Looking - Finale Recap: Through the Looking-Glass
Looking closed out its first season tonight with a finale that brought a conclusion to the drama of Patrick’s relationship with Richie and attraction to Kevin. In the end, the man Patrick is actually looking for is himself.
HBO "Looking"
Agustín:
Following the reveal of his ultimate betrayal last week, Agustín dealt with the consequences during this finale. Frank, like Richie, is kindhearted, but he has too much self-respect to allow someone, especially a boyfriend, to, say, hire a hooker to screw him on camera. Frank served as the most critical of magic mirrors this week, giving his ex the cold truth; Agustín has no sense of self. He’s a rich boy who’ll most likely never be an artist, existing in perpetual mediocrity. Here’s the thing; Looking has given us quite a tough look at Patrick’s bestie this season. It was a risky call to make one of the show’s three leads somewhat unlikable, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t written well. In fact, he kind of ended up becoming the voice of reason this week thanks to a little help from a few popped pills. We needed to see Frank punish him. Now, we can see him grow. This was all christened by the smashing of the pornographic unicorn piece.
Dom:
Dom’s pop-up restaurant was a huge success, but most of his attention was paid to Lynn (Scott Bakula), who showed up fashionably late with a handsome man at his side. Dom was cordial, of course, but this is a big deal for him. Dom’s plot over the course of the season has been one of rapid maturation. He turned forty and came to realize that he hasn’t built much of a life for himself. Doris sees the amazing person that Dom is, though, and, in a sense, she’s been the reason why we’ve given Dom such a shot as viewers. As we’ve watched Dom go through his own trials and tribulations, whether it was regarding his dwindling dating life or his career crisis, Doris has always offered up her particular brand of honesty that seems to peg her best friend so well. It was fitting then that it was Doris who first pulled Lynn aside at the even to assure him that Dom is “worth it.” It’s funny. As viewers, we probably got more from that line from Doris than we got from Dom’s own words or actions all season. Murray Bartlett is a gem, too, huh? Dom closed out Season 1 by opening up to Lynn and going in for well-received kiss.
Patrick:
Patrick started off this finale by sucking it up and attempting to win Richie back with a spontaneous trip to his barbershop. I’m sure most of his anxiety surrounded confronting his boyfriend, but I’m also pretty sure Patrick wasn’t looking forward to actually journeying into Richie’s world. As it turned out, Richie wasn’t answering Paddy’s messages because he didn’t want to see or here from Patrick. Richie requested space, and Patrick was flabbergasted. Next, Patrick suffered through an awkward confrontation with Kevin at work. On the rooftop, Kevin attempted to vent an apology over the scandalous smooch from the night before. Patrick, on the other hand, didn’t even want it mentioned. There was no conversation to be had on Patrick’s end. At least, he chose to handle it in typical Patrick fashion, by sweeping the controversy under the rug.
The first half of the finale was interesting enough, but the final scenes, especially those between Patrick and his two love interests, were pretty spectacular. First, Patrick was coaxed to leave Dom’s event in order to help Kevin with something important at the office. Obviously, there was more to this situation than was implied. I thoroughly enjoyed Agustín acting as Patrick’s inner conscience here as his friend contemplated dealing with Kevin. It might have seemed like a simple oversight, but Paddy has never actually said aloud what he likes about Richie. It was important that a snark-free Agustín simply ask that as Looking kicked off the final encounters.
The office session with Kevin was no work meeting at all. Instead, beers were popped, and Kevin completely let the walls fall down. He’s consumed by Patrick, even admitting to having trouble getting through the workday. Judging by the way Kevin was speaking, there was always more to this than met the eye. We knew there was tremendous chemistry, but it always seemed like natural sexual chemistry. There was a lot of emotion in Kevin’s lust here. Patrick, on the other hand, always seemed to have what could probably be described as a sexual infatuation with his boss. Remember; Patrick’s curiosity is both his charm and his Achilles’ heel. Here’s what I’ll say about this; this scene probably got the award for “Best Kiss” during Season 1 of Looking. I don’t know if that was totally directed or if that was all Russell Tovey, but whoever worked that out deserves a metal. On the other hand, I was very surprised with the sex on the office floor, mainly because Patrick bottomed. What does it mean that he let his “bottom shame” go with Kevin, just as he’d wanted to do with Richie? It probably means that Patrick is more emotionally invested in this relationship with Kevin than he’d even realized. Unfortunately, his scapular dangled around his neck to remind him of what he stood to lose.
HBO "Looking"
The best scene of Episode 8 was probably the final scene between Patrick and Richie. Richie came to Patrick’s place in this last moment, ready to confess everything that he’s been feeling for some time now. Richie is just a hair away from falling in love with Patrick, but the disrespect has simply been too much. Richie had yet to reveal his own personal struggles with pride. We weren’t privy to this because he seems like such a strong individual and a complete person. Everybody struggles, though, and your partner is supposed to be the one with whom you’re the most vulnerable. Luckily, we’re omniscient viewers so we get to witness all of this, too! Richie refuses to fall completely in love with Patrick knowing that Patrick is simply not ready. Patrick, breaking down in tears, didn’t have to answer to admit that he agreed. Richie is special.
Season 1 of Looking closed with Patrick and an incapacitated Agustín watching episodes of The Gold Girls on his laptop. When you’re “looking,” it’s always helpful to have your friends beside you.
What did you think of Season 1 Episode 8 of Looking, “Looking Glass,” the finale? Will Patrick and Richie patch things up? Do you want to see Patrick work on things with Kevin? Where does this leave Agustín? How about Dom and Lynn?
Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Season 1 Episode 8 of Looking, “Looking Glass,” the finale!