On paper, HBO’s Rooster possesses all the ingredients of a quintessential comfort series. With a creative pedigree responsible for hits like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and Scrubs, the expectation is a seamless blend of heartfelt comedy and low-stakes emotional resonance. However, seven episodes into its debut season, the series remains frustratingly short of its full potential. While the efforts of a stellar cast—including Steve Carell, Danielle Deadwyler, and Charly Clive—are evident, the show is often bogged down by uneven chemistry and a questionable portrayal of academia.
Archie’s Cycle of Validation
In the latest installment, “All The Dogs’ Names,” Phil Dunster’s Archie continues to be the narrative’s primary anchor—and not in a positive sense. Driven by a profound fear of rejection and a desperate need for validation, Archie engages in a reckless campaign of love-bombing both his estranged wife, Katie (Clive), and Sunny (Lauren Tsai), the grad student he got pregnant. His promises of daily breakfast deliveries to Katie are a transparent attempt to woo her back, even as he simultaneously tries to impress Sunny’s father.
The only voice of reason in this scenario is Mo (Robby Hoffman), who remains visibly annoyed by Archie’s antics. This cyclical narrative of Archie’s insecurity is precisely what prevents Rooster from achieving its heartwarming potential. There is a distinct lack of accountability for his behavior; even the physical confrontation with Greg Russo in the second episode seems to have left no lasting impact on his character. However, a glimmer of hope appears during a visit to the OB-GYN. For the first time, Archie seems genuinely moved during the ultrasound scan. Whether this marks a genuine turning point or another fleeting moment of sentimentality remains to be seen, but the show desperately needs him to pick a lane.
Walt’s Evolution and the Politics of Ludlow
While Archie’s arc feels stagnant, John C. McGinley’s Walt is finally finding his footing. Previously relegated to eccentric comic relief, Walt’s character gains much-needed depth in this episode. His dynamic with Greg (Carell) shifts as Walt admits to feeling disrespected by the man he essentially blackmailed into a writer-in-residence position. Their subsequent bonding—trading the awkwardness of a home sauna for a bike ride—humanizes Walt in a way the series has previously struggled to do.
The episode also tackles the administrative dysfunction at Ludlow College. The return of Dean Riggs (Alan Ruck) highlights the show’s tendency toward caricature, as Riggs is portrayed as an unrepentant misogynist. However, this serves as a catalyst for Dylan (Deadwyler) to assert her worth. After serving as the interim dean, Dylan realizes she is the superior fit for the role. Encouraged by Greg, she demands the position permanently rather than accepting a secondary promotion as head of the English department.
Walt’s decision to ultimately back Dylan over his old friend Riggs provides the episode’s most resonant moment. His realization that Riggs has no interest in the effort required to be good at his job leads to a sharp rebuke: “I felt this place leaving me behind, so I ran as fast as I could to catch up… You? You don’t even try.” This moment of self-reflection gives insight into Walt’s persistence and validates Dylan’s ascent within the university hierarchy.
The Emotional Fallout
Despite these professional victories, the episode ends on a somber note for the show’s central relationships. The slow-burn connection between Greg and Dylan remains a highlight, but Greg’s personal life takes a hit when Cristle (Annie Mumolo) ends their relationship to protect her son, Tommy. The breakup is messy, leaving both parties in a state of emotional disarray.
Similarly, Katie is left heartbroken when Archie fails to follow through on his romantic gestures. Her realization that he may never truly change is a crushing moment, expertly conveyed through Clive’s expressive performance. As Rooster heads into its final three episodes of the season, it must find a way to navigate these characters out of the emotional maze they’ve been trapped in. While the series earns a B- for this outing, the potential for a truly great show is still visible beneath the surface—if only it can stop falling just short of the mark.
Stray Observations
- The brief scenes featuring The Office’s Steve Carell and Parks and Recreation’s Jim O’Heir are a delight for fans of classic sitcoms. Fred’s reveal that Greg is his favorite author adds a charming layer to their awkward new family dynamic.
- Fred’s blunt question to Archie—“What’s wrong with you?”—echoes the audience’s own frustrations with the character.
- Danielle Deadwyler’s delivery of “Oh, I’m not going anywhere” during the confrontation with Rory Scovel’s overzealous campus cop was a standout moment of the half-hour.
- The stage seems set for a second season, potentially with Dylan offering Greg a more permanent role within the English department to keep him at Ludlow.
