Chapter 26: The Funeral

Summary

• The chapter titled "The Funeral" opens with Elizabeth Zott hosting her cooking show, "Supper at Six," and the producer, Walter, is stressed about keeping the show engaging.
• Elizabeth introduces a live audience to her show for the first time, which goes against the regular script and stresses Walter further.
• Elizabeth disrupts the set by throwing items into the audience and encouraging them to take things as a way to clear space, leaving Walter shocked and the rest of the crew dismayed.
• Despite the chaos, Elizabeth continues with her cooking demonstration by discussing the science of spinach, deviating from the scripted small talk to inform viewers about nutrition myths.
• After the segment, Elizabeth confronts Walter about the changes, believing she followed his advice to entertain, while Walter expresses his utter frustration and anger with her actions.
• Walter imagines his own funeral, where people are not grieving but rather talking about mundane things like weekend plans, indicating his feeling of unimportance.
• Back in the studio, Elizabeth gives a eulogy-like speech, promoting fearlessness and experimentation—seemingly a jab at Walter's conservative ways, while Walter faints.
• Upon waking from fainting, Walter is offered help and a spinach casserole by Elizabeth, but he rebuffs it, claiming his daughter dislikes spinach despite not feeling well.
• Walter eventually takes the casserole home after finding it on his car and reluctantly prepares it, only to discover his daughter Amanda loves it, calling it the best thing she's ever eaten.