Season 2 | Episode 2 | “Figgy Pudding and the Rapture” | Aired Nov 6, 2014
They say money can’t buy happiness. At this point, the Plunketts could use a little bit of both.
Last week, Christy’s gambling problem forced the family to abandon their home when she could no longer afford the rent. This week, matters only got worse as an exploding meth lab forced the family out of their motel, and onto Marjorie’s pullout couch.
All of this is not only putting a strain on Christy, but also a strain on her relationship with her daughter. Violet, still deeply depressed by what’s come of her life in recent months, isn’t taking matters lightly. Though she rightfully blames her mother for the family’s financial hardships, her stress is only reinforced by her own identity crisis. At 18, she’s not working or going to college months after giving up her baby. Her life is in shambles, and she’s worried she’ll follow in her mother’s footsteps. At the end of “Figgy Pudding and the Rapture,” she left her mother at a vulnerable time to stay with a friend indefinitely. It’s her way of finally gaining control.
Violet isn’t the only one upset with Christy. Alvin (Kevin Pollak) is ashamed that his daughter would let her irresponsibilities affect the well-being of her entire family. Meanwhile, she’ll will be left to pick up the pieces now that Jill (Jaime Pressly) has fallen off the wagon upon learning that her husband was leaving her.
“Mom” is stronger than ever in its second season – not just because it has become serialized, but because it hasn’t been afraid to get dark. Tonight’s half-hour was about as dour as they come for a sitcom filmed in front of a live studio audience, and the show has improved significantly by embracing the road less traveled.