Christy has second thoughts about law school after a tough first day. Bonnie is plagued by an upsetting dream.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of CBS' Mom.
"Pre-Washed Lettuce and a Mime" was directed by James Widdoes with story by Nick Bakay, Gemma Baker & Alissa Neubauer and teleplay by Warren Bell, Marco Pennette & Adam Chase
Christy's dream of becoming a lawyer is one step closer to becoming a reality. She starts the sixth season with her first days in law school. She is so proud of all that she has accomplished. Bonnie is proud of her daughter as well. It's so fascinating watching that optimism of the first scene quickly make way for despair as Christy realizes just how difficult it is to juggle the demanding work load of law school with her sobriety and job at the restaurant. It's a lot for her to deal with. She still doesn't have a strong handling over her gambling addiction either. Right now, it's just easier to fear that she is incapable of actually thriving in school. It was foolish of her to believe that this dream was capable of coming true. She believes she's being targeted as the weak link who should just pack up her bags and sell her books. She genuinely thinks that that's what's best. She is made to feel inferior because the professor singles her out and makes the entire class watch her read. It doesn't matter what she can offer the discussion of the subject after reading up on it. It's the embarrassment of this moment that defines law school for Christy. She just has this one class it seems like. But it is completely overwhelming to her. It just seems like the world is conspiring against her. It would be easier to quit. That's why she needs the reminder that she is a survivor who already took on the hardest challenge of her life. Getting sober will forever be the most difficult thing she has ever had to do. It's still a choice that she has to make every day as well. It seems easier now. But she still needs the support of her girls in order to get some perspective on her life. It's also a powerful reminder to see Christy as that vulnerable person who walked into a meeting six years ago. This is the first time the audience has really seen her first meeting. When the show first started, she had a couple of months of sobriety but didn't have anything in her life together. This moment also forces the audience to remember that Christy has children who are just never seen anymore. That is further reflected in yet another updated title sequence that puts the priority on the five women who appear in the majority of the episodes each season. It's the strength that Christy gets from them and giving back to the program that makes her strong in her convictions. She believes she can prevail in law school because she has already defeated the odds. She managed to get her life together. She has accomplished so much. She just needs to remain focused and determined to make this a success as well. That main story with Christy is so profound and moving. It gives Anna Faris some great material to play with. As such, Bonnie gets a much broader subplot. Yes, it does harken back to Bonnie and Adam now being engaged. A year since the proposal, Bonnie has finally started the wedding planning. She wants Adam to help but doesn't realize that's what her dreams of him cheating on her are trying to get her to understand. Everything works out in the end. It's just a pretty broad and silly story. However, it should be fascinating if it leads to the two of them actually walking down the aisle together this season.
