5x08 The Hospies

[8.4/10] This one was great, not just for its mix of humor and heart, but for the way it blended two stories into one in a heartwarming and unexpected way.

The simplest of the three stories here was the one that featured Patrick (and to a lesser extent David) trying to lean on Ronnie to install their new bathroom on time. To be honest, there weren't that many laughs, and it was a little dispiriting to see Patrick chastened despite trying to assert himself in an area where he was liable to be a little more dissident. That said, I always get a kick out of Ronnie, and her “we are not amused” reaction to everyone, alongside David playing instigator while trying not to be blamed for results, is entertaining.

I also got a big kick out of the storyline of Jocelyn and Moira trying to cast the lead in their production of Cabaret and auditioning Alexis for the role. My favorite aspect of this is that it gives Jocelyn some time to shine. Jennifer Robertson is the show’s secret weapon as a comic performer, and Jocelyn’s efforts to exude Minnesota Nice while being put to her wits’ end and having to break bad news make for some big laughs.

Likewise, the performance of the critically-review “A Little Bit Alexis” is a nice comic setpiece, especially with Jocelyn and Moira’s reactions to it. I got a particular kick out of how Moira, like her son, tries to float to the winning side of the issue, making the Alexis situation Jocelyn’s problem until poor Jocelyn comes up with a solution that Moira takes credit for. Alexis settling for Kit Kat dancer #6 is a fun outcome.

But my favorite storyline in the episode is the events at the titular Hospies. For one thing, it’s been a while since I’ve wish ill-things to happen on a character as much as I hope that dastardly Amir suffers some terrible misfortune for hurting our Stevie! You just feel so bad for the poor girl, someone who’s not apt to put herself out there, opening herself up and making herself vulnerable because she cares about someone, only to have it shut down so abruptly like that. Timing the implicit “We’ll never be anything more than this” response at the same time the Rosebud wins their regional hospitality award is good dramatic writing, and Emily Hampshire does a great job of communicating Stevie’s woundedness.

I like what follows next even better though. For one, it’s great that Johnny immediately proposes that they head home after realizing what’s happened. It’s been clear for the whole episode how much these awards meant to him, and yet he’s willing to sacrifice that, and whatever passes for glitz and glamor in Elmdale, instantly because he realizes what Stevie needs. As my wife noted, in a lot of ways Johnny is a better dad to Stevie than he was to Alexis and David growing up it. He’s a different person now, and seeing his compassion and care for Stevie is really sweet.

Despite the warmth of that, my favorite part is Moira showing up on Stevie’s doorstep to offer her the lead role in Cabaret. I was absolutely not expecting it, and the show does a great job of setting it up despite that. Moira talks about needing someone with the life experience to take the role of Sally, who’s been through things, who has talent, and keeps on going despite setbacks. Her thinking of Stevie for the role, both because she sees Sally in her and because she sees bits of herself in her, is a lovely salve. There’s gags there, so things don’t get too saccharine, but as somebody who likes Cabaret, likes Stevie, and especially likes the strange but warm understanding she and Moira share at times, this was the perfect solution.

Overall, two great storylines which come together nigh-flawlessly elevates this one into something special.