In our seventh and final recap of the Netflix series Hollywood, we recap the episode “A Hollywood Ending.”
At Ace’s funeral, we mourn the loss of Meg. Raymond (Darren Criss), Archie (Jeremy Pope), and Jack (David Corenswet) depart after discussing remaking the movie. Remember Harry? He’s a superhero. He made a copy of Meg just in case Henry kept editing the original. Smart man.
Avis is now head of Ace Studios. She has fired Lon Silver (Brian Chenoweth) as their lawyer and her passion project is still possible. Now on to the business of releasing this film. Dick (Joe Mantello) has the fabulous idea of having a wide release of every theater in the country. It has never been done before. They will be lowering the ticket prices for everyone to be able to see it. Avis decides to promote another film by Archie, Raymond, and stars Camille (Laura Harrier). So much to be had.
Kincaid (Holland Taylor) finally gets the romance she has been craving from Ernie (Dylan McDermott). Unfortunately, he breaks to her that he doesn’t have much time left. She just wants to enjoy what little time she has with him. Jack is surprised by the fact that Claire knows that he has slept with Avis. Avis shocks everyone with the news that Meg has broken all the records. The boys decide to get a view of what the news has to say about Meg. It would seem the world is excited.
Hattie (Queen Latifah) and Camille have been regularly meeting over drinks. Now, Hattie is the best mentor a woman could ask for; she advises that Camille answers every question and goes to every press junket. History tells us that Hattie McDaniel was the first Black woman and person of color to win an Oscar but she wasn’t even allowed in until right before they announce her as a winner. It will take another 50 years until another Black woman wins again.
For Hattie, she thought that she would have another great role that was beyond a maid but now Camille will have to push for more, she is living Hattie’s dream.
The film has been nominated for multiple nominations. The news jostles Archie to dare to be standing hand-in-hand with Rock (Jake Picking) at the Academy Awards and lets Avis know his plan. On the red-carpet Camille and Jack shine like the stars that they are, however, Rock and Archie aren’t well accepted even by Henry. Rock finally stands up for himself and fires Henry (Jim Parsons) on the spot. Camille is told that the producers have arranged for her to be seated elsewhere but taking Hattie’s advice, she makes her way to her seat in the front row with the rest of the crew. I got chills.
Jeanne Candrall (Mira Sorvino) presents the nominees for best supporting actress where Anna May Wong (Michelle Krusiec) is nominated. May Wong is finally been recognized for her work. Her speech is short but touching. Jack doesn’t win the Oscar but he reads his speech to all the people who have supported him along the way but it includes a proposal to Claire in the green room She accepts. Archie Coleman wins the Oscar for best screen write. He bravely makes his acceptance speech after kissing Rock on the lips. Of course, Raymond wins best director. Camille wins the award too. Her speech speaks on finally seeing a representation for little girls on the screen. Back in the green room, Hattie surprises Camille with a hug stating that they finally let her in the room. Ace Studios also wins big for the night. Avis takes care of her own by extending Archie’s contract by five years and doubling his pay. Meg has swept the nominees.
A year later, Henry is apologizing to Rock for the way he treated him and asks for forgiveness. Apparently, the man is going to AA meetings as well as meeting to learn that he isn’t a perversion. Rock can’t forgive him and is still dealing with nightmares from when Henry was his agent. Poor Rock isn’t able to get a lead role due to being out but Henry has a lead for him in the first homo love story.
What I thought was the funeral for Ernie is in fact for Richard Dick Samuels. Kincaid speaks of how if it wasn’t for him, Hollywood would have never changed to allowing movies with leads that are people of color. His partner, John, states that Richard said, “I die an honest man”. That makes my heart swell considering all that he has endured. After the funeral, Henry brings his picture idea to Avis who swiftly green lights the movie. Ernie’s gas station is up for sale but it is down due to same sex clientele being inspired by Rock and Archie’s red-carpet experience, they no longer are hiding as they used to do. Henry wanted to buy the station and vulgarly jokes about having Ernie slap him around in the back. Ernie is too in love to do all that.
Matter of fact, the gas station is the set of a film named Dreamland. Henry’s movie is becoming a reality with Rock as the lead, Archie as the writer, Raymond is directing, and Jack is co-starring. That’s just the beginning.
This was a cute series. Ryan Murphy has given the characters in this film happy endings. I can smile and think about what Hollywood would look like if its Golden Age had gone in this direction! But here we are in 2020 and we are still fighting the race, gender, and sexuality biases that were around over seventy years ago. There were some big names mentioned who didn’t get what they deserved. While times are changing, there is still a big lack of representation for many people out there. That’s what this limited series is attempting to tell us. I just wish it could’ve dived in deeper. Pretty good series to binge but it leaves me wanting more. Instead, I will be diving in deeper on the stories of Hattie, Anna May, and Roy. In our reality, each of them deserved better and could have really paved the way for many actors like them.
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