Editor's word: The beneath comprises spoilers for English Teacher Episode 6.
The 2024 new sequence line-up has been, indubitably, a formidable one. But no present has given me fairly the similar quantity of pleasure as English Teacher. The FX sequence follows the adventures of Evan Marquez (Brian Jordan Alvarez), an brazenly homosexual instructor employed at a highschool in Austin, Texas. The present’s pilot instantly sucked me in with its dynamic and topical story that sees Evan’s job in jeopardy because of a guardian's grievance, after mentioned guardian’s son noticed Evan kissing his now ex-boyfriend, Malcolm (Jordan Firstman). While that storyline was roughly resolved by the finish of the two-part sequence premiere, as a viewer, I had a gnawing sense of tension that we hadn’t heard the final of Evan’s off-screen tyrant, and the newest episode, “Linda,” confirmed my worry. However, this week's episode as soon as once more did what English Teacher does greatest: subverted my expectations whereas creating the greatest villain arc I’ve ever seen on TV.
Linda Is a Force to be Reckoned With in ‘English Teacher' Episode 6
Episode 6 begins with Evan’s frustration over the lack of effort his college students have put right into a e-book report, and shocks his colleagues (whereas incomes the reward of Sean Patton’s Markie) by giving all of them failing grades. In doing so, he additionally fails the youthful son of native booster Linda Harrison (Jenn Lyon), who occurs to be the very mom who tried to oust Evan from the faculty in the premiere. As quickly as I spotted that the episode was going to be a continuation of the pilot’s plot, I felt a fantastic sense of unease.
When Evan agrees to fulfill with Linda at the restaurant she owns, my anxiousness solely grew. Watching the episode, it’s clear that Evan is strolling right into a lure. Even together with his closest buddy, Gwen (Stephanie Koenig), by his facet, it’s clear Evan is going through an uphill battle when he’s greeted by Linda. She is brimming with Southern hospitality and attraction and assures Evan that she doesn’t care about the state of affairs from earlier in the faculty yr. However, when Evan insists that he will not change her son’s grade, Linda shortly dismisses herself from the dialog. The fast and easy goodbye made my abdomen flip. As a queer man myself, I'm no stranger to prejudices and snide conduct in terms of my existence. And, certain sufficient, Linda proves herself to be a wolf in sheep’s clothes.
Linda not solely invades Evan's classroom with a schoolboard worker, Dr. Doug (Jon Levine), however she additionally holds a city corridor assembly to accuse Evan of being an unfit instructor in entrance of the different mother and father. It’s unnerving to observe, as Linda (albeit comically) makes use of manipulation and bribery to attempt to get Evan dismissed. I’m a agency believer that comedies can tackle severe social matters higher than every other style, and “Linda” does an extremely lifelike job. The proven fact that Linda can so successfully rally the different mother and father towards Evan is a daunting actuality that really displays the social stress that I, in addition to different members of the LGBTQIA+ group, so usually expertise. While I used to be ready for Linda to proceed on her warpth, what got here subsequent solidified my opinion that English Teacher actually is the good present to tackle such a hefty matter.
‘English Teacher’ Provides a More Nuanced Conversation About Prejudice
By and huge, the most intriguing aspect about English Teacher is that the present is prepared to dive into the complexities of already intense matters. I’ll admit that whereas it was enjoyable to see Markie persuade Evan to confront Linda a couple of conspiracy involving the legality of her restaurant, I feared he was going to must face much more homophobia when he arrived at Linda’s home. However, I used to be completely blown away by the extremely intricate twist that awaited each him and the viewers. Linda has dropped all of her charms, and Evan is clearly the final particular person she needs to see, so Evan cuts to the chase and asks if she blames him for her son popping out as homosexual. She admits she doesn’t precisely assume it helped him, however Evan continues to press the topic. Linda claims she tries to take care of her relationship together with her son, however that she retains his sexuality (and in actuality, existence) a secret from her extra conservative buddies. Evan manages to have a breakthrough with Linda, explaining that her heartbreak at maintaining him a secret is precisely what her son doubtless felt earlier than popping out.
This second rocked me! Not solely did it arrange a possible glad decision for Linda and her son, nevertheless it additionally shone a light-weight on a a lot deeper societal dialog. Homophobia is so usually handed down by generations, so ingrained in the minds of our society that many in the LGBTQ+ group continuously reside in worry of being themselves. Linda herself isn’t essentially homophobic, however her tolerance of those that are solely fuels a unbroken cycle. In actuality, this observe tears households aside and completely ends friendships. It’s a harsh reality, however I’ve by no means seen it mentioned on tv like this earlier than. Sure, we’ve seen homophobic villains earlier than, however I've by no means seen a personality like Linda, somebody who isn’t in any respect proper however who hates her personal bigotry and struggles to alter. It serves as a reminder that typically, we simply have to be reminded to do the proper factor, even when it appears unattainable.
I can't stress sufficient the amazement I felt watching the newest episode of English Teacher. The present used its newest large dangerous to not solely sort out homophobia however to have a deeper dialog about complicity and the darker results it has. I've by no means seen a storyline like this that was so courageous and uncooked in its execution, however English Teacher continues to show it isn't like every other present — and for that, I'm grateful.
English Teacher is obtainable to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
