Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 15, “Emotional Real Estate” Spoilers Ahead
Jane Lynch is back as Gabby’s mom, and Happy’s Place delivers the kind of episode that’s both hilarious and full of surprising warmth. With its B-plot following the heels of last week’s “Borrowin’ Trouble,” and its A-plot giving us a moment of healing, “Emotional Real Estate” feels right, even when matters feel…wrong.
No one wants to see Emmett date so quickly after he fumbled his relationship with Bobbie, but at the same time, it could be good for him and the growth he needs. More than anything, the blend of humor and heart this week ensures that we have something memorable.
Bobbie Finally Sells the House in Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 15
The show is always at its best when it gives Reba McEntire well-written material that requires a full range of emotions, and the way we deep dive into Bobbie’s past this week is everything I could’ve hoped for. We knew that selling Happy’s house was a sore spot, but when we learned that it was because of her mom, we got a different point of view on her grief. Happy’s presence is naturally a big part of the show because of the Tavern and Isabella, but Bobbie’s mom isn’t someone we hear about often, and it feels fitting that we get more insight in the same episode when Gabby’s mom returns.
As Isabella essentially helps her reveal the truth about why she didn’t want to sell in the first place, McEntire delivers a subtly lovely performance to show us that a woman never stops missing her mom. We get a clear sense of how their relationship shaped the person she is, and we can also recognize that there’s a lot of hope tethered to her mother. This narrative point not only gives us great insight into her character, but it adds layers to the show that’s also lovely to consider.
And interestingly, it’s Bobbie’s decision to sell under one condition that makes the episode surprising. I expected her to back out fully from letting Gabby’s mom buy, but when she makes the decision that she’ll sell so long as the women live together, my heart squeezed a little. Because it feels cosmic, almost. Bobbie’s belief doesn’t just feel like empty hope, but something more real, where she sincerely believes that the two women can mend their relationship in the place where she’s had some of her best memories.
In addition, while I assumed that we’d eventually see Jane Lynch again after “A New Chapter,” it’s unexpected that it’s happening this quickly, but it’s also fantastic for narrative continuity. Do we dare hope that maybe Gabby and her mom could actually mend their relationship if they have more space in the house? I sure do.
Emmett and Monica Go on a Date
It’s a good thing that the series is following up with Emmett and Monica after last week, but it’s also so strange that it’s happening this fast. Still, while we can hope that it’ll be good for Bobbie and Emmett in the future, there’s also something to be said about the idea of Emmett dressing up for this date. As someone who loves clothes and dresses for herself, I appreciate the attention put on clothes and what they represent. However, it feels like in this arc, the showrunners are almost trying to tell us that Emmett’s trying too hard for Monica. It begs the question of why he didn’t also try for Bobbie?
On the one hand, we can argue that he never needed to try because the two are best friends and they were never trying to be someone they aren’t. But on the other hand, we can also make a point that it’s important to put in the effort for the people we care about, regardless. It might not have to be in the form of clothes with Bobbie, but when the two eventually find their way back together, Emmett is going to have to try when it comes to honest communication.
Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 15, “Emotional Real Estate,” is solid. It’s the kind of episode I’d expect from this show, and it’s going to be a fun one to rewatch.
Stray Thoughts
- I might have to start smashing lemons to get out my frustrations.
- Bobbie still hasn’t found a buyer for Happy’s house
- “Who can chew milk?” fried me!!!
- “Nobody pays attention to clothes.” Okay, Emmett you’ve actually never been more wrong.
- OH MY GOD, STEVE.
- I can’t believe Emmett is actually going on this date.
- Why didn’t Emmett ever dress like this for Bobbie?!
- “If she’d asked that, I would’ve fought her for you.”
- I so appreciate Steve and Takoda hounding him this week because it makes for hilarious beats of television that are a lot of fun.
Now streaming on NBC and Peacock: What are your thoughts on Happy’s Place Season 2, Episode 15, “Emotional Real Estate?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)