Physical – Episode 10, Let’s Get Together

It’s election night and everyone is on the edge of the seat. Everyone except Bunny, Della Saba (“Ralph Breaks The Internet”, “Zootropolis”), and Tyler, Lou Taylor Pucci (“American Horror Story (TV)”, “A-X-L”), who are in hospital.

Whilst viewing a flat, Tyler has some sort of fit, brought on by an ear infection after surfing, and collapses. Although he should still be in hospital, Bunny pulls him out as they don’t have insurance, and heads straight to see Sheila, Rose Byrne (“I Am Mother”, “Peter Rabbit”).

Sheila is currently having a cream bun shoved in her face by her husband Danny, Rory Scovel (“Robbie (TV)”, “Harley Quinn (TV)”), who is stressed out awaiting the results. He apologises profusely and Bunny’s interruption saves them both.

Sheila tells Bunny she isn’t going to abandon them, she’s not like that. At least, that’s what she’s saying. Her inner monologue is saying something very different.

John Breem, Paul Sparks (“House Of Cards (TV)”, “Waco (TV)”), telephones his wife to find out how she is. She’s fine, she’s good, thinking about making steak for dinner and oh by the way she’s pregnant. Both carry on like noting has happened but Breem’s face tells a different story.

When the election results finally drop, it’s not what our party wants to hear. Sheila, looking around her, in this room of ‘losers’ as she puts it, grabs her handbag and leaves.

She arrives at the shopping mall to find John Breem seemingly doing exercises, running up and down the escalators.

He stops, sweaty, and takes his shirt off. Sheila, watching from the upper level, moves forward. Then the pair have, what’s probably best described as a distant moment together.

So, that was Physical, the latest TV foray from Apple TV+. It’s fair to say, I think, that whilst it started strong, it perhaps waned a little towards the end.

What made Physical so good, so funny, so refreshing was Sheila’s inner monologue. This cutting thought process was the difference in the show. Why this was then reduced down is not clear, why smaller stories suddenly became much more important later isn’t clear.

Perhaps it is all a setup for series two, but that feels like a cop-out, it feels like I may be being kind. It feels like many writers meant a confusing and not that coherent middle and end section to the series.

However, that said, Physical is definitely enjoyable. Rose Byrne is brilliant in the lead and everyone else riffs and interacts with her wonderfully. A special mention should also go to Lout Taylor Pucci who, as well as having a great name, it’s fantastic as the surfer dude, so friendly and happy all the time. Physical is well made, and with each episode coming in at under 30 minutes it’s not a hardship to watch.