Satisfaction “…Through Security” 

When TV Goodness talked to Katherine LaNasa last month, she told us Adriana wanted Neil for herself. In “…Through Security” she puts her plan to get him in motion. Although, I wonder if she’s been planning and plotting for a while. After their hookup in “…Through Exposure,” I was eagerly anticipating Neil and Adriana’s next interaction. It certainly doesn’t disappoint. Neil hasn’t been taking her calls, so Adriana goes to his office to see him. She tells him about a client who’s perfect for him, but Neil is reluctant to go on any more dates right now. Things at home are good, but Adriana thinks that’s because of the work they’ve been doing. And when she tells Neil that she’s the client? It’s surprising for a few reasons.

But let’s back up. Let’s examine this plan – or, at least, what I think we know about this plan. Adriana has to think of a way to break Grace and Neil up, but she can’t be seen to have a part in it. Maybe that’s where Simon comes in. I’m still not entirely sure if he’s on Adriana’s payroll for the part she wanted him to play in this plan or if she just wants to push his buttons – and make some money at the same time. I suspect it’s a little of both. They have such a strange relationship, but we know Simon’s reason: he’s doing it for the money. He’s still screwed from when Neil reported him to the IRS.

So, since Adriana knows about Grace and Simon she can use that to her advantage – with Neil (to push his buttons so he’d have sex with her in “…Through Exposure”) and now with Simon. A large part of her job is about reading people and anticipating their needs. It’s probably not that hard to read Simon when it comes to Grace. Adriana plants a seed of doubt in Simon when she tells him Grace came to her about seeing someone else. So the next time Simon sees Grace, which conveniently happens at Adriana’s, Simon admits that he cares about Grace. And if Grace doesn’t want to be with her husband, but she does want to be with someone it should be him. But the bombshell he drops on her – that Neil knows about them – is what really sends her into a panic. And, of course, Adriana is watching all her handiwork play out.

Part of me wonders what she’ll do with Neil if she gets him. Adriana doesn’t seem like the type of person to be as vulnerable and open as Neil would want, but I guess Grace really isn’t either – at least, not right now. Adriana’s kind of showing her hand by letting Neil know she wants him. But she’s also playing it a little safe by calling herself a client. I’m assuming she wants more than just a physical relationship. I mean, I know she wants more. But if she’s Neil’s client she only entitled to so much, right? Does she want to take Neil for a test run before she decides if she wants more? Does she think Neil would actually agree to something like this? If he did, would either of them be able to keep this arrangement professional? I wonder if she’ll try to sell this relationship as a way for Neil to keep “doing the work” that helps make his marriage work, while taking other women out of the equation. Clearly, it’s all very fascinating to me.

And it’s about time Grace knows at least part of the truth about her husband. I hope Grace confronts him and I wonder if Neil will tell her everything. I doubt it, but I can’t wait to see it all play out.

Other Developments

Anika and Mateo. I like that Mateo doesn’t want to make music unless it’s with her. That producer seemed super sketchy anyway and I didn’t really like that Anika kept pushing Mateo to sign with him. I understand why she was doing it – she wants at least one of them to live their dream. But I think they need to take this journey together.

Mallory’s husband knows. Of course Neil would feel exposed because it was before he met Adriana, who assures him she could and would protect him from a situation like that. I understand Neil’s urge to protect his family from someone who might be a threat. I also understand his desire to talk to Daniel Harper and explain himself, but I’m glad he just imagines it. Who knows how it’ll go or if Daniel will continue to be a threat, but I don’t want to see Neil put himself in unnecessary danger.

I’m glad we discover that when Stephanie claims that Dylan is “the one,” she only means that she can see dating him for the next few months. I’m seriously glad to hear it. It’s kind of weird (to me) that they became exclusive so fast. I mean, I’m not the only one who sees that he has a serious connection with Grace, right? She told him about the time she went to a strip club and liked it, which is something not even Neil knows about. I’m still pretty firmly committed to seeing Neil and Grace resolve their issues, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by this pairing.

I like that Neil’s Got Happy project is still coming along. It’s kind of exciting to see Neil so into it.

Satisfaction airs Thursdays at 10/9c on USA Network.