Three episodes in, and the cracks in Georgie and Mandy’s foundation are already showing. It’s not exactly shocking, given the premise hinges on their eventual divorce, but the way this sitcom is laying the groundwork is worth noting.
This week’s installment, Secrets, Lies and a Chunk of Change, centers on a familiar sitcom trope: secret debt. But instead of Georgie (Montana Jordan) being the culprit, it’s Mandy (Emily Osment) harboring a hefty credit card balance, a chunk of which stems from an ex-boyfriend’s medical expenses. (Seriously, a sprained wrist cost that much in the 90s?) Georgie’s reaction is a tad extreme. Sure, merging finances means shared responsibility, but his decision to involve Ruben (Jessie Prez), his perpetual nemesis, is baffling. Ruben’s contribution? A bizarre theory about Mandy’s non-existent sister. Moving swiftly on.
Georgie compounds his error by strong-arming Jim (Will Sasso) into revealing the ex’s name, a secret they vow to keep from Mandy. Given the couple’s recent pact to avoid further secrecy, this seems destined to backfire spectacularly.
The episode also continues to subtly emphasize the age gap, with jokes and comments highlighting Georgie’s youth. While age differences become less significant over time, the constant reminders suggest this will be a contributing factor to their eventual split. It’s a balancing act, though. The show needs to find a way to explore this without becoming overly reliant on it.
Refreshingly, this episode marks the first without any Young Sheldon cameos. While the Coopers were initially a welcome presence, the show needs to establish its own identity. And it succeeds. The humor lands, the narrative flows, and the absence of familiar faces doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Georgie’s ill-advised attempt to collect the debt from Mandy’s ex leads to some of the episode’s funniest moments.
The ex, a self-proclaimed “recovering alcoholic” with a beer in hand, falls for Georgie’s out-of-state ruse with comical ease. These scenes also give a glimpse into Audrey’s skepticism towards Georgie. Mandy’s track record with men isn’t exactly stellar, and Georgie, a high school dropout with a surprise baby, might appear like history repeating itself.
Connor (Dougie Baldwin), Mandy’s brother, receives some much-needed character development this week. His unexpected correspondence with Jay Leno, sparked by a shared birthday, gives a quirky touch to his personality. A late-night answering machine message from Leno himself is a delightful touch. It’s humorous without resorting to cheap shots at Connor’s eccentricities. He even displays a flicker of empathy for Georgie amidst the marital strife. While he’s clearly intended as a Sheldon stand-in, this episode hints at the potential for Connor to become a more well-rounded character in his own right.
Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage airs Thursday nights on CBS.
