‘Lessons In Chemistry’s “Her And Him” Is One Of the Most Stunning, Devastating TV Episodes of 2023

The pilot episode of Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+‘s ambitious adaptation of Bonnie Garmus’ bestselling 2022 novel, ends with scientist-turned-cooking-show-host Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) reciting her weighty catchphrase: “Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.”

After burning her famous lasagna in front of a live studio audience, Elizabeth reflects on life’s uncontrolled variables, the power of mistakes, and the world’s inevitable messiness. In the grand scheme of time, we know a moment isn’t much. But taking a brief pause to savor, digest, and process reality — the good and bad — is sometimes essential; a truth I was reminded of again roughly 50 minutes later, when the end credits rolled on Episode 2, “Her and Him.” I don’t have children. But boy did I need a moment to myself.

From start to finish, Lee Eisenberg’s eight-episode limited series excels at concisely delivering deliciously dense, sweeping storylines. In its entirety, the show is a beautiful exploration of human connection, passion, purpose, equality, intellect, and love in many forms. But “Her and Him” builds you up, breaks you down, and leaves you reeling in recognition that a single episode of television can be so simultaneously stunning and devastating.

After Episode 1 introduced Elizabeth and star chemist Calvin Evans’ (Lewis Pullman), then drove them apart, Episode 2 traveled back to UCLA 1950, where Elizabeth was sexually assaulted by a trusted academic advisor in a locked room. The opening scenes offered immense insight into Elizabeth’s career trajectory, character, and crucially, her reaction to Calvin closing the door to their lab. The dynamic duo spends the first stretch of the episode apart as Calvin babysits Harriet’s kids, Elizabeth has a meet-cute with her dog 6:30, and Harriet (Aja Naomi King) invites Calvin to support her community fight against a California freeway construction. But around 20 minutes in, Elizabeth and Calvin reunite, whisking viewers away on an accelerated tour of their romance.

Picturesque wide shots show the two rowing — then capsizing — in water, and we soon learn Elizabeth can’t swim. In one of many “Her and Him” highs, a soaking-wet Larson and Pullman sit with their legs crossed on a dock, ushering in a peaceful, palpable scene where their characters share a swoon-worthy first kiss. The show’s hopeful score swells, until a “Her and Him” low reveals Calvin missed Harriet’s city council meeting. The letdown is sharp but brief, because Harriet’s confident, moving speech quickly lifts the mood.

Back in the lovebird bubble, Elizabeth and Calvin sit together on the floor of their lab deep in conversation, effortlessly speaking each other’s language. Next thing we know, Calvin’s taken Elizabeth to the pool, where she stands — terrified — in three and a half feet of chlorinated water sporting a nose plug, swim cap, and googles. Rather than diving in, Calvin suggests they blow bubbles. But when that proves too difficult, he floats a more enticing proposition. Delicate, giddy scenes show the two kissing underwater, drowning out the rest of the world. Lessons in Chemistry‘s charming score carries us from the pool to the bedroom, where our favorite chemists continue to exude electric chemistry.

We cut to Christmas at the office, where TV’s hottest nerds decide to spend the holiday working, until a breakthrough in their experiment invites room for play. Their unique, intimate celebration is accompanied by dreamy aesthetics; an amalgamation of masterfully curated music, wardrobe, decorations, lighting, and cinematography. As always, Larson and Pullman’s performances pack a perfect punch. But the holiday scenes show set decorator Lori Mazuer, costume designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier, director of photography Zachary Galler, and director Sarah Adina Smith outdid themselves with “Her and Him.” (The staircase heart-to-heart bathed in the glow of colorful string lights will live rent-free in my mind for the rest of time.)

From Calvin’s attempt at cooking and Elizabeth’s offer to remove her name from their research to a Hall of Fame-worthy “I love you” admission, the expansive episode is a rich tapestry of their relationship. With seconds remaining in what feels like an incredibly warm, immaculate film, you’ll struggle to remember the last time you got so invested in a fictional romance so quickly, and then, as Calvin’s favored music — in all its unpredictability — plays, he takes 6:30 for a run and is struck in a fatal bus accident.

As the tour de force fades to black, we’re left with the image of 6:30 processing the tragedy from the sidewalk, the chatter of nearby strangers taking in the cruel twist, and a moment to ourselves to accept that this Michelin-star feast ends with burnt lasagna.

New episodes of Lessons in Chemistry air Fridays on Apple TV+.