Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 13 “A New Chapter” finally closes one of the show’s longest standing open loops: who is Gabby’s mother? Because Gabby has built the mythology of her mother in such a manner that she almost seems larger than life. But she also seems kind of fake. But when it comes to someone’s trauma, you go a little easier, especially if it’s your friend. And you especially see shows go easier on that person if they’re the comedic relief, which Gabby is.
In walks Jane Lynch as Val, Gabby’s mother. And kudos to Happy’s Place because the way that Lynch carried herself, I took pause. I wondered at how this woman could have created such lasting trauma for Gabby where she doubted every single piece of herself. And the only way that Gabby could get through that doubt, was by making jokes about her trauma. But then walks in said trauma, and Steve and Isabella act as the audience in many respects in going through this journey of is Gabby right about her mom? Or has she been exaggerating this entire time?
Spoiler alert, Gabby hasn’t been exaggerating about her mom.
Val is a narcissist. You could see it in the way that she entered the restaurant and carried herself like she was the center of attention. It was almost like she was greater than life and had to bring in everyone into her orbit to make them like her. You saw it very clearly, by the way, when she was talking to Steve and trying to connect with him about his language and where he’s from. But it was all centered on how others admired her. And Val might have a smile on her face, but it’s giving entitlement with a little swirl of her thinking she’s always in power.
Take all of that that I just told you about Val in “A New Chapter” and imagine zeroing that in on a child. I don’t have to imagine though because that’s my upbringing. And I feel like a lot of people watching this episode of Happy’s Place will recognize their upbringing in Gabby and her mother. All of this leans into the power of the show, which manages to balance out the laughs with real life situations that families go through when a narcissist is in the room and a child makes themselves as small as possible to not even be detected by said narcissist.
Even though I like how Happy’s Place continues to toe that line between humor and serious issues, I’m not sure I’m in agreement with Gabby giving her mom Val another chance. A part of it is due to it being a little triggering. There’s nothing more that a kid wants than the approval of their parent, even if said parent is terrible. I know this from experience. And maybe I’m looking at this episode, and Gabby’s forgiveness, through the lens of someone who set her boundaries with her narcissistic mother after falling for her continuous promises to be better. But it still just rubbed me the wrong way that someone so bright as Gabby doubted herself for so long because of this woman.
Unlike other TV shows, Happy’s Place knows how to go back and pick up storylines that were dropped a couple episodes ago. It’s like they remember what they wrote. And yes this is shade to other shows. Because I have faith in Happy’s Place to take us on a journey when it comes to Gabby and Val. But Gabby is the comedic relief. And sometimes I get a little scared when it comes to the comedic relief, because they’re never afforded the same nuance as other characters who might be a little bit more serious, even in the midst of a workplace comedy like this.
Nevertheless, I need Gabby to make a decision. Because Gabby’s biggest crutch is her mother. And if she stands up to her, it could be one of Gabby’s biggest strengths. And because I love a good payoff I’ll wait. But I don’t want this to turn out to be some hunky dory family forgives everybody for everything kind of comedy space. Because no one deserves to be treated the way that Gabby did. And changing, on Val’s part, doesn’t erase the hurt or make it so that you have to forgive the one who hurt you because of it.
Luckily for Gabby, Bobbie is watching Val. Gabby isn’t alone. And that gives me more faith that all of this will be ok.
Happy’s Place airs new episodes every Friday at 8pm ET on NBC.
