The View From Lake Como

Laura tells Jess that she must get rid of Smokey or she’ll have to find somewhere else to live. Jess loves her apartment, but she loves the cat more. Later that afternoon, Angelo knocks on Jess’s door because his mother is struggling to breathe. Jess recognizes the signs of a panic attack and gets the woman a bag to breathe in. She helps Laura through some breathing exercises before helping her to the garden to rest. Jess realizes that she hasn’t needed a paper bag since she arrived; she thinks she’s not afraid of anyone anymore.

Jess works on her next journal entry, writing about doing the shopping for her mother and dreaming of Italy. Once, she ran into Babe Bilancia, her former mother-in-law, who revealed that she and Phil had been “agonizing” over how to get Jess and Bobby back together. Babe said that Phil still drops off Bobby’s favorite chicken cutlets, and Jess felt so betrayed that she stopped talking to Phil until Grandma Cap died.

Jess logs on for her Thera-Me appointment, and Dr. Nora suggests that she put her family on the Island. She suggests that Jess build her strength first and then see how she feels. Jess wants tools for dealing with them; she doesn’t want to abandon the relationships. Detective Campovilla calls to ask Jess for help finding Googs, but she has no idea where he is. She calls Joe for advice, and he thinks the FBI is having trouble seizing the money from Louie’s offshore accounts. He asks Jess to reach out to their parents.

Jess begins her next journal entry, writing about the time right after Grandma Cap died. She recalls how much her family idealizes their deceased. Louie told Jess and Phil that it was time to make up, and Jess said that Grandma Cap never went behind Phil’s back when she was having problems with Jess’s dad. Phil revealed to Jess that Jess was a “surprise,” though her parents always said they wanted three children. She was born prematurely and had to spend seven weeks in the NICU; Phil never told Jess because a doctor said it could worsen her anxiety. Phil said she’s always been afraid for Jess, and Jess began to understand that this was why her parents always held her back. She told her mom to stop gossiping with Babe and making chicken for Bobby. Phil agreed, and Jess forgave her.

Back in the present, Angelo is grateful for Jess’s help with Laura. She thinks that, perhaps, Angelo’s small family is easier to navigate than her own large one. She wonders how her family could believe that keeping a secret could benefit anyone, but realizes that their belief is sincere.

Jess tells Conor that she has to find a new apartment. He says that the same issues follow people from place to place until they solve them, and Jess feels it’s her fate to get pushed around. He points to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, saying that the builders realized that its flaws actually make it stronger, and no matter what they did, they couldn’t stop it from leaning. Jess recalls how she wanted a wedding cake in the shape of the tower, like Cyndi Lauper had, but Bobby wanted a traditional cake, so that’s what they got.

When she returns to her apartment, Jess finds a note from Laura letting her know that she can keep Smokey after all. Jess realizes that pleasing other people is the hardest thing to do because one must work at it forever. It’s Thanksgiving, and Jess goes truffle hunting with Conor and his husband, Gaetano. When she gets home, she finds a bouquet of sunflowers from Laura. Angelo knocks and says that Laura is inviting Jess for dinner. Jess responds to a text from Detective Campovilla from the tub; she says she cannot talk that night because she has dinner plans. She wonders why she ever denied herself baths.

After Jess emerges, she works on her next journal entry, writing about the day her final divorce papers arrived. Louie told her she could go back to Bobby, but she didn’t want to. She said that she should’ve lived somewhere else, somewhere outside Lake Como, before she got married. He said that do-overs are a “crapshoot”—no one knows if the result would be better or worse. Jess gets dressed, grabs her truffle, and goes down to dinner.

Dalia, Angelo’s girlfriend, is there. However, she leaves midway through the meal because of an issue with her daughter. After Dalia leaves, Angelo and Laura argue, so Jess asks her about a recipe. After dinner, Laura sends Angelo and Jess for a walk. Jess accuses him of being a womanizer, and he says he’s not what she thinks he is.

Back in her apartment, Jess begins to write again. She remembers when her mother specified which of her children would get what when she dies. Phil said there was “no need” for Jess to continue to be self-sacrificing, according to their family’s tradition. Jess pointed out that their family holds on to traditions whether they like them or not.

Jess brings up the communication issues with her mother at her next Thera-Me appointment. Dr. Rex advises her to honestly examine her mother’s beliefs about religion, sex, health, money, and beauty. She does, and it makes her feel so sorry for herself that she calls Lil. She thanks Lil for being a “refuge” for her, and Lil recommends that Jess stay away until she develops a thick skin and feels comfortable telling her family to go to hell. Laura takes Jess to see where Grandma Cap lived before she married.