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Episode 2 “Wagon Burner” Details
- Director(s): Dawn Shadforth
- Writer(s): Sharon Horgan
- Public Release Date (HBO Max): September 20, 2026
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Recap
Things aren’t really going great for Alex, no matter which aspect of her life you want to talk about. Ruari apparently did something at university, and now he is considered a sex offender or pervert. Then, to make things worse, when Alex pulls Lorcan in to talk to his son, he doesn’t get Ruari back on track. No, instead he supports Ruari’s idea of taking a year off, pursuing stand-up comedy, and doesn’t make it clear to Ruari that he will not bring him along to Toronto and he is stuck in Westminster. Thus leaving Alex to be the bad guy.
Then, to make matters worse, Alex’s mom has to have a toe amputated, her sister seems to have a lot going on, to the point she may not be reliable regarding their parents, and then there is Patrick. He seems fun and lovely, but there is a question from both sides regarding timing. Alex has a lot going on, and while Patrick is an escape, she seems to less as someone to run from her life with, and rather as someone to bring into it.
However, one thing Alex seems to struggle with is uncertainty, and right now, her personal life has too much of it to bring Patrick on, especially when he is not only willing to give Alex an out but not fight for her. This leaves her professional life, which is as fulfilling as everything else. An author she is invested in is being turned down by Sam, and one of their eccentric clients, Charlotte, who is writing a rather raunchy book, has a new handler in her daughter Liv. Someone who wants her mother’s profile raised higher, while Alex would love to do anything beyond reading a 92-year-old woman’s explicit book.
New Characters in Episode 2
Charlotte Arbor (Anne Reid)
- Character Summary: Charlotte is a 92-year-old author, with 83 books to her name, who is known for writing tales which can be a bit raunchy.
Liv (Harriet Walter)
- Character Summary: Liv is Charlotte’s daughter who decides if Sam and Alex want to keep Charlotte as a client, they need to start converting Charlotte’s legacy into one which is honored.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
Alex Having Normal Drama That Isn’t Boring [84/100]
What we appreciate about Alex’s life is that it isn’t built on hijinks. The drama she has, be it her boss and best friend not having proper boundaries, or dealing with family issues, is relatively normal. Note, not heightened in a way to make something normal outright funny, but you can see this balance between the utterly mundane being comically exhausting yet still holding the frustration, sometimes the sorrow, and maybe even pockets of joy.
The Question Of What Ruari Did? [83/100]
The Ruari situation is perhaps one of the best examples. Alex may love her son, despite how frustrating he can be, but taking the focus off of Alex, you can also see some form of normalcy that can be made funny or dramatic with Ruari too. This whole situation, with him being called a pervert, some taking it so far as to call him a sex offender, walks that tightrope.
It isn’t clear what Ruari did, but clearly it wasn’t something to the extent of him being arrested or expelled. So there is a seriousness to the situation, but you can see how this could become comically exhausting depending on the writing and performance. Is Ruari just inept at social situations, following the wrong examples or advice? Could he really just be a creep, and Alex will have to contend with the fact that she somehow raised one and have to take on what that says about her?
There are a lot of avenues this could go down, and with it being a sensitive topic, it should be interesting to see if there is an effort to find humor in this or take a serious route.
On The Fence
Patrick and Alex [78/100]
I find myself frustrated by the Alex and Patrick saga and am left to wonder if both have been an issue rather than just Patrick. For with how Alex acted, a part of me wants to give grace and understand that in her pushing him away, what she wanted, hoped for, was Patrick pulling her closer. It’s juvenile, but understandable. After all, I think Alex is at a point where she wants someone to make an effort, even when things aren’t easy. Because, after having an ex like Lorcan, I think she has made that a sign.
However, as much as I may want to give grace, I can’t deny that she is playing the type of games where there are no prizes, just frustration. Yes, Patrick and her have a history we don’t know the full details of yet. But I wouldn’t say him questioning if she is ready to date was a terrible thing to ask or his means of pushing her away. We see all she is going through, and it seems like a lot; imagine taking on something optional, only to realize you are at capacity? That wouldn’t be fair to Patrick.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [81/100]
Youth maintains the tone presented in its premiere, and expands it as we get to see Alex’s world, her flaws, and even get to peer into her loved ones’ lives.
What To Check Out Next
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