Grace and Frankie, season 5

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie returned with a full-on “fuck it” attitude in season 5. They had to fight for their home and life on their own terms, but they made it happen.

With Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie and Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen as their ex-husbands Sol and Robert, the storyline from the past 4 seasons continues chugging merrily along. The series has been renewed for a 6th season by Netflix, so you can expect more antics from this group in 2020.

The first order of business as season 5 began was getting Grace and Frankie back in their beach house. The kids had to be convinced that their parents could still manage on their own. The house had to be repurchased from its new owner. Upselling Santa Fe was involved.

June Diane Raphael, Baron Vaughn, Brooklyn Decker, and Ethan Embry in Grace and Frankie
But what if you fall?

Once that was managed, the series moved on to issues like Brianna’s (June Diane Raphael) near bankruptcy of Grace’s old company. Lots of arguing, mistrust, and mother daughter bonding took place getting that fixed.

Grace broke up with Nick (Peter Gallagher) and then made up with him. Frankie spent a weekend at an ashram trying to reauthenticate herself and had a few shining moments with Leo (Paul Michael Glaser) doing it.

Grace didn’t trust anyone to do anything right. That came to a head in season 5. Since we know there’s a season 6, we can assume the friendship between Grace and Frankie survives. But, boy, things got lippy there for a while.

Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen in Grace and Frankie

Robert wanted to star in The Man of La Mancha. Martin Sheen is a decent singer – who knew? Sol wanted a dog. A serious decision. Robert and Sol were the same as always, except Sol grew some backbone in season 5. Good for Sol!

Let’s see, what other tidbits can I toss out without a lot of spoilers? Mallory (Brooklyn Decker) might be dating. Bud (Baron Vaughn) and Allison (Lindsey Kraft) might take a big step. Coyote (Ethan Embry) might get a job. The vibrators are still selling well, but with donuts?

Some important characters in season 5 include Brianna’s accountant/boyfriend Barry (Peter Cambor). Joan Margaret (Millicent Martin) was a kind of Girl Friday for Grace and Frankie. The married couple/caterers Peter (Tim Bagley) and Jeff (Michael Gross) showed up regularly, especially Peter who was the director of Man of La Mancha.

I don’t want to forget the guest stars: Ed Asner, George Hamilton, Nicole Richie and RuPaul.

Season 5 Overall

Martin Sheen and Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie
Situations were as crazy as ever in season 5.

The humor was intact in season 5. The jokes were still outrageous. The love/hate situation between Grace and Frankie grew so serious, we had to experience an alternate reality to snap out of it.

There was a bit of tossing continuity out the window and forgetting the past. Not a serious problem, but it did merit an occasional, “huh?”

However, these actors know each other so well and their timing is so perfect, that the episodes roll by like well-waxed skis on new snow. As long as creators Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris can keep the jokes coming, this ensemble of actors can keep delivering the goods.

Themes include pill popping (not the usual Frankie’s stoned again type of drugs), society’s discriminatory treatment of elders, trust, control, love, friendship, parenting, and the ever-present motif of elders as sexual beings.

There were only a few women directors in season 5: Silver Tree, Kyra Sedgwick, and Marta Kauffman. There should have been more women directors.

Have you seen season 5 of Grace and Frankie? What did you think of it?

10 thoughts on “Grace and Frankie, season 5”

  1. This show is amazing!!! As I get older myself I appreciate watching this subject matter dealt with grace understanding and best of all humor!!Thank you Netflix for this show!

  2. I really enjoy this amazing show. They show so many real life situations in such fun ways. As I grow older & experience surprising ugly life realities I love to find ways to laugh at myself & my situations. This show definitely helps me to have a great attitude! I’m so inspired by these actors & their abilities to keep going. I’m 69 and appreciate their energy and creativity. Learning all those lines blows my mind! PLEASE keep this show alive!!!!

  3. As a 70 something woman, I truly love Grace and Frankie. I zipped along with all the F bombs throughout each episode, hilariously peeking at the wedding as we climbed up the F bomb hill. But I was really disappointed in the final episode. I have no idea why they decided to go in that odd-ball direction. The wedding episode was outstanding and they literally ruined the season with that horrible ending. Would’ve been better if they left the two women estranged as a cliffhanger and resolved it next season. Just one woman’s honest opinion.

    1. They ended season 4 with a controversial episode that upset a lot of people, too. I thought the ending for season 5 was a bit experimental, but it let the actors have a romp. I’m happy there will be a season 6 so we can see where it all leads.

  4. This is one of the funniest and inspirational shows on tv. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlinson have found a way to make aging sexy as hell and give us all the hope that with age comes wisdom, opportunities and unimaginable opportunities. Thank you to the cast and to Netflix!

  5. After losing my son and then 6 months later my husband I never thought I would laugh again. Or even smile again. And then I saw Grace and Frankie. Thank you! Thank you!
    I did laugh and binged watched this show. Grace and Frankie was an amazing turn around for me.

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