Summary
“CH3COOH” is another inspiring and emotive installment from Lessons in Chemistry. It’s also great to see comedy actors Kevin Sussman and Rainn Wilson back on our screens once again. Sussman in particular is just great, working perfectly alongside Brie Larson to provide some hilarious comedy moments.
Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of a lowly chemist who becomes a famous TV cook, seemingly overnight. In Season 1 Episode 5, titled “CH3COOH,” we finally get to see this aspiring chemist Elizabeth Zott transform into a TV sensation as she performs her very first live show. Meanwhile, her daughter Madeline struggles to adjust to her mother’s new busy work schedule.
Beware, this article contains spoilers.
Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 5 Recap
“CH3COOH” opens with a montage of sequences, showing viewers Elizabeth’s hectic lifestyle. She’s juggling multiple jobs and hobbies, whilst attempting to raise her child (mostly) alone. Elizabeth now works selling Tupperware to fund her research. But she has applied for a new chemist position in the meantime.
Her daughter Madeline continues her own homework project in the evenings, investigating her family tree. Madeline asks Elizabeth about her parents’ families. She is saddened to hear that she has no grandparents or close relatives to speak of.
At dinner, Elizabeth discovers that she has made it to the next round of interviews with the chemist job. She just needs to supply them with references from her old work. This leads Elizabeth back to Hastings. Since her firing, Donatti has been pushed out and the cowardly Boryweitz has replaced him.
What is Boryweitz’s offer?
Boryweitz refuses to give Elizabeth a recommendation but offers her a place back at Hastings as a junior chemist instead. Elizabeth is appalled by Boryweitz’s cheek, as he is still stealing her research, and declines the offer.
Meanwhile, Madeline struggles at school. Her teacher feels undermined by the smart student, fearing that their school just isn’t challenging enough for her. The teacher suggests Madeline go to a private school instead, although they are rather expensive places.
A chance meeting with Walter and the looming school bills persuade Elizabeth to take the TV job. Walter promises Elizabeth that it will be her show, but the station owner Phil (Rainn Wilson) seems to have other ideas. These two clash from the very start.
READ: Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 4 Recap
Elizabeth is given a tour of the studios and meets the crew. She then performs a dress rehearsal for the show. Elizabeth is forced into a tight-fitting dress and given a script to read. Of course, she isn’t happy with the setup and wants to make changes immediately. Phil just wants Elizabeth to be sexy though, to impress the male viewers.
After the rehearsal, Walter and Elizabeth talk about the changes they need to make. Walter urges Elizabeth to just be herself, to make the show about her. Unfortunately, their two-week rehearsal period is cut short and they are forced to perform their first live show early.
Elizabeth freezes as the show airs live for the first time, but she soon finds her feet and delivers a rousing opening speech. She even ends the show with her own catchphrase, which comes to her out of nowhere. The studio then listens to the audience’s feedback. The men are typically misogynistic and unimpressed, but the women feel inspired.
What is CH3COOH?
Phil argues with Walter and Elizabeth about the poor first showing. The station owner wants Elizabeth to smile more. She fights back though, standing her ground. Then the phone lines start to ring. The viewers loved it and want to know about the ingredients for the next show, especially the meaning of CH3COOH, which is vinegar.
How does Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 5 end?
The TV cooking show starts well, and then it just goes from strength to strength, constantly growing in popularity. Elizabeth even starts to come out of her shell more, being silly and delivering comedy one-liners during her daily episodes. Of course, there is a downside to all this success, Elizabeth is spending far less time with her Madeline.
Her daughter has started her new school and spends her afternoons at Reverend Wakely’s church. Elizabeth decides to spoil her daughter and they go out for dessert that night. During the meal, Elizabeth speaks with a fan, who asks for an autograph. Elizabeth is inspiring women across the country, but she is neglecting her own daughter. She quickly starts to realize the consequences of her newfound fame.
What did you think of Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 5? Comment below.
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