So Help Me Todd Season 1 Episode 15 Review: Ivan the Terrible

Having Todd babysit a tech-savvy teenager has “what could possibly go wrong?” written all over it, but Margaret jumps right in anyway on So Help Me Todd Season 1 Episode 15, “Ivan the Terrible.”

“Ivan” is actually Ava, who has digitally breached the department of defense (multiple times) at the age of 17. Thanks to some more impressive hacking and a sizeable deposit, she wrangles Margaret to her defense.

It takes a little push to get Margaret fully on board. That push comes in the form of Margaret’s nemesis. No really: Natalie has been one-upping the Wright matriarch-often with highly dubious tactics- since their college days, and while she may not be all that admirable, she is a worthy opponent.

Sadly, we only get a few scenes of them going toe-to-toe, because Ava, who has been in the foster system since her mother’s death, has nowhere to go. In assigning her to Todd’s care, Margaret honesty brings what comes next onto herself, at least a little.

It’s no surprise that someone with Ava’s youth and knowledge is going to create a bit of chaos everywhere she goes. It’s even less of a surprise that Todd’s own distraction with another matter makes matters even worse. He does have good reason, though. More on that later.

What is unexpected is the poignant turn the episode takes as Ava eventually shares the true motive behind her crimes with Margaret. Her mother died of cancer after seemingly being poisoned with chemicals while working at a zoo.

Likewise, Todd and Allison, who gets dragged into the latest family stakeout, reminisce about their father. It’s a sweet and touching moment between the two, and one that leaves us wondering if there’s a reason the man once barely mentioned has now come up multiple time in recent episodes.

Margaret does take down her opponent, if only by a few pegs. Ava is still on the hook for espionage, but the company Natalie represents did indeed cause her mother’s cancer, and that means the latter faces a major loss. At least unless she offers Ava a deal and a job.

That’s some high level stuff all by itself, but buckle up, because this episode gives us an outright scandal as well. Remember Song, the partner who used to be Margaret’s boss and who has slowed her own progress towards that job title? Yeah, he’s been stealing the firm’s money.

For about half the episode, Todd’s obsession with what random employee Agnes is doing taking files from his office feels like him wasting time yet again. It certainly interferes with his ability to watch Ava, who helps uncover the truth. Yet this time at least, things have blown up spectacularly.

Our main takeaway is that Margaret now has a clear shot at her promotion. Given how TV shows work and that we’re still in the middle of the season, it probably won’t be that easy. Still, the show has done very well to have us eager to see her name on that door.

We can’t leave without getting back to the matter of that moment between Susan and Todd, but what we’re left with in this next hour is a bit of a disappointment. Susan actively avoids the kiss and eventually uses legal speak to tell Todd that, at least officially, it never happened.

No matter how mixed feelings might be about this new bump, an attempt to sweep it under the rug isn’t the way to go. Will Peter find out? If so, what will that mean? Even if he and Susan break up, will she and Todd really have a chance? We’ll have to answer all this eventually, and more complications won’t help.

 

What did you think of this episode of So Help Me Todd? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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So Help Me Todd airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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