Will Angus, May Hong and Ella Hunt on the season one finale of “Not Suitable For Work.”
Gwen Capistran/Disney
Warning: Spoilers ahead for season one of Not Suitable For Work.
Season one of Hulu’s Not Suitable For Work culminates in a pivotal finale that shifts the status quo for its core characters.
Titled “A Birthday Party For the Whole World,” the finale follows AJ Pascarelli (Ella Hunt), Abby Chilukuri (Avantika), Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III (Will Angus), Josh Teitelbaum (Jack Martin) and Kel Washington (Nicholas Duvernay) as they navigate New Year’s Eve in New York City.
Here’s a recap of the finale and how it sets up a potential second season.
What Happens In The Season 1 Finale Of ‘Not Suitable For Work?’
Nicholas Duvernay on the season one finale of “Not Suitable For Work.”
Gwen Capistran/Disney
In the finale, each character makes significant moves in both their careers and personal lives.
Abby takes on a 9-to-5 retail job, working a double shift on NYE to pay off the $18,000 designer jacket she accidentally left on the subway in episode eight. While at work, her former boss Vanessa (Constance Wu) stops by and offers to rehire Abby on a trial basis.
Kate (Ego Nwodim) informs Kel that she’s found a permanent replacement for his teaching role. Kel is disappointed that he won’t be able to give the girls a proper goodbye, so he writes a heartfelt email to them explaining that he won’t return in the new year. Although Kel’s parents skip the opening night of his play, still in disapproval of his acting career, three of his students attend, leaving him touched.
Throughout the season, Abby and Kel share subtle moments of connection, though neither acts on them. Abby appears ready to reciprocate Kel’s feelings at his cast party, but he keeps things platonic and chats with a crew member he’s been crushing on.
Over at The Wes Dryden Show, Wes (Victor Garber) is overlooked for appearances on NYE TV specials due to a perceived lack of cultural relevance. Josh uses his connections to get Wes booked on a show hosted by Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo, and gives Paula (Judy Gold) the credit. During the live show, Wes stumbles through a segment in which he’s asked to give his honest opinions on popular trends that he knows nothing about. But Josh saves the day by taking control of the teleprompter and steering Wes in the right direction.
Ella Hunt on the season one finale of “Not Suitable For Work.”
Gwen Capistran/Disney
After breaking up with AJ, Bill Gibson (Jay Ellis) returns to work as if nothing happened between them. Davis becomes disgusted by Bill’s nonchalance and dismissiveness. When Bill tells the team that they have to work overtime, AJ storms out, deciding to take PTO early after working eight days straight over the holidays. After she leaves the room, Bill calls her “unhinged.”
Following the meeting, Davis confronts Bill for describing AJ’s behavior as “unhinged” after everything he put her through and they start fighting until a colleague intervenes. Davis reveals he requested a transfer to another department, but Bill escalates the situation by firing him.
Amid the breakup with Bill, AJ’s love life suddenly gets more complicated. Earlier in the episode, AJ and Josh, both of whom hate NYE, agree to combine their low-key plans and spend the evening together eating Chinese food and watching TV. Josh runs late because of work, but Paula lets him leave the studio to get to his date.
While AJ’s waiting for Josh, Davis unexpectedly shows up, face bruised from his fight with Bill. He gives AJ a “deal tombstone,” an award that employees are given for closing major deals, that she rightfully earned. Davis confirms he got fired, and when AJ asks why he fought Bill, Davis says that he didn’t like how he treated her and didn’t think he should get away with it. When AJ asks Davis if he likes her, he says he does and she kisses him.
At the exact moment, Josh finally arrives, but stops when he sees AJ and Davis kissing at her door. Without saying a word, he retreats to his apartment across the hall.
Has ‘Not Suitable For Work’ Been Renewed For Season 2?
Avantika on the season one finale of “Not Suitable For Work.”
Gwen Capistran/Disney
Hulu hasn’t officially picked up Not Suitable For Work for a second season yet.
If the show does return, the love triangle involving AJ, Davis and Josh would likely be a major plot point. Beyond romance, future episodes could explore Davis’ job search, whether AJ remains under Bill’s leadership at Fisher Stassen and how Kel’s acting career evolves.
In an interview with Variety published in early June, creator Mindy Kaling and showrunner Charlie Grandy expressed hope for a second season. Grandy also said that they’ve already mapped out arcs for future seasons.
“I think we know exactly what we would want to do for a season two, so hopefully people watch,” Grandy said. “Because we definitely know where we’re going, and it’s very good.”
Season one of Not Suitable For Work is streaming on Hulu.
Leave a comment