Happy’s Place Season 2 Finale Spoilers Ahead
With two episodes to conclude its sophomore season, Happy’s Place delivers what, unfortunately, results in a penultimate and finale that feel like neither of the two things. For two of the most important episodes of the season, there’s very little we get in “Everyone’s a Critic” and “Couples Counseling” that feels significant, and parts are even frustrating, sadly.
Still, in true Happy’s Place fashion, the guest stars are always on point, and Modern Family fans can rejoice with Eric Stonestreet coming in as a platonic couple’s counselor for Bobbie and Isabella. Beyond this, while the episodes provide plenty of laughs, they leave a lot to be desired, which isn’t something I’d have imagined we’d get from the show when the Season 1 finale, “Alarm Bells,” was as solid as it was.
Happy’s Place Season 2 Finale Provides Laughs, But at What Cost?
Here’s the thing about the show’s sophomore season that’s frustrated me the most: Emmett. I said it in last week’s “AI-AI-No,” and I’ll say it again now: we need to stop excusing his behavior when he’s old enough to know better. While it’s admirable that he recognizes the spark with Monica isn’t there and breaks up with her before things get worse, it’s frustrating that now, a character like Isabella is insisting that Bobbie should forgive him because she did.
Because the thing is, it’s different with Isabella and Emmett. Isabella didn’t know him as long as Bobbie had. Isabella wasn’t his best friend. Yes, Isabella suffered, too, and everything we get in “Dart to the Heart” with their conversation is lovely, but Bobbie has every right to be distrustful of him when he not only kept the secret, but continued to do so as they were in a relationship. The fact that characters aren’t actively recognizing that Emmett wasn’t at fault for keeping the secret, but for doing so while he and Bobbie were in a relationship, is the biggest issue in this arc.
He should have told her before they became official. And afterward, he shouldn’t be walking around continuing to make similar mistakes in communication, while then thinking that woe is me, he’s a problem in all relationships, so he must swear off love. It’s silly, to be perfectly honest. These characters aren’t in their early 20s, and while it’s deeply human to make these mistakes at every point in life, it’s a little frustrating as well.
On top of all this, while I appreciate that Bobbie and Isabella are trying to talk through their issues as well, even that arc felt a bit unsatisfying for a season finale. And while these things should be unresolved when we have confirmation of a third season, the show’s wholesome found family vibe also feels a bit absent from the penultimate, so it makes it harder to swallow.
Ultimately, while the Happy’s Place Season 2 finale leaves much to be desired, the show still provides the jokes we come here for, and in no way does this indicate a sophomore slump for the series. In fact, for the most part, everything this season has been mostly solid in terms of character and relationship building, even if this episode simply might not work for the viewers wanting a little more to hold onto.
Now streaming on NBC and Peacock: What are your thoughts on Happy’s Place Season 2 finale? Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)