Home Economics Review: Book Deal, Terms Negotiable (Season 2 Episode 21)

On Home Economics Season 2 Episode 21, “Book Deal, Terms Negotiable,” the story arc of Tom’s book comes full circle in such a lovely way that highlights the endearing love among the Hayworth siblings and their families. 

Two super fun guest stars disrupt Sunday brunch which results in some really great story development. Rhys Darby plays a publishing mogul with an offer for Tom’s book, and June Diane Raphael returns as the spicy vice principal who hooked up with Connor on Season 2 Episode 20, “Mango THC Gummies, $18.” 

The presence of Monroe Davies (Darby), who swans in on a helicopter to crash family brunch and reduce everyone to commercialized stereotypes, draws attention to the many ways these characters have already proved to play against their clichéd personas. 

That’s a big part of Tom’s book, the nuanced and complex characters that make up a family, amd it’s a clever approach to fuse Tom’s novel with the Home Economics story. By default, the audience is invested in this plot line—we only want the best for him, and the thought of him having to compromise or settle is, well, unsettling. 

The decision to decline Monroe’s deal is not an easy one for Tom. 

Financial struggles are so real, it’s a credible temptation that would throw Tom into a tizzy of anxiety and self-doubt. Luckily, he has the support and encouragement of his loving family to back him up. 

They are able to put aside pettiness and peccadilloes when necessary, which shows the strength of those family bonds that serve as the life blood of the show. No amount of money is worth compromising that.

The sub-plot is similar in theme, and sorts out something about which I was a little worried.

Goddess June Diane Raphael also swans in on brunch as Windmount Vice Principal, Lauren. But, she is not the love triangle shake-up I thought she might be. She’s pretty clear with Connor that it’s a no-strings-attached arrangement, and it’s pretty clear to Sarah that with Connor being “all-strings,” he’s not so jazzed about said arrangement. 

Typical Connor, typically avoiding his feelings and pretending to be okay when he’s not. Typical Sarah, typically playing armchair therapist and butting in with unwanted advice. 

These things may come across as stereotypes at first glance, but Home Economics has allowed us to go deeper with these characters simply by spending time with them. Which can be said of any family really. We learn about quirks and biases and pick up on patterns just by being around our loved ones.

That seems to be what makes Tom’s book special, so the idea of dumbing them all down for the sake of a slick audio book is dreadful. I didn’t like the idea back in the Season 1 finale when Tom almost compromised to get an agent, and I had only known the characters for seven half-hour episodes. 

With help from the fam, Tom is able to turn down Monroe’s offer and go with a smaller publishing house that’s more in line with Tom’s interest and less about the bottom line. Which, of course, means less money, but Marina says it best, “Next book.”

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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