Netflix’s Human Resources season 1 recap guide: Episodes 1 to 10

Human Resources episode 9, “It’s Almost Over”

If you thought Human Resources would follow up a sad episode with a happier one, well, instead they do the opposite! But episode 9 ends up being another excellent installment, on par with the previous episode and this time every plot is great rather than one lackluster subplot dragging the rest down. However by the end of “It’s Almost Over,” I was bawling, no lie.

It’s not looking good for Yara. Amir had to bring her home after she broke her hip at the nursing home. No longer trusting they can take care of her, he chooses to let her live with his family, which is a strain on everyone with Yara getting increasingly sick and her limited memories starting to fade.

Keith from Grief (Henry Winkler) shows up and joins Amir’s team, which isn’t a good sign as it means Amir has realized his mother is dying, albeit very deep down since he’s unwilling to deal with his emotions and is instead living in denial. Pete works with Doug to keep Keith as bay, because of course, the logical part of Doug doesn’t want to succumb to the overwhelming emotions.

The problem with grief is, as anyone who has ever experienced it knows, it doesn’t just go away. “The only way out is through!” Keith starts out as a cute sweater-looking creature, but when you ignore grief it becomes an uncontrollable monster. The more Amir and Pete try to push Keith away, the angrier he becomes until he manifests into a giant monstrosity that chases them down the street.

Meanwhile, Walter is also having a hard time accepting Yara’s impending death. He ends up taking her out for one last day to enjoy her memories of Safi and her beautiful long life. All Yara asks for in her final days is some candy, so Walter and her granddaughter, Natalie (Nadja’s sister) take her to get it and appreciate what little time they have left with her.

Ultimately, Amir realizes that his mother is dying and there is nothing he can do about it. he finally accepts Keith and starts to work through his grief while spending the last days with Yara as she lays in her bed and all of her family surrounds her until she passes away peacefully. Like Amir, Walter also has a really hard time coping and it’s Natalie who comforts him as she’s suddenly able to see him. I’m assuming Natalie can see him because his client is dying, or perhaps Walter will become Natalie’s Lovebug.

The entire ending of this episode is genuine and moving, there aren’t many jokes and it’s played pretty straight. The writers did a fantastic job of portraying grief and showcasing how it affects people in different ways. And the cherry on top is the ending title card that dedicates this episode to the late actor Willie Garson, who lent his vocal talents to a few episodes of Big Mouth.

Back in Monster World, Emmy and Rochelle’s fight boils over. In contrast to the much heavier and grounded Yara storyline, it feels a little silly to watch them bicker over Dante, but it also keeps the episode from getting too somber. Since she’s on the outs with Rochelle, Emmy starts hanging out with Lionel, but his advice falls on deaf ears.

Even though Lionel advises Emmy to make amends with Rochelle, Emmy sees it as transactional. If she apologizes, maybe Rochelle will apologize. It doesn’t go as planned. Emmy says she’s sorry, but Rochelle is adamant she did nothing wrong, leading Emmy to rescind her apology and the two to get in a heated screaming match in the middle of the office. Will they ever make up!?

Human Resources episode 9 soundtrack

• End credits: “Moon River” by Frank Ocean

Best jokes and stray observations from Human Resources episode 9

• Connie Lingus Tonight.
• “The tube says I’m off Yara’s team. At first, I thought I was doing a bad job, but she’s just dying. What a relief.”
• Pete starts to deal with his own grief regarding his unrequited feelings for his Rochelle. Amir jokes that Pete’s thing is obviously much different than his, but it’s no less important!
• Anyone want to meet the Bladder Badgers and Appetite Sprites?
• The flyswatter being an OSHA violation.
• Kohl’s being the official retail chain of grief!
• “Oh, Walter’s part of the A-story this episode.”
• “Back to the business at hand, what are we going to do about J.K. Rowling?”
• “Jesus, Marble and Joseph.”
• “Your love language has always been titties.”
• “Quick, turn here! Use the Hardee’s drive-thru, it’s always empty.”
• I wonder why Natalie took center-stage here instead of Nadja. We never got any closure with Nadja and Danielle. Will there be a follow-up next season?