Relationships are complicated! Whether they’re romantic or familial, there’s no escaping the stress and the drama; something both Charlie and Emma found out in the sixth episode of The Company You Keep titled ‘The Real Thing.’
On the back of FINALLY telling Emma that he loves her too (I personally commend the fact he did so at the same time as confessing to her what else he’d been up to in an attempt to protect her), the dynamic between Charlie and Emma could not be anymore different than it was in the pilot – and the show is all the better for it. TCYK doesn’t hide away from the fact that relationships aren’t all plain sailing, and the pair, though no longer together, certainly endure some rocky waters in this latest installment.
Daphne is continuing to make life miserable for the Nicoletti family – though it must be said Felisha Terrell plays a confident badass with aplomb – and for good measure, this time she’s called on them for a job that brings Birdie’s ex Simon, played by Geoff Stults, back into the picture.
Now I’m not a parent but I have no doubt that everyone could and can relate to Birdie’s reluctance to “…step back into a life I left behind with a man who broke my heart.” But it’s a testament to the bond between the whole Nicoletti clan, as well as their desire to get out from under Daphne and her demands, that she finds herself reconnecting with her ex as she works the paint(ing) job.
I’ve always been single but I’ve seen my siblings enter and end relationships that have left indelible marks on them, so I reacted strongly to the apprehension expressed by both Leo (I can’t wait to find out exactly what part he played in the implosion of Birdie’s relationship) and Charlie as Birdie continued to interact with Simon and seemingly enjoyed herself at the same time.
This show is full of fantastic actors but I’ll be dumbfounded if everyone isn’t talking about THAT scene between Birdie and Ollie after the youngster found the majority of the family, including her dad, in the basement, for days, So much can indeed be said without words and both Sarah Wayne Callies and Shaylee Mansfield knocked that moment out of the park.
Emma meanwhile – I can’t tell you how much of and about her I see in myself – is feeling the pressure both personally and professionally. Her dad Joe made a serious lapse in judgement some time ago – been there – and now it’s Emma, and her brother David, who could suffer for it; all thanks to the little black book of blackmail Charlie stole for Daphne last week. See what I mean about relationships about being complicated?
Ever the ‘good’ girl, she’s feeling torn between pursuing a new lead regarding Daphne brought to her by Mason or seemingly letting it go to prevent her fathers mistake becoming public knowledge and destroying the family reputation. I ask you – what would YOU do? Emma’s answer is clever, but, as you might expect, not without complications. She asks Charlie, in a moment of considerable awkwardness between the pair, to work for her and help bring Daphne down; mixing business with (former) pleasure – what could possibly go wrong?!
Plan in place, Charlie puts on the ‘tough guy’ act and all but literally sells himself and his services to Daphne who, as I would be were that man in front of me for any reason, seems eager to take him up on the offer. And I’m not the only one picking up on a little bit of – real or otherwise – chemistry between Charlie and Daphne, right? Never mind #Hilletti, perhaps #Charne (?!) could become ‘The Real Thing’ instead…
