Will & Grace Review: Pappa Mia (Season 11 Episode 2)

Both Will and Grace have babies on the brain on Will & Grace Season 11 Episode 2, “Pappa Mia.”

The retread to the previous iteration of the series is still a bit perplexing but I’m trying to lean in and enjoy Grace’s “fossil baby” and Will’s eager anticipation for fatherhood (though only Will would start having a meltdown about bonding with his child before he’s even identified a surrogate or started adoption proceedings).

Despite their diverging stories on this episode, Will and Grace are both exploring the importance of fatherhood, albeit in different ways.

For Grace, it’s a matter of biology.

Karen, utterly delighted that Grace doesn’t know who her baby-daddy is, decides to stage her own real-life Mamma Mia.

“Bored, rich, and lacking a moral compass,” she gathers all of Grace’s paramours: an unappealing “transportation executive” aka taxi driver, a wide-eyed college senior, and a gay pool boy (because it’s Grace after all, and her brand is sleeping with gay men). 

It’s DNA test time! None are particularly appealing prospects and it’s a huge blow that Marcus (Reid Scott) initially denies any culpability, explaining he had vasectomy to avoid passing on his family’s genes for serial killing and left-handedness.

While he comes crawling back at the end, admitting he lied and that he’s willing to give up all his hopes and dreams and just marry Grace, the damage to his character is done.

This storyline isn’t particularly original; plenty of other shows play the “who’s-the-daddy” game, and while the script is funny, it’s mostly softballs for Megan Mullally. Similar to the beginning of last season, Will & Grace is using her lightly, and I’m hopeful that she’ll get meatier storylines soon.

The most memorable part of this episode isn’t actually a funny quip (of which there are many). It’s Grace’s declaration that she doesn’t care who the biological father of her baby is.

That’s not what makes a father. She wants someone in her life who will love the baby because they want to not because they feel they have to, and she’ll go at it alone and give the baby everything they need if no one else in her life steps up to the plate.

It’s a big moment for her, especially given her complete and utter fear during the last episode, but the declaration makes sense. So much of last season was about Grace finding and harnessing her inner confidence.

This Grace has the strength to wait for a true partner or confidently move forward without one at all.

With that said, there’s still a part of me that finds it hard to believe that she’ll end the season entirely alone or that we’ll never learn who the biological father is.

Who knows, maybe history will repeat itself, and Leo (Harry Connick Jr.) will make a comeback?

Will’s story is equally heartwarming as he undertakes a quest to sharpen his athletic prowess in case his future son is “theatrically challenged” and wants to play sports with his dad.

While part of this story plays into traditional gender stereotypes — and quite frankly, stereotypes about the LGBTQ community too — it’s endearing to see Jack play the wise figure (though rest assured, it’s only for moment).

His observation that Will’s desire to bond with his kid and understand their interests is the most important part of being a father is some of the simplest parenting advice out there. But it’s also some of the best.

It also doesn’t hurt that Jack says this after a fantastic physical comedy gag and a solid High School Musical reference.

The weakest part of this episode — and really, we’re splitting hairs at this point — is the absence of McCoy.

Consistent references to McCoy while he remained physically absent were a problem last season too and it’s incredibly irksome that Will is planning such huge life changes while his partner isn’t really in the picture.

I wish they’d lean in and fold Matt Bomer into the show in a deeper way. His not being around makes it even more ridiculous when Will consoles Grace, explaining that she’ll always have him and McCoy.

Oh really? Where the hell is he? Move him back from London already!

Overall, this is a solid episode, and this season is already coming together faster than Season 10. 

What did you think of this episode of Will & Grace? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Will & Grace airs Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.

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