Amid the fallout of her relationship, Isla has to do the right thing for herself and the Waves in Running Point Season 2, Episode 6, “The Strike.” This episode, written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Michael Weaver, finds the strongest balance across its ensemble yet this season. Therefore, “The Strike” winds up highlighting characters and dynamics that could use more time–if it existed. Namely, it still feels like there isn’t enough of Ali’s personal storyline.
Brenda Song is so good; her talent demands more screentime. Then again, this show is mainly about Isla and the Gordons and their work-life balance, or the lack of it. Running Point makes a lot of its time in this one. All the storylines at the Waves are cohesive and streamlined. This episode is one of the best examples of what this show can do with a 10-episode season.
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The Waves Dancers Take a Stand
It’s a strong choice to pick up where the previous episode ends. There’s no lead-in voiceover; Running Point just embeds the audience in the moment with Lev. I’m relieved that the show lets Lev have a reaction, especially after the effort of reconciling their relationship last season. I also knew that Mindy Kaling wrote this episode when Kate Hudson, playing Isla Gordon, put a spin on the iconic How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, that is how you lose a guy in 10 minutes.” Kaling gets it! It’s also such a great inciting incident for Isla to want to prove that she’s not selfish or a bad person. Then again, that also means she’s starting from the place of a wrong reason.
“The Strike” brings back the Waves dancers, picking up a thread from Season 1. Naturally, Running Point finds a contrast in how the Gordons want to value their team but then belittle the work the dancers do. The storyline introduces a fantastic guest-starring appearance from Octavia Butler as the lawyer, Diane Robicheaux. She and Isla get into a performative competition that the episode eventually cuts through to get to the heart of the matter. The dancers have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet and live. Diane is right when she says, “Life shouldn’t be that hard.”
I love that this storyline folds back into the Sephora sponsorship. I’m also obsessed with Isla’s involvement in the halftime show, given Hudson’s background in dance. However, it is odd that this arc feels more satisfying than Jackie and Sofia’s relationship. They’ve barely been around this season. So, the reveal that Sofia has an internship offer doesn’t land. After fighting for the team, this career shift is confusing, and any drama it may produce between Jackie and Sofia will be the same.
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New Players, New Problems
Running Point is mostly successful with Isla and Lev because their relationship spans two seasons, though it’s not all that present in either. This episode finds a nice bookend with them. It moves them to a place where they can both apologize, and Lev can admit that Isla was right to end things. That final scene shows how Isla is a good person (or trying to be a better one); she doesn’t want things to end with Lev on a bad note. However, Running Point seems more acutely aware of the end of this long-term relationship that Isla fought for than it is of Sandy’s with Charlie. “The Strike” introduces the anticipated Tommy White, who happens to be Sandy’s new love interest.
The chemistry between the two actors is present from the jump – that scene by Sandy’s car! Tommy comes across as rather boring (“It’s hard to feel like a community until I have a house”), so it’ll be interesting to see if/how his characterization evolves this season. By the way, I love that the journalist in that press conference is Alison Becker, who played Shauna Malwae-Tweep on Parks and Recreation. Tommy also inspires this hilarious subplot where George Clooney is weirdly invested in the Waves.
Mostly, it’s great that this storyline lets Sandy and Ali’s dynamic develop. Ali is a part of the extended Gordon family, but, obviously, most of her scenes on the show are with Isla. Her history with the family shows in jokes about Ali knowing Sandy was gay before he was. Therefore, it’d be great to see Ali interact with the family more often. Likewise, Tommy’s arrival does raise questions about shake-ups with the team. Ness made a big deal about Travis potentially being benched, so I’m curious to see what happens there.
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