Summary
“Living Dead Things” is a heartbreaking episode, filled with moments of heartache and further frustrating obstacles for Elizabeth to overcome. This emotional installment is nearly ruined though by the rather odd decision to include a narration from the dog’s perspective, which undermines the whole series in one fell swoop.
Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry continues to explore Elizabeth’s heartbreaking story in Season 1’s third installment, titled “Living Dead Things.” After Calvin’s surprise death in Episode 2, Elizabeth finds new enemies and new determination in Episode 3 as she strives to move forward with her life, all on her own.
This recap contains major spoilers.
Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 3 Recap
In a rather odd opening sequence, the series decides to address the events that have just transpired from the dog’s perspective. Elizabeth’s dog Six-Thirty (voiced by B.J. Novak) narrates the events that led up to Calvin’s death.
Elizabeth is then told the devastating news and handed Calvin’s stopwatch. She is forced to sort out Calvin’s funeral arrangements, feeling numb and utterly overwhelmed by this traumatic event. Harriet is also broken after Calvin’s passing.
At his funeral, Elizabeth is questioned by a journalist. She chooses to walk out in the middle of the service, as no one seems to truly understand who this great man really was.
Why is Elizabeth and Calvin’s research stopped?
Elizabeth heads straight back to work, to distract herself. But her lab has been stripped and emptied. All of the couple’s research and Calvin’s belongings have been placed into storage. Elizabeth asks to continue her research, but Fran explains how the research now belongs to Hastings, and without Calvin here to protect her, she doesn’t have a say in the matter.
The lab technician is given a new job, but she is unable to continue her own research. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, the devious Donatti wants to carry on the research in secret. He hires chemist Boryweitz (Thomas Mann) to assist with the lab work.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth struggles to adjust to life without Calvin back at home. She vomits throughout the night, realizing that she may be pregnant with Calvin’s baby. To confirm her suspicions, Elizabeth performs the frog test, a genuine, accurate method used to find out if a woman was pregnant back in the fifties. Look it up! Yes, it is a real thing.
Is Elizabeth pregnant?
The test is successful, Elizabeth really is pregnant. Angered by these complex emotions, Elizabeth grabs a sledgehammer and starts to destroy her kitchen. Harriet arrives during this chaos. She shows Elizabeth the newspaper article about Calvin. Harriet is horrified by what they’ve written and wants to challenge the reporter. Elizabeth is a little preoccupied though and quickly dismisses Harriet’s plans.
Back at work, Elizabeth is bored out of her mind. She asks Boryweitz to help her retrieve Calvin’s belongings and the research documents from within storage. Elsewhere, Harriet speaks with the journalist, but he refuses to change the article, whilst Donatti and Boryweitz restart Calvin and Elizabeth’s research in secret.
RELATED: Who is Mad in Lessons in Chemistry?
Boryweitz eventually returns Calvin’s belongings to Elizabeth but admits that their research has gone missing. Of course, Boryweitz and Donatti are now in possession of the research. Elizabeth goes through the box of precious items in private, and it’s heartbreaking to watch.
She finds a note attached to a record for Harriet. Elizabeth returns this item immediately. Harriet explains that she was angry with Calvin for missing the council meeting. The record must have been an apology gift from him. Elizabeth confesses to being pregnant. She tells Harriet that she is building a lab in her kitchen. She needs to complete her research, preferably before the baby comes.
Spurred on by Harriet’s supportive words, Elizabeth finds new determination. A montage sequence shows Elizabeth exercising, typing, cooking, and renovating the kitchen as the baby grows inside her. As the montage draws to an end, Elizabeth starts to show.
Why is Elizabeth fired?
Work soon finds out about her pregnancy and Elizabeth is subsequently fired for being pregnant. Elizabeth fights them on this unjust firing, but she knows how futile it is. Donatti states that she is unfit to work, whilst being appalled by the fact that she is unmarried as well. These were different times indeed!
Lessons in Chemistry Episode 3 Ending Explained
The episode ends with Elizabeth looking through Calvin’s belongings once more. She finds a wedding ring inside a box in Calvin’s lab coat. Again, this is a bittersweet revelation, one that comes with more complex emotions for Elizabeth to process. Angered by this latest discovery, Elizabeth takes her dog for a walk. This walk turns into an all-out sprint as Elizabeth releases her pent-up anger.
What did you think of Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 3? Comment below.
Additional reading:
