Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 5, “Mouse in the House” Spoilers Ahead
“Mouse in the House” is an improvement from last week’s “Testing, Testing,” but it’s still not Happy’s Place at its best. In fact, it’s another episode that ultimately continues to leave me frustrated because this one’s especially significant when it comes to how to behave in relationships.
It’s silly because it’s a sitcom and things should be better by now, but by extending this narrative around the lie further, we’re making it messier. The worst part is that the episode started with a great premise that could’ve delivered a more solid change.
Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 5 Is a Look Into Hypocrisy
Here’s the thing: we all know I’ve been shipping Bobbie and Emmett since day one. Seeing them together as a couple is exactly where I wanted us to get to. But as I keep saying in all my reviews for Season 2, not like this. Not when there’s a massive secret looming over their heads that will ultimately split them apart because it’s tainting these really lovely moments. At the same time, an episode like this makes everything twice as frustrating because Emmett has no business being upset by the prospect of her flirting when he’s a) holding the secret and b) not fully transparent with her.
There are a lot of genuine moments we get in those last few moments with them, but the wall gets bigger and bigger because Bobbie’s heart is on full display, and she’s consistently making herself vulnerable while he lets every opportunity to tell her pass him by. And again, in a lot of ways, I get it. It’s easier for women to be more straightforward than men. It’s also easy to understand that he’s afraid of messing it all up. But what isn’t easy to grasp is that he’s making it worse by letting all this happen.
The second we realize that he and the health inspector know each other, and Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 5, “Mouse in the House,” doesn’t address the hypocrisy, it goes from a great episode to a lackluster one. Moments that could’ve been exceptional become fine instead. And I hate saying this because I get the importance of conflict, but not when we’re dragging it on for episodes in a sitcom. It also makes you wonder if the show wants to address it or if they want us to forget about it because it’s all unclear.
In other words, it’s just a little frustrating when so much of the reason sitcoms are a reprieve from dramas is that we don’t leave things lingering. We address them faster, and while four episodes aren’t too big of a deal, they’re still irritating when we’re getting really great moments of growth that could be even more impactful. It’s incredible otherwise because so much of this show works because the humor always sticks the landing, but these emotional moments that should be even bigger feel veiled. Still, and more importantly, I want the romance to stick, and I really hope we get there soon.
Stray Thoughts
- Steve is valid. Health Inspectors are great.
- Takoda being a Ratatouille fan makes me love him twice as much.
- “How did Tom catch Jerry?” “He didn’t, that was the whole point of that cartoon.”
- Emmett Hawkins?!! Well, at least we have his last name.
- “Bobbie, it’s a mouse. It probably doesn’t speak English.”
- “I just want to be part of the group.” Takoda deserves the world.
- He’s never had luck with relationships yet he’s keeping secrets. TELL HER. Immediately.
Now streaming on NBC and Peacock: What are your thoughts on Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 5, “Mouse in the House?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)