‘The Rehearsal’ Season 2 Episode 5 review: “Washington”

As an autistic Nathan Fielder fan, I have often wondered if there is a correlation there. Certainly, a great deal is said and written on the matter, as The Rehearsal Season 2 Episode 5, “Washington,” eventually discusses. But is that purely speculation, or intentional? Is HBO’s The Rehearsal a show that emulates the common person on the spectrum’s experience? Or is that something that will inform the show as it goes along? Ultimately, we get something of an answer in this installment.

But first, there’s Congress to deal with. As established in “Kissme,” Fielder sees this season’s end goal going to the nation’s capital, with the television host speaking before the folks in power and asking them to consider pivotal changes to pilot conduct in the name of safety. The Fielder Method means he must build an elaborate recreation of the government’s hearing room. But as Fielder goes through his route, it’s apparent that he struggles to communicate his point, at least properly and efficiently. And then there’s the matter of his past as a rabble-rouser. The comedian notes that his history of poking fun and not taking things all too seriously has serious consequences now. But maybe leaning into Fielder’s funny bone is the best way forward here.

Taking notes from other comedians.

As the host-director watches past congressional hearings from other comedians, including the likes of Seth Rogen and Stephen Colbert, Fielder notes how each of them breaks the ice with a joke, establishing their history as a comedian but getting the funny business out of the way early in the game. He comes up with a bit of a ribald way to start things off. But, even within the safety of his confines, Fielder doesn’t get the response he wants.

Specifically, the actors don’t laugh at his gags, and when he presses one of them about it, they claim that they didn’t know they could laugh. While Fielder can wield his power to get what he wants, he doesn’t always know the best ways to communicate in these settings. When the director says that the background extras can laugh if they want, they overdo it, laughing way harder and way louder than anyone likely would.

Certainly, as a particularly attention-grabbing Variety headline noted between episodes four and four, The Rehearsal has a somewhat curious relationship between Fielder and his actors and/or walking personalities. Particularly as last week’s episode explored, the host has a desire to push them, explore their capabilities and willingness, and see what becomes of them in the process. It is almost like he’s a scientist and they are his test subjects. Whether they are all willing to be part of the ruse is part of the fun, but also part of the dramatic stakes. For Lana Love, this was no laughing matter. For us, it often is. But for Fielder, maybe it’s a bit of both. The Rehearsal, especially in this new season, tries to find the divide between what’s humorous and what’s not.

Somehow, “Washington” is the most meta episode of The Rehearsal yet.

While trying to figure out how to best approach Congress, Fielder has an even bigger problem: getting a seat at the table at all. The host tries to use his HBO/WB connections to get in with Congressman Garret Graves, but he deems it not a right fit. Upon Googling himself, Fielder comes to terms with his history of less-than-dignified behavior. But he also finds a curious thread. As alluded to earlier, Fielder notices that he has become a sort of unofficial voice for the autistic community, with The Rehearsal’s first season, in particular, getting a lot of chatter on the web as a beacon for understanding and acceptance.

Fielder claims that he never intended to be any sort of spokesperson for autism or autism awareness, but if he can capitalize on that for the sake of congressional notice and serious attention, then that’s exactly what Fielder plans to do. By diverting his attention to Congressman Steve Cohen, a supporter of autism advocacy, Fielder believes people will finally know him for the semi-serious person he is.

From there, “Washington” becomes arguably the most meta Rehearsal episode yet. And that’s not a small feat. Fielder makes his way to the Center for Autism and meets with his founder, Dr. Doreen Granspeesheh. While most on-screen Rehearsal personalities appear to be oblivious to Fielder and his work, Granspeesheh is both very aware and very supportive of what Fielder was able to accomplish in the show’s first season, referencing specific plot points and commending the television personality/creator for how he could showcase the advocacy work that the Center does daily, albeit unintentionally.

Fielder is flattered, of course, though he’s uncomfortable putting himself in the same bracket as Granspeesheh’s clientele. Especially at a later point when the doctor casually gives Fielder an autism test, and it’s heavily implied that the man is autistic, even if Fielder doesn’t seem willing or particularly eager for that distinction.

Nathan Fielder dabbles with inauthenticity.

While Fielder, the TV star, is often good — really good, in fact — at toeing the line of what’s put on and what’s sincere in his work, some moments in the latter half of “Washington” unfortunately struck me as a touch too effortful. Fielder’s testing scene with Granspeesheh seemingly has the host putting on more mugging and understated theatrics than he usually does to emphasize his seeming discomfort at the possibility of being autistic.

I take no issue with whether or not Fielder is or isn’t actually autistic; in fact, I like that Fielder tries to keep it a bit vague in this episode as if he is continuing to bait his audience and get a rise out of their suspicions. But especially when it comes time for Fielder to meet with Cohen, and the host makes a big stink about his desire to not rehearse and now he doesn’t even need to rehearse, you can tell immediately where this is all going to go, and it doesn’t gain that authentic balance that Fielder usually gains so naturally.

As Fielder stumbles and stammers his socially conscious way through explaining his testing and theories to the half-interested congressman, I couldn’t help but think about how Fielder put on a few more airs than he usually does. Or, at least, if he usually puts on these many airs, then he’s typically a little better than he is in this deliberately uncomfortable episode’s climax. I dunno. It’s possible that, because this is a topic that hits so close to home, I’m ultimately more astutely aware and critical. Maybe that is just my nature, and I’m being a little too judgy of Fielder. But to quote the famous philosopher Popeye, “I am what I am.” That’s just who I am.

Despite these nagging grievances, The Rehearsal Season 2 Episode 5 is a solid little installment and one that is effective at building up intrigue and suspense for whatever insane antics shall soon ensue in Fielder’s last half-hour for the season. Even as the season’s weakest point, I’m satisfied that Fielder found a way to tackle a topic persistent in my thoughts — and several other viewers’ thoughts — with his signature wretched wit and twitchy tenacity.

The Rehearsal Season 2 Episode 5 is out now on HBO Max. 

Will Ashton