Good Girls Review: Chef Boyardee (Season 4 Episode 9)

Good Girls Season 4 Episode 9, “Chef Boyardee,” is so cluttered it makes it hard to figure out the point of this episode. While it’s clear from the previously on, and the little moments that link Lucy’s murder to Phoebe’s case, that this is supposed to bridge several events from previous seasons, it’s hard to see a clear throughline. 

Instead, “Chef Boyardee” layers on complications like a Pilsbury biscuit, giving us information that will likely come up later, but mostly seems to have no bearing on the story’s immediate movement. 

The most interesting developments are interpersonal. Stan is not happy with Beth’s involvement in moving the counterfeit handbags, and their opposing ideas make for some strong conflict. Locking them into this fight about whose idea is better and whose ego is the most bruised provides for some of the most dramatic scenes.

The way that Ruby picks up on how Stan and Beth don’t get along is also astute and it could give us some interesting conflict in future episodes. Good Girls has built up Beth and Ruby’s relationship. We know that they have a deep bond and decades of friendship, but this could potentially tear them apart. It’s not a new thing either, Stan has been festering about how Beth’s schemes have ruined their lives since Season 2.

At the root of all this is the fact that Beth is really doing this for Dean. It’s not the only reason, but it’s a big part of it. This is a man who has proven time and time again that he cannot be trusted to make good decisions. 

He proves this when he rushes into The System. While I could understand Beth’s support and why he needs to do something and feel productive, he’s basically gotten into the exact situation they were in on Good Girls Season 1. Dean now owes them money for product, and given the fact that there’s a “garage full,” it’s probably not something that’s going to be easy to pay off.

The one thing about this storyline that works for me, is that instead of a woman getting roped into selling skincare, it’s a man. This gender reversal is something really needed in the discussion around multi-level marketing. There has been a lot of discussion about companies structured like The System are predatory towards moms. Some even say that they failed mothers projected a girl-power narrative that never really grows into women’s empowerment. 

This is one subject that I am glad they’re covering because while Good Girls is a drama with comedic elements, it also has a unique position to shine a light on some of the inequities in society. It’s always done so in well-integrated ways such as when they introduced payday loans in Season 2 or the continuing dialogue about Sara’s health. It feels like The System is another extension of that, and its ominous name makes it a little more intimidating. 

What my biggest concern is now, is not so much if the girls will get the money to ultimately flee, but if The System will follow Dean. It definitely feels like this will be a bigger complication than most, but that’s also part of the insidiousness of multi-level marketing schemes. 

In the end, “Chef Boyardee,” has a lot going on, and it’s hard to not come away feeling like you don’t know what to focus on. What the series needs is to refocus itself and find a clear goal for the rest of the season. 

Stray Thoughts:

• I want to empathize with the case getting shut down, but I really can’t. Yes, it means the girls are now in danger, but it hasn’t been going anywhere since Beth wore the wire. 
• Annie’s attempts to keep Ben in St. Anne’s are sweet. While Ben is probably thinking that this is definitely some new insanity on Annie’s part, her intentions were pretty honest. Who knew that a poll would fall on the car? 
• The storyline with Rio and Nick did serve to clarify a few points, but it was a little hard to follow with two cops involved. 

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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