‘Happy’s Place’ Recap: ‘Ho-Ho-Howey’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

HAPPY'S PLACE -- "Ho-Ho-Howey" Episode 107 -- Pictured: (l-r) Reba McEntire as Bobbie, Belissa Escobedo as Isabella -- (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Happy’s Place’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Truly, one of the best traditions in television, is the holiday special. Simply because they offer the cheer of the season and remind us of how much we love the holidays, and they are always filled to the brim with lovely lessons. Because the holiday season is about reflection and discovery and preparing for a New Year ahead and learning helps with that and well, the majesty of this type of episode is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Happy’s Place on NBC took the time to offer up a delightful holiday episode. One filled with lessons and quite the gift.

All of which ‘Ho-Ho-Howey’ accomplished by giving rise to a big problem for the staff to overcome during the holiday season. Because despite being filled with Christmas Cheer, Bobbie’s joy was soured by the news that one of their oldest and most reliable clients were cancelling their holiday party at the bar. Which meant the health insurance plan on the table was in jeopardy as was cash flow. Since Emmett paid handsomely for the meal that was supposed to take place in advance and well, that left Bobbie eager to figure out a fast path to revenue to ensure that her staff and business were taken care of and oddly enough, Gabby had a solution.

Because she was flirting with a man named Danny that ran a small business, and his business had the funds and forthwith to take care of the team, and all they would need to do, was wine and dine Danny and make him feel welcome and loved and… lie a little. Okay… lie a lot. Because Gabby pitched herself as the owner of the bar, and even called herself Bobbie. But hey, if everyone played along, they could pull this off and well, everyone was so desperate for a merry season for the bar, they went with it. Which led to a wild sequence of events where everyone dug deeper into unique lies that forced them to do and say things they normally would not. A move that disappointed Takoda since he believed that honesty in all things was the right way to live.

Yet they soldiered on and held to these roles out of the belief it was working, and the lies went on for far longer than expected since Danny just hung out at the bar all day. But not because they were doing such a good job selling their lies, but because Danny knew it was all nonsense and wanted to see how far this would go, and why this was happening. Which led to the truth at last and an understanding, of how they wanted to impress him and bring about good fortunes for the bar and that honesty allowed for Danny to say yes and give everyone what they wanted and well, that brought about… a truly classic holiday episode for certain. One that harbored a very important lesson we all need to hold to heart.

Which is of course, to be honest in all things and be true. Because that saves everyone a lot of heartache and avoids disaster, and that really was a lovely lesson to see here, one that bookended a fun episode. In part because Steve Howey played Danny, giving rise to a Reba reunion of sorts, and it even included a delightful shout out to that classic show, and this episode was also full of fun moments and funny jokes that worked and really embodied the reason for the season. Because lie or not, all of this was grounded in doing right by one another and making sure that everyone had what they needed to enjoy a healthy and happy forthcoming new year, and that worked here and made for a delightful story. One that did the holiday episode proud and leaves us eager to see what wonders await us at Happy’s Place as season one continues along. Until next time.

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HAPPY'S PLACE -- "Ho-Ho-Howey" Episode 107 -- Pictured: Steve Howey as Danny -- (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)

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