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I liked "Forks" better, but part of the reason is that it's right after "Fishes", it's the perfect follow up to that crazy episode. And I like the connection between them where the fork is a point of tension and aggression in the first episode, but then has an entirely different use in the other one bringing respect and empathy.
Agreed. We just came off an episode that starts like a madcap holiday romp and turns into a devastating nightmare situation, so in Forks we're expecting the other shoe to drop for so long that it takes us until that beautiful last scene to realize we're genuinely just going to get a feel-good victory for Richie.
I like it too. In “Fishes”, Ritchie obviously has that yearn to change things around in his life, even though there is that reality hit that he doesn’t get a job from Cicero and essentially doesn’t stay with his wife, who loved him. And in the very next episode, he finally gets that change, that purpose that he’s been searching for.
I enjoy both equally. “Fishes” is packed with the incredible performances by Jamie Lee Curtis, Jon Bernthal, Bob Odenkirk, even Sarah Paulson and John Mulaney together were a joy to watch. “Forks” is such a solid episode it can stand alone as a character’s redemption arc summed in one episode. It’s truly special. But both are equally great IMO.
Seeing Richie Progress and Come into his own is just so heartwarming. His own mental health gets talked about momentarily but doesn’t get focused on like Mikey or Carmy’s, but you can tell it weighs heavily on him. So to see him figuring everything out and find his purpose is such a feel good moment that we all should strive for.
One of my favorite small details on this season is the reveal (in Forks) that Carmy was the chef Luca (the chef Marcus staged with) said that he couldn't keep up with. The chef that made Luca realize he wasn't the best and that drove Luca to get so much better at his job. And Carmy nonetheless knew Luca was the perfect person to send Marcus to work with. Carmy even references it in his monologue in the season 1 finale. He talked about how he was so driven that if he saw a stage come in he'd see them as competition and smoke them.
I love how the final moment of episode 7 mirrors Chef Terry's own story: Terry, at the lowest point in her life, rounds the corner of a Chicago street and sees the sign. It's a literal sign that reads, "Restaurant for Lease." That is the moment she knew what path she would take in life. Richie, at the lowest point in his life, rounds the corner of a kitchen and sees the sign. It's a literal sign that reads, "Every Second Counts." That is the moment he knew what path he would take in life. Little details like that are why I love this show
One moment that I don't see a lot of reactors taking notice of is where Richie goes to Sydney in the kitchen and talks to her very respectfully and offers his support. It's important to remember that at this same point last season she stabbed him in the ass with a knife
"Forks" was far and away my favorite episode. Richie's growth from the beginning of the series to that episode alone is great. Then that episode is such an explosion forward for him it just clicked for him perfectly.
As utterly genius as "Fishes" is, "Forks" is my absolute favorite episode. Richie's character arc from S1E1 to now is a masterclass in writing and acting.
Forks is one of the greatest episodes of television ever made. The character arc they achieve in such a short span of time, yet make it feel completely organic, is amazing.
“I just needed a break” is exactly why they use the Taylor Swift music in this one. He was going through the motions for years, even with his daughter (the thing he loves most). He’s finally present when he finds his purpose in this episode. He’s present for everything, including the music his daughter loves.
I also love how a song about falling in love represents his refocus from his failed relationship to his new one, which is his job. When he finds his purpose, the "love story" isn't with a person anymore, but with his work
Richies transformation in season 2 is insanely good and so rewarding to watch. Loved both episodes but to go from loving to hate him earlier in season 1 to loving him in season 2 was just *** chefs kiss 💋 ***
Absolutely the best episode of this season. Just amazing. Richie finally seeing what he could be and what it really meant to be the best. What it took.
Forks is a lot more fun to watch, but Fishes is a hell of an accomplishment, between the writing, directing and acting. I get that a lot of people are confusing "better" with "I enjoyed it more," but those are not the same thing.
The thing is that FORKS doesn't have the same emotional impact without all of the previous episodes portraying Richie. Fishes works better as a stand-alone episode, as you only really need fewer details to appreciate FISHES.
omg Forks is SO MUCH BETTER than Fishes! I am rooting for Richie so hard. Even made me tear several times. And then Olivia Colman showed up as well!? Perfection.
Fishes is too close to home for me. It was cathartic to watch it and feel seen, but it’s not enjoyable if you come from that kind of dysfunction. I loved Forks though.
Forks is honestly better than Fishes in my opinion. Found Fishes way too long, way too self fellating and it reached the point of absurdity towards the last third. Maybe the uplifting themes of Forks resonates to me more than the bipolar pot of feelings that was Fishes.
