Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 10 “No” feels jarring after how we left things off before the hiatus. Last we left off in “Silence Was Golden” we weren’t sure about what was going to happen with Bobbie and Emmett. The secret was out and they had parted ways. But at the end of the day we have to remember this is a comedy. And while that breakup was hard, we have to keep moving forward. That’s why Bobbie entered Happy’s and talked to Emmett like nothing instead of ignoring him. And that’s why Emmett advised Bobbie later on in the episode. They’re still friends.
MORE: Need a refresher of last week’s episode? Read our review for Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 9 “Silence Was Golden”!
Just because this being a workplace comedy allows Bobbie and Emmett to find a new normal, doesn’t mean that things are perfect. There’s still a simmering tension between them that was particularly present when they both played that ring game and their gazes locked. And if anything, that gives me hope that they’ll find their way back to each other. It’s just going to take a long time to rebuild that trust. And even though they might not be able to totally verbalize where they are now, the fact that they can still be around each other is a good sign.
Bobbie and Emmett are still endgame. It’s just going to look a little different than what we’re used to seeing on other comedies like The Office or Parks and Recreation. Even though those were a little bit more silly at times, romances like Pam and Jim or Leslie and Ben experienced hurt that leaned more into the drama genre. What’s happening here on Happy’s Place is lighter. It’s grounded in family and belonging. And maybe it’s not 100% realistic. But neither were The Office or Parks and Recreation. And I’m of the firm belief that the magic of Happy’s Place is in how it feels like a balm to the soul every week.
Then there’s Isabella.
“No” didn’t touch on how she felt after finding out the secret of Emmett knowing about her for years. That doesn’t mean that it’s not going to pop up. It just means it’s going to take a little bit of time. Until then, Isabella is clearly not afraid to try new things for herself. And I love how the show opened dialogue between her and Bobbie on what the future holds for them. But the show makes sure that we don’t forget that this is still Bobbie. She’s still going to be the toughest person in the room to convince.
Like every good Happy’s Place episode, this one taught us a lesson of sorts.
Bobbie’s “no” wasn’t because she’s the same character she was in the Pilot. Back then, she didn’t want Isabella in her space because she was a stranger. Now things are flipped. Bobbie doesn’t want Isabella to do this, open the speakeasy, because she doesn’t want Isabella to leave. Is it a bit unfair? Yes. Is it grounded in love? Also yes. That’s why Isabella wasn’t totally hurt when Bobbie said no. Because this is family. And what Isabella feels for Bobbie is trust that they can both say “no” to each other and things won’t fall apart. There’s power in having that understanding with someone.
If anything, I wish a little bit of the development and feeling of home that Bobbie and Isabella have found in each other, finds Gabby. For a little bit there she had a goal in mind aka Gabby having a child. That gave her something to do that was more than just being the butt of the joke. But now that a baby is off of the table, at least biologically, I’m fearful that Gabby will swing back into just being comedic relief. And that would be a detriment to her character.
The spark of hope that makes me feel like Gabby’s storyline won’t be minimized to just jokes is her conversation with Takoda. When she’s playing that ring game, which is harder than you expect. (I know it from experience because I have one and it’s exhilarating when you finally hook that little ring. It just takes forever.) But back to Takoda. Gabby was spiraling just like Bobbie was earlier. And Takoda took a second to pull her out of that spiral to ground her in the reality that she is living instead of the reality that she continues to mourn.
But… maybe this is the feeling of home that I just spoke about two paragraphs ago. Maybe family is the people you meet on the job. Maybe that’s enough. Or maybe that’s what Gabby wants or needs. Either way, there’s something missing with Gabby’s storyline and if the cast of characters at the tavern are going to be her family, I need her to have a little more depth with them just like she did with Takoda and how she’s previously done with Isabella.
Also let’s get out of Happy’s and have Gabby do some stuff. Sometimes it feels like there’s only like two sets on this show. But who am I to complain when I watched seasons upon seasons of Reba and it was mainly in the Hart household. Not Brock Hart. Reba Hart.
Happy’s Place airs new episodes every Friday at 8pm ET on NBC.
