Home Economics Review: Giant Jenga, $120 (Season 2 Episode 5)

Game night with the Hayworths brings out some fierce competitiveness and a 20-year-old secret on Home Economics Season 2 Episode 5, “Giant Jenga, $120.”

Connor is dating Jessica, who incidentally broke young Tom’s heart back at summer camp by not showing up to the farewell dance because she was sharing an important kiss with Sarah, and Marina and Denise engage in a high-stakes bet.

There’s certainly no shortage of drama on this episode. 

Jessica gets caught in the siblings’ web, leading Sarah to make a confession and Tom to get some much-needed closure. Their spouses are fine to let them sort it out amongst themselves as long as it doesn’t jeopardize their teams winning game night. 

These are storylines that run mostly parallel but they do intersect at times. It is one of those instances that brings Sarah’s secret to light. 

Marina: Jessica, I’m sorry, I have a lot riding on this game. Why didn’t you meet Tom that night at the camp dance?

Despite saying he would let it go and even singing verses from Frozen, Tom dwells on being stood up all those years ago. Respecting Sarah’s wish to keep their kiss secret, Jessica lies, and Tom accepts it until he finds a hole in her story.

And this routine repeats throughout Pictionary, Taboo, and Giant Jenga, much to everyone but Tom’s dismay.

Actual closure for Tom and Sarah comes when she finally comes clean (and knocks over the Jenga tower, thus losing the bet and locking her and Denise into a month of babysitting duty). Brother and sister have a really poignant heart-to-heart, and Caitlin McGee gives a touching performance with just the right amount of emotion.

I had feelings for a girl for the first time ever and I was ashamed and confused. If I had told you the truth then, it would’ve meant coming out, and couldn’t even come out to myself.

The episode starts with Tom talking about the Jessica chapter in his novel, and when the truth comes out, he brings it full circle with eloquence:

This whole time I thought Jessica was a chapter in my book, but really she is a chapter in yours.

It is a pivotal moment in Sarah’s life, and in Jessica’s, too, since their kiss helped her to identify her bisexuality. 

It’s quite an achievement to take a plot where one girl has kissed all three siblings and to have none of it be about jealousy. The competition going on is all Marina and Denise, which is an enjoyable dynamic itself. 

This is two times in a row that Home Economics has been able to deftly inject tender sentiment into the basic sitcom formula and wrap it up beautifully. In my review of Season 2 Episode 4, “Windmount Academy, $42,000/year,” I remarked how remarkable it was that the show was able to do that with Marina’s storyline. 

Not only is Home Economics consistent in its storytelling, but it is consistently good, providing both laughs and heart. 

Extra Expenditures:

• All the jokes that tease Tom about living in the past are fantastic. I particularly like Jimmy Tatro’s delivery when Connor says, “It’s been decades.”
• “Tom always seems fragile. He’s our little teacup.”
• “This is just like the movie Saw!”
• The above lines are all Connor. Tatro has crafted Connor into such a fun character that often surprises and delights. 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Tennille Read on the Independent Women of ‘SurrealEstate’ and ‘Workin’ Moms’ [Interview]