufus is easy, in any mission. But one of the great things about Timeless is Malcolm Barrett and he plays the role with such grace, class, and honesty – I just am so emotionally invested.
Lyra: I like that Timeless doesn’t hide from it. The United States is a place where fucked up shit has happened to people of color and where it continues to occur to this day. Shows like Timeless aren’t pretending that Rufus wouldn’t be treated differently in these other times they visit. They’re taking it head on! They are addressing foul attitudes towards people of color as a means of shining a light on our fucked up past so we don’t repeat it, again.
Charles: Timeless does the best job of almost any tv show on television of highlighting the good and the very bad of history. Racism is a big, nasty part of that history, especially in America. Rufus is the perfect way for the audience to see that nasty side of history and his comments on it are exactly how we feel about those things. This episode showcased how it was like for POC to try to succeed in white-dominated sports. Wendell Scott and Rufus’s talks were a definite highlight of the episode and they give us a chance to see these things in there truest form.
Lariel: Let me start by being pleased they handle it at all. Occasionally you’ll see a good treatment of racism in other time travel shows (I’m not naming names) and they might actually mention it exists. Timeless tackles it head-on. It’s an integral part of the story (and I suspect it’s an integral part of the Rittenhouse master plan).
Kayla: I feel Timeless tackles racism head on and VERY WELL. As Rufus once said it, “There’s no place in history where I’m safe.” It’s true many of the places they visit have been bad for Rufus. They travel to time period where black people are slaves, where segregation exists (like in this episode), and are seen beneath white people. I like seeing them handle it from Rufus’ POV and they do an amazing job with it. I also agree with Lariel on that it may be a part of Rittenhouse’s plan because they want to have a “pure” world as their end result.
Also, as someone who actually was born and raised in modern day South Carolina – and still lives here – these issues are not gone. Not by a long shot. I was so glad to see it so realistically done. I hear stories from my parents and grandparents – who grew up in a segregated South Carolina – and it’s a very much a different place than what I know. However, many of the issues do remain.
Bex: So many time travel shows featured white men going back to the past that when a friend recently asked me about Timeless her first question about it was, “Is it all middle-aged white men?” And how thrilled was I to be able to reply, “Not even a little bit!” and then one-by-one describe the characters to her. Best. Day. Ever. Timeless tackles the subject head-on. None of what Rufus goes through is easy. Every trip back holds danger for him. And Timeless is never scared to show this. I greatly appreciate the input Malcolm Barrett is allowed, with improvised scenes, for example. And I also L.O.V.E how diverse the writing room is.
Funmbi: I frequently think back to the pilot episode when Rufus says, “I am black, there’s literally no place in American history that would be awesome for me.” I remember watching that for the first time and cosigning this SO HARD because, as a Black woman and history lover, I’ve had this thought many a time, myself. But because Rufus is the #HeroInAHoodie, that fear and anxiety never stop him from travelling with his team. And the truth is, at first, I was ambivalent about how the show might tackle racism. I certainly didn’t want them to sugarcoat the experiences of discrimination and violence that people of color have experienced in this country. At the same time, I was nervous. Could my heart handle seeing Rufus in these difficult historical situations week in, week out? Ultimately, I think Timeless strikes the perfect balance. Yes Rufus experiences racism and discrimination. And this week, the potential for violence is very real when Wyatt and Rufus run to help Wendell Scott as he’s about to be ambushed by a group of angry, White men. But the series balances this by highlighting stories of people of color and, treating them respect, not fetishizinging the pain of racism. This allows the viewer to enjoy moments of levity… like Rufus doing the head-nod and Wendell sideeyeing him 😉
Wendell is essential to the Time Team’s mission this week. I love how we get to see his ambition and grit, in the face of discrimination. In this way, we honor Wendell Scott and his contributions to NASCAR and beyond.
Priya: One of my favorite things about this show is that it never attempts to sugarcoat what it was like for POC in the past, especially American past. What’s amazing is that it always manages to do in a way that allows us to see what things were like without making viewers feel like they are watching a “very special episode” or in a way that talks down to Rufus or POC on screen. It was disgusting to see how Rufus was treated (ie. being forced to apologize when the other guy was clearly an asshole in order to avoid a scene). Harkening back to Rufus semi-joking that his superpower in 1×03 was being invisible, it should not have worked as well as it did that Wendell was able to pass off Rufus as someone who’d been to the track before, but it was because he knew to these people they all looked alike, despite being told otherwise. Leading from that, one of my favorite parts of the episode was that Rufus and Wendell had time to talk on the car ride back to the track. I loved that we got to see Rufus’s perspective on a 2018 POC in the past, week is but also that of a POC from that era who was making the best of his situation. It was heartbreaking and made me cry when Wendell said with a smile on his face that he knew he’d never be given the outward glory, but he wasn’t racing for the accolades or for “them”, he was doing this for himself, so he could establish for himself that he could be among the best out there. It was lovely to see that bit of hope shine through, but also in a very realistic way. I think this was handled very well and 100% because there is clearly a great deal of research done and there is a diverse writers’ room that can speak to these experiences.
Back to the Lyatt feels! Will we ever not have them? That’s a rhetorical question. Wyatt and Lucy got, ahem, closer this week, not just physically, but emotionally. What were your feelings on that trunk scene and that second almost-kiss?
Lizzie: It’s been a while since a show has made me feel this much, and probably even longer since a fictional character has made me feel so invested. I think that speaks to Matt and Abigail’s chemistry, but also to the amazing writers on this show. Because this was an intimate scene, a real, awkward, amazing, beautiful scene and I just HAVE SO MANY FEELS. Because this feels so earned. I went on and on about this in my review this week, but I just have to say it again. It feels SO earned. And that’s why I feel it too. That’s what I’m all in.
Alyssa: I swear that Lyatt will be the death of me. There are just so many facets to their dynamic that just fills my soul with love and happiness. They are the stuff that OTPs are made of, and each and every is a new opportunity to unfurl a new side to their relationship and further taunt us with feels. Speaking of, that trunk scene. That trunk scene was everything. And it wasn’t just because of that almost kiss (which was seriously scintillating.) But that conversation and the “hang on to me” that left me fangirl heart swooning reminded me of why Lucy and Wyatt work. This isn’t the shell of a relationship. This is a relationship being built from the ground up. This isn’t the first time they’ve had a conversation like this. And it certainly won’t be the last. But Timeless reminded us about the importance of foundation in relationships.
Lucy is going through something that can only be described as PTSD. She was held captive by Rittenhouse — and her mother — for six weeks. She thought the people she loved — Wyatt and Rufus — were dead. She thought she was alone. And she was willing to do anything to stop the bastards responsible. So of course she’s not okay. That’s a lot of shit for someone to go through. But Lucy has something that a lot of people don’t: she has people that love and care for her and are always willing to listen. And Wyatt let her know that earlier in the episode, which is exactly why Lucy decides to open up to Wyatt about her feelings about her mother. Having heard what Wyatt went through with his dad, Lucy found she could relate to him, as Wyatt similarly has experienced PTSD. Lucy and Wyatt have something in common: a terrible parent. And Lucy wondered if it ever got any easier living with that. While Wyatt was able to just brush it off, that comes from years of working through it. Lucy has only just realized that her mother is a terrible person. But, as Wyatt suggested, maybe it’s better that she knows once and for all. Knows that her mother is terrible. But it’s easier said than done for someone that has praised her mother for so long. That’s something that Lucy is going to have work on within herself — but she also has the luxury of leaning on those, like Wyatt, that love and care for her.
Now, to that almost kiss. Are we going to have an almost kiss every episode? At this rate I’m hoping third time’s the charm because my poor heart can’t take much more of this. Being in that trunk — being so physically close — they were closer to kissing than not kissing. Then after having that conversation — each of them letting their walls down emotionally — it set the stage for what would’ve been a passionate, hot kiss. Jiya was the Clockblocker last week. Now it’s Rufus and Wendell’s turn. Good God, people. We just want our OTP to kiss.
Erin: I want to love you Rufus, all the time. But I have never in my life screamed so loud, “UGH WHY CAN’T WE HAVE NICE THINGS!!!”
Seriously, I get the slow burn. I understand it. I love me some angst. BUT – don’t come between me and Lyatt. I will cut a biotch.
Lyra: WHY?DID?YOU?INTERRUPT?THEM?RUFUS?!? The smooching between two kind, strong, and dependable adults who actually can talk to each other like adults was ABOUT?TO?HAPPEN!?
P.S. Jiya and Rufus are meant for each other with all this interrupting.
Charles: They are going to bang.
But other than that, Lyatt has been full-steam ahead this season so far. We’ve seen multiple moments between Lucy and Wyatt where they are connecting with one another in a much more emotional level than just friendship. Each time though, just as they are about to kiss: ClockBlocked.
The trunk scene was just the latest example of how wonderful these two’s chemistry is with one another. Sexual tension mixed with a dash of humor , a good bit of honesty and angst. Just the way I like my OTPs. Also, there’s no way you didn’t notice that smile on Wyatt’s face there when Rufus catches them in their embrace.
Lariel: Oh, Charles. Ever the romantic!
I loved this scene. Sure, it was a classic trope. There’s a reason tropes become classics. It was so well done. I loved the way Wyatt was so aware of Lucy’s claustrophobia, and how he got her to relax. As always, everything with these two felt so very natural.
Can I say how lovely it is to watch a show where I adore all the ships?
Kayla: Rufus! How dare you!
Lucy and Wyatt were in a classic TV trope situation where they are stuck in close quarters and end up ALMOST kissing due to it. If it weren’t for Rufus, they would have. The feelings are there and they just need to let them all out.
Wyatt and Lucy were very aware of each other’s presence in this scene and I’m now flailing Lyatt trash forever. The chemistry of Matt and Abigail is HOT!
Bex: That trunk scene was one of my favorite Lyatt scenes yet. Those two do their best talking when they’re alone (Party at Castle Varlar) or squished into tight spots (that bed in Last Ride of Bonnie and Clyde). There’s a small moment early in the episode where he sits and asks her about what Rittenhouse did to her while she was with them, and she doesn’t open up. In that trunk, after asking him about his dad, I think she would have told Wyatt everything if he’d asked again. Thank you. Wendell, for putting them back there. When one, or both, of these characters are a little vulnerable beautiful things happen. They support one another in a way that only comes from the trust they’ve been able to build through season one. The conversation, and the way they held one another, was almost better than the actual almost-kiss (but God Wendell and Rufus busting them and their own reaction makes me. laugh. so. fricking. hard)
Funmbi: My Lyatt feels overfloweth *SWOONY SIGH* As I mention before, it’s a testament to the depth of the feelings between Lucy and Wyatt, that he would willingly revisit the pain of his childhood to help her try to heal from her mother’s abandonment. I adore Wyatt so much in that moment. As for that scene in the trunk of Wendell’s car, I remember watching and chanting the whole time “kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss…” We almost had it all, LOL! I love that Lucy and Wyatt are getting closer. The hope is that their emotional connection will soon become a physical one 😉 😉 😉
Priya: Where do I even start with this?! I will go down with this ship. I adored everything about this scene. When I first heard they were going to be spending time in a trunk before the sneak peaks, I thought it may be because of getting kidnapped or the like and wondered if bonding would come from Wyatt keeping Lucy calm. While I was half right, I don’t think I realized until after I saw that they were semi-voluntarily in the confined space (semi-voluntarily as that was the only way they could get in unnoticed) that this was what I needed. As someone who is extremely claustrophobic, I completely related to Lucy in that scene and I loved their banter. That in and of itself was an indicator of just how comfortable they are with each other. I didn’t question him suggesting she hold on to him when the bumpy road jolted her because if he kept a grip on her, he could absorb some of it to some degree, or at least provide a distraction. Plus this is likely hug #5000 (so I hope) so holding on to each other is not new for these two anymore. I lost track of the squeals during this scene. What struck me the most is just how comfortable these two are holding each other. She just went into his arms and snuggled into his shoulder as if this is something they do regularly (let it become something they do regularly, please!).
It also didn’t escape my notice that once he was holding her, she calmed down significantly. Her voice was very high pitched when Wendell first asked if they were ok and still a bit shaky before then. And when she was calmer, her first instinct was to ask about what she heard about his dad. I love how communicative these two are and that she didn’t beat around the bush and it wasn’t forgotten. I loved the conversation that happened. It broke my heart to hear Lucy so disillusioned and sad about dealing with the reality of her mother and Wyatt’s admittance that he did admire his father. Wyatt’s cathartic reaction was also on point because at this point (assuming Wyatt is between 32-36 as Matt is 34) he’s had anywhere from 15-18 years past that situation and while he clearly still carries it, he’s learned to make peace with it, which is a process. Lucy clearly has some level of level of PTSD from what happened and based on the scene at the start of 2×01 and how she was clearly held somewhere for 6 weeks, her notions of her mother all being shattered, that is a lot to deal with. I do hope eventually she opens up about what happened. I would like to think that in the same way Wyatt inspired her in 1×04 to figure out what she was fighting for and in 1×05 to write the letter from the Alamo, knowing he found a way to the other side will help her figure her own way to the it. Given what we know is coming next week, Wyatt’s line about being able to move on now she knows the truth is pretty prescient. It reminded me of their conversation in 1×16 about possibilities, so I couldn’t help but wonder if he was also referring to himself in that now he knows the truth (the present he has is what he has to deal with it) and so can move forward (opening his heart to something new … someone new), with nothing ahead but the open road.
Another thing that I loved is that despite the situation being very serious (death if discovered too soon, very heavy topics of conversation, Lucy dealing with a legit phobia), they made each other laugh. We don’t get to see that enough with OTPs in general. The thing that’s going to stick with me the most is the laughter. And once they got past the security check and Wyatt lost his balance, it was lovely seeing a moment that caused awkward giggles flip the switch into one that’s more emotionally charged with enough sexual tension to run that car. This time, when she leaned up and he leaned down, they both knew exactly what they were doing and it was glorious. It’s clear they were clockblocked just as their lips touched, which made me want to scream when Wendell opened the hatch. Poor Rufus looked like a kid who caught his parents making out and the sheepish looks on their faces was priceless. This was a lovely contrast to last week when Jiya blocked them because Lucy was in abject pain versus this time when it’s not just about comfort (although that factors in) but by the end of it, it was blatantly obvious these were two people who know what they want, have a pretty good idea what the other person wants, and now need to decide what to do about it. If they were at this point around the Bonnie and Clyde episode last year, I would have thought this was going maybe too fast, but given the slow burn that was all of season 1 and the crush of emotions they’ve both gone through within the last 1-2 months, this timing feels perfect and I don’t know how I’m going to cope with next week and what may come after. While I was seriously hoping for a kiss this episode (and we may have gotten a very very quick one, but still), I’m glad the third time will be the charm.
Describe your feelings about Rufus and Wendell Scott interrupting Lyatt with one gif:
Lizzie:
Alyssa:
Erin:
Lyra:
Charles:
Kayla:
Bex:
Funmbi:
Priya:
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