Home Economics Review: Poker Game, $800 Buy-In (Season 2 Episode 18)

On Home Economics Season 2 Episode 18, “Poker Game, $800 Buy-In,” Connor’s poker night is hijacked by his well-meaning siblings, and Marina and Denise bicker like Mulder and Scully as they investigate their own spooky X-File.

I, too, miss JoJo. I wish there was some sort of check-in to see how it’s going for her on Influencer Lagoon. However, I do appreciate the display of Connor’s heartache because it implies that even though they consider this to be a breakup, it could be just temporary. 

That’s what I’m hoping at least.

In the meantime, I’ll take Tom and Sarah’s poor (pun intended) attempts at cheering up their little bro, which includes completely ignoring his feelings all while urging him to talk about said feelings. 

At the same time though, the poker party itself is hit or miss on the joke front. 

Much-hyped special celebrity guest star, Mark Cuban as himself, gets off to a shaky start. His snobbiness initially comes across as sneering disdain, and despite the fact that the show’s comedy consistently pokes fun at the siblings’ financial differences, it’s an entirely different vibe here.

I am actually offended on Tom’s behalf …which is saying a lot. 

Like, for example, it is incredibly funny when Marina responds to Denise saying she’s felt a negative energy in her house for awhile with “Yeah, it’s called Tom.” Whereas Cuban’s eyerolling and sighs of disgust are pretty insufferable, to be honest. Granted, he’s not an actor (his role as POTUS in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! aside), so it is forgivable, and the tone changes for the better when he starts geeking out over writing with Tom.

Not only do we get the pleasure of watching Sarah’s always enjoyable rich person act, but also her take on the poker playing dude-bro. 

Poker Dude: Stock price is going wild. 
Sarah: Sick, sick, sick, sick. How do they feel about unionizing their gig workers?
Poker Dude: Say what?
Connor: Sarah.
Sarah: Who cares about that crap? Labor rights, that’s for …poor people, right?

I just love how she cannot help herself, and Caitlin McGee’s delivery is always so spot on and brings such a goofy charm to her character. 

Another miss, however, is the underutilization of Lupe. Lidia Porto has a decent amount of screentime on this episode, but the material she’s given is a bit underwhelming and not on par with Lupe’s usual biting snarkiness. 

The ghost storyline, on the other hand, is all hits, no misses. This is in large part due to the chemistry between Sasheer Zamata and Karla Souza and the beautiful friendship they bring to life as the self-proclaimed “Normals” within the Hayworth clan.  

They are definitely one of my favorite duos on the show, and this episode reinforces that by putting them into the role of believer and skeptic just like my ride-or-die OTP, Mulder and Scully of The X-Files.

Even through their differences of opinion, the love they have for each other is evident and admirable.

I want what they have.

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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