Forks

I'm writing this comment while watching Richie sing along with Taylor Swift, what a moment and what an episode. Might be the best I watched this year, all the emotions are there. We all knew Richie had more in him than what we saw in season 1 and early season 2, he can be annoying sometimes with all his yelling, but man he truly showed in this one that he's definitely in Van Halen for a reason. From the moment he heard those heartbraking news and hung up the phone, i knew my guy was gonna drop a masterclass. Can't wait to see how this new Tuxedo Guy develops in this 3-stars restaurant panoply.

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.

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.

I've always loved Richie, so to watch an entire episode devoted to him was easy. I've heard a lot of people praise this episode because it made them see the character in a new light, but I feel as though Richie's vulnerabilities have always been one of the strongest aspects of the show in regards to its emotional core. Even if they've never been addressed as explicitly as within this episode.

The episode is great because of the setting, too. The restaurant is so much fun to watch in action; you can't help but share the radical excitement of Richie as he and you realise just how much the service industry can make people's days, if the workers are willing to go that extra mile.

And in many ways, maybe this is something that Richie has never been fully willing to do before. He tries to take on tasks that don't fit him, and he doesn't want to stand around and take the time to learn before he dives right in. His heart is in the right place, he wants to go the extra mile, but he's never truly receptive to the exact course of action it would take for him to get there. It was great to see this episode change that, and I think Ebon Moss-Bachrach could have a career-altering awards season, if the Emmys and Golden Globes know what's right for them.

Fun, hilarious, thought-provoking and a deeply emotional look into one of this show's best characters.

This episode is a portrait all its own. Episode S2 E7 "Forks" is a journey. I went into it not fully appreciating the character of Richie, and not really understanding the draw of the restaurant field. I came away with passion for both. The lesson builds through each second as he polishes, works, listens, and serves. Every second counts. I am surprised, moved, and impressed. There is a gift in making people happy. Within this gift there is a self-fulfilling state of being. I've never thought about it before, and I never would have considered the restaurant business as such a powerful teacher. We witness Richie becoming more, and healing.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach is sheer genius. I'm blown away.