Episode 8 of "Single Drunk Female" kicks off with a dramatic flashback to a Thanksgiving dinner over a year ago, where James stumbles in, his face flushed with alcohol. His parents, blinded by pride over his recent promotion at MIT's media lab, fail to detect his unusual demeanor. However, his older brother, Lucas, doesn't hesitate to confront him in front of the entire family. Embarrassed and humiliated, James storms out of the house and finds solace in a nearby bar.
There, his eyes meet Sam's for the first time. She gracefully buys him a drink and introduces herself with a wink as "Katrina." Soon, the air is charged with an unmistakable tension, leading to a passionate encounter in the bathroom. Unfortunately, the bartender, having witnessed Sam's antics too many times, promptly ejects the pair. Undeterred, they step out into the night, ready to embark on an unexpected journey together.
The night unfolded in a series of long, wine-fueled conversations. Sam divulged her struggles with avoiding Thanksgiving with her estranged mother, while James confessed his newfound promotion and the anxiety it brought, fearing he might jeopardize everything. As their evening drew to a close, they parted without exchanging contact details, yet vowed to reunite the following Thanksgiving.
However, James was reluctant to let the night end and return to his family. He pleaded with Sam to stay, his desperation growing to the point where he suggested they stand in the road and dart out of cars' paths at the last second, as if it were a game. Sam chuckled, assuming it to be a jest, but James took it further, attempting the reckless stunt. With a vehicle narrowly missing him, Sam had to push him out of harm's way, her laughter now replaced with a gasp of relief.
Sam vociferously reprimands him for his erratic behavior, urging him to seek assistance. Despite his claim that his family disregards the value of therapy, Sam firmly maintains that the consequences of avoiding it would be far graver for him. It's evident that this doesn't apply to her, as she doesn't grapple with alcoholism. She confesses that, despite the harrowing near-death experience, she had enjoyed the evening to some extent. They embrace briefly and then part ways. The episode concludes with a poignant scene of James standing outside an AA meeting, accompanied by his brother for moral support. Olivia warmly greets them at the entrance and ushers them in, marking the beginning of a possible journey towards recovery.
