‘Lopez vs Lopez’ Recap: ‘Lopez vs Sobriety’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LOPEZ VS LOPEZ -- "Lopez vs Sobriety" Episode 201 -- Pictured: (l-r) George Lopez as George, Mayan Lopez as Mayan -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that modern society treats folks that are eager to find sobriety in life, in a supremely unique and confusing manner. Because the instant that decision is made, everyone in their lives supports it and offers words of kindness and encouragement. For they want that individual to be free of the spell that drugs and/or alcohol cast upon a person and they will indeed prop that person up and push them to find sobriety. Yet at the same time, once the process to get sober starts, that support somewhat fades. For we also tend to believe that sobriety and the quest for it, is a supremely personal quest, one that only an addict can go upon and requires the support of fellow addicts and well, that’s problematic for certain.

Because that’s not what a former addict needs. They in fact, need the people that they care about, and their ear and their support. Because getting sober is a scary journey, filled with doubt and pratfalls thanks to other societal issues and well, this is all top of mind today, simply because it served as the focal theme of the season two premiere of Lopez vs Lopez on NBC. For ‘Lopez vs Sobriety’ saw George fulfilling his promise to become sober and he was in fact, doing well. Because he was taking his treatment seriously, he listened to his sponsor, and he was even starting to recognize what addiction looks like in other forms. Which brought about a bit of conflict in the house, since George did call those habits out amongst his family members, and even challenged them to perhaps try and shake them to better understand his journey.

Which was in fact, quite difficult. Because George was in uncharted territory, emotionally and mentally and he was scared. Scared that he might fail, scared that he might not be strong enough to complete this mission and outright he felt alone in his quest, and he also had to deal with some surprises in his journey. For a father/daughter dinner, one designed to help them reconnect and find common ground, just happened to be at one of George’s old watering holes. A move designed to help him face the past, but what he was not prepared for, was the irresponsibility of the staff. For the waitress knew of the legend of George and rather than respect his sobriety when he made it clear his drinking days were over… she handed him a drink. Which put George in a low place, one where he spoke honestly to his daughter and those very fears. 

All of which brought forth a powerful exploration regarding how we genuinely treat people trying to get sober. Because they are in fact, cast off to their own devices and their wishes to be free from booze or drugs aren’t always respected out of the strange respect and almost… worship… we harbor regarding drinking prowess and the drink itself, and this is problematic. Because clearly, what folks in recovery need, is more than just AA meetings and therapy, and support from folks who have done the work. They need understanding and grace and support from their family, and kind words and the belief that they can do this. Because they are taking part in a powerful and grand journey of healing and that requires love over anything else. Love that thankfully, George enjoyed at the end of the story. Since he and Mayan were able to come to an understanding reading the difficulty of his journey.

If anything, all of these elements made, for a stellar season two premiere. Because this is the kind of intelligent plot, put through a comedic lens, that we’ve come to expect from this series, and what a powerful and intelligent way to kick off the year, by exploring a very real problem and struggle that people go through and how best to tackle it and well, it really doesn’t get much better than that. Not to mention, the laughs were simply top notch here, especially how the family responded to George’s challenge about their own addictions, and it was utterly amazing to see Gabriel Iglesias pop up here as part of George’s support network and well, all this does is leave us eager for more. More of the laughs and more of the incredible life lessons this show continues to send our way. Until next time.

To learn a little more about the creation of the show and garner some insight into season two’s storylines, check out our interview with the Showrunner of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’, Debby Wolfe.

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