The semester comes to an end with quiet realizations that change everything in Rooster Season 1, Episode 10, “Songs for Raisa.” The season finale, written by Bill Lawrence & Matt Tarses and directed by Oz Rodriguez, is both frustrating and satisfying. It frequently struggles to earn even its broadest beats of sentimentality. Rooster’s season-long struggles in defining its characters and deepening their interpersonal relationships undercut those emotional efforts of “Songs for Raisa.” The show has always succeeded with Greg and Katie, so it works that the season finale takes them where it’s always forecasted they’ll be.
Then again, even between them, Rooster runs into familiar pacing problems. After Katie learns the truth about how much Greg has intervened in her life, it wouldn’t be shocking if the tension lingers a bit longer between them. Even if Greg leaves Ludlow, Katie will still have a relationship with her dad. It could just be tenser than usual for a little while longer. Instead, “Songs for Raisa” resolves that conflict in its opening minutes. Then again, that’s another example of Rooster’s season finale not digging deeper with the characters.
MORE: Rooster Season 1, Episode 9 Review: Bracing for the Truth About Mistakes
The Love Triangle (Expectedly) Unravels
Amid all the inconsistencies, the back-and-forth between Katie, Archie, and Sunny has been one of Rooster’s most consistent elements. I came into “Songs for Raisa” incredibly invested to see if and how it resolves, especially for the women. Katie and Sunny moving on from Archie is the best thing they can do for themselves – and him. (It’s so good that Mo gets the last laugh there!) Being alone for a bit is the best option for Archie because he has to get to know himself better and understand what he wants outside of these relationships he can’t fully commit to and the book he gave too much to in the end.
There’s a genuine character in there, but it’s under so much selfishness. Phil Dunster really lets all of that bubble to the surface, just behind Archie’s eyes, in the scene where Archie ends things with Sunny. Lauren Tsai is also incredible in that scene. “I just didn’t think it would hurt me” is a devastating line, especially after all the effort she’s put into the relationship. Archie tries to soften the blow of the break-up through compliments, and Sunny doesn’t need them.
She knows her worth, and it’s not dependent on Archie – something that Katie eventually names, too. She gets that moment to tell Archie, “Because I don’t need you to make me feel special.” It’s particularly silly and relatable that it follows Katie getting the ick from Archie having spinach in his teeth. Sunny and Katie have always been better than Archie, and it’s rewarding to see them come out the other side of this mess with a better understanding of themselves. Hopefully, Rooster will explore that – and Archie’s attempts to reflect and grow.
MORE: Rooster Season 1, Episode 8 Review: Engaging the Artist and the Audience
Greg’s First Semester Comes to an End
For Greg, “Songs for Raisa” is built around goodbyes that have so little meaning. Therefore, it’s deeply ironic that Greg’s parting words to his class were about caring about characters making the story with it. In Rooster’s defense, it earns that final scene with Greg and Dylan in the library. Their dynamic is one of this season’s brightest points. There’s a clear, long-game intention there, and I’m eager to see where they go next. It’s only when Dylan pivots to Greg’s impact on the students that the scene loses some of its appeal. The only student that Greg has had a significant influence on is Tommy (and, maybe, fleetingly, Tommy’s friends). Therefore, Rooster earns that celebratory moment with Tommy after handing in his finalized chapter. It feels like a win after the last nine episodes.
The reveal of everyone at the diner to bid Greg farewell makes less sense. Greg’s emotions in his speech are personally satisfying because of his arc, but his relationships with most of the people in that room are so thin. Coach Jake being there and having a new and significant relationship with Cristle is objectively wild. That said, it’s good that “Songs for Raisa” gives Greg and Cristle that one-on-one moment. They have enough depth to support one.
Likewise, this season finale fills out Greg and Elizabeth’s dynamic – with excellent chemistry between Steve Carell and Connie Britton. Britton’s take on Elizabeth makes this character lift off the page in endlessly alluring ways. For that reason, I’m glad that she’s sticking around. It felt inevitable since they unveiled the student center that this is where Rooster was headed. It certainly opens up enough drama for Season 2.
MORE: Rooster Season 1, Episode 7 Review: Being Honest About What You Want
—
