1.3 "The Kominsky Method" - "A Prostate Enlarges" Quiz

Answer: "I'm just not that kind of Jew."

The episode opens with an event to remember Eileen, Norman's wife who recently died of cancer. The event is a shivah, a Jewish ritual where the family of the deceased observes seven days of mourning in the home of the person being mourned. Traditionally, mourners sit and eat on the floor rather than on high seats.

As Norman's rabbi points out, mirrors are also usually covered during the seven days that the shivah lasts. Yet, Norman says not only that he's "not that kind of Jew", but that his kind of Jew is being an atheist.

Answer: Something

As Norman talks about his estranged and problematic daughter Phoebe, Sandy tells him he just needs to allow for the process of healing to take place. Sandy then continues with more incomplete platitudes, such as "a stitch in time means nine" (likely thinking of the expression "a stitch in time saves nine") and "a bird in the hand is worth something, I forget what".

The full expression is "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", which means that it's better to hold on to something certain rather than risk it for something bigger or better.

Answer: Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Two older women approach Norman with plates full of food, perhaps with the intent of courting him while he mourns. Since the women are not interested in Sandy, Kominsky decides to go to the bathroom (which, judging by Norman's reaction, was one of many trips to the bathroom that day).

As Sandy goes to the bathroom, he sings "raindrops keep falling on my head", which is part of the lyrics of the song of the same name released by B.J. Thomas in 1969. The song was used in the soundtrack of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1969.

Answer: White wine

At multiple times during the episode, Mindy (Sandy's daughter) and Lisa (Sandy's acting student and date) can be seen drinking white wine, and refilling their glasses too. One of the foods that was served at the shivah was shrimp, which like most seafood, does pair well with white wine. Serving white wine chilled enhances its flavor and arguably makes for a more enjoyable drinking experience.

Answer: Phoebe was sleeping over the coat

Dianne was obviously flirting with Norman earlier in the episode, though Norman showed no interest in her whatsoever. Later, when Dianne tries to speak with him again, Norman bluntly says that he is not interested in exploring new "villages". However, Dianne's real reason to talk to Norman was that she needed her coat.

As it turns out, Phoebe was sleeping on the bed and over several different coats, including Dianne's. Powerless against the impossibility of waking up, or even moving Phoebe, Norman simply offers to buy Dianne a new coat instead.

Answer: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Jude tells Sandy that he's trying to challenge himself as an actor instead of relying on his looks. Therefore, he chooses to perform a monologue from "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", which both Sandy and the students appear to believe is an odd choice (especially Breana, the only Black student visible in the audience). When Theresa (a white student) points out she feels uncomfortable, Jude asks Breana if she has a problem with it, a question that Breana doesn't take kindly. Even worse for Breana, everyone looks at her expecting an answer. When the students want Sandy to weigh in, they find that he's no longer there because instead, he had to go to the bathroom.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a play set in the late 1920s, and touches on topics of race and religion as they relate to the music industry. It was written by August Wilson and premiered in 1984.

Answer: Norman was talking to himself

Norman appears to be speaking with a woman holding a cup of coffee. Norman seems to have given up, and wonders if he should make Phoebe go to another rehab facility. When Sandy and Norman's housekeeper take a look, we quickly realize that Norman's friend is imaginary: it is a hallucination of his deceased wife Eileen. Sandy interrupts, though at least Norman seems to be aware that Eileen isn't actually there.

The scene ends with Norman referring Sandy to his urologist.

Answer: Phoebe stole her deceased mother's medicine

As Norman lifts up Phoebe's coat, he notices an empty bottle of Percocet (spelled "Percoset" in the show) with Eileen's name. Percocet is a painkiller made with oxycodone, and though it can be effective in treating pain, it can also lead to addiction. Norman immediately realizes that Phoebe stole Eileen's medicine and took it herself.

When Norman wakes Phoebe up to demand an explanation, Phoebe says that she hurt her back and since she couldn't find Advil, she took Percocet instead.

Answer: Danny DeVito

Concerned with his frequent visits to the bathroom, Sandy decides to visit a urologist to figure out what's wrong with his prostate. Dr. Wexler, played by Danny DeVito, begins the examination by being honest with Sandy and telling him that cancer is a possibility. Since the results will take a couple of days to come in, Sandy leaves the doctor's office concerned about what the tests could show.

Danny DeVito, born in 1944, is a prolific American actor. Among his many film and TV credits are "Taxi", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Twins", "Batman Returns", and "The Lorax".

Answer: Dry cleaners

Towards the end of the episode, Sandy and Norman eat Chinese food and talk about their day. Sandy goes over how his prostate exam went, while Norman seems to be resigned to having Phoebe living with him. The next day, Norman goes to the dry cleaners to pick up some shirts.

The clerk then shows up with a pink dress that was also under Norman's name. Immediately, Norman breaks down and cries, leading the viewer to understand that it belonged to his late wife Eileen. The episode ends with Norman crying as the two clerks watch with compassion.