Enlightened – Season 2 Episode 6 – Recap and Review – All I Ever Wanted

Sometimes while watching Enlightened, like during “All I Ever Wanted”, I feel like I’ve discovered this gem of a show that the rest of the country has yet to chance upon. I want more, and so, I pray that it gets picked up for another season. Yet, I wish my tuning in could boost the ratings enough all on my own. Somethings are too good to share. Having said that… you have to give this show a go!

It’s always strange to recap a show that is so emotionally based. I wouldn’t exactly call this a comedy, as it is often listed to be, but it does have its humorous moments. Enlightened is light, go figure.

HBO “Enlightened”

The universe works in mysterious ways. Often when Amy (Laura Dern) plays narrator, it seems as though she is the voice of the universe speaking to us, her audience. If Amy could present herself and her message the way she does in her own voice overs, she’d have no trouble roping in believers. She is only human, however, and no matter how enlightened and in touch one is with the world, life always has its tricks and treats waiting to trip us up. The episode mainly focused on Amy’s dating debacle. Having had her relationship with Jeff (Dermot Mulroney) take off at the episode’s start, Amy found her world turned upside down when Levi (Luke Wilson) arrived home from rehab early.

The episode opened with Jeff sifting through Amy’s hacked files. Finally, the woman had stuck gold, handing the journalist the tools required to demolish Abaddon for good. Still, I find myself wondering what Jeff’s true motives are. Now that we know he’s divorced and happily single, could he be using Amy for her connections? What better way to milk information from a newbie humanitarian than by toying with a romance? As Jeff had put it, Amy had discovered the “wikileaks” of Abaddon. After delivering the goods, Amy found herself caught up in a two day tryst with Jeff and wondering whether she’d actually conjured up the man of her dreams. Having remained steadfast in her plight to destroy the corrupt company, Amy found herself considering the possibility that she’d manifested the life she’d always hoped for; a life of fulfillment.

Dougie (Timm Sharp): “F***in’ tits. This place can kiss my black ass.”

Line of the season, maybe? Dougie’s new nonchalant attitude at Abaddon raised some eyebrows following Amy’s revelation that their work had been well received. Tyler (Mike White), on the other hand, expressed his desire to nip the project in the bud following his budding relationship with Eileen (Molly Shannon).

Amy had invited Jeff to Riverside for a date night, only to be caught off guard by Levi’s early return from Hawaii. Having only arrived an hour prior, Amy’s house was his first stop. Helen (Diane Ladd) was quick to attempt to shoo Levi away, excited that Amy had finally found a man she believed could give her the life she deserved. Still, Levi remained adamant in his pursuit of Amy.

HBO “Enlightened”

Why did he leave early, though? Had he truly had an epiphany of sorts, or had he had enough of trying to truly become the man Amy hoped he could be? It’s too soon to tell whether or not Levi has legitimately cleaned up his act, but the scene between the two in the park showed a different kind of possibility for Amy. As they watched little leaguers practice, Levi recanted stories of his youth; of wanting to be a professional athlete and getting drunk for the first time. His lexicon suggested he truly had read the books and committed to the group therapy, yet there was no telling if this time things would stick.

Back at home, Amy was sent over the edge after she realized Jeff had been waiting in her house for what seemed like a while. Inside, she asked for a minute to spruce up, only to snap into a panic attack in her bedroom. Inside, Helen stepped up to the plate and landed her a motherly shoulder to cry on. Amy went from being alone, to having two absolutely different and equally appealing paths to take. Although, we do not yet know if either is a path to an actual life. Upon their leaving, Amy glanced back through the passenger seat window and noticed Levi watching in the dust as she and Jeff drove off to their date.

What did you all think of Enlightened Season 2 Episode 6, “All I Ever Wanted”? Do you think we’ll be lucky enough to get a third season? Which path should Amy take?

Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Enlightened Season 2 Episode 6, “All I Ever Wanted”!