‘Made For Love’ Season 2 Episode 4 Non-Spoiler Review – “Another Byron, Another Hazel”

After some risky decisions made in the previous episode of HBO Max’s Made for Love Season 2, the show treads more serious territory. This fourth episode is titled, “Another Byron, Another Hazel”. It is written by the series’ co-creator and executive producer, Christina Lee; and it is directed by the series’ director of photographer, Nathaniel Goodman.

In this review, I will be discussing Made for Love Season 2 Episode 4. There will be no spoilers here, as the title of this article suggests. Nonetheless, please read ahead at your own discretion to avoid any possible revelations.

Plot Synopsis

According to WarnerMedia, here is the synopsis for Made for Love Season 2 Episode 4.

At their first public appearance together, Byron’s speech in front of Congress finds Hazel suddenly thrust into the spotlight. As he deepens his connection with Zelda, Jasper intensifies his search for the missing scientists — all while Hazel aids in a secret mission of her own. Already tired of her environment, “Other Hazel” forges a path into the real world for her and “Other Byron”.

WarnerMedia

Discussion

At nearly 31 minutes, “Another Byron, Another Hazel” has a narrative that further demonstrates the writers’ understanding of digital technology criticism. Mastrippolitio’s cinematography is well-done throughout, and a more modern rendition of Aqua’s “Barbie Girl”? What a score to open the episode with! The music team did superbly with the soundtrack and the composition, including songs by Richard Swift, Peter Sivo Band, and Shy Kids; just more to add to my current playlist.

The primary plot of this episode involves Hazel Green (Cristin Milioti) joining Byron Gogol (Billy Magnussen) as they speak in front of Congress about the Gogol company, and so Hazel must go a little makeover and get dressed up for the occasion. Jennifer Eve’s costume designing, Dara Jaramillo’s make-up, and Arleen Chavez’s hairstyling contribute to the transformation in Hazel’s appearance, and I could not be in more awe.

There is so much else going on during this particular episode that I appreciated, so allow me to break it down!

Oratory

In my review of the previous episode, I discussed the study of rhetoric and its effect in Made for Love. In this fourth episode of Season 2, there is more to go with that I would like to talk about.

On her way to Washington, D.C., Hazel is advised to control her facial expressions, body language, and eye contact so as to not give Congress the wrong idea. Although, the character has a way with her words. I can easily see her on the path to becoming some type of spokeswoman, but I would like to know what opportunities she can score as a first step. Meanwhile, there is Byron, whom she suggests should strengthen his pathos if he wants to be a brighter rhetorician and representative of his company. I can only attribute this to his lack of human interaction with people outside the Hub, whereas those in the Gogol structure obey his every command.

This is proven when Byron and Hazel actually meet with Congress. Even a basic sob story from Hazel is enough to persuade a room full of politicians to cut Gogol some slack.

The Others

This episode gets its title from the digital versions of both Hazel and Byron that are uploaded to the network. Therefore, I would be remiss if I did not talk about them in the slightest. In their subplot of the episode, we see the “Other” Hazel and Byron undergoing mimesis of the real Hazel and Byron in order to be more tangible. I find it interesting that they are even referred to as Others.

According to South Korean-born German philosopher Byung-Chul Han’s theoretical text, The Expulsion of the Other: Society, Perception and Communication Today, he writes, “Thought has access to the entirely Other. … a new relationship with reality, a new world, a new understanding of what is. … The world is peopled by clones, yet each paradoxically wants to be different from the others”. Han argues that the Other is atopic, that is, placeless in terms of location.

I don’t think the digitized versions of Hazel and Byron are Others but rather Same. While they are evidently consciousnesses transferred into the network, they believe — at least, the Other Hazel does — that she is different from and better than the physical Hazel. The “Other” Hazel and Byron still have a place, which is a network located within the Hub; meanwhile, the actual Hazel and Byron are in the Hub, which has yet to have its location discovered and identified.

The “Other” couple is about as Same as the physical human counterparts, who were definitely Others as inhabitants of the Hub but now find themselves socializing with outsiders in the real world. This could affect the ecology as a whole, so let’s talk about that…

Transhumanism and Posthumanism

The Made for Love writers call upon specific humanist critiues — transhumanism and posthumanism. Transhumanism is when we, human beings, latch onto technology to enhance and improve the state of living; meanwhile, posthumanism is the end goal of humanism that aims to use human invention and technologies to make living in a world with other species ideal and optimal.

Byron is asked about the success of his “conscious transfer” idea. While this has only worked with Byron and Hazel, testing this out almost forthwith on other human beings might not be the best thing to do. On the other hand, Gogol’s technologies are far too advanced, so who knows? Transhumanism is not as horrific as one character had initially claimed it to be, but post-humanism indeed means not having to lose an individual’s loved ones.

One struggle I did note is Bennett Hobbes’s (Caleb Foote) constant fear of Diane throughout Made for Love Season 2. I am curious as to how he will have to deal with her as the season progresses because… well, he cannot keep living like that.

Beyond Humanity

Byron’s speech about “a post-human future” is accurate to what I know of the system of thought. When he says that “the human body is outdated and inefficient”, it is because, in the 21st century, we as human beings are not only just human beings but “humans/machines”, as Maurizio Lazzarato argues in Signs and Machines: Capitalism and the Production of Subjectivity. One strong instance of posthumanism demonstrated in this episode is Jasper’s growing bond with Zelda. It is not enough to have a “virtual assistant” — sorry, Paula Abdul — but there needs to be a potent connection between species that actually prove worthwhile.

The Crew of Made for Love

Made for Love is created by Alissa Nutting, Dean Bakopoulos, Patrick Somerville, and Christina Lee. The series is based on Nutting’s novel of the same name.

Lee, Nutting, Bakopoulos, Somerville, Liza Chasin, SJ Clarkson, and Daisy Mayer serve as the executive producers. Janet Knutsen, Cristin Milioti, and Andres Anglade serve as the producers. Shepard Boucher serves as the series’ co-executive producer, while Lisa Satriano serves as the co-producer.

Jovan Robinson serves as the executive story editor. Al LeVine serves as the editor for the episode, while Regan Messenger serves as the assistant editor. Brandon Mastrippolito serves as the director of photography.

Keefus Ciancia scores the music, while Christine Greene Roe serves as the music supervisor. Jason Lingle and Jeff Lingle serve as the music editors.

Leslie Woo serves as the casting director. Courtney Bright and Nicole Daniels serve as the original casting directors. Julina Baber serves as the casting associate, while Jalal Haddad serves as the casting assistant.

Jordan Ferrer serves as the production designer, while Jennifer Eve serves as the costume designer. Michael Kennedy and Eddie Williams serve as the visual effects supervisors. Tarn Fliehler serves as the art director, while Christy McIrwin serves as the set decorator. Dara Jaramillo is the head of the make-up department, while Arleen Chavez is the head of the hair department.

The Cast of Made for Love

Cristin Milioti portrays Hazel Green. Billy Magnussen portrays Byron Gogol.

Dan Bakkedahl and Noma Dumezweni appear as Gogol employees, Lyle Herringbone and Dr. Fiffany Hodeck, respectively. Caleb Foote plays Bennett Hobbes, Gogol’s right-hand man, while Sarunas J. Jackson plays Jay. Ray Romano plays Herbert Green, Hazel’s father.

Chris Diamantopoulos guest stars as Agent Hank Walsh. Raymond Lee portraysJeff, while Ashley Madekwe voices Zelda.

Efren Ramirez appears as a Gogol employee named “Oz” Wimmer. Edi Patterson and Lidia Porto also play guest roles.

Michael Andrew Baker appears as a lobbyist husband. Lara Everly stars as Corrine, while Zehra Fazal plays Neha. Le-Anne Garland appears as a nurse. Charles Hayes portrays Representative Jerry Glanville, while Dutch Johnson appears as Bruce.

Stephanie Nash appears as Cressida Chapman, while Thomas Nowell appears as Stuart Dubois. Mona Patel plays a Gogol Glam coordinator. Jill Remez appears as Representative April Casey. Paige Tierney plays a party guest, while Lucas Velazquez plays Nils.

Performances and Character Developments

While we only see them briefly, Herbert Green (Ray Romano) and Diane are having the best time they’ve ever had. This episode is the most I have seen Herbert at his happiest in the show so far, and I hope he heals in one way or another. Romano brings in a laughable — laugh with him, not at him — performance through a character who has developed so well. Yet, I am also hoping that his daughter gives him a second chance at being a father who is there for her; so I have that to look forward to in the latter half of the season.

Jasper and Zelda’s bond continues to flourish, but who knows how long that will last! Their relationship has only begun, and I would love to see where this heads. For now, I am sure Jasper will not want to form any attachments to anyone — Hazel and Zelda included.

Lastly, we see that Hazel is feeling guilty over a decision that she made in the previous episode. I don’t know how she will bounce back from that, but she has been the resilient individual that we have come to know since the pilot. Therefore, I can only expect a great outcome from her current circumstance.

Final Thoughts on This Week’s Made for Love

“Another Byron, Another Hazel” is well-written for a half-hour episode of Made for Love. It possesses everything I felt is necessary for a science-fiction comedy, with each minutia deserving of analysis. The episode highlights Byron and Hazel’s time outside The Hub as well as Jasper’s time in it. I believe we are only halfway through Season 2, but things seem to be looking up. This is a story I do not want to see end, and I can only tell that the overall narrative will get more chaotic and hectic. We have yet to see the full return of Judiff — that news footage doesn’t necessarily count — as well as Herringbone and Hodeck escape from the pasture cube; not to mention what happens with the “Others”.

One of the best episodes of the show so far!

Made for Love Season 2 is now streaming via HBO Max!

Have you seen Nutting’s series? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more dark comedy-related news and reviews visit and follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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