The Last Man on Earth: Season 1, Episodes 8-9: Do-Over/Pranks for Nothing

     This show is actually doing a really good job at being both good and funny. Phil is an idiot so you find yourself rooting for him. However, at the same time he tries to get over on people so often that it’s hard to pity him. He tries so hard to outsmart everyone, but he’s clearly the stupidest person left in the world (except maybe Todd). It’s hilarious when he stumbles into what are clearly golden situations, but he always overplays his hands.

The movie-in that Carol brilliantly orchestrated last time is obviously a problem for both of them. She doesn’t like how he keeps his things or most of his habits and insists on moving stuff without his permission. Of course he hates that and it grates on his nerves. Phil is not happy with his marriage of necessity. Lucky for him, he stumbles into two very attractive women only seconds after asking God for a “do-over.” It’s an amazing situation for him, but he oversells it and says the wrong thing as usual.

This time, to his credit, he manages to talk his way out of it by making a sob story about a dead wife. One more time, he comes insanely close to getting what he wants, then his bad luck comes in again. He has to really have both the best and worst luck in the world. All of his lies get exposed and even Todd, his inexplicable greatest supporter, loses faith in him. Once again, he seems like the last man on Earth. He always manages to make himself alone. Isolated by his own stupidity.

Of course, instead of coming clean, he chooses to tell the worst lie possible that wouldn’t hold up to even the slightest bit of skepticism. You would think he would have learned by now since Melissa calls him out on everything. No one wants to deal with him anymore.

The scene with the silent treatment in particular is very funny, but it’s actually pretty sad to see how hurt Carol is by the whole ordeal. She trusted him and she wanted him to be happy. She really has grown to love him. It makes her pretty bitter for a time. Even when Gayle and Erica (*heart eyes*) come by to make peace, she shows nothing but contempt for them. She even puts Phil out and makes him live at the bar.

Fortunately, his time alone makes him realize how much of a liar he is and he has a moment of truth. Well before that he has the asinine plan of pretending he’s his own twin. Obviously that doesn’t go well, so he FINALLY comes clean, something I definitely didn’t think I would see from him. He’s learning and developing into a more complete character.

It gets him what he wants in the end, but he seems to regret it very much. A divorce with Carol seems to hurt more than he expected. The only problem is that he probably will still be lonely, as I can’t see everyone forgiving him. At least not for a while. I’m very eager to see what comes next.

Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.