Happy’s Place season 1 episode 12 “Baby Doll” finally saw us revisit the conversation of Gabby having a child. Previously this conversation was brought up in Happy’s Place season 1 episode 5 “Ladies Night.” And I’ve been waiting patiently for them to circle back on it as this is the way to create a sustainable storyline that lasts for seasons aka what all great comedies are made of at the end of the day. And I really believe that Happy’s Place has the ability to become one of the best comedies because of the work that they’ve put in for the characters, the storylines, and it’s balance between humor and real-life worries.
Gabby is a little kooky. So I don’t know why I was surprised that she bought a robot baby. At first I thought it was maybe budgetary cuts where they, the show, couldn’t afford a real life baby. It just looked a little bit too AI and it made me feel a tiny bit uncomfortable. I was right to feel uncomfortable because it was a robot. No budget cuts in sight. And yes, Gabby got a robot because she is a little kooky. But Gabby also got a robot because she’s eager to have a child but she’s also terrified that she will be a bad mother in the same vein as her mother.
The fears that follow Gabby through “Baby Doll” are probably the most realistic this character has ever been. I myself thought about having a child before. But I’m still dealing with the effects of how I was raised. And I would never want a child of mine to have to experience what I did. So I understand that the robot was a safe option for Gabby while also being a comedic bit for the show. Because if there’s anything that comedy shows like this are good at, it’s delivering a lesson about life through hilarious means.
Ultimately, I think Gabby is going to be a good mother. And it has to do with a lot of factors. There’s, of course, her having a robot baby because she wanted to test it out and not bring an actual human being into the mix. That’s something that parents today don’t even think about before they dive into having a child because they think it will make them complete or something. There’s also the fact that Gabby is thinking about how she can not be like her mother. That puts her leagues ahead of her own mother. And finally, there’s the fact that Gabby won’t be alone in this.
Happy’s Place season 1 episode 12 “Baby Doll” spent a lot of time with Bobbie, Isabella, Steve Takoda, and Emmett thinking that Gabby was off her rocker for what she was doing. But they were there for her. They saw that she was trying and they accepted her for who she was. There was a little resistance in the beginning. That’s also realistic as well. But when they saw how much it mattered to her they came through. And I hope the show really takes the risk of giving her, Gabby, a child. Because she won’t be alone, I think she’ll do a great job, and we don’t see enough older single mothers.
The more that I watch Happy’s Place, the more I come to the conclusion that the reason why I like the show so much is that it leans into showing unconventional families. Families like this, they exist in real life. We just don’t see them often enough on TV so we think that they’re different or new. Or for some, “woke.” But these families already exist. In fact, somewhere out there is a single older woman who wants to have a child. Maybe she works at a bar and she has a heart of gold. She also probably has a found family with her or blood relatives that support her. Gabby’s storyline is for them. And if Happy’s Place can make them feel loved, accepted, and like their experience is normal, this show is worth it from start to finish.
Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC.
