Loneliness is a pervasive theme in the latest episode of The Chair Company, and it’s a feeling that unites some unlikely characters. While the show has explored the isolation of certain characters before, this week’s installment gives us a deeper look into the loneliness experienced by the show’s CEO, Jeff Levjman.
For Ron Trosper, the lead at Canton Marketplace, and Mike Santini, a low-level employee, their loneliness has been evident from the start. Ron, secluded in his home office, frantically searches for answers online, while Mike, in his lonely bachelor pad, is surrounded by the chaos of his neighbor’s screams. In the previous episode, “Happy Birthday, A Friend,” we saw how new work pressures further distanced Ron from his family, and Mike’s heartfelt birthday card note revealed his own sense of isolation.
But it’s Jeff’s loneliness that takes center stage this week. We sense his isolation during the cold open, where the camera separates him from the other executives, including a lookalike of the infamous John McAfee. This sense of detachment carries through the episode, as Jeff embarks on a lone-wolf mission across the Canton Marketplace project. He issues confusing instructions, presents his Sedona trip photos as a design blueprint, and even invites himself to a colleague’s birthday party, hoping to connect with a “relaxed” Ron.
This portrayal of corporate isolation is a spot-on parody, reminiscent of shows like Succession and Silicon Valley, where wealth and power are mistaken for intelligence and expertise. It’s a relatable scenario for anyone who’s worked under a boss who thinks they know it all. Jeff, like Mike in the store, is trapped in his own world, wondering who he can connect with.
The defining image of the episode is the shot of Ron, alone in a room full of chairs, his face widening in a dopey grin. It’s a powerful visual representation of his loneliness. This tug-of-war between his pre-chair and post-chair selves is a central theme throughout the episode, from the tense montage backed by Pere Ubu to Ron’s explosion at the R/C enthusiasts, leading to his physical confrontation with Jeff.
As the pressures on Ron mount, the workplace disruptions and personal issues become increasingly bizarre. The episode begins with more typical strangeness, like chasing a guy out of a party and a monitored coffee break, but as the tension rises, so does the absurdity. The escalation from a co-worker’s abdominal cavity screwdriver to the discovery of a link between tattoos and website color schemes is a perfect example of this.
The final sequence at the ’50s Cop Hop is a highlight, where the paranoia and suspense of a thriller intersect with the surreal. The climax, with its maze of rooms and woozy presentation, is a dream-like escape for Ron from the nightmare of Jeff’s meddling and Mike’s clinginess. However, despite this success, Ron’s loneliness persists, and he continues to push Mike away, contributing to his own isolation.
Ron’s obsession with the chair is not only impacting his work and investigation but also his relationships with his family. He’s becoming alienated from his son, unable to keep up with his friends and too distracted to engage in simple pleasures like dancing. In his pursuit of the chair, Ron is inadvertently creating another lonely soul in Seth.
This episode leaves us with a powerful message about the destructive nature of loneliness and the importance of connection. It’s a reminder that, despite our differences, we’re all searching for a sense of belonging and understanding.