CBS' Mom - Episode 6.02 "Go-Go Boots and a Butt Cushion"
When Christy decides she doesn't need Gambler's Anonymous anymore, Bonnie vehemently disagrees.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of CBS' Mom.
"Go-Go Boots and a Butt Cushion" was directed by James Widdoes with story by Warren Bell & Britté Anchor and teleplay by Gemma Baker, Alissa Neubauer & Sheldon Bull
Have the characters evolved over the course of the series? That is the question that Bonnie is pondering throughout this episode. She believes that she is genuinely concerned about Christy's gambling because she loves her and is aspiring to do the right thing as a protective mother. And yet, the world around her is telling her that she only cares because Christy graduating from law school would affirm that she was actually a good mother after all. That's the stance that Christy takes throughout this entire argument. Right now, she doesn't know if she has a problem. She has been going to gambler's anonymous meetings but she hasn't really been involved with the program. She hasn't made friends, gotten up to share or found a sponsor. She doubts that she even has a problem. Of course, the series points out that she does. In fact, this is a story that highlights how much Christy probably hasn't evolved throughout the series. Her gambling was first introduced as a problem at the start of the second season. She lost her house and her family was living out of her car for a little while because of it. That was truly a rock bottom moment for her. Of course, they eventually bounced back and moved into the house they have stayed in ever since. That was a move that was necessitated by Christy's gambling. But this hasn't been a consistent problem in her life. It's not the same as her addiction to drugs and alcohol. With those substances, she needed to use them every single moment of her day. With gambling, it's just a casual interest. As such, it's perfectly reasonable for her new sponsor Ned to suggest a controlled experiment to see if she really does have a problem. Sure, she points to all of the types of gambling she does throughout the week without it blowing up into something devastating for her life. However, the story eventually does make that pivot. It's so meaningful and special as well. It proves that this has long been an issue for Christy. It has just been dormant because she has never had enough money in her life to actually abuse. She has always just been scrapping by. If she has enough to live comfortably, that's when she gets irresponsible. She doesn't almost have a relapse because of this experiment Ned asks her to perform. She almost relapses because she gets this check in the mail. She suddenly has five thousand dollars and the urge to spend it. Her story may be different than anyone else in the room of gambler's anonymous. But she needs these meetings too. Sure, it's very amusing how all of her friends from AA immediately show up to support her when she's in her car getting ready to gamble. There is the concern about whether or not she still has the money. They trust her while also embrace her as she faces this new problem head on. Even though she doesn't step into the casino, Christy still views this as a relapse. She is moving forward with her first day key chain from the meeting. It's significant. She now accepts that this is a part of her identity. She may be able to distract herself a little bit with work and school. But she needs to work this program as well. It will ensure that she is able to continue climbing up in life. She needs this otherwise she will never succeed as a lawyer who can help people.
