Workin’ Moms Season 6 Review: A Powerful, Punchy, and Poignant Character Deconstruction

Workin’ Moms shakes things up for Season 6 by deconstructing our main characters in profound ways, with killer performances across the board. 

It’s not uncommon for the series to present conflict in one form or another — after all, Workin’ Moms never falls under the hard comedy category. But Season 6 doles out quick-witted one-liners, hilarious gags, and poignant gut punches in equal measure. 

ANNE: Are you on an edible, or are we straight up raw-dogging the aquarium now?

Season 6 plays with the show’s signature formula, forcing our core cast to undergo powerful deconstruction and universally relatable transformation. Kate finally addresses her need to micromanage and exert control and her workaholic tendencies.

Anne tackles her relentless anger via anger management, something Workin’ Moms constructs over six seasons. Jenny acknowledges her penchant for manipulation and lying and vows to set aside time for inner growth by the season’s end.

Sloane comes to terms with her aversion to vulnerability. She lowers her walls, letting her sister and Paul into her life while making space for self-care and family. 

VAL: I think you could veer away from Diane Keaton chic for one night.

The series handles the necessary dismantling of these characters with its usual verve, biting humor, and audaciousness. Catherine Reitman and the Powers That Be brilliantly and methodically build on our characters’ flaws and strengths throughout the show’s run, making this mass dissection all the more potent.

Now, there’s the elephant in the room. Most fans know Juno Rinaldi decided not to return to Workin’ Moms as Frankie Coyne. Perhaps most jarring and unusual is that the show refrains from addressing her absence. In comparison, most series might acknowledge a significant character’s departure with a remark about them moving away or taking on a time-consuming new job.

However, Workin’ Moms writes Frankie and her family out of the equation altogether, as if they never existed. We don’t even hear her name mentioned in character anecdotes of events we’ve seen unfold onscreen. 

ALICE: You should probably start taking more detailed notes, though. This patient’s entire file just says, “Yikes.”

As surprising as this choice is, that’s what makes it admirable, based on the fact that it’s seldom seen on TV. It might not be the right choice given Frankie’s importance to the narrative (and maybe that’s a matter of preference), but risky decisions should always be lauded as long as they aren’t detrimental to viewers. 

However, Frankie’s absence takes away vital LGBTQIA+ representation from the main cast, so here’s hoping Workin’ Moms remedies that. 

Parts of the season suffer disjointedness and inconsistent pacing, primarily due to the Frankie of it all. We don’t get as much time with the moms together as in previous seasons. But when they unite, sparks fly, and magic blossoms. Notably in the spooky Bachelorette party episode and Val’s birthday celebration.

MCP: Are you saying that only ugly people get married at city hall?

The show also spends less one-on-one time with Kate and Anne, who are, undoubtedly, the bread and butter of the series. The writers tackle their codependency, which is brought into question as they navigate who they are without each other. It’s a heavy-hitting examination of female friendship through the lens of motherhood and professionalism.

Additionally, Season 6 deftly unveils the challenges of being a stepmother with its charm and sharp wit. The writers craft Kate and Nathan Jr.’s relationship beautifully, giving us a fleshed-out arc full of belly laughs and impactful emotional beats. Being a stepmom is tough, and Workin’ Moms simultaneously rips off the Band-Aid and applies a cooling ointment. 

Season 6 boasts top-tier performances, with Reitman, Dani Kind, Enuka Okuma, Jessalyn Wanlim, and Sarah McVie firing on all cylinders. Okuma is a standout this season, infusing Sloane with rough edges and smoothness, injecting her with relatable nuance and beautiful vulnerability. 

Workin’ Moms Season 6 is chock full of delightful gags and jokes, from Kate blowing up the frog to Anne inadvertently spilling urine on someone.

The show is adept at balancing gross-out hilarity and intellectual humor with panache and groundedness. 

Workin’ Moms never shies away from shining light on complex subject matter, and Season 6 is no exception. This season feels more resonant given what’s happening with abortion in the US. It addresses the pain of miscarriages, just as the series covered Anne’s abortion in Season 1. The show tackles maternity leave and discriminatory practices toward moms in the workplace.

Workin’ Moms Season 6 focuses on character development and feels more introspective than in previous outings, dismantling what we know about these characters. The payoff of their respective arcs is worthwhile. It also promotes self-love, self-care, and growth over the “go-go-go hustle culture” life shoves down our throats. 

It’s hilarious, heartbreaking, mindful, and mesmerizing. We need a Season 7 now, and we needed it yesterday.

Stray Observations: 

• The show’s free exploration of sexuality goes to places one never expects, and it’s delightful. Exhibit A: Sloane orgasming during a transvaginal ultrasound. 
• Welcome back, Juniper and Forrest! Too bad we didn’t get any Alicia this season. 
• This season would’ve been the perfect time to bring Ian back into the fold, i.e., when Jenny played with their daughter under the kitchen table. 
• That cliffhanger is terrifying. It’s undoubtedly Workin Moms‘ most cliffhanger-y cliffhanger in existence. 
• “Holey Loops” feels like a redundant name for cereal, no? 

What did you think of this season of Workin’ Moms? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Workin’ Moms Seasons 1 through 6 are now streaming on Netflix.

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