Significant Mother Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Edibles Wrecks
Christine Orlando
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I will admit that I feel wholly inadequate reviewing Significant Mother Season 1 Episode 4 because (and I’m embarrassed to say this) I’ve never watched “Weekend at Bernie’s.”
It seems almost impossible considering I was a teenager working at a movie theater at the time it premiered, yet somehow, I missed it.
Thankfully, the film is enough of a pop culture icon that I still think I can do “Edibles Wrecks” some justice. Let’s see if you agree…
The age difference between Lydia and Jimmy showed as Lydia realized that Jimmy ditched Burning Man this year because he thought it wasn’t her scene. Honestly, I think playing nude Twister at home could have been fun. There’s something about nude Twister and desert sand that sounds unappealing.
Instead of going with that obvious segue, Lydia bought some body paint and drug laced gummy bears. Is Lydia a closet druggie? No, she was raising Nate in her 20s instead of acting stupid and reckless with her friends, so maybe she missed that phase and is trying to make up for it now.
Surprisingly, Jimmy begs off of on the gummy bears. Nate has a popular food blogger coming to interview him at the restaurant the next day and they should both be sober to support him.
That’s one of the things I love about this show, that all of the characters really care about one another…and then it all goes horribly wrong.
Perhaps they shouldn’t have left the drug laced candy on the counter, or at least put a warning label on them because who can resist gummy bears? I can’t and obviously Nate can’t either.
It all leads to Lydia and Jimmy’s first fight…
Jimmy: You're the one who wanted to know what it felt like to be irresponsible.
Lydia: Yes, and it's way less fun than I thought it would be.
At the restaurant, Nate was feeling the bear's effects which apparently gave him a huge boost of confidence that even led to kissing Sam! It also inspired an '80s throwback music video complete with the beautiful blonde who shows up to dance with him and then disappears just as quickly. Cheesy? Yes. Weren't many '80s videos but that was part of the fun.
The conversations with the sous chef were just weird, especially his erectile dysfunction issues. Definitely TMI, dude, and the last thing I want to hear about while you’re preparing my food.
But when Nate actually realized he was high, it was like watching Wile E. Coyote being told that gravity exists just after having run off a cliff. The crash back down to earth wasn’t pretty…and that’s when the fun really began.
Thank goodness that actor Jonathan Silverman starred in “Weekend at Bernie’s” or we might never would have gotten this Significant Mother quote as Harrison comes up with a plan to rescue his son…
Harrison: Jimmy, you and I are going to use our physical strength to animate Nate's lifeless body.
Sam: That does not sound simple but it does sound awesome.
Lydia: Do you think it will work?
Harrison: Trust me, I've done it before. Twice.
The “twice” must mean there’s a “Weekend at Bernie’s II,” but I’m still working on watching the first.
The entire segment is just long enough to pay tribute to the cultish 1989 comedy without wearing out the gag. Kudos to the cameo from Terry Kiser as he tried to steal Nate’s jacket. I’m relieved to know that the real Bernie is still alive…even if he is now living on the streets of Portland.
The end of the episode brought both sweet smiles and a little sadness.
Sadness because you could tell from the expression on Sam’s face that she was hoping that Nate would say something about their kiss. Unfortunately his drug-induced courage had long passed, but at least we now know his feelings aren’t completely a one way street.
Of course the sweet part came from Lydia, who came to the conclusion that she didn’t need drug-infused anything to feel alive.
Lydia: If you think drugs are crazy you ought to try being a parent.
Harrison: Best high there is.
As one, I can attest it’s true, and Significant Mother once again left me smiling. Check back next Monday to read my review of Significant Mother Season 1 Episode 5, and if you can’t wait until then, you’ll want to watch Significant Mother online here at TV Fanatic.
C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.
