Loot – Season 2 Episode 1 “Space for Everyone” Recap & Review

Space for Everyone

In Loot Season 2 Episode 1, Molly Wells hasn’t yet given away her money. And viewers of a recent video of the billionaire in her mansion can tell she’s not living up to her promise.

Unfortunately, her plan to put money into the foundation’s Alameda Street Project to help unhoused people was canceled by the city. Now she, Sofia, and the foundation are going to have to find another way to help unhoused people, or Molly is going to lose all her credibility.

While dealing with this new problem, Molly also has to run interference with her ex-husband John, who believes they’re meant to be together after having sex in Corsica. But Molly insists that was a mistake. What she really needs from John right now is space.

Meanwhile, Howard and Nicholas intervene in Arthur’s life at work, seeing his new leather bracelet as a midlife crisis or a cry for help after he lost Molly to John in Corsica. Arthur, however, says it’s to symbolize a change in his life. He’s going to be living with no regrets from now on.

Sofia finds a solution to the foundation’s problem in Noah Hope-Devore, a former billionaire who funneled his money into Hope 2.0, a philanthropy platform he designed that finds the most statistically optimal way to save lives. Sofia thinks he could help with Molly’s dilemma.

They set up a meeting with him, in which Molly agrees to invest 120 billion dollars into Noah’s model–right before the FBI runs in to arrest him for wire fraud and money laundering. Molly just barely dodged a major bullet, but now she’ll have to find yet another way to give away her money and live up to her promise.

Molly is afraid that if she can’t do it, all she’ll ever be known for is being some rich guy’s ex-wife. But she feels better about her mistake after talking with Arthur, whom she notes is always able to comfort her.

That night, Molly discovers Howard has secretly been living in her guest house. Ever since Tanya moved out, he hasn’t been able to pay rent. When he notes that she has so much space that she doesn’t even use, it gives Molly an idea.

At the office the next morning, she pitches her idea to Sofia that she buy empty hotels to offer free housing to people in need and call it “Space for Everyone.” Sofia loves it.

When the foundation announces the new initiative, people start praising Molly, who loves the positive attention. But soon, other news overshadows her idea: John releases a video announcing that he’ll be leading the Novak Aeronautics team into space. He thanks Molly for inspiring him to embark on the adventure, completely oblivious to the fact that this is not what she meant when she asked for “space.”

The Episode Review

Loot Season 2 continues with its two parallel arcs: One of Molly’s personal journey of stepping out from her ex-husband’s shadow, and one of her bumbling efforts to do right by her money, which provides most of the show’s commentary. It’s a strong premise that’s unfortunately wrapped up in weak attempts at humor that haven’t improved since last season. Rather than keep some serious topics light, it turns them cloying.

I do like that right out the gate, the show hasn’t stopped poking fun of Molly. She may be well-meaning, but as long as she’s a billionaire, she has some faults to work through, and Loot is (so far this season) uncompromising in holding her accountable. Could it still use more tact and wit in the ways it satirizes the rich? Absolutely. But I’m somewhat hopeful for the future of the show.