Episode 6 of Tiny Beautiful Things marks a significant shift in the series, serving as the first chapter that delves into the present moment without delving into Clare's past through flashbacks. It commences with an excruciatingly awkward moment, setting the tone for an unpredictable yet compelling narrative.As Clare attempted to indulge in a moment of intimate pleasure beneath the sheets, her vibrator suddenly malfunctioned, erupting into a cloud of smoke that scorched her delicate regions. With a pained expression, she hastily reached for a pack of ice, determined to numb the sting as Rae prepared for her day at school.
Danny is indulging in a private moment of solace, engrossed in a pornographic scene set amidst the aisles of Home Depot. However, unbeknownst to him, his erotic fantasies are unexpectedly echoing throughout the house, amplified by the unintended broadcast of his Bluetooth speakers.
In a fit of embarrassment, Rae hastily retreated, leaving Clare to confront Danny, reproaching him for not fulfilling their intimate encounter. As she prepared to leave for work, Clare desperately attempted to dispose of the vibrating device in the trash bin, only for it to suddenly come to life, drawing Danny's startled attention.
He proudly takes it out and says they’re equal.
Shan welcomes Clare back to work in her own deadbeat, enthusiastic style. She has another moment of embarrassment as Shan catches her watching the porn that Danny was watching. It confuses her but she does not confront Danny about it.
Montana stalks Rae in silence in her luxurious Lexus, inviting her in. Her boyfriend, Fish, has broken up with her. Montana invites Rae for smoking marijuana with her in the park and she agrees. Sitting outside Mel’s office, Clare imagines the lady who writes to her on Dear Sugar, and her secretly feminine husband, whom she caught wearing her panties one day.
Danny and Clare begin their session but it does not go well, as Danny brings up his unresolved issues about Lucas stealing their money and Mel has to stop the fight. She gives them the assignment to have sex but not at their house.
Rae confessed to Montana, her voice trembling, that she had lost her virginity, while Montana fretted over her own innocence and the schoolboys' obliviousness to her "sexiest" qualities. As the evening wore on, Rae received a message from Clare warning of a late return home. Montana, seizing the moment, proposed a "hang out" session at her house, and Rae, after a moment of hesitation, agreed. The two girls ventured out together, both slightly nervous but determined. Before embarking on their secret adventure, Montana turned to Rae with a plea to keep their encounter confidential.
Danny and Clare stumbled upon the revelation that the most economical hotel would set them back a hefty 200 bucks. Clare confessed, her voice laden with melancholy, that she had been feeling adrift from Danny, the shadow of Lucas's issues hovering over their bond. Danny echoed her sentiment, a sense of remoteness seeping into their shared space.
Amidst the heaviness, a spark of humor emerged as they joked about their imaginary escapades, until Clare abruptly suggested a trip to the nearby Home Depot to "hammer out" their differences. Danny's eyes lit up with a fleeting excitement, but as they approached the parking lot, both felt a chill of hesitation and instead opted for a meal at a nearby restaurant.
As Danny listened to Clare's whispered fantasies, he glimpsed a fragility beneath her exterior, a brokenness stemming from her childhood struggles. Clare's relationship with her father was strained, and she held little hope for its redemption. Danny, in turn, lamented the loss of his career, admiring Clare's resilience in stepping up and securing a stable job when he faltered.
Clare reached out, her voice soft and reassuring, reminding Danny that they were still the same individuals beneath the surface changes. She led him into the bathroom, where the tension melted away, replaced by the fiery sparks of an unbreakable bond.
As the bell chimed, Rae and Montana were lost in a passionate embrace. Rae quickly broke away to answer, finding an elderly man, presumably Clare's father, standing outside. He handed her a cheque for $15,000, murmuring, "Family always supports each other," before disappear into the night. With Lucas' debt now settled, Rae felt a jolt of surprise, which soon turned into a renewed understanding of the true essence of family. It was a sign, perhaps, that warmer times were ahead for mother and daughter.
Yet, just as hope began to bloom, Danny and Clare hopped into a cab that could alter their destinies. The cabbie was Zach, the man Clare had almost connected with when Danny had indulged in her in episode 1. Danny's expression was a mix of suspicion and disappointment, sensing the lingering tension between Clare and Zach. He urged the lady in the letter to embrace her husband as he is, knowing that her opinion of him would not alter his fundamental nature.
