Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for I Love LA‘s Season 1 Finale
The first season of HBO Max’s I Love LA has officially come to an end, but thankfully, the show has already been renewed for a second season. In the Season 1 finale, Maia (Rachel Sennott), Tallulah (Odessa A’Zion), and Alani (True Whitaker) go to New York City for Tallulah’s big debut at the Formé dinner, while Maia considers accepting a job from Ben (Colin Woodell). She’s not the only one making big decisions this episode, as Dylan (Josh Hutcherson) weighs whether to get back together with Maia after their break, and Charlie (Jordan Firstman) thinks about rekindling things with his ex (Augusto Aguilera).
Dylan called a break with Maia last week after she stood him up when she was supposed to meet his parents. This was just the final straw, though, because the two had been having problems all season. As Dylan pointed out to Maia during their latest fight, Tallulah’s reappearance in her life changed her, and she’s since been treating him badly. I Love LA‘s Season 1 finale shifts this dynamic in a compelling way, as it reveals a game-changing decision Dylan made after reaching his breaking point.
‘I Love LA’s Season 1 Finale Validates Maia’s Concerns About Dylan and Claire
I Love LA‘s Season 1 finale reveals that, after calling a break, Dylan suggested seven days of no contact with Maia. It’s somwhat safe to assume that they can both hook up with other people during this time, and that’s what Maia does with Ben. Ultimately, though, Maia decides that she doesn’t like the odd power dynamic between herself and Ben, and she doesn’t want to continue with it personally or professionally. After Charlie tells Maia that Dylan misses her, Maia calls him to start their relationship back up again, but it turns out that things aren’t going to be so simple for the two of them going forward.
In Episode 6 of I Love LA, Maia met Dylan’s coworkers at their regular game night, and she was concerned about his close connection with his coworker, Claire (Callie Hernandez). Maia was already drunk and insecure, so she tried to hook up with Dylan at the game night, and then started interrogating Claire in front of everyone. Maia’s behavior was certainly out of line, and after that, she and Dylan had a massive fight that almost ended their relationship.
Dylan called Maia out for failing to prioritize him yet again, and for embarrassing him in front of his coworkers due to her own insecurities. Dylan and Claire’s relationship was especially comfortable, but there was no reason to believe that Maia’s concerns were legitimate. In a shocking twist, in the Season 1 finale, we see Dylan and Claire waking up in bed together. It would be one thing if Dylan and Maia both just hooked up with other people during their break, but he had previously denied having any interest in Claire whatsoever.
‘I Love LA’s Season 1 Finale Gives More Complexity and Depth to Dylan’s Character
Throughout I Love LA‘s first season, Dylan has been painted as the ideal boyfriend. He’s loving and supportive of Maia, cares about his job and the world, and is generally just kind and amiable. He is understandably upset that Maia has been treating him like an afterthought all season, but he also acts unfairly in the season finale. Dylan abandons the idea of getting back together with Maia just because she doesn’t talk about him when she calls Charlie — even though she’s in the middle of a crisis related to Tallulah’s career. Later, Dylan has seemingly used this as an excuse to hook up with Claire, even though he had previously acted like Maia was seeing something that wasn’t there.
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Earlier in the episode, Dylan talks to Charlie about his relationship with Maia, and Charlie offers up another perspective as to how Maia’s insecurities and ambition have become an obstacle in her relationship. His words push Dylan to make things work with Maia, but one phone call where she’s focused on work is somewhat enough to change Dylan’s mind.
As of the end of the season, it’s still likely that Maia and Dylan will get back together, whether he tells her about Claire or not. Maia still doesn’t know what happened, and she’s hopeful about getting back together, if that’s still what Dylan wants. After the hookup, Claire seems interested in becoming a couple with Dylan, whereas he is clearly a bit hesitant and regretful. Now, Dylan and Maia will both have major choices to make in Season 2 of I Love LA, and their dynamic is the most compelling that it has been yet.
I Love LA is available to stream on HBO Max.
