'Mrs America' Episode 6: Is Alice losing faith in Phyllis? Fans can't wait to see her change sides
Spoilers for 'Mrs America' Episode 6 'Jill'
As 'Mrs America' continues on their somewhat glorifying parade of Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett) and her staunch anti-feminist crusade, fans are thrilled and beyond ecstatic that on the show, we see Phyllis' strongest ally and ardent supporter Alice McCray (Sarah Paulson) finally begin to show character development as an individual who doesn't always feel compelled to cater and pander to Phyllis's idiosyncracies.
Episode 6 sees the rise of Jill Ruckelshouse (Elizabeth Banks) as Phyllis Schlafly's iconic match within the ERA. Clever enough to try and bribe Phyllis with what her heart really desires, Elizabeth Banks aces as Jill in the titular episode. But it is Sarah Paulson's Alice that is earning all the nods for finally showing sly little signs of how done with Phyllis's selfish battle and motives she is.
Throughout the episode we see a rating panic disguised with p[noise circulate through Phyllis; from her realizing that the ERA is winning over the way she had dreaded, to the inner conflict surrounding her son's sexuality - Phyllis tries her best to be a calculating, conniving eagle she has been even though coming undone during Church confessionals after partnering with Evangelicals.
But in one poignant scene in Episode 6, amid a confrontation between the two, Jill accuses Phyllis of using the anti ERA crusade as a crutch to form allies and supporters who are going to aid her as she glides into Ronald Reagan's defense administration. Jill accuses Phyllis of fighting against feminists purely for clout she needs for other ulterior motives and looks like after days of pandering to her whims, Alice has caught on to the same.
It begins with Phyllis's absolute lack of sympathy towards their fellow member of the STOP ERA, Pamela - a new mother in an abusive marriage. Her husband mistreats her enough to send her into crying fits and Phyllis couldn't care less or be more apathetic. Later, even with an unconsolable Pamela begging Phyllis to not attend an administration meeting as they need to focus on the agenda at hand, she uses the pretext of suggesting they bring the fight to the floor, to defend her attending the meeting.
Alice's waning faith in Phyllis's intent jumps out in moments where she offers subtle eye rolls and sarcastically speaks to the Evangelists; little eye rolls, smirks, and looks of shocked disdain upon her face has fans convinced she is soon going to change sides, and they couldn't be more thrilled. Taking it to Twitter, a fan enthused how "Alice McCray is a whole a** mood this entire episode!" Another chimed in, exclaiming: "YUP SHE'S GETTING THERE can't wait to see her change sides!!"
A third fan remarked "This is the character development we deserve," while a fourth couldn't stop gushing about how "Alice comforting pamela was so pure and so soft!"
So far it's only speculation from Alice's instincts; here's hoping the turnover comes soon!
'Mrs. America drops new episodes weekly, every Wednesday midnight, only on Hulu.