Party Down S02e05 480p ^new^ -

Midway through the episode, Guttenberg delivers a surprisingly poignant monologue about the nature of fame, sitting by a pool at dusk. In 480p, the gradations of twilight turn into gentle blocks of color. The actor’s face loses fine detail, but gains a kind of impressionistic sadness. When he says, “I just wanted people to remember my name,” the digital noise around his silhouette feels less like a technical flaw and more like a metaphor.

The performance of identity is a recurring theme throughout the episode. Brad, in particular, struggles with his own identity, as he tries to balance his desire to be seen as a successful adult with the harsh realities of his own failures. Meanwhile, the character of Simon (played by Ian Gomez) becomes a master of performance, as he effortlessly navigates the complexities of the corporate world. party down s02e05 480p