Home Economics Review: Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99 (Season 2 Episode 6)
On Home Economics Season 2 Episode 6, “Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99,” the Hayworth sibling families split up for trick-or-treating, but the scariest thing of all is finding out that they actually like spending time together.
These are revelations that the audience is already aware of—we been knew that they’re not only family but friends, too. It is adorable watching them realize it, though, and it makes up for splitting them up for the majority of the episode.
Having the families go trick-or-treating (or T-and-T-ing as Connor keeps trying to make work) in their own respective neighborhoods is a great set-up for the pay-off. And since we spend a lot of time at Connor’s modern, sprawling abode, it’s nice to see how the other 2/3rds of the Hayworth siblings live.
The side stories land a bit less sure-footed compared to the overall throughline that brings them all back together at the end. While I am not opposed to separated sibling storylines, on a Halloween-focused episode the group scenes are where it’s at.
The strongest of these is the Denise/Sarah plot—they go through that awkward phase where one kid has outgrown Halloween and they can’t keep up with the other. They go through the emotions together and get each other through it.
Sarah: Did he get faster this year?
Denise: I think we got slower.
Also pretty strong is the Tom/Marina bit—at least up until an abrupt shift. They meet the parents of Camila’s friend and find out they have a lot in common, like an insane amount where the conversation becomes boring. Tom and Marina come to this conclusion suddenly at the same time and their festive mood turns sour.
Turns out the other couple was thinking the same thing, but they were able to still be friendly and genial up until the end. I think it’s that I want them to be friends and that’s why I am skeptical of this development.
Connor’s storyline involves his ex-wife, Emily. Justine Lupe is wonderful in this role, but having them go trick-or-treating as a family just for Gretchen’s sake is unnecessary. It doesn’t really advance anything and it is lacking in the joke department.
Thankfully, with everything else going on, it is only a slight blip. They all end up at Connor’s for the real spooky holiday celebration—one with conflict and annoyances and pet peeves, but also a whole lot of easy-going family (and friends) fun.
Extra Expenditures:
- I love the dueling Iron Mans. What a perfect little Halloween rivalry between the brothers.
- “We’re too much alike. I don’t want to have drinks with us. I spend all my time with us!”
- “Oh my god, we’re friends with your family.”
- “Aunt Sarah says our landscaping is hostile.”
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.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.