Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 10, “No” Spoilers Ahead
Happy’s Place is back after its brief hiatus, and contrary to its title, “No,” this episode is a solid showcase of new beginnings. With the upstairs storage unit available, Bobbie and Isabella go head to head about what they’ll do with it, until nos turn to yeses and money talks.
For what it’s worth, it’s a smooth episode that balances its A-plot and B-plot with entertaining arcs to push us forward toward the back half of the season. Equal parts funny and surprising, it eases the sting from “Silence Was Golden” and sets us on a better path.
Isabella and Bobbie Fight It Out in Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 10
While the sisters continue to be on great terms, it’s admirable that Happy’s Place provides enough bickering to make their relationship feel more real. Siblings fight all the time, until one of them realizes they’re wrong, and that’s what we get in “No,” as Bobbie agrees to let Isabella open the speakeasy. And, I for one, love this idea because it’s exactly what can make Happy’s even more hip as a tavern.
The nostalgia that our generation has toward embracing trends from the past is also a relevant talking point today, so the decision makes even more sense for the context of the show. There’s something about how the series also romanticizes sitcoms that allows it to stick the landing week after week. It feels right. A few seconds of everyone helping out clean the place is also something that we’ve seen in a number of ’90s rom-coms and sitcoms, which, in turn, gives the show more character. There’s a lot to appreciate about Happy’s Place because of Reba McEntire as a lead and our own nostalgia for Reba, the series, but there’s also no denying that it’s episodes like “No” that reveal how this show is finding its own footing while scratching all the right itches.
Gabby Reveals More About Her Mom
In an effort to win a game of Hook and Ring because she constantly believes she needs to impress people, a brief conversation with Takoda reminds us that the damage Gabby’s mom did to her isn’t going away anytime soon. It still hurts and still haunts her, and her competitiveness and drive are a direct result of wanting to be loved. The show often touches on this with hilarious gimmicks, but the underlying sadness is loud in Melissa Peterman’s exceptional performance.
Gabby is often in a state of fear because of the belief that she was never enough, and it continuously comes to light in almost every scenario. She’s heartbroken still—and always a little lost, even when she seems to have it together. So the fact that Takoda reminds her that she doesn’t have to go the extra mile with them is worth acknowledging because it gives the episode significantly more depth and reminds viewers why Bobbie’s choice to accept Isabella’s proposal is vital, too. Gabby doesn’t have to win all the time. She doesn’t have to bend over backwards to ensure that everyone around her likes her. They like her as she is. They accept her as she is.
The characters in this show are a legitimate found family, and the way they continue to show up for each other is everything. It’s how these characters slowly begin to heal. It’s how they fix the cracks inside of them brought on by other people.
Stray Thoughts
- The jump scare of screaming, “speak to an agent” on a customer service call deserves a trigger warning, tbh.
- “I don’t like splitting up.” Oh. 😔
- Takoda continues to be everything. The way he draws closer to Gabby and sits at eye level with her so she can fully understand that he means every word he’s saying is so important, and it says so much about his character. The way Tokala Black Elk and Melissa Peterman play off one another in that last scene is one of my favorites in the show thus far. So so lovely, honest, and vulnerable.
- “I want to be supportive while not contracting the plague.” 😂
- I also need a drink.
- Emmett is out here making the word “Anytime” sound so tragic.
- Magnets, baby.
Now streaming on NBC and Peacock: What are your thoughts on Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 10, “No?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)