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Yes. This episode is about meeting Sophia’s mom.
Hi Mom (Sophia and Kathleen Downing [Alice Ripley])
All this time Sophia’s mom has been in Kansas. She is a theater actress, has been a long time, and her personality reminds Sophia a lot of herself. Mostly in terms of how she destroys nearly every relationship she has been in. Also, it shows her the future she can have if she decides to stay on the course she has been taken. Which is perhaps Kathleen’s Christmas gift to her daughter. Being the ghost of Christmas future.
Commentary
While it was interesting to meet Sophia’s mom, and see where she gets most of her issues from, I got to admit it was a bit lackluster. If only because they didn’t get that real heart to heart. Plus, there are so many things you so badly want to question. One of the things being, has Sophia known where her mom was this whole time? Have they not talked at all since she was 12? Has she not asked for pictures or anything? Because, the answers to these questions, for me anyway, would have to conflict.
Then again, of course I can’t imagine a mom abandoning her kids. It doesn’t seem natural and you’ll rarely find it depicted. Especially in such a way where the mom doesn’t get demonized in the process. For what was Kathleen’s reason for leaving Sophia? Her reason was because Jay stopped believing in her and was killing her dream. That is the reason Sophia’s mom left.
As for why she didn’t take Sophia with her, why she didn’t plan for visits and all of that? Well, that isn’t noted. That isn’t anywhere part of the conversation. Which leaves a sort of gaping hole in a way. Not for Sophia, since she gets the lesson: Don’t become like mom. However, for us, for those who have been waiting to meet the mother, the meeting was utterly disappointing.
“I’m Sorry & Thank You” (Sophia & Gail)
With it being Christmas, and Sophia miserable, she decides to do some traveling. Of which she lands in Reno to see her old friend Gail. Someone she is trying to spit some of her venom at but oh, Gail was waiting for Sophia. This would be snake was not going to take being popped in the ear and not strike back. So, she says:
Which, as you can imagine, was a KO blow. Yet, one thing Sophia is always in need of is a wake-up call. So, after dealing with her mom, she returns to Reno to thank Gail. For now, Sophia realizes she needs to open her own website, take more control of her business, and Gail forced her to do that. Also, she forced her to realize she has to be a nicer person. As for how long that turn may take? Well, we only got two more episodes to find out.
Commentary
I really wasn’t expecting Gail to say something like that and my jaw dropped when she did. Especially since, as much as Sophia was “threatening” their business, look how well Gail lives. On top of that, she lives in Reno, Nevada. It isn’t like she lives in the city or something like that. I just can’t believe a woman who has an online storefront was really threatened by a 20 something-year-old’s barely 2-year-old shop. One which said 20 something-year-old purchases things from!
That aside, I must admit I am a bit confused as to how everyone knows everyone’s address. Is everyone really dumb enough to send something from their home address? Much less, to open the door to a complete stranger? I mean, especially for Gail, her opening the door for Sophia was very stupid. You shut down her shop. You ended her livelihood and conspired with others for her to be taken down. She would be the last person I would open my door to. I’d call the cops on site.
Yet, even Sophia apologizing was a bit strange. It seemed like the type of thing which would only happen on scripted shows. Especially since, with her business closed down, you’d think she wouldn’t be heading all over the south for such menial things. I mean, traveling to Texas and giving up $2,000 for a jacket? Heading to Kansas, Reno twice, and all within a few days? Was she really doing that good?
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