Relationship Recap: Will & Abby, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce “Rule #21: Leave Childishness to Children” 

Technically Will and Abby don’t have much of a relationship for me to recap.

They get together in the pilot. And already go their separate ways in “Rule #21: Leave Childishness to Children.” But two episodes is enough for me to fall in love with them. Before we talk in depth about what went down between these two, let’s discuss some of the episode’s other highlights:

-Lyla is asked to take a leave of absence at her firm. I think I am surprised it took so long for this to happen. She’s not in a good space right now. She’s toxic, especially at work.

–Guest Star Goodness: that’s Brian Markinson who plays Lyla’s boss. I love this guy. He’s in everything. Recently he’s appeared in the Syfy series, Continuum. He’s also done multiple episodes of Rush, Fargo and Mad Men. Since I am a huge Supernatural fan, I have to mention he’s done a couple of episodes of that series including the season one’s “Phantom Traveler.” I can keep going. Some of his other TV credits are The Killing, Dark Angel and Da Vinci’s Inquest.

-We met Lyla’s mom who is played by Bernadette Peters. I love getting some actual insight into Lyla. Of course she thinks her mom’s a nightmare because outwardly the woman seems perfect. In a great scene, we find out how not perfect she is which includes five years of popping pills. Lyla being Lyla — she’s mighty relieved to count the ways her mom isn’t perfect. She kind of relishes in it. Too much. But this visit does serve to make Lyla more likable (at least for me) than she’s ever been before. Even though she dumps her mom’s cookies in the trash only to resurrect them when she crashes and burns her own cookies. The kids at the bake sale will never ever know the story behind those treats. Thankfully.

-In my preview for this episode, I talked about the fact that we learn a term even more pretentious than conscious uncoupling. Through Phoebe’s exploits, we learn the party she attends with her Euro couple doesn’t go for the swinging lifestyle. No orgies allowed. Everyone there is in a committed polyamorous relationship. Or as the short-haired blonde girl (Kath) explains is also called “ethical non-monogamy.” Wow. Anyway, this committed relationship — whether it’s with two or three people — isn’t what Phoebe signed up for. So she dumps the duo. She is free once again.

-Guest Star Goodness: The actress who plays Kath is in an upcoming Hallmark Channel movie that’s hitting air in January. Tammy Gillis stars as one of Amy Acker’s best friends in A Novel Romance. It also features Hot Paul from Orphan Black, Dylan Bruce. It premieres Saturday, Jan. 10 at 9/8c. It will be featured in our TV Movie Goodness column closer to the airdate so keep checking back here.

-Lilly has an older boyfriend. And she’s sneaking into clubs. Somebody tell her to stop trying to grow up so quickly.

Now on to our Abby/Will relationship recap. Lisa Edelstein and Warren Christie get to share some really great scenes in “Leave Childishness to Children.” When Will and Abby reconnect at the drugstore, the chemistry is instantly there, isn’t it? It’s all very random. Well it’s random until later, when we find out it isn’t so random. Apparently when they first hooked up, Abby said that this was her drugstore of choice. So Will decided to make it his drugstore of choice. His strategy pays off because Will manages to finally give Abby his digits. When it’s Jake’s night with the kids, she decides to get in touch with the younger man. So glad she did.

At a club in LA’s Hipster Central — also known as Silver Lake — Abby seems a bit out of place but she’s trying to fit in. She looks amazing and Will knows it. He says he wanted to take her to this club so he can introduce her to something different. And boy did she get that experience. Will’s ex is there. Although I am not sure if she’s an ex or a current something or another. It doesn’t matter. The girl is pissed off because Will hasn’t returned any of her calls. She makes the assumption that it’s because of Abby (the girl may be cray cray but she’s a smart cray cray). Words are said (Mostly “slut”). Drinks are thrown (by both Rachel and Abby). Abby comes out of this situation feeling soaked and a little bit badass.

Abby: “Was I stepping to her? What is that?”

Will: “You know, just gettin’…agro.”

Abby: “Agro! I am like…I’m shaking. I’m so pumped. I feel like I could wrestle a bear, a shark or a…I don’t even know. Woo!”

Will: “I like you, you know that? Even though you smell like beer.”

Will then lets Abby know he isn’t embarrassed of Abby like she feared. Rachel’s the one that he’s embarrassed about. He didn’t realize she’s so crazy.

Abby: “I’m a little crazy.”

Will: “A little crazy’s perfect.”

Cute, right? I just love the way Will grabs her hand like he needs to feel connected to her (he does it again later in the episode). And since this is a recap, I think it’s fair to let you guys know that this is when Will and Abby make out (yay!). Soon after, Abby spies her daughter, Lilly. making out with an older guy and the evening goes to hell.

After the drama of Jake vs. Abby and then Lilly telling those two to grow up, Will and Abby are back at her house sitting outside on her deck. Abby’s in tears. She knows what a mess her life has become. And she knows now is not the time to be in a relationship with Will.

Will: “Yeah, I know. You don’t have to say it.”

Abby: “I wish I was in the right place for you. You’re just too mature for me.”

Will: “No…”

Abby: “I kind of mean it. I…I have so much work to do on me, on…everything…”

Will: “Okay. You know, despite all the drama you’re still the sanest woman I know.”

Abby: “Obviously.” (laughter)

They kiss again. And they really need to stop because I’m totally attached to these two and nothing is going to happen between them in the near future. Will’s frustrated. Because he wants this so bad.

Will: “I want to be with someone who knows who they are. Not a…human time bomb.”

Abby: “I just need like…a year. Maybe five.”

They touch foreheads. He kisses her on the forehead. And then he goes. Abby’s on a journey. She has to figure things out for herself in the present. She has to untangle herself from this divorce and the “breakdown” scandal that threatens to end her book series, The Girlfriends’ Guide, forever. This reminds me of a scene in Sex and the City where Miranda explains her theory about men and their availability and their cab lights being on (although I do think it works for women, too). See for yourself:

Right now, Will’s cab light is on. Abby’s isn’t. She‘s not ready for a relationship like this. He clearly doesn’t want things with Abby to end. Before he leaves her house, he has one more thing to say:

Will: “You know, when you do grow up, you should call me.”

As far as I’m concerned, this leaves things between Will and Abby open. This means Will can come back at anytime. I hope GG2D goes on a long time so we can see these two pick things up again. And then we can figure out if a relationship between this younger man and older woman could work. Will and Abby aren’t like Jake and Becca. There’s more of a maturity that exists between them no matter what Abby claims.

One day their timing could be perfect, who knows. This show is in its early days but I’m definitely a fan of this couple. However, I will say this. I’m keeping an open mind. GG2D‘s Lisa Edelstein is that type of actress who pretty much has chemistry with everyone. So there may be another guy that comes along that’ll impress me even more than Will with Abby. It could happen. Until then, I’m a Wabby fan. And I’m sad that they’re over…for now. Hopefully we’ll see them cross paths again.

Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.