On the surface, Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 16 “Whiskey Business” feels like a filler episode. And I will be the first one to admit that I was kind of doing other things while watching. Because it felt like a filler episode. And while I do think it took a little bit too long to get to the heart of this episode, I really enjoyed when we finally landed on the significance of what this whiskey bottle meant.
Every episode of Happy’s Place has been a journey, and we came to a point in “Whiskey Business” where Bobbie was willing to risk it all to get that bottle back. And writing-wise, I like that the show had Isabella give up the bottle and then instantly realize that she wanted it. That’s different from what I’ve seen before where they would risk it all and be out of a lot of money. In this economy, nobody should be doing that. But we got something better.
MORE: Missed out on the last episode? Read our review of Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 15 “Sisters Ink.”
Isabella isn’t a stranger anymore when it comes to Happy’s Place or being in Bobbie’s life. This is her home. And for a moment she looked at that bottle and she thought of what could have been. She thought she would be okay never drinking something that her father bought for her. The moment that it was gone, this rush of feelings came to her and she realized she wanted it and what could’ve been if Happy was still alive. This right here honestly saved “Whiskey Business” for me and made me stand to attention.
I especially liked how Gabby also came to rescue the day. We all love Gabby but she does have a reputation for saying the most outlandish things that make you wonder if they’re actually real. In this case, it was real. And it was her experiences that got them out of the pickle that they were in. Her help alleviated weight off Isabella’s shoulders when it came to experiencing something from her father with her sister. But I also think it lifted a weight off of Bobbie’s shoulders, because she wanted to share that moment with her sister as well and didn’t know what to do.
The final scene of “Whiskey Business,” where all of them are sitting around this bottle of whiskey, felt like a season finale. From what I know, Happy’s Place got more episodes and some things got shuffled around when it comes to story. And I’m glad for more episodes. But I do get a little concerned when an episode feels like a season finale because the episodes that follow always seem a little out of place. But comedies like Happy’s Place have a little bit more flexibility when it comes to storylines and I’m willing to go on the journey for this.
Outside of everything that was happening with Isabella, Bobbie, and Gabby, I do want to commend Happy’s Place for keeping the B storyline so strong. Elliot and Steve have both been revealed to be more than the stereotypes we got in episode 1 of Happy’s Place. Sure they have their quirks. But they care for each other deeply and don’t want to hurt each other’s feelings. That’s why Elliot made the tater tots and why Steve gave him the pen.
At the end of the day, what makes Happy’s Place such a good comedy is the attention to detail. And that’s especially true when it comes to the interpersonal relationships. Everything’s not perfect. I’m not going to pretend it is. But even Takoda putting that towel over the seat so Steve could sit, that was attention to detail. That was an act of service that was normal for them where no words were required. And us as the audience, we notice those small details. And we appreciate it!
Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC.
