Even perfection has its limits, as Étoile Season 1, Episode 7 “The Slip” proves. The show is revving up for the end of the season by throwing our characters into uncharted territory. A returning ex, a shocking mistake, a literal coma — there’s definitely no shortage of plot twists. By now, though, Étoile has settled into itself, making us really feel for each character. I’m not ready to say goodbye to them yet!
An Affair to Remember
Étoile Season 1, Episode 7 “The Slip” starts as we join Gael on a run through Central Park. He runs into a woman he recognizes, Quinn (Nina Ariadna, aka Maisel’s most glamorous lesbian, Hedy Ford). Their awkward hug and stilted conversation make it clear there’s something there. And, oh boy, is there ever.
Later, Gael demands to know why Jack didn’t tell him Quinn was back and conducting at MBT. Jack didn’t know. Oh, and Quinn is his sister! And all of a sudden, Jack’s specific animosity for Gael makes perfect sense. Both Gael and Quinn tell Jack they don’t want to see the other, but, come on. We all know that’s not going to last. The problem with Gael remains, though: he’s mostly defined by his relation to other characters, rather than his own wants, needs, and decisions.
Mama Clara is back, along with Uncle John, and they’re furious that Gael is back. They confront Jack, and then Quinn joins in, and all hell breaks loose. Quinn’s affair with Gael caused a messy, costly breakup of her pre-nup-less marriage with a terrible husband (broke, arrogant, and hitting on everyone – including one of Jack’s ex-wives). Jack goes on a rant about Quinn marrying “beneath her station,” but really, he’s mad that the fallout all landed on his shoulders. He’s also got some pent-up anger at his family-appointed role as the “protector” of his “prodigy” sister. Quinn fires back that Jack has no romance – although, I’d say his affection for Geneviève (and, possibly, his softness for Cheyenne?) would beg to differ.
Worse Than Dusseldorf
Jack’s initial reaction to Nicholas’s collapse is surprisingly chill. Nicholas has a history of comas, turns out, and the doctors think this won’t be the worst of them. Jack sends Marie to keep the news on the down low while he waits for news.
At first, all seems well. Nicholas is awake and sneaking illicit candy with Jack in no time. He also apologizes for not telling Jack that Quinn was coming back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last. Jack gets a call in the middle of the night, because Nicholas has taken a turn for the worse. As in, way worse. As in, might not wake up again.
And as if things couldn’t get uglier, Shamblee shows up with an angle to play. Kirby plays every note perfectly: Jack’s grief, fear, and anger all at once. Shamblee oozes concern and promises to pay for the very best care for Nicholas… but he also forces Jack to reveal the truth to the board. That, in turn, gets Jack stuck in the middle of funeral planning and succession planning. Near the end of the episode, Shamblee has a suggestion for the latter: Cheyenne. I’m not sure yet what his game is (and neither is Jack), but it can’t be good – he still holds that grudge against Cheyenne, and possibly Jack too.
Just a Slip (Or Maybe Not)
In Étoile Season 1, Episode 7 “The Slip,” Cheyenne is wearing herself out, though she’d never admit it. She frustrates choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (guest-starring as himself) as they try to work on her routine for the upcoming show.
She does, however, put on a good showing for a Q&A. She’s witty, charming, and has a good rapport with her interviewer (Isaac Mizrahi, also playing himself). Jack panics when a young girl asks Cheyenne what she would do if she weren’t a dancer. But fortunately, Cheyenne gives a beautiful answer about how she couldn’t do anything else. “It got into my brain… like a song that won’t leave,” she muses. She talks about how art is the way to create hope out of anger, and she leaves everyone – including Jack – deeply moved.
But, as with most things, love isn’t enough. After sharing her pre-performance ritual with a nervous SuSu, Cheyenne’s nightmare happens during a Nutcracker performance. She slips onstage. It’s quick and she recovers instantly, but it happened. Jack sees it on his office TV and runs down to the wings, where he watches Cheyenne pull herself together to finish the performance (and, seemingly, use her gaze on him to spot her turns).
After everyone has cleared out, Cheyenne paces alone on stage, over and over the spot where she slipped. Gael tries to tell her to stop overworking herself, but she pushes him away. Jack does the same, but he’s a lot gentler: holding her shoulders, lots of eye contact… and we all see where this has to be heading, right? But she brushes him off, too – fearing the slip is a “sign” of failures (or aging) to come.
Chaos in Paris
We finally find out why Gabin has such a chip on his shoulder (and a temper). He’s from a rougher part of town, and the neighborhood bullies taunt him. He tries to brush them off, but eventually, he snaps and fights them. The next day, Tobias shows up for work and is bemused to find Matthieu instead of Gabin. He barges into Geneviève’s office and gets the whole story.
Gabin got arrested when the cops showed up and he resisted them; he’s also suspected of throwing a rock through a critic’s window. When Gabin gets out of jail, he walks out to find Tobias waiting. He wants sympathy, but Tobias is hurt. “You let me down,” he repeats as he leaves. Oh, but he didn’t smash the window, so there’s that, I guess.
Tobias doesn’t do well choreographing around the other dancers in Étoile Season 1, Episode 7. He is unnecessarily cruel, though, something Geneviève points out. Plus, the dancers are still considering a strike. Mishi finds out about all of it – including the fact that her presence is part of the other dancers’ problem – from Tristan, one of the only dancers who’s been nice to her. He’s repaying her for her kindness to him when they were kids. “I got your back,” he says, and you know what – if Timeo is blocking Mishi on Instagram, Tristan is right there!
Clea visits Mishi at Bruna’s to apologize. But, of course, she has an ulterior motive. She’s being honored, and she wants Mishi there. Mishi shows up, but quickly gets drunk for the first time. It ends with Mishi giving a brutal “toast” that lays out all her problems with her mother, the ballet mean girls, all of it. Clea storms out, leaving Geneviève to help Mishi as she gets sick.
Curtain Call
- My favorite casting gag of the season has to be Jonathan Groff as Tobias’s ex, Kevin. Groff and Glick were, of course, both in the original cast of Spring Awakening nearly 20 years ago!
- “Where you going?” “Barcelona.” Broadway babies making Sondheim jokes!!
- The Fish lawsuit makes the New York news, much to Jack’s chagrin. Looks like that storyline won’t have time to get resolved this season, though.
- I’m fascinated by the intersection of class and ballet. Geneviève, Gabin, and Cheyenne are all from not-rich backgrounds, while Mishi and Jack were born into luxury. And, of course, the French get government funding for the arts (albeit with strings), while the Americans are constantly trying to please donors.
- By the time this review is published, I fully expect the GIFs of Jack wearing glasses to be circulating Twitter and Tumblr, at the very least. You all know who you are.
- Geneviève texts Jack when she hears about Nicholas. In the midst of all the chaos, his face goes so soft and smiley as he texts back some heart emojis. It may not be as flashy as the angsty, fiery connection he has with Cheyenne, but Jack’s relationship with Geneviève has such “I know you” warmth to it, too! They’re both so good (and no one gazes at a scene partner quite like Luke Kirby).
- Patrick Page’s voice is made to deliver lines like “indecorous, dissembling, and surreptitiously libidinous.”
What did you think of Étoile Season 1, Episode 7 “The Slip”? Ready for the finale? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
