Family dynamics are rarely simple, especially when you throw in a restaurant, a half-sister you never knew existed, and a daughter returning from military service in Qatar. In “Happy’s Place,” Bobbie is about to experience all of the above, which makes me slightly queasy about the potential for manufactured heartwarming moments. Friday’s episode, “The MacAllister Girls,” focuses on the arrival of Bobbie’s daughter, Gracie.
While Bobbie is likely thrilled to have Gracie home, she’s also understandably apprehensive about how Gracie will interact with Isabella, her recently discovered half-sister. Gracie is described as “strong-willed,” which is usually code for “likely to cause interpersonal friction,” so the potential for fireworks seems fairly high. Will they bond over shared experiences, or will their clashing personalities turn Happy’s Place into Unhappy’s Mess Hall?
Meanwhile, a friendly competition brews among Gabby, Emmett, Steve, and Takoda. The four friends are vying to create the best homemade gift for Gracie, which adds some slightly less fraught tension to the episode. Will their attempts at crafting result in heartfelt presents or Pinterest-fail disasters? And will Gracie even appreciate their efforts, or will she just want a quiet meal without the forced family fun?
“Happy’s Place” airs Friday at 8/7c on NBC.
