In Episode 2 of Lessons in Chemistry, Elizabeth (Brie Larson) and Calvin (Lewis Pullman) fell in love just as they finished a long-term scientific project. Six episodes later, pieces fall into place again, in more ways than one. Family histories, personal trajectories, and secret crushes are revealed.
Lessons in Chemistry, based on Bonnie Garmus’ hit novel — has always centered on Elizabeth’s journey. We’ve seen her from PhD candidate to frustrated lab technician to unlikely TV star. In the process, she’s become a mother and activist, but remains true to her roots as a principled scientist.
Adapting bestsellers as miniseries is not a new phenomenon, but sticking the landing can be tricky. If a two-hour movie is too little time to cover the important plot points, is eight hours too many? It seemed that way at times — the novel focuses more on Elizabeth’s television career than the series does — but “Introduction to Chemistry” is a worthwhile finale, proving that the plot expansions have been worth it.
Other elements to the formula
For not only did we cover Elizabeth’s journey, but the journeys of those around her, too. Calvin, Reverend Wakely (Patrick Walker), and Six-Thirty (voiced by B.J. Novak) had significant voiceovers in previous episodes. Harriet (Aja Naomi King) finally becomes a lawyer after years of community activism and paralegal work. Making enough money to send Mad (Alice Halsey) to a more challenging school is what pushed Elizabeth into showbiz in the first place. And Mad herself went on a journey to discover the history of the father she never knew.
Mad’s search leads to unexpected places in “Introduction to Chemistry,” much as it did in prior episodes, but the finale gives way to the final pieces of the puzzle. In a secret key role Rosemarie DeWitt brings gravity and strength to her singular appearance in the series. She’s the latest in a string of impressive casting choices (prior guest stars Rainn Wilson and Marc Evan Jackson appear as well).
Chain reactions
Lessons in Chemistry has always been about chain reactions. If Elizabeth hadn’t borrowed lab materials from Calvin in Episode 1, who’s to say anything that followed would have happened? If she hadn’t discovered who really ate Mad’s school lunches, she’d never have met Walter (Kevin Sussman) and become a cultural phenomenon. “Introduction to Chemistry” is reflective without feeling like a recap, insightful without being too saccharine. If science has its own laws, so does television — specifically, that finales have montages that tug at your heartstrings. Yes, it’s a cliched choice, but it’s so darn charming seeing how far Elizabeth has come that using a montage really does hit the emotional beats Lessons in Chemistry so badly wants to land.
Science is a discipline of discovery, and so is life itself. Lessons in Chemistry is a testament to the turns life can take, and how to go back to where you began. “Introduction to Chemistry” sounds like a strange title for a series finale, but it works. “To make an end is to make a beginning,” T.S. Eliot once wrote. This is the last we’ll see of Elizabeth, as this is the series finale. Though we’re left to hypothesize about what’s next, there’s a promise of a bright future. It’s a beautiful ending.
All episodes of Lessons in Chemistry are now streaming on AppleTV+.
REVIEW RATING
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'Lessons in Chemistry' Finale - 8/10
8/10
Claire was once asked in elementary school why her go-to question was always, “Watch anything good lately?” It’s still her go-to question, because she loves hearing what other people are passionate about. She often sacrifices sleep in the hopes that she will one day clear her to-watch and to-read lists (a futile effort so far).
