Summary
“Primitive Instinct” can be a little over-sentimental in places, especially with Elizabeth’s visions of her dead husband Calvin, but it is another emotive and impactful episode nevertheless. The series makes you care for both Elizabeth and Harriet’s storylines, whilst finding fun and humor in the 1958 timeline.
50s-set period drama series Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 has thankfully ditched the dog narrative in Episode 4, “Primitive Instinct”, although there is more sentimentality still to follow. The writers focus instead on Elizabeth’s first few weeks as a new mother, interconnecting with a second storyline set in 1958.
The show addresses Elizabeth’s struggles with motherhood whilst outlining her move from obscure chemist to TV starlet.
The fourth chapter opens with Elizabeth in the throes of labor. She is given anesthesia to help her with the pain and has visions of Calvin. Elizabeth then gives birth to a healthy baby girl, which she is unable to name. The midwife suggests naming her whatever she feels at that moment, so Elizabeth ironically calls the baby Mad, expressing her anger over the situation.
The episode then explores Mad or Madeline’s childhood in 1958, picking up seven years later. Mad has the same love for food as her mother but is an outcast at school. She is bullied by the other kids and struggles with a school assignment to complete a family tree.
Back in 1951, Elizabeth is lost and terribly alone. She struggles to get her baby to sleep or to latch on for breastfeeding. She continues to have visions of Calvin, which help her through these stressful times.
Feeling utterly alone, Elizabeth asks for help from her neighbor, Harriet. She explains how she is methodically planning and structuring Mad’s life but to no avail. Harriet comforts Elizabeth, discussing the common issues with mothers in those tough first few weeks of parenting.
Elizabeth is behind on her payments with no income or savings to fall back on. She tries to get a second mortgage and then decides to hire herself out to the local chemists. Elizabeth helps the chemists with their own research projects for extra money. One of the chemists lets slip that Boryweitz and Donatti are working on DNA research in Calvin’s old lab.
She joins the dots together and races over to the lab to confront the thieves. Donatti states that they have received the all-important grant and have put her name in the acknowledgments. Elizabeth is furious that they have stolen her work and vows to succeed before them. She has a renewed determination to best her enemies now.
Motivated by this betrayal, Elizabeth gets back to work on her home laboratory. The power cuts out during her tinkering though. Harriet comes around to help fix the issue. They chat, discussing children and work. Elizabeth plans on completing her research and publishing her findings.
How does Elizabeth get her revenge?
As payback for Donatti’s crimes, Elizabeth impersonates Fran on the phone and has all the equipment she needs delivered to her home address. This way she doesn’t have to pay for a single item. The laboratory is completed, and now Elizabeth can get back to work.
This coincides with the return of Harriet’s husband, Charlie, who has been away overseas with the military. They celebrate his return with a street party. Elizabeth meets local reverend Curtis Wakely at the party and is introduced to Harriet’s friends and family.
That night, Harriet expresses her future plans to Charlie. She’s been offered a job as a junior associate at a law firm and has been asked to chair the local committee. Charlie is surprised by Harriet’s determination, but happy to make things work. He’s also been offered a new job.
The final third of “Primitive Instinct” is set in the 1958 timeline. Elizabeth arrives at school to pick up her daughter Madeline, but the show is tricking us. The girl we thought was Madeline is in fact TV producer Walter’s daughter.
We are then introduced to Elizabeth’s real daughter. She has been giving her lunch to Walter’s child. Elizabeth is furious and confronts the man right away at his studio. Walter (Kevin Sussman) has coincidentally just been tasked with filling a prime-time TV slot.
Elizabeth storms into his office, outlining the situation. She offers Walter a recipe and some home-cooked meals to tide them over in the meantime. Walter is astounded by Elizabeth’s boldness and the delicious food she has gifted them with. He chases after her, offering her a job hosting a brand-new cooking show on the spot. He just knows that her talents will make her a star.
Of course, Elizabeth declines the opportunity. She heads home and cooks with her daughter. That night, you can see, Elizabeth is starting to reconsider the offer though.
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