Home Economics Review: Chorizo with Mojo Verde and Chicharrón, $45

Situations come up for the siblings that have major pros and cons on Home Economics Season 2 Episode 2, “Chorizo with Mojo Verde and Chicharrón, $45.”

Another strong episode has two separate storylines that are connected subtly by plot points and themes. And that subtlety is a big plus on a lighthearted sitcom.

First and foremost, one is able to relax and be entertained, enjoying the humor and the clever, well-placed jokes. More about the characters are revealed in an easy way that feels like getting to know a new friend. The situations, conflicts, and resolutions evolve naturally and things can really resonate. 

It doesn’t give in to the gimmicks of its own format. There’s just the right amount of Tom’s book narration to start the episode off and the theme of income discrepancy among the families is simply a part of the narrative.

Keeping track of costs is, thankfully, just assigned to the episode titles. That was a plot device used on 2 Broke Girls to an annoying degree, so I am glad Home Economics is using the idea sparingly. 

Prose and Connor

Connor (Jimmy Tatro) has been insinuating himself into his sister’s home life a bit too much. Crashing Sarah and Denise’s date nights is getting to be a bit much. But, at least, they are still able to pick the movie. 

Connor: Anyway, we should get that movie started, huh? Those 19th-century lesbians aren’t going to watch themselves.

Denise (Sasheer Zamata) comments that maybe he is feeling lonely lately because he’s ready to get back out there with some date nights of his own. Setting this up leads to them inadvertently setting Connor up with their activist friend, Lindsay (Anna Akana). They show up with the rest of the family for Sunday brunch and Lindsay is there.

Obviously, this is an unfavorable development for Sarah (Caitlin McGee) and Denise as they don’t see it going well between the two, and they do not want to risk their friendship with Lindsay or their access to her exclusive book club.

Sarah: I can lose Connor, but I cannot lose Lindsay.

Denise, ever the level-headed one, takes it in stride, but Sarah’s reaction goes too far as it often does. She becomes preoccupied with proving that Connor being woke is just to impress Lindsay. Denise sees this coming immediately and tries talking sense into her so Sarah doesn’t jeopardize book club. “We have so little.”

Many Sarah/Denise storylines involve Denise reining in Sarah when she waxes rhapsodic about her causes. It’s so loving, though, and it makes the jokes hit effectively. 

Denise: He’s taking the moral high ground and that’s where you like to hang out.

Oh snap, Denise said the library is open!

However, no matter how much damage control she tries, Sarah will still be her same competitive self. The nice thing about this storyline is that even though Connor is doing this for a girl, it’s not totally performative either. You can tell there is actually some growth happening. 

And Sarah can realize her poor behavior and apologize. Perhaps they’re both growing. 

Too Hot To Handle

The one overdoing it in the Tom/Marina storyline is celebrity chef Sofía Salazar. She wants Tom (Topher Grace) to ghostwrite her memoir, but she comes on too strong while trying to win him over. Flirty, forward advances are made both in front of Marina and in her absence which concerns Tom and Marina (Karla Souza).

Although, they do need the money.

Marina accompanies Tom to Sofía’s restaurant because he can’t be trusted to be confrontational on his own. He proposes some ground rules, awkwardly, saying, “I can’t work with you if you keep being so forward …sexually.”

The unexpected turn here is great. Sofía understands and her explanation makes so much sense. 

Sofía: I was doing the whole “hot in the kitchen schtick to get you excited about the book. It’s what everyone expects of me. And obviously, I overdid it, and I made you uncomfortable, and I am so sorry.

She also apologizes to Marina who she knows is hiding and listening. Marina can relate to what she’s saying and the three of them let bygones be bygones. That is until Sofía starts joking about Tom. Marina steps in to defend him in a way that impresses Sofía. So much so that she is going to name a dish after her. 

Tom: I didn’t like her hitting on me, but I’m not sure I’m crazy about “inflatable guy at a car dealership.”
Marina: You better write this book fast.
Tom: Well, it can actually be a process, so– I’ll write like the wind. 

Extra Expenditures:

• Love, love, love the Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Carol references. 
• “Sarah, I love this book, and I have a lot to offer today. I found subtext, allusions. I found a leitmotif. Please don’t ruin this for me.”
• Sarah’s anxiety when Connor throws the bottle in the trash instead of the recycle bin that’s right next to it is very relatable. I am Sarah. She is me.
• It’s kind of a cliche to have a sassy housekeeper as a side character, but Lidia Porto as Lupe is making it work. 

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

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Home Economics airs Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

Featured Image Photo Credit: ABC/Temma Hankin

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