Good Girls Review: Nana (Season 3 Episode 8)

The moral compass is alive and well on Good Girls Season 3 Episode 8, “Nana,” and it results in one of the best episodes of Good Girls Season 3. 

Catching up with Boomer was a great way to bring the girls back to the roots of the show. The robbery at Fine & Frugal will always be their launching point, and Boomer was a loose end when he showed up at the end of Good Girls Season 2 Episode 12, “Jeff.” 

While his absence was welcome, he served a function here to help right the ship (to borrow a phrase from Dr. Cohen). Boomer shouldn’t become a fixture in Beth, Annie, and Ruby’s lives again, but he did present them with the perfect opportunity to reflect on how far they are willing to go.

This is especially important right now, given that Beth has lost everything (at least when it comes to furniture), Ruby is recovering from her gunshot wound, and Annie is attempting to find herself.

Boomer is a character that has always been expendable. He’s a serial rapist and emotionally manipulative. The modicum of empathy the audience feels towards him is in regards to his relationship with his Nana, which was then negated when it was revealed that he was stealing from her.

Taking away his Nana and a chance to say goodbye left the girls with someone who they could have easily given over to Rio. Their morality prevails in the end though, and despite how awful Boomer has been in the past, Beth makes a final plea to Rio on his behalf. 

The exchange is vaguely reminiscent of Good Girls Season 2 Episode 1, “I’d Rather Be Crafting,” where they needed to destroy a DNA sample, but couldn’t due to the freezer being full of rape kits.

Whether Boomer lives or dies is a comparatively small choice, there’s no known greater good to consider. What they do know is that his Nana is gone, and with that so is the one person who would miss him. 

While Boomer may have lost his one speck of likability, it’s hard to imagine that Rio’s plan involves killing him. Given that Boomer originally thought he was going to Canada, what are the odds that he’s being installed in another part of Rio’s operation?

Remember, there were Canadian counterfeiters in Rio’s network once upon a time. Whose to say that Boomer’s managerial skills wouldn’t be an asset there? 

Loosely connected to Boomer and his Nana is Annie.

Mae Whitman gives a spectacular performance on this episode. Annie has always been a fun-loving character who falls into some bad habits. Seeing parts of her life and past upended by news on this episode is jarring, but also brings some depth to her character.

Seeing her fulfill Nana’s final wish, which she didn’t have to do, was especially touching. While Annie never made the promise she completed a task, and if she can do this then maybe some of the harder stuff that she’s currently working on is within reach after all. 

Nana’s death and the revelation that Josh will no longer be her “study chap” are all important steps to Annie putting herself first.

Let’s not forget that Annie wants to go become an EMT after saving Ruby’s leg on, Good Girls Season 3 Episode 7, “Vegas, Baby.” That could lead to a much more fulfilling career and life for her down the road, and the more she works towards that goal, the more she has to lose. 

The other relationship that takes center stage is Stan and Ruby.

Stan’s involvement with the private parties, stealing high-end jewelry is an odd shift for his character, but fitting nonetheless.

Stan has been working hard all his life, and he lost his dream career of being a cop for Ruby. He could be resentful, but he loves her and he wants to give her what he thinks she deserves.

The idea of going away for their anniversary sounds enticing and if they hadn’t been buried in medical debt they probably would have managed a getaway before now. The private parties are a way for him to give her that, and the life he thinks she deserves. 

Fault can’t be found with that logic. The Hills deserve everything Stan wants for them and more. They’ve overcome a lot, and the fact that Stan is now in this because he wants to give Ruby what she deserves is endearing and so Stan. 

But, Ruby is right. There is danger in both of them being involved in illegal activities. They have kids to worry about just like Beth and Dean and Annie and if Ruby gets caught they might be up the creek without a paddle. 

The real clincher of this episode, which brings it back its roots is the resurgence of an investigation involving their counterfeit money. 

Agent Turner is a presence that I’ve missed, and I think the show needs that kind of heat to remain compelling. The fact that there is someone looking at the counterfeit bills out of Detroit is a great way to bring that suspense back. 

We’re still in the early stages of learning about these new investigators but they definitely seem to be worth their salt since they’ve already narrowed down that they’re looking for women.

Overall, this episode of Good Girls has a lot to be proud of and sets up for an interesting final half of the season. 

Stray Thoughts: 

• There are no words to describe Boomer’s tattoos, but he really should have thought that decision through a little more. He can’t pull off all those different groups together. 
• Ben is a wise kid and I am really enjoying seeing him guide his mom. That shouldn’t be his job, but the fact that he can call her out on it feels very true to their relationship. 
• So, Josh is involved. Did anyone else see that coming? I didn’t, but I probably should have. Excited to see Madeline Zima in this role though. Maybe a girlfriend un-attached to their criminal activities is exactly what Annie needs. 
• Ruby has a point why do they put the ramp so far away from the nursing home entrance? 

What did you think of this episode of Good Girls? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Good Girls airs Sundays at 10/9c on NBC.

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