Home Economics Review: Salsa Competition Entry Fee, $45 (Season 2 Episode 14)
Marina coaches Connor and Lupe for an amateur salsa contest and things heat up between Denise and Sarah on the baby front on Home Economics Season 2 Episode 14, “Salsa Competition Entry Fee, $45.”
Connor and Lupe’s relationship is already pretty solid but it’s clear Connor doesn’t know much about her. Stepping up to be her dance partner after the break-up with her boyfriend is an excellent way to fix that. Having Marina there to keep things on track helps a lot, too.
It’s nice for the audience to get to know Lupe as well, the background offers a bit of context, and to actually see her happy for once, but it would’ve been more effective if we got to meet some of her family and friends we keep hearing so much about.
Especially her three kids, Veronica, Inez, and Diego, as Connor will tell you.
Marina as their dancing coach is the cherry (tomato) on top (of the salsa). She is a tough teacher but also a supportive cheerleader, and not to mention her dance moves are total fire.
However, it’s not only Marina pitching in, it’s an all-hands-on-deck, family affair. Although, Tom gets a pass since he is recovering from his vasectomy, and it gives us delightfully drugged-up Tom who inadvertently helps Sarah and Denise communicate truthfully about planning to have a baby.
It’s heartwarming to see everyone helping and rooting for Lupe, but the real emotional, tear-jerker moment comes from Denise and Sarah when they finally talk. (Again, thank you, Tom.) Sarah and Denise’s love for each other is so pure, and it’s beautiful when they express it.
This whole exchange doesn’t just tug at my heartstrings, it yanks them from my chest.
Sarah: I’m sorry for not telling you my real feelings. You were just so excited.
Denise: Yeah, I’m excited, but I want you to be excited, too. I’m not doing this without you. I know you weren’t expecting this, and I wasn’t either. I guess I just love having kids with you.
Sarah: Well, we do raise pretty awesome kids. I mean, they killed it this week.
Denise: Everyone did. I know raising two little kids on our own was tough, but this time we’d have a whole village behind us.
Their family is the village, you guys.
It’s so dang sweet and also culminating, in a way, as the series started with the Hayworth siblings and their families reconnecting and spending time together.
What did you think of this episode of Home Economics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Home Economics airs Thursdays 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.