TVRG Snapshot: Mom Season 2 (2014-15)

Looking for an established show to binge or relive old glories and blunders?  If mild spoilers don't deter and readers like a preview of what they can't wait to see, take a glance and locate a new series to add to your collection.  Look back  and explore the 2nd season of CBS' Mom, a make it or break it time which the sitcom succeeded.  

PREMISE 

Following the events of SEASON 1 , the Plunkett women continue to explore sobriety while gaining new challenges.  They face homelessness, a mild dose of luxury thanks to a recently sober connection, a shocking death and a wider bandwagon of ladies finally on the wagon.  Christy (Anna Faris) struggles through the setbacks fighting off estrangements from her children, Violet (Sadie Calvano) and Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal), while Bonnie (Allison Janney) enjoys a well-deserved romance with Alvin (Kevin Pollack).  Several characters made surprising changes to their lifestyles, while the sober ladies finally gained like friends with a weakness for the spirits.

BEHIND THE SCENES 

Having narrowly survived disappointing demos the prior season, CBS opted to give its neglected sitcom some exposure.  On the other side of the coin, Mom's show runners went for broke and improved the pacing.

Having resided on Mondays at 9:30 the prior season, Mom went on the move in the 2014-15 season with three moves.  CBS opted to update the 9:00-10:00 hour to pave the way for debuting Scorpion, leaving them to initially move Mom up one hour to 8:30 to directly follow The Big Bang Theory {1}.  On September 25, 2014, the network opted to swap Mom with fellow sophomore sitcom The Millers, moving Mom to Thursdays at 8:30 behind The Big Bang Theory.  Mom debuted on October 30 to a sturdy upgrade, matching the pilot's debut at a 2.5 Live/Same Day 18-49 demo.  Growth continued throughout the season, reaching a series high 2.8 in January and February.

Adjoining Chuck Lorre sitcom Two and a Half Men ended its 12-season run, leading to the launch of new sitcom The Odd Couple.  CBS rotated Mom to the back of the schedule behind a Big Bang Theory rerun to not only give The Odd Couple excellent support, but also test Mom's strength without a lead-in.  Ratings trickled between 1.9-2.2, acceptable enough for CBS to grant a 3rd season.  A third move came later in spring to 9:00, the final move where the series rests as of 2020.

PLOT HIGHLIGHTS

The 2014-15 season opened with Christy slipping off the wagon in a cleverly written slip dream.  Where she would fall was worse as she concealed some gambling blunders, leaving the Plunketts losing their modest and inviting home.  Exploits followed the ladies struggling to locate a new home, as well as facing poor decisions from the past.  Christy's father and Bonnie's ex Alvin became a prominent player as he and Bonnie rekindled their old affair.

The action in the Rustic Fig where Christy cried became sparing while the AA meetings ramped up. Wealthy lush Jill Kendall (Jaime Pressly) and weeping nurse Wendy Harris (Beth Hall) joined Bonnie, Christy and Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy) in hijinks and sober living.  Having shamelessly stereotyped stoners the prior season, Baxter (Matt L. Jones) surprised all by cleaning up his act and taking up with wealthy new girlfriend Candace Hayes (Sara Rue).  The Plunkett household was stricken with an unexpected death midway through the season, leading to one of the ladies falling off the wagon.  Not all was bleak as Bonnie located a new profession she schmoozed her way into, and Christy not only earned a promotion, but picked up a long forgotten dream and envisioned becoming a lawyer.

ENSEMBLE

Showrunners swapped contract spaces by upgrading Mimi Kennedy to contract status as Marjorie Armstrong, while Spencer Daniels was downgraded to recurring as Violet's stoner boyfriend Luke.  Writing shifted the balance to more recurring characters on display, while half of contract casts' appearances became scarcer.  Sadie Calvano (Violet) and Blake Garrett Rosenthal (Blake Garrett Rosenthal) saw less appearances following the homeless arc or were window dressing in scenes, while Gabriel (Nate Cordry) and Chef Rudy (French Stewart) only populated supporting roles when Christy was waitressing/sobbing.


Where the series lacked material for those contracted, they made up with a richer supporting roster.  Jaime Pressly broke her abrasive white trash typecasting for hot mess socialite Jill Kendall as Kevin Pollack heavily populated scenes as Alvin Biletnikoff during the first half of the season, followed by Octavia Spencer's Regina making a heralded return for the later part of the season.  Other recurring character enjoyed ample air time such as Baxter's manipulative girlfriend Candace (Sara Rue), alcoholic nurse Wendy (Beth Hall), recovering lawyer Steve (Don McManus), Christy's Armenian landlord/Marjorie's love interest Victor (Jonny Coyne) and Alvin's vindictive ex-wife Lorraine (Beverly D'Angelo).

Mom continued to struggle with shaping the cast members which worked, likely why a large infusion of recurring players arrived.  Episode 11's events represented a tonal shift as it placed more focus on the ladies' efforts to stay sober vs. being two trainwreck alcoholics bumbling through life.  The last half of the season located its consistency despite a ratings drop after losing it's Big Bang lead-in.  By the close of the season, the action centered on the AA ladies, cementing the tone of the series for the remainder of the run.

NOTABLE SOCIAL ISSUES

Few major social issues outside of alcoholism were explored this season.  Whereas the prior season had teen pregnancy as its focus, smaller issues traipsed the 22 episode in welcome punches.  Most notable was grief as Bonnie struggled gravely (no pun intended) for the last half of the season.  Opioid addictions also were touched upon, as well as DUI ramifications.  Domestic abuse became a saddening backstory, and a mild play on sexual harassment punctuated a landmark episode for Christy.  Struggles of the classes and education took center stage with affluent characters such as Jill and Candace contrasting Bonnie and Christy's financial ruin.  While Candace kept an envious Christy wishing she had more financial stability, fellow lush Jull reminded her just because one has affluence and privilege does not leave them immune from the treacheries of addiction.

WHAT WORKED?

Arc storytelling has always worked for Mom in all 7 seasons.  Whether to convey a serious message or give the ladies a pleasant detour, the serialized 3-4 episode tales are where Season 2 mined its best material.  The homeless arc not only defined Bonnie's new purpose besides being the crazy mother, but forced Christy to atone for her reckless decisions.  The grief arc changed the game as the ladies' world changed for better and worse.  Both received a brief reprieve from poverty while Christy finally discovered another branch of family.

The last arc of the season displayed an addict's fall (literally) as an injury led to three episodes of a relapse, displayed front and center for viewers to jerk between laughing and cringing.  Pay close attention, as Season 2 carefully stages elements to be used later such as the lawyer arc and gambling woes.  Mom doesn't resort to thrown together insta-problems, but rather leaves indicators in plain sight to be used later.

Outside of the arcs, character development for the leads became a priority for writers.  Christy's fairytale vision of a lawyer ignited as she used her stripping experience to help bumbling lawyer Steve (Don McManus) win a case.  Jill's manse became a posh escape for several ladies' grim lives, and when not lavishing in Jill's riches, the AA ladies made their local bistro an appealing hangout.  Writers received the memo to dial it down on Christy's horrid Rustic Fig workplace and instead handed us a lovely hangout vs a toxic workplace peppered with doses of Chef Rudy's amorous behavior.  Bonus for constructing Marjorie's lovely and inviting (yet covered in cat hair) home which the Plunketts briefly stayed.  And there after showed up to dump their problems.

WHAT IS BEST FORGOTTEN?

Christy's gambling leading to eviction led to entertaining changes for Bonnie and Christy.  And is best forgotten, as they featured some of the grimmest backdrops with the family forced to take refuge in a no-tell-motel riddled with meth labs and porn shoots.  Addiction is ugly enough to look at in every episode, and be grateful this remained a temporary eyesore for viewers.  The ladies' angst reached frightening heights during the relapse arc, running the risk of making the leads unlikeable due to their bitterness.  Tensions between Christy and her children also were a downer as eldest Violet plotted her escape from the chaotic environment and youngest Roscoe drifted closer to his fathers' more stable homestead.

Crassness hit its height this season as the ladies displayed they were equal opportunity offenders as males with toilet humor.  Though entertaining, Bonnie taunting her rival with a visual of a hoo-ha pushed the boundaries of network television and made neighboring sitcoms Two and a Half Men and 2 Broke Girls blush.  After her rival boasted about she had her late ex were together for 30 years, Bonnie's priceless insult of "From what he told me, so were your legs!" would have sufficed without Bonnie's visual mentioned above.  Crass is fine, in moderate doses.

ADVICE TO NEW VIEWERS BINGING THIS SEASON 

 

The show gets better as it moves along.  Season 2 began shaking off what didn't work, leaving space for more appealing backdrops and purposeful characters.  Majority of what showrunners delivered this season succeeded, as well as set up dynamic, consistent plot and character opportunities in season 3.  Unlike most tired series late in their run who rewrite history to deliver a fresh plot, Mom valued its past and held its prior deliveries in regard for better or worse.  Season 3 featured many great arcs, another untimely death and a balanced cast, so stay tuned.

To check out Season 3, click HERE

TVRG Snapshot: Mom Season 1 (2013-14)

Looking for an established show to binge or relive old glories and blunders?  If mild spoilers don't deter and readers like a preview of what they can't wait to see, take a glance and locate a new series to add to your collection.  Look back  and explore the debut season of CBS' Mom, one which thankfully the showrunners figured out how to write as they went along. 

PREMISE 

Middle aged and newly sober waitress Christy Plunkett (Anna Faris) is forced to reconnect with her recovering mother Bonnie (Allison Janney) as both muddle the obstacles alcoholics face when life tests them.  Waitress Christy’s barely hanging on by her fingernails as she’s sleeping with her married boss Gabriel (Nate Cordry), dodging latent crassness from chef Rudy (French Stewart), irritated by dead beat stoner ex-husband Baxter (Matt L. Jones) and handling woes of raising teenage Violet (Sadie Calvano) and young Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal).  Violet pours vodka into Christy’s wounds she cannot enjoy as she’s 17 and pregnant with stoner Luke’s (Spencer Daniels) child. 

BEHIND THE SCENES 

CBS royalty Chuck Lorre already dominated the sitcom slate with The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men and Mike and Molly.  Lorre expressed desire to explore a topical sitcom and pitched Mom which dealt with two recovering alcoholics muddling through day to day struggles.  Given CBS had a full slate with freshman We Are Men, The Crazy Ones, The Millers and Friends With Better Lives along with Mom, 4th year veteran Mike and Molly was shelved from its 9:30 timeslot on Monday.  Mom debuted in its timeslot behind 2 Broke Girls, debuting to a modest 2.5 18-49 demo rating.  Episodes outside of the pilot rated between 1.8-2.4 in inconsistent delivery. 

2013-14 marked the first year CBS felt the burn of massive ratings decline which hit its neighboring competitors, taking a toll on its tentpole Monday sitcom block.  We are Men nosedived shortly after its debut, forcing CBS to pull it from the 8:30 timeslot and sliding 2 Broke Girls into the space to distribute the Nielsen weight.  

Mike and Molly lead into Mom's 9:30 slot, giving the series less strength and development and forcing it to wallow at the back of the pack in CBS’ sitcom ratings.   Come spring, every sitcom except aging Two and a Half Men, Robin Williams/Sarah Michelle Gellar showpiece The Crazy ones and Mom.  CBS ultimately axed The Crazy Ones, allotting declining Two and a Half Men a final 12th season and renewing Mom. 

PLOT HIGHLIGHTS

The umbrella story from pilot to season finale revolved around Christy’s teenage daughter discovering she is pregnant.  Given Christy and Bonnie both bore daughters at similar ages, the household musters through the crisis with humor and anecdotes of their own experiences.  Both women struggle with not only the consequences of their children suffering due to their drinking, but pitfalls threatening sobriety.  Christy's addiction crawls out in a fling with an addict fireman, while Bonnie falls off the wagon and pays the piper.  Poor choices lead to Bonnie losing her home and job, forcing a reluctant Christy to take her in.  Throughout the chaos, Christy’s cancer-stricken sponsor Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy) and embezzling addict Regina (Octavia Spencer) supported the woman via their Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. 

ENSEMBLE

To declare Mom’s freshman season had a bloated cast is likening that Roseanne’s a tad moody on Twitter.  The issue lied with the fact the pilot was designed to center on Anna Faris as the lead, evident of her starring title.  The other three folds – Her mother, workplace and family, were all designed to orbit around her.  This dynamic changed as tour de force Allison Janney upped the ante with Bonnie, pulling the action to the family and the AA ladies.  This left the work scene forced to be incorporated with little use except plot-driven twists.  There was no shortage of capable performers from Season 1, just a shortage of great material for all to play.  Aside from Janney and Faris shining, Mimi Kennedy, Octavia Spencer and French Stewart knocked it out of the park in their deliveries. 

NOTABLE SOCIAL ISSUES

Even in its weakest seasons, Mom never failed to crackle when tackling social issues.  Season 1 dealt not only with teenage pregnancy, but adoption, parental alienation and the effects alcoholics have on loved ones.  Bonnie's relapse showcased an addict at their bottom.  Not only as the audience suddenly discovered in one episode she fell off the wagon, but the signs were in plain sight for her loved ones failed to recognize.  

Violet's pregnancy thankfully steered past the overdone abortion discussion inside one minute while leaving the canvas for discussing another A-word: Adoption.  Seeing the trainwrecks the prior generations raised as teen mothers, Violet decided to break the cycle and locate a suitable family for her unborn daughter.  The teenage pregnancy arc covered ample ground including religious parents opposing the situation, financial and educational obstacles, locating a couple to select as parents, and a jarring separation upon delivery.  And more frightening: picking out a prom dress 8 months pregnant.  Violet must not have had MTV to take notes from Teen Mom.

WHAT WORKED? 

Anna Faris and Allison Janney's chemistry is surefire, and likely a deciding factor behind the scenes at CBS for renewal.  It is evident from the pilot Janney's role was meant to be supporting to Faris given Bonnie's collected and condescending delivery.  As Janney developed the role, Bonnie unleashed her riproarious, unpredictable nature, consuming every scene she played while not upstaging Faris' Christy.  The family unit clicked during this season due to a consistent arc revolving around the pregnancy.  All delivered emotional punches, able to correct the tone prior to the forced laughtrack's beats.  

The AA meetings started as a supporting element and evolved into the base for exploration inside the mind of a recovering addict, thanks to Marjorie.  With a plethora of excitable characters front and center, Mimi Kennedy managed to even the tone with Marjorie's sage wisdom peppered with a frightening backstory.  As Mom began locating the balance between family life and AA, writers orchestrated material for Season 2 with the discovery of Christy's father Alvin (Kevin Pollack).  Strong plots aside, several performers unleashed memorable moments, such as French Stewart's Chef Rudy's tantalizing fling with Bonnie, Octavia Spencer's Regina showing grace as her character faced an uncertain future after ruin.  And best of all, Mimi Kennedy, again.  'Nuff Said.

WHAT IS BEST FORGOTTEN?

The irony of Mom's 1st season is it is the weakest on display.  The issues stemmed the fact the writers were figuring out what to do with the show, having Chuck Lorre's meal ticket to get onto CBS' schedule.  They corrected the imbalance by scaling back on the restaurant scene.  For a polished establishment, it depicted the worst days of a recovering alcoholic's sober life.  A spineless, undefined boss Gabriel who merely exists for a plot-driven affair.  A narcissistic, unlikable chef who was given few redeeming qualities.  And the place lead Christy cried the most, including the grating opening scenes which surprisingly didn't turn viewers away.

Outside this deceivingly beautiful trap, stoners Baxter (Matt L. Jones) and Luke (Spencer Daniels) were in the way in every scene.  Poorly developed and a mere punchline, they took space in a large ensemble as others who deserved the limelight fought to earn screen time.  The tone in Season 1 was not the bleakest, yet it is burned into longtime viewers' heads as the one where no one would trade places with the two leading ladies.

ADVICE TO NEW VIEWERS BINGING THIS SEASON 

Hang in there; it gets better!  Several series have lulls and glory, and the first season indeed was the greatest lull.  If a new viewer feels guilt about missing the first season, they fret not as the other season delivered with a greater punch.  Season 1 is not so dull a viewer should keep it on in the background while cooking, cleaning or needing background noise.  It instead requires patience as better material is around the corner.

To check out what happened in the well-written Season 2, click HERE and get caught up.