Happy’s Place season 1 episode 3 “Don’t Sweat It” surprisingly got me really emotional. So much so that I found myself repeatedly going “awwww” when Steve got Takoda those socks, Bobbie admitted that she missed Isabella, and even when Isabella came over and they made up. It’s all about those family feels and there is just something so wholesome and comforting about Happy’s Place that I love and want to see more of. It feels like a balm to the soul, especially with everything that we have going on in the US at the moment. I need a little daily disconnect and this is the perfect way to do that.
Bobbie Missing Isabella
I think there’s no one that’s more surprised at missing Isabella than Bobbie. Throughout episode 1 and 2 we’ve seen her actively push Isabella away because she didn’t want change or to face the fact that her father was a cheater. But by the end of episode 2 of Happy’s Place titled “Tapped Out,” Bobbie gave in to the opportunity of getting to know her sister. She took a chance and she risked getting her heart broken or going through tough things because family. And things fell apart between Isabella and Bobbie because both of them were coming at this relationship with expectations based on how they were both raised.
Happy’s Place lets Isabella’s fear play out as a means of giving Bobbie an opportunity to see what her life is like without Isabella. And even though Bobbie fought so hard in episode 1 and 2 to get rid of Isabella, she was shocked to find out that she missed her when she wasn’t living there anymore. And yes, that includes missing things like her explaining why she puts the deodorant in the fridge and dancing to Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” in the kitchen.
MORE: Need a reminder of how it started? Read our review for Happy’s Place season 1 episode 1.
Gabby can’t replace her. And neither can her daughter or her deceased dad. Because Isabella is her own person and Bobbie has come to appreciate and like that person. Maybe she’s not at the point of love yet because she just met Isabella. And maybe she will get into disagreements with Isabella in the future. But that’s what being sisters is all about. You argue, buttheads, and then keep going because you’re family.
By the end of the episode, it was really great to see Bobbie bonding with Gabby, with the writers making it clear that no one can replace Isabella and Gabby is her own person. She’s Bobbie’s friend despite the way they joke around. And when Isabella appears at Bobbie’s house, I’m so proud of both of them and got a little emotional when Bobbie told Isabella that they should do things their way. Not their family’s way or how they grew up. They get to choose who they want to be and how they navigate this relationship. This is the kind of storytelling I want to see more of. One where the characters decide to tackle the world together and *gasp* actually talk to each other instead of having weeks upon weeks of angst. Angst only gets you so far and this comfort show doesn’t need it.
Isabella Letting Fear Get to Her
So far Isabella has been full steam ahead. She found out that she had a new sister and she was ride or die from the jump. She wanted to be involved in the tavern, the lives of the employees there, and bond with Bobbie. But when things got hard after Bobbie accepted her into her home, Isabella wilted. At first I couldn’t understand it. And it wasn’t until she had that conversation with Emmett in the kitchen that her entire attitude from episode 1 of Happy’s Place made sense. Isabella has been putting up a front. One where she’s happy, go lucky, and everything’s good all the time. But it’s not good.
Isabella panicked when Bobbie was telling her what she didn’t like, partially due to trauma that reminded her of her mother. But a lot of it was due to Isabella enjoying her time with Bobbie and fearing losing it. In a way it was Isabella keeping a line or degree of separation between her and her sister where it would hurt less when she and Bobbie have a falling out. She’s protecting herself and catastrophizing at the same time. So I’m glad that she shared a bit of her past with Emmett and saw that moment between Takoda and Steve. She didn’t want to let fear stop her from wanting a relationship with Bobbie and the sister she’s always wanted.
The lessons that we saw when it came to Isabella in “Don’t Sweat It” are what I want to see more of on TV. They are gentle lessons about life that are wrapped up in humor that are easily digestible and understood. And I have no doubt that the characters that we’re seeing right now, they’re going to be completely different women by the time this season ends. Because the writers know what they’re doing when it comes to character development and how things need to be earned. Sure the show is a little cheesy. But you can tell that the writer’s room took the time to construct something that felt healing. And in our current state of 2024, I need more TV that is like that. I especially need more characters like Isabella who are afraid to confront the ugly feelings but still push forward and do it anyway.
MORE: Ready to talk about the next episode? Read our review for Happy’s Place season 1 episode 4.
Additional Thoughts About Happy’s Place season 1 episode 3 “Don’t Sweat It”:
- So far we’ve seen a Steve who has been part of the comic relief with Gabby. And Happy’s Place episode 3 did a good job at balancing out these comedic relief characters and showing they’re people. They are part of the unique web of Happy’s Place. And they deserve their own moments without it taking away from the core storyline which is Isabella and Bobbie.
- Takoda changing his socks so Steve wouldn’t be uncomfortable came from a place of caring. While it was selfless, I want Takoda to push back a little. After all, it’s important to consider your own comfort.
- Especially because now we know a little bit about his family life and what kind of father he is.
- That’s where Steve comes in.
- We got a little bit of his backstory that showed why he is the way he is. And Takoda acknowledged and validated his feelings. That’s important.
- Buying those socks for Takoda and then wearing them himself, shows dimension for Steve. He’s clearly uncomfortable, but he’s willing to bend a little bit if it means someone else’s happy.
- Because sometimes it’s about compromise. Sometimes it’s not all about us. And we’re not living in a world where everything is solely centered around our pleasures and experiences.
And Happy’s Place showcased this concept with its viewers in a way that felt like gentle parenting without the condescending tone TV shows sometimes have when they try to tell stories like this.
Watch Belissa Escobedo and Reba McEntire talk about sisterhood below:
Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC.
