Home Economics Review: Pregnancy Test, $12.98 (Season 2 Episode 13)

Love is all around and Home Economics has us rooting for every couple and every family member with this lovely Valentine’s Day episode on Season 2 Episode 13, “Pregnancy Test, $12.98.”

A double-date Valentines dinner at a trendy upscale restaurant turns into a roller coaster of emotions, and a romantic night in for two becomes a family affair for four, all which creates drama that ends with sweet resolutions and one surprising admission. 

I love when the lesser income families do ridiculous rich people activities. The pretentious eatery Silo, with its steaming cocktails and foam courses, is a prime environment for Home Economics‘ particular brand of comedy. 

Sarah is righteously judgemental (with good reason, for the most part). Denise is amusedly awestruck at seeing how the wealthy and privileged live. Tom is invariably out of his depth (which strengthens his pun game, strangely). And Marina just makes sure to take advantage of the perks when she can. 

Add sweet and funny examples of married couple goals and you’ve got the perfect sitcom recipe for a strong Valentine’s Day episode.

Both Tom and Marina’s reactions to the pregnancy scare and their unbridled relief at finding out she’s not are hysterical and delightfully unhinged. In Tom’s mind, he’s already working construction and Marina is saying goodbye to being able to see her feet. They are both convinced she’s carrying multiples—Marina takes it from twins to triplets with alarmed quickness and Tom immediately goes to “What if it’s quadruplets?!”

Tom: Well, there goes my writing career. I guess I’ll just have to get a job in construction. You know, start work at 5:00 a.m., get off at 3:00. Eat, like, a Hot Pocket over a garbage can and then start my shift at night construction.

This pregnancy scare stirs up feelings for Denise as well and she tells Sarah that she wants to get pregnant. I think this is an intriguing development for these two and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. 

The Connor/JoJo storyline becomes the Connor/JoJo/Emily/Gretchen storyline but that doesn’t mean the V-Day vibes go completely out the window.

Getting the predictable bit out of the way early on helps enormously. Connor and JoJo’s handling of telling both Emily and Gretchen about their relationship is surprisingly solid, and out of that we get a much more interesting dynamic between JoJo and Emily than the typical ex-wife and current girlfriend tension.

It’s sweet and shows a charmingly caring side to the already loveable JoJo when she helps Emily to jump back into the dating scene. Also, Connor and JoJo are so adorable together—they make a great addition as a couple to the show. 

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: ABC/Temma Hankin

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