"Elevator" is the fourth through ninth episodes of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama television series Louie. They are the 43rd through 48th overall episode episodes of the series and they were written and directed by Louis C.K., who also serves as the lead actor. It was released on FX; with "Part 1" airing on May 12, 2014, "Part 2" and "Part 3" airing on May 19, 2014, "Part 4" and "Part 5" airing on May 26, 2014, and "Part 6" airing on June 2, 2014.
The series follows Louie, a fictionalized version of C.K., a comedian and newly divorced father raising his two daughters in New York City. In the episode, Louie meets an old lady and becomes interested in her Hungarian niece, Amia, despite the fact that she does not know English.
According to Nielsen Media Research, "Part 1" was seen by an estimated 0.68 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, "Part 2" was seen by an estimated 0.60 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, "Part 3" was seen by an estimated 0.57 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, "Part 4" was seen by an estimated 0.51 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, "Part 5" was seen by an estimated 0.44 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, and "Part 6" was seen by an estimated 0.61 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episodes received extremely positive reviews, with critics praising the ambition and emotional tone. For "Elevator Part 6", Louis C.K. was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Plot
Part 1
Jane (Ursula Parker) awakens in the middle of the night due to a bad dream. Louie (Louis C.K.) comforts her and gets her to sleep again.
The next day, Louie, Jane and Lilly (Hadley Delany) go to the subway, with Louie reiterating the "subway rules" in case of an emergency. After boarding the train, Jane, believing she is dreaming, hops off the train as the doors close, to Louie's horror. He and Lilly are then forced to all the way back to the station, where Louie scolds Jane for her actions, making her cry. They return to meet with Janet (Susan Kelechi Watson), with Louie informing her about the events. She also scolds Jane, telling her they are not in a dream.
At Louie's apartment building, an Hungarian old woman, Evanka (Ellen Burstyn) uses the elevator but suddenly the elevator gets stuck. As staff tries to take her out, she asks Louie to get her pills from her apartment. Louie is given the keys and retrieves the pills, noting a woman (Eszter Balint) sleeping on her couch. He goes back with Evanka, who asks him to inform the woman, her niece Amia, to wait for her. Louie returns to the apartment, but Amia, who does not speak English, scares him off. Later, Amia visits Louie to give her a tart for his actions. Despite not speaking the same language, they both have a laugh while he eats.
Part 2
After shopping, Louie visits Evanka at her apartment to return her key, as well as to deliver her a basket of products to thank them for the tart. Their meeting is interrupted when Louie is called by the school, asked to pick up Jane following problems at the school. When he asks her what is happening, Jane replies that she hates school and gives many excuses that Louie does not buy. She eventually comes clean, explaining that she pulled a classmate's skirt. Louie and Janet talk about Jane's behavior. Janet considers sending her to private school, which Louie opposes.
Louie meets Amia again in the building and both decide to go out in the city. After helping her buy a hair dryer, they return to her apartment where they bid farewell and hug.
Part 3
While at the marketing, Louie runs into Pamela (Pamela Adlon), who has returned from Europe. She explains that her relationship with her ex-husband is over and left him and her son in Barcelona. She wants to start a relationship with Louie, who states he is already seeing someone. While disappointed, she claims she is happy for him.