The New Normal returns for its second week (remember the pilot and second episode premiered last week back to back?) and it’s definitely continuing in its same method of social commentary. This is the kind of show a lot of people in your life would probably disagree on as this week's episode tries to hit some serious topics about society and some people's homophobia while sprinkling the comedy in the appropriate parts. But did the third episode win you over or are you just over it already?
I personally am not "over it". I like that Ryan Murphy is using his pen for good instead of evil for a change and what he examples here is thankfully some harshly realistic antagonism that results in a message that doesn't necessarily come off as preachy as Murphy has before in Glee. Yes, I'm still bitter about the second (and third) season of Glee. Sue me.
This week's episode finds Bryan on a major shopping spree for baby clothes. He's obsessed despite the fact that David is continuously warning him that they should wait until Goldie's test results all come back. The thing is that David is submitting Goldie for so many tests that all the results may not be back yet by the time the kid is even born. It's really freaking Bryan and Goldie out. This is absolutely hilarious because David is so oblivious to it all.
But the main topic of the episode was society's homophobia. When David and Bryan are caught in a romantic embrace at a department store by another man and his family, the show takes a quick turn into serious territory. Suddenly, it's no longer a funny moment between these two men who are fighting over baby clothes. The man who catches them asks them not to "do that" in public. And Bryan becomes extremely upset but stands up for himself. David on the other hand doesn't. This is a bit of a shock.
But the worst part is watching the moment and seeing it from their point of view. It's sad and almost embarrassing that there are people who can say such hurtful things to another human being and not think twice about it. I actually enjoyed that they showed us a bystander's POV in Goldie when we learn that she heard the entire thing and was just too scared to speak up. I'm sure there are a lot of people watching this who can relate to her in that moment.
When Bryan breaks down over the situation, it's even more heartbreaking. Because David tells him to ignore those people and Bryan is sick of ignoring them because he's been ignoring them for his entire life. And it's terrible that anyone should have to be subjected to something like that. But again, I'm sure there are plenty of people watching this episode that can relate to his situation.
The beauty of the way the episode chooses to explore the debate on tolerance and intolerance is that it shows the scene from different angles. What I would have liked to have seen though is the third POV in this situation. And that was of the family man in question. I feel like this would have successfully shown the audience all three points of view so as to not show any biases. Of course this could happen later on in the series, but I feel as if that would have been the perfect moment to explore such a dramatic scene in so many diverse angles. The audience could have really benefited from that if Murphy truly was trying to prove a point.
Later on, when David is at the gym he overhears another gym goer call a handicapped man the "R" word and after everything that has been happening, he snaps and punches him. It's actually really great except for when the handicapped man he defended turned around and called him the "F" word. And then you realize, he just can't win.
But the episode was not all serious. There were heartwarming moments as well, such as the first time David, Bryan and Goldie get to hear the baby's heartbeat. And then when David admits that he hasn't let any joy in his life and that he's ready to start. He even proves it to Bryan by buying his first baby outfit.
But this is a comedy. And that can't be too far behind. Of course the comic relief comes in the form of Ellen Barkin. Nana catches Shania, dressed in a very skimpy outfit, making out with a classmate and flips out. Except she doesn't react like a "normal" parent. She kidnaps her granddaughter and the boy and takes them to Planned Parenthood. What?!
Grandma is crazy. But we love her anyway.
My favorite moment of the episode though, is when Goldie, Nana and Shania show up at Bryan and David's unannounced to drop off a gift from Nana and return the baby clothes that Shania wore to school that she got from Bryan. Of course Nana can't help but to get one more jab in before the episode is over. She gives the two expectant dads a onesie that says "Please Help Me". I don't think Bryan and David will ever let their child wear that but it's the thought that counts, right?
The biggest surprise of the night is when Bryan and Nana make the same joke. It surprises everyone including the audience because it is clear that these two characters think the same exact way. Even if they'll never admit it. I'm expecting for Nana and Bryan to form some sort of "frenemy" type of bond. And I'm sure it will be fun to watch them do it. Mark my words: Nana will become Bryan's Hag and no one will be able to mess with him. Not while she is around.
Overall, The New Normal is proving to be a breath of fresh air from week to week. They're still holding on to that core foundation that we saw in the Pilot without the shaky camera. Thank God! The show is as charming now as it was then and I find myself rooting for this newly formed family from week to week.
And if by some chance you read my review from last week, remember when I mentioned a possible love interest for Goldie? I promise that was not a spoiler. But did anyone catch the promo for next week? That's going to be interesting!
What about you? Did you like this episode? Or is the show's soapbox too much for you to bear? Are you sick of Ryan Murphy trying to make a point through TV? Or do you think it's refreshing to see something on television that fits so well with current debates in politics? Sound off below!
When Bryan breaks down over the situation, it's even more heartbreaking. Because David tells him to ignore those people and Bryan is sick of ignoring them because he's been ignoring them for his entire life. And it's terrible that anyone should have to be subjected to something like that. But again, I'm sure there are plenty of people watching this episode that can relate to his situation.
The beauty of the way the episode chooses to explore the debate on tolerance and intolerance is that it shows the scene from different angles. What I would have liked to have seen though is the third POV in this situation. And that was of the family man in question. I feel like this would have successfully shown the audience all three points of view so as to not show any biases. Of course this could happen later on in the series, but I feel as if that would have been the perfect moment to explore such a dramatic scene in so many diverse angles. The audience could have really benefited from that if Murphy truly was trying to prove a point.
Later on, when David is at the gym he overhears another gym goer call a handicapped man the "R" word and after everything that has been happening, he snaps and punches him. It's actually really great except for when the handicapped man he defended turned around and called him the "F" word. And then you realize, he just can't win.
But the episode was not all serious. There were heartwarming moments as well, such as the first time David, Bryan and Goldie get to hear the baby's heartbeat. And then when David admits that he hasn't let any joy in his life and that he's ready to start. He even proves it to Bryan by buying his first baby outfit.
But this is a comedy. And that can't be too far behind. Of course the comic relief comes in the form of Ellen Barkin. Nana catches Shania, dressed in a very skimpy outfit, making out with a classmate and flips out. Except she doesn't react like a "normal" parent. She kidnaps her granddaughter and the boy and takes them to Planned Parenthood. What?!
Grandma is crazy. But we love her anyway.
My favorite moment of the episode though, is when Goldie, Nana and Shania show up at Bryan and David's unannounced to drop off a gift from Nana and return the baby clothes that Shania wore to school that she got from Bryan. Of course Nana can't help but to get one more jab in before the episode is over. She gives the two expectant dads a onesie that says "Please Help Me". I don't think Bryan and David will ever let their child wear that but it's the thought that counts, right?
The biggest surprise of the night is when Bryan and Nana make the same joke. It surprises everyone including the audience because it is clear that these two characters think the same exact way. Even if they'll never admit it. I'm expecting for Nana and Bryan to form some sort of "frenemy" type of bond. And I'm sure it will be fun to watch them do it. Mark my words: Nana will become Bryan's Hag and no one will be able to mess with him. Not while she is around.
Overall, The New Normal is proving to be a breath of fresh air from week to week. They're still holding on to that core foundation that we saw in the Pilot without the shaky camera. Thank God! The show is as charming now as it was then and I find myself rooting for this newly formed family from week to week.
And if by some chance you read my review from last week, remember when I mentioned a possible love interest for Goldie? I promise that was not a spoiler. But did anyone catch the promo for next week? That's going to be interesting!
What about you? Did you like this episode? Or is the show's soapbox too much for you to bear? Are you sick of Ryan Murphy trying to make a point through TV? Or do you think it's refreshing to see something on television that fits so well with current debates in politics? Sound off below!
