‘Lopez vs Lopez’ Recap: ‘Lopez vs Los Doyers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LOPEZ VS LOPEZ -- "Lopez vs Los Doyers" Episode 110 -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Shively as Quinten, Momo Rodriguez as Momo, George Lopez as George -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

One particular topic that has come up often in our discussions of the NBC series, Lopez vs Lopez, is toxic masculinity and it makes sense as to why. After all, George Lopez’s character in this series, isn’t exactly someone who knows anything else in life, and he oft expresses the playbook of toxic masculinity in this series. But also, because it is a genuine problem in our world, one that we aren’t dealing with fast enough. So, if by chance, a television series can properly examine its origins and its consequences and ponder upon ways to stop it… why not let it thrive within stories that explore this problem and how we repair it. If anything, this topic is top of mind today, simply because once again… the problems that come with toxic masculinity were put on display in this week’s episode of the show.
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In fact, ‘Lopez vs Los Doyers’ is a story that took the time to examine something quite unique about his problem. Specifically, how easy it is for men to lose themselves within the power of toxic masculinity, even when it isn’t something some men practice and of course… why it happens, and how we combat that. A feat this story accomplished through having Quinten lament the fact that his bonding moment with George in the previous episode, wasn’t being built upon in the slightest. For he really wanted to make George part of the family and feel connected to him and that prompted Mayan to figure out a way to possibly make that happen. 

All by having Quinten take part in George’s interests. Such as his love of baseball via his fantasy league and his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Which he and his crew referred to as ‘Los Doyers’. Which Quinten was down for and his assist from Mayan, and her knowledge of baseball and such, helped him to quickly become part of the group. And well… that’s when things went south real quick. Because Quentin realized, he enjoyed being part of the boys’ club surrounding him and that if he just acted like one of the guys, he could easily find acceptance and peace and be closer to George. But of course… the act he had put on to be part of the boys, went too far… and he angered Mayan in the process who had to humble him. Which in turn motivated him to drop the toxic act and be honest with the boys about what he wanted, allowing for hangouts to happen that gave both men what they wanted.

But what matters more here, is how that plot explores the central theme. Because Quinten, a man that doesn’t normally partake in toxic behaviors and instead champions equality, fell to the trappings to toxicity here and the why… was fascinating. Because when you look at it, both he and George and likely others in the group… come from similar backgrounds. With dads that hammered them instead of nurtured them, teaching them to find acceptance not from within, but from the approval of others and through behaviors that feed trauma and unresolved pain from their youth. Making it clear that such behavior is related to a lack of sense of self-worth and trauma and ugly stuff, and if we want to truly end this… we have to treat men differently as they grow and in adulthood and help them find the peace and self-value they need. Only then does the insecurity and stupid stuff come to an end.

Which makes this… another incredible episode from this incredible series. Since it once again offered amazing analysis of a critical issue in our world, in a dynamic and funny manner. For there was great humor to be found in watching Matt Shively (Quinten) indulge the sillier side of this façade, and in watching the cast just lean into the jokes. Because in between the toxic shots, were some fine one-liners and funny moments. But that’s what this show has mastered, how to express a powerful lesson to us in a way that is never overpowering. It is also wonderful, how Chance tends to do his cute and funny stuff in a side plot that allows for the lesson to go to the back of our minds to be processed and well, now that we’ve reached the end of another brilliant chapter in this story, we are once again left counting down the days to next week’s journey and all the intelligent commentary it will have to offer. Until next time.

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