The New Normal S01 E18 ‘Para-New Normal Activity’

Happy Halloween! Well that’s what you would be saying if you watched The New Normal last night. Last fall when Hurricane Sandy hit, some shows did not air due to news about the storm. While other shows aired their originally scheduled programs a week late, The New Normal decided to keep on schedule and air their Halloween episode last night. Which makes about as much sense as Animal Practice being allowed to go on the air.

Bryan, in his self-obsessed, control freak ways, decided that everyone had to dress up the way he wanted. His idea was that their whole family (he, David, Goldie, and Shania) would be the family from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Bryan even makes Rocky dress up as Matt Lauer, which, I must admit, I found hilarious. Taking a stand for once in their relationship, David says no and decides to be a football player. While there was drama surrounding the costume choices, the underlying message was to be who you are and who you want to be and not what someone else want’s you to be.

Though the message was good, the episode overall made for some bland plot lines mixed in with a few good jokes. A surprise visit from Shania’s dad, Clay, added to the costume drama but quickly turned sour. Clay claims Goldie won’t let him be a real dad and Goldie claims it’s because he doesn’t know how. While Clay shows potential a few times during the episode, I always lose faith in his character when he starts talking. The first thing he needs to work on in order to be a better father is to stop talking like a ten year old. His character is annoying and unnecessary. Personally they either need to give him depth or get him off because he makes the show less than it should be.

Shania, being the wise child that she is, gives insight into why they shouldn’t dress up as Honey Boo Boo’s family and suggests instead that they all dress up as Frankenstein. Since Shania is the only one who has ever been able to change Bryan’s mind about anything, they all go for it and change their costumes. She is even able to convince her dad to not fight Goldie for custody and to let them stay in California. Bebe Wood is truly the star of the show. Shania’s quirky attitude is likeable enough but her wisdom is a treasure that some adults don’t even have. She is constantly the voice of reason on the show and while most children are unlike that, I love that this child star has brought a wonderful character to life.

Despite the stale plot, this episode included my favorite scene from any episode they have ever shown. When David and Bryan throw all the Halloween candy off the bed and are about to make out, Shania walks in and looks at the floor with candy all over it. She asks what happened and Bryan replies with such guilt and shock in his voice, “An earthquake!” It was great! The humor of the scene was so simplistic and real. It’s that awkward moment every parent goes through when a young child almost sees something they shouldn’t and the parent makes up and outrageous lie that just makes you want to burst out laughing! And that’s exactly what I did.

Garrett Riley – @Garbear13