Fleishman Is in Trouble
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All of them are gambles.
The last, though: a flex!
Thats the real thesis ofFleishman, in both its forms as a novel and as a TV adaptation.
Weve heard several times that Rachel was raised by her rather remote and frosty grandmother.
Rachels immediate comprehension of her total lack of social capital didnt help; it just made her desperate.
Are we supposed to believe that Toby achieved all his career milestones on merit alone?
Princeton graduate, NYU-medical-school-trained Toby?
For all his little lectures on privilege to Hannah and Solly, Toby cannot (will not?)
see how he has benefited from the social and professional connections he thinks Rachel is so gauche for pursuing.
Its different for him!
Hes not like his well-heeled, well-educated forebears and peers!
He uses his carefree social currency for good!
He doesnt, really, but he thinks hes the sort of person who would!
Rachels intense need for social [Dont say social security, Sophie.
Okay, fine!]
safety goes into overdrive during a harrowing labor and birthing experience and remains there for years.
Its been going surprisingly well!
The kids wouldnt even notice if you were gone!
Remember how in the first episode Rachel referred to Toby having said something awful to her the day before?
This is the horrible thing he said, which he couldnt even remember.
Rachel cannot win.
None of us can.
There are exceptions, but its galling that exceptions even need to exist.
At least, thats what happens to Rachel Fleishman.
After making her way back home, she still cant sleep, and none of her potential solutions work.
Libby is right; villainy and heroism are just garden-variety fuckery and decency magnified to cartoonishness.
