Greg teaches his students how to make scenes real while the ensemble leans into honesty in Rooster Season 1, Episode 7, “All The Dogs’ Names.” Gradually, the characters start to accept truths about themselves and others that they were resistant to in the past. This episode, written by Anthony King and directed by Anu Valia, is the strongest outing of the season so far. Rooster strikes a true balance with all of its characters. While Greg and Katie are still at the forefront, there is a lot more of everyone in “All The Dogs’ Names.”
It works in the show’s favor. Namely, it opens Rooster up to guest star Jim O’Heir as Sunny’s dad, Freddy. (As someone who loves Parks and Recreation, this bit of casting news is very fun and special.) Also, that dedication spins most of the characters into new and exciting directions for the rest of the 10-episode season. Most notably, “All the Dogs’ Names” suggests Rooster will finally do something with its hockey subplot.
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The Love Triangle Is Real Now
This episode does some of the best and most cohesive work with this oddly shaped love triangle between Sunny, Archie, and Katie. Before now, there have been so few instances where the show highlights the appeal of Sunny and Archie’s relationship. They both seem pretty unhappy in it, to be honest. Introducing Freddy is a great way to test them. He says what no one else, but Mo, has been able to say. O’Heir’s read of “This baby is a gift. Give yourself over to it. I promise, it’ll grab your heart” oozes with the genuineness that Archie needs. After all, he hasn’t fully accepted that this baby is happening. Instagram is the closest, and he practically did that while looking through his fingers.
Also, that dialogue from Freddy helps to understand this character, that Rooster (and Archie) is just meeting. He comes into that scene with a specific motivation after he and his wife, Nora, weren’t able to have a child on their own. Backing that up with that ultrasound scene is incredibly moving. It makes it all real for Archie – he sees his chin on that baby. He sees Sunny in a whole new light. Phil Dunster sells that beautiful, overwhelming moment for his character.
“All the Dogs’ Names” also uses time really clearly, especially as Archie tries to win over Katie with croissants. Even as he puts in the effort after the fact, these two still make each other smile. Then, Rooster reminds everyone that he’s still in a relationship with Sunny. So, that gut punch comes with that third visit where Katie is finally looking forward to seeing Archile, only for him to disappoint her. Charly Clive is excellent in conveying so much in a big breath and a fake smile.
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Testing the Strength of a Friendship
This episode also has great romantic drama – Greg and Cristle’s scene at her desk is my favorite scene. I also appreciate that her absence has ripple effects with Walt, as his job is still up in the air. On the other hand, removing Cristle as a middle person also opens Rooster up to explore Greg and Walt’s dynamic and their respective expectations for it. Relatedly, John C. McGinley asking, “Greg, why is there a lock on our special door?” made me howl with laughter.
He is excellent in this episode, which includes a scene where Walt does the very brave thing of admitting he’s lonely. That fact recontextualizes why Riggs is still at Ludlow. That scene between McGinley and Alan Ruck is a knockout. It includes some of my favorite dialogue from the show so far:
“These are not the times we came up in, pal. A few years back, I felt this place leaving me behind, so I ran as fast as I could to catch up. Now, I don’t always get there, but I make dam to make the effort. You? You don’t even try.”
It’s about trying to be a better person. Time proves that Riggs doesn’t have that in him. For Walt, that’s hard to accept from his friend, but he does. Therefore, he doesn’t lose a better friend who won’t emotionally manipulate him: Dylan. Her connection to Greg is reflected in his being the one who helps her verbalize what she wants. I also love that Katie (and Zoey) go up to bat for Dylan. By the end, it’s rewarding to watch Dylan (Danielle Deadwyler is on another level) read Pablo Neruda’s “Nothing But Death” with a smile on her face.
MORE: Rooster Receives an Early Season 2 Renewal at HBO
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