So Help Me Todd Season 2 Episode 5 Review: End on a High Note

On So Help Me Todd Season 2 Episode 5, “End on a High Note,” Jennifer Lewis gives her all to an over-the-top guest starring role that I’d already love to see her return to. After all, she is family.

She’s playing lead before an adoring audience of opera lovers when a co-star is stabbed. It doesn’t help that the young woman (technically) dies by Jacqueline’s knife—or that she’s poised to take over the starring role prior to her untimely end.

As our characters frantically work in Jacqueline’s defense, we learn two things. First, she’s the very definition of a diva, and magnificently theatrical. Second, the relationship between her and her son is more like Maragret and Todd than we’ve ever realized.

Their personalities may be completely different from our main duo, but the theme of parental expectations clashing with the nature of their kids is universal. Though Lyle’s exasperation is mostly played for comedy, there’s something deeper there as well.

Todd has rebelled against the traditional role his mother wants him to fill. Lyle, on the other hand, has veered towards the conventional and away from the role of a cello player that Jacqueline believes to be his true calling.

We’ve seen Margaret and Todd come to some peace with their differing worldviews, but it’s something they’ve worked on for more than a season. This is the first time we’ve heard of Lyle’s similar drama, and we already relate.

We’re able to give these feelings the weight they deserve and even give this mother and son a sweet closing moment without overshadowing the comedy. From singing in court to declaring Margaret’s apartment “a waiting station at the bus depot”, that comedy comes in spades.

Allison is also dragged along for the ride, first in trying to save the murdered starlet and then mostly so the Wright family can have plenty of its own banter. With her still sleeping on Todd’s couch, that banter also has an edge to it.

Todd is a hypocrite to complain about his sister overstaying her welcome, but he was at least only ever staying in her garage. Sharing a studio apartment is bound to raise tensions, especially when his place isn’t exactly a luxury flat.

Of course, the bigger issue is Allison’s life in general at the moment. It’s more like what Todd’s used to be than ether sibling would like to admit, and by the end of the episode they’re able to use this in their own bonding moment.

We won’t be seeing quite as much love in the firm itself. What’s started as some questionable behavior from Beverly is turning into something bigger. -Whatever that it focuses on wooing Susan and turning her against Margaret.

It’s frustrating to see Susan be swayed so easily, but Margaret isn’t doing herself any favors. I still don’t understand why she can’t explain the financial straits faced to anyone besides Todd. With more people being fired, the truth can’t be denied for long.

The real mystery of this whole mess is just what Beverly’s end game is supposed to be. If this is a vendetta against Margaret, where has it come from? And why is it so intense that she seems unbothered by her own company collapsing around her?

At least we still have half of this very short season to get some answers to these questions. Whether those answers will offer real closure to anything happening (especially with the show yet to be renewed) remains to be seen.

 

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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