This smart episodic TV series starring Brie Larson and Lewis Pullman pulled us right into a story with chemistry bubbling inside and out of the lab. Executive Producer, co-writer, and show-runner Lee Eisenberg worked with a stable of competent writers (including his wife) and directors, following well-developed characters played by an excellent ensemble. They keep several understandable, relatable, and emotionally focused threads going. This series is based on “Lessons in Chemistry,” authored by Bonnie Garmus who is an executive producer along with Eisenberg and Larson.
Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) is as straight forward as they come. Set in the 1950’s and early 60’s, Zott is a beautiful and brilliant chemist trying to earn her PHD so she will be able to get a job as a respected colleague who can work alongside men. After a terrifying incident, she quits the PHD program, settling instead for being a lab assistant for exceptionally talented, but anti-social scientist, Calvin Evans (Lewis Pullman). Calvin is a loner with the personality of a spoon. He can’t work with anybody, but is badly in need of a lab assistant. He reluctantly takes Elizabeth into his lab. They set working rules for each other which lead to more than an understanding.
Both Elizabeth and Calvin are broken who have been damaged in different ways by religion. Yet faith, trust and love eventually saves Elizabeth and transforms Calvin. Pullman does a lot with this role. He plays it with restraint until he learns to appreciate and respect Elizabeth’s intellect, and both learn how to give and receive love.
Sudden tragedy strikes. Elizabeth is left on her own trying to finish the DNA experiments they were on the brink of discovering together. But the company power structure won’t let her continue their research because she’s female, pregnant and lacks that doctorate.
She’s now living in Calvin’s house in Sugar Hill, a Los Angeles Black community that is about to be bull-dozed to make way for a new expressway. Elizabeth’s smart, activist neighbor Harriet Sloane ( Aja Naomi King), enlists her help to protest and save the neighborhood. They have a lot in common. Harriet’s husband is in the military and she is raising their two kids by herself.
Not only a chemist, Elizabeth is also a good cook who knows the value of her ingredients in the kitchen as well as in the lab. Through a fluke, she becomes the star of her own cooking show, “Supper at Six.” Larson jumps right in delivers her recipes in in her deadpan, matter of fact fashion, never talking down to her adoring female audience. The biggest obstacle is the misogynistic, money-grubbing manager of the TV station, Phil Lebensmal played almost unrecognizable by Rainn Wilson. He stands for everything Elizabeth despises, but fortunately, her producer, Walter Pine (Kevin Sussman) finally going to bat for Elizabeth when there’s friction.
Throughout the series, there are revelations about Calvin’s childhood that are brought to Elizabeth’s attention by her growing daughter, Mad, played by Alice Halsey, yet another superb child-actor and addition to the excellent cast. Halsey manages to play an extremely curious and intelligent kid, but still be sensitive and loving who teachers her Mom a few things.
More of Calvin’s background comes to light with flashbacks, starring Beau Bridges, Rosemary DeWitt plus Patrick Walker as a pastor who had crossed paths with Calvin. Credit goes to Production Designer Catherine Smith, Set Designer Lori Mazuer and Costume Designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier, for separating the different looks and fashions of each decade, from slacks to shirtwaist dresses so well tailored at that time.
This series deals with everything from women’s equality, racism, and corporate greed, to religion vs science in a compelling story. Framed around a beautiful love story, it’s not just alchemy. Larson and Pullman actually add magic to the chemistry.
Apple TV+ 8 Episodes TV-MA
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