In the roller coaster of opinions which correlate to one’s feelings on Will Forte’s The Last Man on Earth — solely based on the creator’s main character — it’s easy to forget how this first season was so preciously conceived. The Fox show was meticulously planned, and whether you agreed with how it went down or not, the events that corresponded did naturally lead itself into this week’s season finale, “Screw the Moon.”
While still as bumpy a series as it has been for the past couple months, this is ultimately a satisfying finale. Characters’ struggles are resolved genuinely, connections are tied nicely, and there’s a justified sense of growth from the two main characters, Phil “Tandy” Miller (Forte) and Carol (Kristen Schaal). This is particularly so in the latter’s final moments together in the 2015 television season. Overall, the emotions created feel earned, there’s a continuously ready amount of jokes and while some choice supporting characters are notably shorthanded — particularly Erica (Cleopatra Coleman) and Gale (Mary Steenburgen) —it gives closure to the characters we got to know the best in these 13 episodes.
As seen last week, Todd (Mel Rodriguez) and Tandy have not taken the new Phil Miller’s (Boris Kodjoe) move into Tucson too well. In fact, they have plans to axe the man just as he attempts to bring electricity into their cul de sac. What evil-doing do they have in mind. Well, Phil Miller 1 plans to drive Phil Miller 2 into the desert and leave him there as he and Todd drive back into town. Does this sound familiar? That would be because this is the same thing Phil had in mind for Todd some episodes back in "She Drives Me Crazy", but couldn’t follow through upon, of course. Although he didn’t complete it, Todd is now wise to what happened, and takes this moment to turn his back on Tandy.
In this moment, Tandy exclaims how much he hates Phil Miller 2’s guts, as the town favorite overhears. Upon this, he decides to move out of the original Phil Miller’s house and continue to get cozy with his new gal, Carol. As the new Phil affectionately calls her names like Care Bear and Care Package, Tandy grows more jealous and his anger towards Phil Miller 2 only grows stronger. It’s during a town meeting when the first Phil knocks over the second Phil’s revitalized lamp that tensions fully mount. Hoping to turn everyone again the second Phil, our main character only hurts himself more. Todd reveals his plans to kill this new Phil and also his failed attempt to kill him and with this, Phil Miller 1 is exiled from Tucson, the place that’s his home and where his parents were buried.
Phil Miller 2 has little remorse for the other Phil’s family history, however, and just as Phil Miller 1 seems to accept defeat, he runs to his room and locks himself up there for a full three days. In this time, Carol and, supposedly, the rest of Tucson make peace with Tandy’s actions. But just as Phil comes to join the town in a campfire song, with Gale on the accordion, Phil Miller 2 attacks, ties him up, throws him in the back of his truck and — with only two days worth of food and supplies — throws him in the desert and tells him to never come back. Unlike Phil Miller 1, he keeps driving, and Phil is only left to scream to himself as he sits alone, eating his rations in twenty minutes time.
Phil wanders hopelessly in the desert, but not for too long as his one remaining friend makes peace with him and joins his quest. That person, as you would guess, is Carol, who decides Phil Miller 2 isn’t the man for her after she hears how he abandoned Tandy and also listening her ex-husband’s song, “Carol.” They drive out onto the sunset, where we learn brief details about Phil’s life, including that her male companion once had a brother. And as we close on a galactic shot featuring a certain fellow SNL/i> alum, we know this is not the end of Phil Miller’s post-apocalyptic tale.
Perhaps more so than any episode this season, at least since the first episode, the cinematography of “Screw the Moon” really shines. There’s always been a rugged-edge beauty to the show, but this week has a really cinematic feel. It’s glossy and sheer, but still filled with grit and weight. It’s a distinct look, and a stunning one too, and this is all thanks to D.P. Franco Delli Colli’s tremendous work.
Additionally, for as much of an asshat as his character can be, "Screw the Moon" in particular expresses how committed and heartfelt a performer Forte gives at the lead here. His acting work always seems under-appreciated, especially in Nebraska and during his SNL tenure, and it’s the balance of care and layers he brings to Phil Miller which makes it all the more watchable. Even as The Last Man on Earth is limited by his broadcast restrictions, Forte’s the one who sells all the near-profanities and childish complaints with the most sincerity. It shows how exceptionally versatile a comedic performer and actor he can be.
After such an exceptional start, this Fox series was limited by its suburban limitations. Hopefully as our two leads expand their scope, so too does The Last Man on Earth examine the broader scope of its story. What made the original episodes so touching were their simplicity. Not that the show ever got complicated, but the subdued character focus seemed lost in a shuffle of second-rate relationship follies. It’s comforting to see Forte's creation not only tie this up but present itself ready to move beyond, and it appears from interviews Forte and producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller take notes on what people say about their series.
With such an intentionally stripped down series, it’s fascinating to see how Forte’s show expands while staying humble to its low-down roots. For all its shortcomings, it’s clear this Fox show wants to expand and push itself thematically, and let's pray it can have as much heart and wit as it did in its original episode. This finale shows promise, and it leaves a lot of good questions behind in its wake as it rides onto its next season in the upcoming year.
Overall, The Last Man on Earth makes a — wait for it — lasting impression. Yes, yes, I’ll show myself out. Thank you, and thank you for reading this season. If you want to read more of my television weekly reviews, continue to check back here on Sundays for Silicon Valley and Happyish recaps, or read me reviews for Louie on Thursdays.
Image courtesy of INFphoto.com
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