Home Economics Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Wheel of Vegan Brie, $24
The Hayworths try to forgo the traditional family fighting to welcome half-sister Harmony to their Thanksgiving, but the day is anything but harmonious. The siblings go from fighting with each other to fighting for their parents’ attention on Home Economics Season 3 Episode 8, “Wheel of Vegan Brie, $24.”
Harmony, played by Casey Wilson, was introduced on the Halloween episode, Season 3 Episode 6, “Novel Signed by Author, $22.19,” in a bit of a tricky way. The problems that arise at this Thanksgiving due to Harmony’s presence are unexpected, but play much better than the stalker bait and switch did.
The awkward introduction between Harmony and mom and pop Hayworth is avoided by the three of them meeting before Thanksgiving. Marshall (Phil Reeves) and Muriel (Nora Dunn) are enamored by Harmony which first confuses the siblings and then incites jealousy.
So, the day descends into petty competitions and childish behavior from Tom (Topher Grace), Sarah (Caitlin McGee), and Connor (Jimmy Tatro), consisting of cutthroat trivia, a kids plus parents talent show, and passive-aggressive toasts.
But, the self-proclaimed normals, Marina (Karla Souza) and Denise (Sasheer Zamata), are not so innocent either. They try to win her over to their special outsiders group.
Marina: We really don’t want to blow this, you know. Harmony is very important to us. To you.
Denise: To all of us.
Marina: Exactly. Who cares which alliance she chooses.
Tom: What the hell are you talking about?
Technically, Harmony is a perfect fit with her new fam; she has things in common with each one of them. However, Harmony doesn’t have experience with big families, and the “big personalities” — as she describes her half-siblings — are overwhelming.
Of course, they all go too far, but instead of scaring Harmony off, their behavior just makes her mad. Harmony calling them out on all their competitive nonsense is surprising yet necessary.
It also inducts her into the traditional family fighting and she truly becomes part of the family.
Home Economics Season 3 Episode 8, “Wheel of Vegan Brie, $24,” has all the hallmarks of a memorable holiday episode with an importance on family and acceptance. The Thanksgiving-specific dialogue and jokes are totally on point and fit with the theme of the episode.
Muriel: Do we have to do this on Indigenous People’s Day?
Sarah: It’s Columbus Day.
Murial: I don’t celebrate Columbus. He’s a colonizer.
Sarah: I know!
Extra Expenditures:
- Lupe doing The Aristocrats joke. She contains multitudes.
- Gretchen, a stand-up comedian? Yes, please.
- Harmony: My small contribution to Thanksgiving — it’s a vegan brie from a local, Black-owned, gender-progressive fromagerie.
Sarah: I love all those words.
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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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.