near the beginning IdolIn the fifth and final episode of “Jocelyn Forever,” a group of music executives gathered on a couch to watch a glorified 20-minute middle school talent show. They were all confused. And as they stared at the dancing 20s in amazement, I wondered what in the world I was watching. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, because the last four episodes of this series were almost as confusing as this mess.
viewers last week Idol They were shocked to learn that the series will end with five episodes. Other channels had reported that the season would have six episodes; however, HBO has kept the fact that this has always been a five-episode series. I beg to differ. After seeing this finale, it could be assumed that there was indeed a fifth episode and it should have been a sixth. Because when this episode begins, suddenly everyone – including Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) – turns against Tedros (The Weeknd).
What happened to the feeling in Episode 4 where Jocelyn literally tortured one of her closest allies (Xander, played by Troye Sivan) because Tedros told her she had to do it? A piece of the puzzle is missing here. Joss was a little angry with Tedros for splashing some water on Leia (Rachel Sennott) and inviting her ex-girlfriend Jocelyn’s ex-backup dancer Dyanne (Jennie Kim) to her mansion. Still, that’s not enough to fuel the grudge Joss has in this episode.
“I think you should go. You served your purpose,” he said after a few moments. Call the police, Joss! If you want Tedros gone, he’s on your property. Furry would have gladly accepted it.
Instead, Joss angrily prepares for a meeting with co-directors Destiny (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Chaim (Hank Azaria), along with Live Nation rep Andrew (Eli Roth) and record label executive Nikki (Jane Adams). Visiting to make the final decision on whether Jocelyn’s tour will take place anyway. Tedros tells his “family” to whip their ass and boobs – they might even have to “suck dick” if they want Andrew to stay.
Joss is in this frenzy promoted by Tedros. He wants members of the cult like Chloe (Suzanna Son), Izaak (Moses Sumney), and Ramsey (Ramsey) – you can’t convince me that “Ramsey” is a real character in this show. Maybe 45 seconds of screen time—singing little songs and doing little dances to impress all the big people in the music world. Joss wants them to tour together even though it’s all one-man acts, as if he’s a twisted version of Boygenius and this is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
So Chloe, Izaak, and Ramsey do a lap dance to Andrew and Nikki to impress them while they sing full-on songs, all wearing nothing but a Speedo. While they are performing, all of the managers have separate conversations among themselves. All this noise makes the scene chaotic and confusing. While Nikki confronts Tedros (about nothing really), Moses shakes his ass at the crowd, just as families at the zoo shake their car keys to try to get the penguins’ attention.
And my biggest question is: Why? World Is Mike Dean still here?
The entire stage climaxes as Xander sings one last song to the crowd, who has a strained relationship with Joss after his mother forces Joss to sign a contract saying he’ll never perform professionally alongside her. While doing so, Jocelyn tells Chaim to pay Tedros “whatever it takes” to fire him. Chaim tells the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, accompanying Tedros from Joss’ mansion before the police arrive. Finally.
Music executives love these artists. They applaud Tedros for finding such a talented group – sadly he’s not there for their fandom. I’m not very knowledgeable in the music industry, but I can’t imagine it being this hard to find a few good singers with nice bodies. Making them a star, creating hits and maintaining a public image that’s tough. The show itself brought this message to life through Dyanne’s story. So why are they so fascinated by Tedros, who created a cult when he was completely untalented?
As if the chaos surrounding Tedros, the talent show, and the music executives weren’t enough, Idol adds another layer to the chaos. Joss’ ex-boyfriend, actor Rob (Karl Glusman), is accused of rape by Sophie (Sophie Mudd), one of Tedros’ cult members. If you remember, in the last episode, Sophie used Xander to take a picture with Rob, claiming to be “a big fan”. Together they did nothing but that photo.
This woman is lying because Tedros forced her to lie – it’s all a game to win Joss – but what a nightmarish story it is. By including this fake rape narrative, creator Sam Levinson has empowered all the Hollywood powerhouses who have denied the victims’ allegations. It empowered the abusers. While Rob himself isn’t a harasser on the show, it’s an outrageous message to say that it did—women falsely accusing men of rape for personal gain. Idol to send. It’s disgusting, misogynistic, cruel, demeaning, immature, and above all pointless.
After Joss puts on a spectacular performance to truly prove that he’s ready to tour, Andrew confirms it all. Jobs is looking for Joss. Nikki cancels Dyanne’s single “World Class Sinner”, which Joss could take away from her, and gives her full attention to Jocelyn. Frankly, I would have loved to have had a bigger catfight between Dyanne and Jocelyn. Dyanne’s last glaring glance at Nikki as the elevator doors close on her is barely enough to satisfy me.
Six weeks later, everything seems to have resolved itself. Jocelyn is ready for opening night at a sold-out SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and a quartet (including Xander) opens up for her. Chaim paid Show Fair journalist Talia (Hari Nef) will write a lengthy statement about Tedros instead of a profile about Jocelyn. Leia quit her job as Joss’ personal assistant.
All is well in the world. Until Tedros arrives at SoFi Stadium, where the VIP passes are stamped with his name on it.
After a whole episode firing the abuser, Jocelyn invites him back into her life. Happy to see him. She takes him around SoFi before taking him to his private box. And as he begins the tour, he invites the “love of his life” Tedros to join him on stage. An entire episode seems to have been undone, all so that Jocelyn can now be the prisoner holding Tedros captive. While the music industry scenes were gripping in this final episode, by inviting Tedros back into the mix, Levinson’s series chose to embrace abuse, as if it were something to be played like a pawn in a board game.
“You’re mine forever,” Jocelyn whispered to Tedros after introducing him to her fans. “Now go stand there.”
The Sam Levinson of Everything
Sam Levinson, who has already caused quite a stir thanks to his past works like euphoria And Malcolm and Mariethe creative “visionary” behind Idol. Here are the moments we think show the audience that he really is the man.
-The only thing that shows Tedros’ mood has changed from Episodes 4 to 5 is his hair. The rat tail is a mess. Indeed, The Weeknd’s performance was so bad that they had to reduce his “acting” to a hairstyle. The curly mess made me giggle—we got it! He sucks.
-Another weird pop culture joke from Andrew: “Are we at Hunter Biden’s house?” the actors ask as they perform their talent show. “What is going on here?”
-I don’t understand this interaction in the slightest: “Wait, are you a pussy?” Tedros asks Nikki about having a random meeting in the middle of the talent show. “Yes,” she says, “but I can be your blood.” What? Take the word “cunt” out of Levinson’s hand. This word is for women and women only.
-Nikki announces this to the room when she learns of the allegations against Rob. “He raped a woman,” she says. Everyone is in shock, followed by a chorus of “what” and “why”. His answer to these questions was simply, “She raped someone. rich Woman.”