Home Economics Review: Speeding Ticket, $180 (Season 2 Episode 7)
It’s Tom versus Tomás and parents versus the cool uncle on Home Economics Season 2 Episode 7, “Speeding Ticket, $180.”
Home Economics proves that it can balance two solid storylines on one episode. Much better than Tom can balance his wild side and much smoother than Sarah and Denise can counterbalance their cringe factor. And while telling these wholesome family stories, the jokes never get lost (unlike Tom’s luggage) or overpowered by the sentiment.
Tom vs. Tomás
Sofía Salazar (Roselyn Sanchez)—who was introduced on Season 2 Episode 2, “Chorizo with Mojo Verde and Chicharrón, $45”—whisks Tom (Topher Grace) away to Puerto Rico for research for her memoir that he is ghostwriting. She is a great character, and although she doesn’t appear in this episode, her presence is felt, especially by Marina (Karla Souza) who is back home in San Francisco.
Sofía brings out Tom’s adventurous side. Raise your hand if you thought that side didn’t exist. Marina sure thought that after years-long, exhaustive attempts to get him to try new things or show interest in her Latin culture. She’s not so much jealous of Sofía in the traditional sense, but rather in a resentful way.
She’s FOMOing hard while taking care of the kids and the house while Tom is YOLOing it up by jumping off waterfalls and letting iguanas sit on his head. Marina wants not only the adventure but Tomás as well which is very understandable.
Tom: With you, I can be myself, I don’t have to try so hard.
Marina: So you put in the effort for Sofía but not for me.
It’s a valid argument on both sides. The most important thing is that he can truly be himself with Marina, but she should get to have fun with Tomás every now and then, too, and see that he will still make the effort to spice things up.
And that is exactly how it is resolved. Tomás takes Marina out for a night on the town in Connor’s sports car, giving her the adventure she wanted, but the charm that really wins her over is all Tom.
Sarah and Denise vs. Connor
Sarah (Caitlin McGee) and Denise (Sasheer Zamata) are dealing with a moody tween with Shamiah (Jordyn Curet). This is a nice continuation of Shamiah distancing herself from them on Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6, “Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99”). Apparently, though, she has been confiding in Connor (Jimmy Tatro), much to their dismay.
Connor: We have a very active text thread, okay? Our memes are so crazy, I don’t even understand them.
Similar to Marina’s situation, they are upset that Connor gets to experience this side of their daughter. When they try to understand why she would choose Connor to talk to about her boy crush, they figure it is because they’re gay.
Sarah: She likes boys and we don’t.
Denise: We do not.
Connor: It’s pretty obvious, you have the kd lang cookbook.
Denise: Constant Craving has some solid recipes.
There are so many hilarious lines in this plot and a lot of them are throw-a-ways that are slipped in here and there. It’s another example of how well Home Economics can balance the funny with the sappy.
In the end, it is not that they are lesbians, it is that they are “like, cringe.” And they promptly demonstrate that by doing a happy little cringe dance as Shamiah and Connor watch on in horror.
Extra Expenditures:
- “In high school, he went to nine proms. There was a write-up about it in the paper.”
- Sarah: You’re like the jock in every teen movie who dates the dorky girl on a bet.
Connor: Hey, that was one time, and when Gwen took her glasses off she was stunning, so joke’s on you. - Tom: So I’ll avoid hills.
Connor: You live in San Francisco, it’s nothing but hills. - “Hetero culture” tho.
- “Straighten up the place” is the best pun ever! Sarah should be proud of that one.
- When they are rating the Chrises, Denise goes with Christoph Waltz. I love her so much.
- “Have you guys ever met a straight person before?”
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.