Mom – Jell-O Shots and the Truth About Santa

By starrymag | November 22, 2018

By: Sammi Turano

 

 

The episode opens with Bonnie (Allison Janney) and Adam (William Fichtner) talking on the phone. He is fixing up his bar for the grand opening while she is on her way home. She wants him to send Tammy (Kristen Johnston) home, but he has her working for him. Bonnie thinks it is degrading that he is making her install toilets.

 

She is grumbling about it when she walks into the kitchen. Christy (Anna Faris) and her study partner (Michelle Ortiz) are in there doing homework. Christy introduces them and Bonnie makes a big deal out of the motorcycle she thinks belongs to Stacy. Bonnie keeps embarrassing her, so Stacy tells her about a podcast about a girl with a bad mom. Bonnie screams for toilet paper and Christy decides to let her sit there. Christy listens to the podcast, only to find out it is hosted by her own daughter.

 

Bonnie is at the diner with Jill (Jaime Pressly), Wendy (Beth Hall) and Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy). They talk about the bar and things Bonnie may or may not have said when Christy tells her about the podcast. She admits what Violet says is true, but it hurts. She also admits she and Violet haven’t spoken in over a year.

 

The ladies listen to the podcast in the car where Violet tells more stories about her childhood. Marjorie tries to make her feel better by telling her that her son once brought in her mugshot for show and tell, but Christy is still upset.

 

At home, Christy continues to listen to the podcast, hoping for some nicer stories. Bonnie tries to make her feel better, but thinks it is great that Violet thinks of her as a life preserver. Christy wishes Violet would just hate her to her face, so Bonnie says she has Violet’s number and suggests they call. Christy leaves her a voicemail, which makes her sound weird according to Bonnie.

 

Bonnie goes to visit Adam at the bar. He is frustrated and drunk so he keeps venting. Tammy sees this and goes to flirt with the delivery guy. Bonnie reminds him how wonderful he is and says the bar will be a success. Adam jokes about blowing it up for insurance, but Bonnie tells him that it’s a lot harder than he thinks.

 

Stacy and Christy have another study session where Stacy tells her she knows she is the subject of the podcast. She makes her listen to the new episode with the voicemail, making Christy upset. Stacy sees Bonnie walk in and wants a picture with her because she is the hero in the podcast.

 

At the diner, Christy asks for advice. Marjorie tells her she has no relationship with her son, so she focuses on her own sobriety. Jill says her mom died before she could figure out stuff with her, so Christy and Marjorie should do the same.

 

Bonnie comes in giving out flyers for the bar offering free wings. Christy and Bonnie go to Violet’s (Sadie Calvano) to talk and try and make amends. Christy compliments the apartment, saying it seems like Luke is doing well. Violet says they broke up and thanks her for assuming she could not do it on her own.

 

They talk about the podcast and Violet has her go on the show to talk things out. Bonnie wants to start her own podcast about her life. Christy gives her side of the story and tries to convince Violet (and her audience) that she has changed. Violet says that while she sounds good, she missed out on her childhood. Christy apologizes and wants to build from here. Violet says she is in a good place now and doesn’t want a relationship with her anymore.

 

Christy and Bonnie leave. Christy cries and Bonnie hugs her, saying that she knows this isn’t what she wanted, but five years ago this wouldn’t have been possible.

 

The episode ends with opening night at the bar. Bonnie offers to steal the podcast episode, but Christy wants to take the high road and also apologizes to Bonnie for not always seeing who she has become.

 

Tammy surveys men coming out of the bathroom while Adam makes Bonnie promise to not offer hot wings anymore. He than quips that he is running a lemonade stand while Tammy squeals over the fact that she has a date.