SPOILER ALERT
This article contains major character or plot details.
It’s hard not to hold your breath as the seconds tick by Nobody wants that Season 3, Episode 7. The episode sees Morgan (Justine Lupe) and newly single Sasha (Timothy Simons) travel to New York. The duo travels the country supposedly so Morgan can appear on Watch what’s happening live. But the 3,000-mile trip also gives Angelenos space to explore their rising attraction, which seems destined to catch fire.
Simons says that Nobody wants that team intended for the episode – which takes place over the course of a day – to have the dreamlike feel of Richard Linklater’s iconic romance Before sunrise. The reality of Sasha’s separation and the impending marriage of their respective siblings Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) seem otherworldly. As Lupe explains, “There’s this feeling where it’s this moment where they’re in this place together – like there’s something different going on between them.”
The “they will, won’t they” tension explodes into “they definitely did” in the final moments of episode 7, as they settle into their shared hotel room. Morgan has the plush bed, while Sasha, and all her tall stature, camps out on the living room couch. At that point in the evening, the duo vowed to forgo sex for the sake of their close friendship. But Morgan’s pacing through the suite – captured by a magnificent, anguished tracking shot – suggests other, deeper desires.
PHOTO BY KATRINA MARCINOWSKI
“They didn’t plan this. It was divine intervention,” says Lupe, explaining that the room’s configuration allowed for the special shot. Simons praises the episode’s director, Richard Shepard, for leaving the stage.
“It’s to his credit,” he said. “We have a very tight filming schedule and Richard is always looking for ways to make things cinematic or shoot something in a more interesting way.” Added an extra dose of romance: Shepard, who also makes the dream Season 3 finale, is the husband of Nobody wants that co-showrunner Jenni Konner.
Despite Morgan’s pace, it is Sasha’s appearance at his bedroom door that finally causes the couple to consummate their feelings. Their longtime attraction culminates in a kiss, but as their families are about to intertwine, this moment has consequences far beyond their hotel suite. “Not only could their relationship be affected, but it could also cause conflict in both of their families,” says Simons. “It’s interesting to see Morgan go through twice, but the last thing is Sasha. There’s a balance between that.”
In fact, pulling off Morgan and Sasha’s ever-evolving relationship is a big balancing act. Now, Lupe and Simons take you on their characters’ journey to New York, that monumental kiss, and where Morgan and Sasha are in the season 3 finale.
PHOTO BY EMILY V. ARAGONES
The internet is still debating what constitutes a “bottle episode.” Do you consider this to be one?
Timothy Simons: Yes yes.
Justine Lupé: It has some amazing stuff from Kristen and Adam as Joanne and Noah. But it feels like a departure. This looks like something different. And that, I guess, makes me call it a bottle episode.
How did you feel when you found out that Sasha and Morgan were going to have their own romantic episode?
Lupé: None of us have ever been cast as romantic leads, at least not in something that seems so focused.
Simon: I would make this joke with Justine that every time I had been chosen to kiss someone in something before this, the desired outcome was, “Oh, that’s funny” or “Oh, that’s disgusting.”
Lupé: We were deeply worried about looking like puppets watching with just a bunch of limbs. But it worked!
Morgan and Sasha brush their teeth next to each other in the hotel room. Was this a deliberate nod to Bring it?
Simon: I didn’t think about it. But there is a real Bring it aspect of this scene.
Why do you think kissing is ultimately so exciting?
Lupé: They clearly want it. And I think they’ve both felt a kind of magnetic curiosity about each other for a long time.
Simon: If they weren’t in the same room, this probably wouldn’t happen.
Lupé: It works because Morgan goes back and forth so many times that I think it’s very clear that she’s trying to do something. But she can’t do it alone. So she needs an extra push from Sasha to tip it over.
When did you start supporting Sasha and Morgan?
Lupé: I think one time Esther decided she wanted to leave that version of their relationship and try something new. Before that, I was actually deeply opposed to them getting together. There’s not much that’s very sexy or comedic about the aftermath of the destruction of a family. So once Esther made the decision to do something else, I felt safe letting Sasha and Morgan see what was going on between them. And I was curious to play it myself.
Simon: There’s a maturity to the way the show tries to handle adult relationships. The reason Esther and Sasha aren’t together is actually a good and emotionally healthy reason. It sucks for Esther and it sucks for Sasha, but it’s not a gross thing. They try to make the right decisions. Sasha doesn’t leave Esther because he is interested in another person. He didn’t even want to leave his marriage.
PHOTO BY KATRINA MARCINOWSKI
Sasha wakes up to a note revealing that Morgan fled New York after their night together. Why is she leaving without him?
Lupé: I think there’s the nominal fear of “It’s a waste.” She wonders, “Am I really going to end up with my sister’s husband’s brother? Is this really where this is going? Is this a serious proposition?” I also think that what she says to Sasha is very serious and real: she moves towards things and then steps back. So, therefore, she does things by halves.
She says, “It’s scary. And instead of sitting here and explaining why it’s scary or solving this problem, I’m running.” It’s like walking through fire for Morgan to get to the point where she can tell Sasha, “I want to do this.” But then when he says, “I can’t do this. »
Do you think this experience forces her to grow?
Lupé: After Morgan tells Sasha how she feels, she doesn’t take it back. She stands her ground and says, “I understand, but I’m not going back.” » So I was satisfied with the trajectory.
How does Sasha feel at the end of season 3? Esther discovers the connection during the finale.
Simon: The only thing I thought about was that if Morgan hadn’t left New York without him, I think Sasha would have said yes to a relationship. Even if Esther found out.
Lupé: I agree.
Simon: I think it’s interesting that Sasha is having an adult, emotionally healthy moment and thinking, “This might be good, but it’s not the right time.” » But I still think that feeling is there. It’s just very complicated and very complicated.
What do you have to say to Sasha and Morgan fans?
Lupé: I encourage people to express feelings, whether they’re like, “Go Esther and Sasha, go to hell Morgan and Sasha” or “Yeah, Morgan and Sasha!” » Isn’t that the kind of beauty of a story? And I’m sure a lot of people have very different feelings and reactions, and that’s great in my opinion. That’s when you do something that sparks a feeling.
Simon: I remember after season 1, I got a lot of comments from people like, “Oh, I think Morgan and Sasha should get together.” And then after season 2, I got a lot of comments like, “Oh, I really think Esther and Sasha should fix this.” » I feel like there’s a pretty good balance between what people support.
Lupé: I’m curious to see how this all plays out.
Gn entert
