What I’m Watching: Home Economics

Home Economics: Season 2, Episode 6 “Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99” (B+)

I like when sitcoms are able to use holidays to create themed episodes that don’t feel very forced. That was the case here when Halloween just happened to come around and the family realized that it was their first time spending the holiday together. Tom’s suggestion that they all go as superheroes was a positive one, though it did end up creating more competition and a bit of confusion, particularly in relation to Sarah’s eagerness to go as a 1700s feminist. The assumption everyone had that they would be the hosts for the trick or treating made it so that they all went separately, which sweetly ultimately led to them wanting to be together. Tom and Connor both going as Iron Man was entertaining, especially since Connor’s version of the costume was so much more expensive and technological, before Tom ended up being the real hero when he stepped in to stop Connor from falling on Gretchen. Tom and Marina meeting a couple who was way too much like them was amusing at first and then maddening, and fortunately both duos were equally set on not getting together again for their own sanity. I think I most enjoyed just how obsessed Denise still is with Emily, played by Justine Lupe, a fantastic if minor part of “Succession,” who continues to be so incredibly mean to Tom. Things seemed like they were going great between Emily and Connor at first, but it does seem like they’re ultimately better off not being together.