What I’m Watching: Significant Mother

Significant Mother: Season 1, Episode 5 “Suffering and Succotash” (B+)

This was another highly formulaic sitcom episode, but I enjoyed it regardless and was actually laughing out loud a lot. Linda Gray, who starred on both the original and the new “Dallas,” was a fun guest star as the conservative grandmother who would have certainly disapproved of Lydia’s relationship with Jimmy yet didn’t seem to have much of a problem with her grandson being gay, in large part because she was hiding a secret love of her own. Jimmy and Nate nearly having to kiss wasn’t what was funny to me, it was the fact that everyone overreacted and tried to compensate for their lies so much that it was preposterously obvious that they were up to something. I love Jimmy’s particular intellect and the fact that he was excited to rattle off a bunch of business ideas that he couldn’t possibly hope to realize. Acknowledging that 70% of his concepts involve toasts was the funniest part for me, and I like that Atticus egged him on a bit, inquiring for more details about this spork sex position. Harrison getting a new Tesla as payment for his participation in the scheme was a random reward but an amusing one, especially since everyone was concerned only with what color it was and nothing else. It didn’t take long for Lydia and Jimmy to say “I love you” to each other, but at least now we know that this relationship is destined for something greater, even if it doesn’t ultimately last all that long.