‘Happy’s Place’ Recap: ‘Happy’s House’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

HAPPY'S PLACE -- "Happy's House" Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Reba McEntire as Bobbie, Belissa Escobedo as Isabella -- (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘Happy’s Place’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of shows and stories about healing that is genuinely problematic, is what they put on display regarding the healing process. Because in many ways, these tales present healing as an incredible and damn near impossible excursion. One that could be compared to scaling Mount Everest without support and that’s just awful. Because it makes it seem at times as though a healing journey will be beyond difficult and painful to go through, and while there is some merit to that… that’s just not how healing works. It is a long process yes, and it can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible to do and sometimes… there are little moments and acts we can take part in that help with the process and when you do enough of those, you make more progress than you know.

For instance, just… going back to places that elicit good memories and speak to our journey can help us to heal, and that is a simple act. As is talking about what wounded us and sharing in the wonder of memories with others can be helpful, especially when grief is involved, and that’s why Happy’s Place on NBC is such an important sitcom. Because it is showcasing those very real moments. As evidenced by how last night’s episode of this magnificent series played out. For ‘Happy’s House’ saw Isabella make quite the ask of Bobbie. In that, she wanted to see her late father’s home. The very one that Bobbie grew up in, and that was tough for Bobbie to take part in. Because so many memories were within its walls. But she knew, it wouldn’t hurt to be back there and share the family’s history with her sister, so she said yes to that excursion.

Which did indeed bring about, some powerful, very real moments of healing for this duo. Because while within the walls of Happy’s house, Bobbie was able to share fond memories of growing up and what her relationship with her father was like, and how he went the extra mile for her. Which also, drew up some sadness. Simply because such musings made it seem as though daddy never cared about his other daughter and that made Bobbie wonder if she was seeing her dad in the wrong light. But thankfully, it was discovered, with Gabby and Takoda’s help, since they stopped by to fix the house and search for a mysterious penny… that Happy did in fact, give attention to his other child. Since he attended her graduation and that brought peace to Isabella and neatly wrapped up the lesson.

Because throughout this whole journey, we saw Bobbie reflect upon the past, upon her daddy and the many charming moments they shared together, and that helped. As did coming to learn that Isabella wasn’t forgotten. For that reinforced he was the man she thought he was, but more importantly, reflecting on the person they were, thinking about the wonder they brought into our life… that heals. For it reminds us of the wonderful impact that person had upon us and how they made us better, made us more and made us into a special person. And we carry those memories always, and we honor them by thinking about them and being the person, they knew us to be. Granted, that doesn’t fix it all, because they’re still gone and that void is still there, but the good stuff helps, and the good stuff eventually replaces the ache and that is why… those little moments are just as important to healing and make it less complex a process than we think.

All of which made, for a wonderfully beautiful episode for certain. One that offered the audience so much. Since we learned a ton about Bobbie and saw Isabella find joy through her father’s surprise actions, and we were even treated to some amazing comedy. Since Gabby’s search for that penny was legendary sitcom stuff and of course, we have to talk about Emmett and Steve’s journey here. Since their newfound bromance and bonding over football speaks to how communication is paramount to making new friends and bonding with people, because you never know what you share in common until you say something and well… this really is the show’s finest episode to date. Because it had it all. Beauty, depth, fine lessons and fine laughs and it does leave us eager to see what other wonderful moments of healing await us, as season one continues along. Until next time.

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