Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 11 “Dart to the Heart” might be my favorite episode of the season so far. And it’s simply due to the fact that for being a comedy, this show seamlessly weaved in the real hurt and trauma that Isabella had gone through to the story of the half hour. And they did it in a way that respects both Isabella and Emmett without discounting any of their pain. Not many shows can do that.
MORE: Need a refresher of last week’s episode? Read our review for Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 10 “No”!
On the Isabella side of things, a wrong was done to her that will never be made right. Happy is dead and Isabella is going to carry that hurt forever. And I love that Happy’s Place allowed Isabella to express that pain. But they also let her express that pain in a way that was just her. She didn’t yell or go off the cuff. She avoided Emmett and was awkward. Because that’s just who Isabella is and it’s not going to change just because she feels uncomfortable.
Then there’s Emmett, he’s the kind of guy who keeps his emotions close to the chest. But when he chooses to care for you, that’s it. He cares. And as a viewer we knew that he cared for Isabella, especially when Bobbie confronted him about talking to her. But since he held it a little bit closer to his chest, we had to go a little bit more on benefit of the doubt that he cared. Because this is a tough situation but this is also a workplace comedy. It’s going to get deep but it’s not going to get so messy that they can’t come back from this.
When Isabella and Emmett finally talk, both of them get to say their piece. Isabella was allowed to express how messed up the situation was and how she felt hurt that Emmett didn’t tell her. But also that he didn’t tell Happy to get to know Isabella. At the same time, Emmett was given space to acknowledge that this is a messed up situation for him too, that she was just a name at one point, and how he was doing this to protect Bobbie and her mother.
The hurt doesn’t go away, after this conversation that Isabella and Emmett had. But it clears the air. It puts both of these characters on a level playing field where it’s acknowledged that Isabella can still be mad and Emmett isn’t responsible for Happy’s actions. But they both still care for each other. And it’s this emotionally charged grounded smart writing that I wish other comedies or TV shows in general could understand. Because you can create drama that feels real and earned without sacrificing your character in turn.
I also want to give a shout out to Bobbie in this review for “Dart to the Heart.” Bobbie of Season 1 wouldn’t have been able to do this. And I can’t express how proud I am of her strength but her kindness. Because she loves Emmett in a romantic way, even after he broke her heart. And here she is supporting him and getting him to talk to the other person that they both love aka Isabella. Because at the end of the day they’re a family. And that trumps anything else that might be going on. This emphasis is the reason why Happy’s Place continues to work. This is a show about familial bonds.
Another shout out that I want to give in this review is to Takoda. Since the very start I’ve wanted more of his character. And Happy’s Place has sprinkled little things here and there like the whole thing with his death metal band. But I love these tiny additions where Takoda just gets to be funny. Those dad jokes were coming left and right. But Happy’s Place made it even better because they’re jokes grounded in culture. A lot of times shows feel like they need to be in your face when it comes to diversity. You don’t. It’s about seamlessly weaving in who they are, what they believe in, and how they were raised in their actions. And Happy’s Place has done that with Takoda.
The way that “Dart to the Heart” ends seemingly wraps everything up in a bow. We see Isabella and Emmett use their special handshake while playing like everything is right as rain. But there still is everything going on between Bobbie and Emmett and if they’re going to be able to find their way back to each other. Besides that, I don’t know what other drama could be coming for the show. And that’s not a dig on Happy’s Place. It’s just I think they’re all at such a good place as characters that the only direction to go is up. Or I hope.
Happy’s Place airs new episodes every Friday at 8pm ET on NBC.
