Forks

Probably one of the best episodes of the series. I didn't think they could top the Christmas episode but they did.

I love the show because I worked at a high-end restaurant at one point in my life and it's refreshing for a show to appeal to an "insider" along with people just looking for a compelling well-written drama. This is as true to the industry as anything I've seen.

Some might not know the actor playing Fak has run a number of restaurants, done a number of food shows and was an executive chef in Toronto. He's also an executive producer on the show. This along with some great cameos shows Hulu's commitment to excellence and really exceed my expectations. The scene with Olivia Colman and Richie was amazing.

Richie is a complex character that has been demonized to the point that he's difficult to watch most of the time. How the writers chose to humanize him in this episode is truly genius. I went from hatred for the character to empathy. Now that's a neat trick.

I don't say unexpected because I thought it wouldn't be good. I say unexpected because this episode made me think about aspects of life and professionalism that this show hadn't touched on yet for me.

Being in a service industry myself it was magical to see the pride in giving an extraordinary experience to people and Ritchie catching the satisfaction of a job very well done.

The exploration of why Ritchie's lack of self confidence has made him the way he is and his choice to change should win him more fans including me.

After the craziness of the last episode I really needed this. So far my favorite of the second season.

We all need someone to root for. "Forks" does a phenomenal job of giving us just that. In the age of the antihero and style over substance often we see characters spiraling with no real payoff. Sorry hollywood, a 'charismatic' lead only goes so far. Not only does this episode give us everything we could ask for, I would go so far as to say that this episode will inspire people and change their lives.

I could go into added detail about the brilliant performances and great music choices, how it all comes together seamlessly. This might actually be my favorite bit of filmmaking since Whiplash. Even in whiplash the only real hero of the movie is the music itself.

In this one they gave us the ultimate payoff and still leave us wanting more, like the perfect meal is supposed to do. 11 out of 10.

This episode brought back so many memories for me from when I fell in love with food that led me to a culinary career. To see Ritchie evolve is so familiar and is so realistic. I felt the same way in an almost identical situation. The continued hassles f opening a restaurant continued to be shown in this episode is also so true. The show gets better and better each episode. After seeing this one I also have a new dining bucket list item in Chef Curtis Duffy's Ever. If only I could keep my kitchens that clean. One of my first days in a hotel kitchen I peeled mushrooms for what felt like days. This is a good example of where skill is earned.

I implore more shows to take this episode as an example of how to grow a character. Towards this point in the season, Richie has been a backdrop for a majority of the episodes.

Although it may seem like a critique considering the fact that he is one of the main characters it actually quite suits him because we know that Richie doesn't necessarily have any skills to benefit the crew, that's why he's always been in the background trying to make himself apart of the team.

That part of Richie is what made this episode one of the best in the show. It's a great character study looking into a person that wants to find purpose and this episode captures that idea perfectly well.