Enlightened - Season 2 Episode 5 - Recap and Review - The Ghost is Seen

Enlightened  is still a criminally underrated series. "The Ghost is Seen" was one of those episodes that reminded me of why this show works so well. It's strange, in a way, that a show thrives so well based off of the private arcs of supporting characters rather than the greater plot of the series. Not that Amy's (Laura Dern) plight to demolish a corrupt corporation isn't impressive as the show's central story, but any mere glimpses it gives into the lives of her counterparts, or her for that matter, always impress. Enlightened consistently delivers personal moments that propel it forward as a series. "The Ghost is Seen" focused on Mike White's Tyler, and his private yearning for purpose.

HBO "Enlightened"

The episode opened with an inner monologue from lonely Tyler, who has resolved to the fact that he will exist on forever as a mere ghost of a person. We got glimpses into Tyler's life outside of Abaddon; shopping at the grocery store, sitting around his bleak apartment, etc. Tyler has a tinge of deep sadness to him, but he doesn't evoke pity so much as sympathy. He recognizes that he's not worthless, but rather, that a life of solitude has unfortunately befallen upon him.

Tyler: "Some pearls are never found. They hide on the ocean floor... No one knows they're there, but the pearl knows."

I liked that part of the opening narrative so much. Mostly, I feel as though people associate true loneliness with a sort of self-loathing. That's not necessarily the case. This is more so a case of sitting out of the game of life so long that you forget how to play.

As we were let into Tyler's world bit by bit, we also learned that Dougie (Timm Sharp) and Amy had reached a dead end in their search for answers surrounding the big man in charge of Abaddon, Charles Ziden. All of the man's emails turned up clean; no illegal activity, nothing dangerous, etc. Dougie made the assumption that Ziden most likely had another email account for private activity. Amy, thinking fast, came up with the idea of targeting his assistant and convincing them to join forces.

Tyler, recognizing Ziden's assistant from the gym, was pressured to make a move. Having been a little rusty, Tyler's awkward treadmill flirting may have proven futile in any other case, but Eileen (Molly Shannon) saw a certain charm in his gentle and shy  demeanor. Still, he wimped out. Dougie, convinced that he could do a better job, decided to try his luck. After talking up Eileen more successfully, he managed to convince her to join him, along with some colleagues, for drinks.

At the bar, Amy attempted to entice Eileen to see things her way, of course. Eileen, recognizing that no corporate entity is perfect, chose to back her boss, whom she genuinely believes to be a good person. With Amy's failure imminent, it would be up to Tyler to make things happen. Eileen thought he was "sweet," and he'd have to work his quiet charm yet again.

Tyler: "I've seen you on the treadmill. You have a lot of energy for your age."

Stilted conversation actually led to the revelation of some similarities. As it turned out, Tyler may have found the female version of himself. The parking lot kiss goodnight was sufficiently uncomfortable but not at all pathetic. It booked Tyler a second date.

The next day, Tyler had agreed to share some illegally downloaded music with Eileen. Dougie, recognizing this as an opportunity, encouraged Tyler to access the network from her system so he could hack her computer. Tyler, convinced that Amy and Dougie would turn up empty handed, ignored their plan. Sadly, they managed to find a boatload of awful email conversations from Eileen's boss, unbeknownst to Tyler.

That night, Tyler and Eileen went out to dinner. The conversation mirrored that of the night before; Eileen recognizing past versions of herself in Tyler and encouraging him to break out of shell, if only for her. Drinks led to a a trip back to Tyler's apartment and inevitably to sex. Amy, having grown tired of the game, relinquished that she was simply looking for someone willing to treat her well, someone nice, like Tyler. Tyler, unaware that he'd inadvertently helped Amy and Dougie hack Eileen's computer, opened up for the first time in a long time. Eileen spent the night.

HBO "Enlightened"

Dougie: "Life's short! Get laid! Sorry, Connie."

The next day, Tyler learned of Amy's discovery. Mortified, Tyler goes into next week's episode burdened with the knowledge that he may have already hurt his new lady friend without even realizing it. I liked the final monologue just as I liked the opening. "The ghost is seen." Suddenly, he is flesh and blood. He can no longer float through life, he's heavy.

What did you all think of Enlightened Season 2 Episode 5, "The Ghost is Seen"? Are Tyler and Eileen doomed from the start? What will come of Amy's latest bombshell of a discovery?

Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Enlightened Season 2 Episode 5, "The Ghost is Seen"!