Search Party
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There are moments in A Dangerous Union that are almost too convenient.
Thankfully, the payoff is so well done, it works.
Lets not get into Dory yet.
This is Marc and Elliotts big day and weve waited a long time for this moment.
Luke watches in glee as his dream comes true: Marc leaves Elliott at the altar.
Its not exactly shocking.
After everything Elliott put Marc through, it was clear they wouldnt get their happy ending.
Its more interesting howSearch Partygoes about quietly diffusing their relationship.
Marcs parents are introduced and theyre so wonderfully sincere and nice.
Their names are Mercy and Ghost.
My name is unusual too, remarks Mercy, a one-liner that offers incredible insight into her character.
Shes clearly used to offering her partner this kind of support.
Its a brief look at the kind of people who raised Marc.
Instead, an intimate conversation between Drew and Marc lets us see Marcs take on their dynamic.
Its a great choice.
Like Dory, weve seen enough of Elliott to understand who he is and what hes done.
A part of Marc likes being isolated by Elliotts lies.
Hes addicted to the way it forces them to be dependent on each other.
If anyone can understand that, its Drew, whos also no longer feeding into his partners fantasy.
Only Drew sees Marcs final warning to the gang: If there is no abuse there is no us.
It certainly takes a lot of abuse to get Portia, Dory, Elliott, and Drew back together.
The photo shoot that opens the episode represents how at odds they all are with each other.
Drew is all by himself.
Dory is being a jerk to Portia and demanding an apology.
Elliott is living an illusion.
It almost feels good to see their sleepover at the end.
After what theyve been through, how can they abandon each other?
Dory dutifully combs Portias hair while Portia admits shes tired of her Christian friends who dont understand sarcasm.
But its still Dorys fault Portia was almost eaten by rats.
Sure, Dory apologizes to Portia, but then she gets right back to manipulating her.
Is Dory really sorry or does she want Portia to take back her testimony?
She is a whiz at thinking on her feet.
Shell do anything to deceive those around her, including herself warned Dorys doll.
Drew agreed its an accurate profile.
Portia and Elliott have been put in positions that have made them momentarily forget that.
The episode is directed by Sleater-Kinney/Portlandias Carrie Brownstein, who takes delight in torturingSearch Partys millennial cast.
Dory is essentially aPortlandiacharacter as she signs autographs and laments that her entire life is an inconvenience.
Elliott standing alone at the altar as Portia continues to sing Boyz II Men is another wonderful touch.
Cole Escola is revealed as Dorys twink stalker.
Escola is of course wonderfully terrifying.
Maybe I just dont want this to be the last we see of him.
It also looks like Dory may face more consequences sooner than she thought.
June is still looking for her sister and finds Aprils diary.
Dory and Drew may have their friends back, but theyre still on a sinking ship.
Case Notes
Why isnt Chelsea Perettis Paula at the wedding?
I was hoping Elliott would invite his lawyer.
Portia cant help but pose because she knows the pictures will look good.
She doesnt lose focus even when Dory tries to shame her into apologizing.
Chantal made it to the wedding!
Shes still looking for investors and Im sure this William Badpastor guy is not acting in good faith.
Im still not sure if Chantals story will line up with the rest of the cast.
So far its not a particularly interesting plot on its own.
I feel like it would take a long time to squeeze all of that honey into a bucket.
