This was one of those episodes that was just middle of the road.
Axl (Charlie McDermott) just received his first paycheck and doesn't listen to his father. Instead, he listens to Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and blows it on a giant TV which is so loud, it shakes food out of the kitchen cabinets. They try to get some financial sense together, which also largely fails. Frankie buys too much food so she decides that she won't buy any more until the freezer is empty which leads to them eating frozen vegetables while they try to come up with an easier way to manage money. In the end, Frankie brings them a movie as they are visual people, but that leads to an awkward night, similar to the one Sue (Eden Sher) and Mike (Neil Flynn) have at the beginning.
Sue, for whatever reason, has a break from college and Mike is struggling with the fact that she doesn't spend as much time with him anymore but the film he picks has a sex scene which makes him uncomfortable. And Mike doesn't like this feeling.
And then Rusty (Norm MacDonald) returns from his adventure in Tampa and presents the girl with a beautiful necklace that Mike believes is stolen. This was the first part of the episode that I predicted. Turns out it belonged to Mike's and Rusty's mother and since Rusty believes that he will never have a daughter of his own, he gives it to Beth, which is what he believes is Sue's name. So they have a touching moment also.
Now, poor Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is feeling pretty ignored. Neither of his parents give him much attention during this episode as they are focusing on their other children, but every time Brick opens the front door, something nice appears. The universe is trying to tell him something. And then he finds flowers, which he promptly gives to Cindy (Casey Burke) who opens the card. Again, as I predicted, it was Sean (Beau Wirick) leaving these gifts for Sue and he is set to reveal himself to her at the fountain in the park, only Cindy shows up instead, neither of whom even know each other. I guess Sean as the same winter break as Sue.
Now, while I think Rusty is an interesting character, this episode fell flat for me. It was too predictable, something this show often isn't and that upsets me. And it wasn't the best idea of Sean to leave Sue presents at her house when she should be at college most of the time, but that would also lead to Lexi (Daniela Bobadilla) to think that they were from Axl so poor Sean is in a no-win situation. The universe is keeping them apart until the show's series finale and I still have mixed feelings.
And I thought Axl had more money sense; he did in that one episode from last season so this is an abrupt change which I also don't like.
Still, it was funny and that is good. Despite all their flaws, I will miss the Hecks so much. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-Sue hasn't made a scrapbook for Mike in years.
-Brick just learned about Charlie Brown.
-Also, take note of Brick's T-shirt in the beginning, Cat's Cradle.
-Frankie should leave her wallet in the freezer more often if she wants to spend less.
-What in the world did Axl learn in college?
-Rusty was in Tampa, renting out jet-skis that belonged to another guy.
-Rusty's new idea is wrapping old people in bubble wrap so they won't get hurt when they fell over.
-Sue judges people who smoke.
-I don't know why Frankie buys food when she never, ever cooks.
No comments:
Post a Comment