The Astronaut Wives Club Review: Liftoff (Season 1 Episode 4)

Yes.

The astro wives have made it to Houston, and it turns out everything really is bigger in Texas. And more dramatic. Read on for my thoughts on this week’s episode of The Astronaut Wives Club, “Liftoff.” Spoilers coming up.

Jo and the JL — As Mr. Schirra prepares to orbit the earth 6 times, Jo is focused on an even more impressive feat. She wants to join the Junior League. After meeting some important Houston lady (who has a radio show for some reason), she gets all of the girls invited to the big League gala. My favorite part about this story? The dresses.

Galas can make a girl a bit crazy, though, and Jo almost forgets who her true friends are. Those dresses though. Do I need more beading in my life?

Trudy’s special friend — Speaking of friends, Gordo finds Trudy’s, um, “back massager” and takes it as a sign that she misses him. And he might be onto something, since she goes home from the gala early to see him (too bad he got too drunk to come home). I really appreciate how this relationship is being developed. I’m glad that Trudy hasn’t let Gordo off the hook too easily, but I’m also glad that it looks like she is eventually going to forgive him. But more than anything I’m glad we get to see what a vintage “back massager” looks like. Yikes.

Other things Max is bad at — Another relationship I love is Louise and Max. This week, after the world learns about Russia’s missiles in Cuba, Max goes off the rails. He shows up at the gala (despite having no real reason to be there) and melts down about how everyone should just go home and be with the people they love. He then gets Louise to go to some barn with him under the pretense that he wants to listen to the radio. Of course, he really just wants to woo her. He doesn’t seem to understand, however, that accusing a woman of having a perfect life and not being able to relate to how hard things are for him isn’t really the best approach. It’s quickly becoming clear that he loves her, but also hates her. Like I said, he’s going off the rails. He also seems to, once again, do about zero reporting.

On a side note, one of my favorite things to see on a TV show is two characters having a serious conversation while not missing a beat in a dance. I love that while Max is telling Louise some creepy stuff about his feelings, she’s still all in on the spins and turns of their barn dance. That may have been just a little too much cheese. It’s not like anyone would have seen her if she’s stopped.

I really thought this week we were finally going to see him go in for a kiss. Especially since Louise’s daughters found condoms in daddy’s “go bag.” But no such luck.

Don’t mess with Marge — Deke is preparing for his appeal by dieting and being rude to Marge. That isn’t getting her down, though. I love how fearless she is. After not being able to get through to the president she goes to the VP and talks him into getting Deke looked at by his cardiologist. Unfortunately, even after the doc gives the all-clear, NASA still opts to go with safer bets and keeps Deke grounded. Luckily for him, the boys are still awesome, and they rally to get him promoted. He’s now the Chief Astronaut. Whatever that means.

The good news for us, though, is that this means that Marge is going to feel even more like she’s the boss. Which I love. Because she should be.

The Gemini Bikini Girls — Marge’s new boss status is also going to come in handy since the Gemini girls have come to Houston. The astronauts now have some competition, and so do their wives. These ladies are thinner, they make beef cups with mashed potato frosting (which I’m pretty they got off of Pinterest) and come right out of the gate with the snarky comments. I absolutely love the moment when Marge tells the ring leader to step off. The core wives will always be the only wives to me.

Betty is my favorite — How great is Betty? What better way to stick it to the Junior League, after they snub Jo, than to cut a hole in a fence with a chainsaw? The girl has style.

So much is simmering right now. I can’t wait to see what happens with the Gemini girls (I’m guessing they aren’t going to take being the B team lying down), with Trudy and Gordo, and with all of the drama that Houston clearly has to offer.

What did you think of this week’s episode of The Astronaut Wives Club? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to add your own rating.

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The Astronaut Wives Club airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.