As February comes to an end and I have nothing to say about the Olympics, I must revisit some of my own thoughts of love as the light of sitcoms shine into my heart.
Ahhh, love. All I have to say to that is BLERGHHH! No, I’m not some spinster living in an upstairs apartment with two cats and a pint of homemade triple fudge brownie ice cream in the freezer. I’m a married woman living in an upstairs apartment with two cats and a pint of homemade triple fudge brownie ice cream in the freezer. I’m not put off by love. I love my hubby. But I frustrate him every year with my vitriol against the Hallmark sponsored day of red and pink. He wants to do nice things for me, but I completely rebuff every flower, every chocolate and ever traditional valentiney thing that he would try to do. This year, though, the lead up to Valentine’s Day was paved with comedic gold with Valentine themed or tinged episodes of my favourite comedies. Will the lessons learned soothe the heart of this savage anti-valentiner?
The Middle – Valentine’s Day
Frankie and Mike want to spend just one Valentine’s Day without the kiddos, but life and kids, as usual, conspire against them. You know, if they didn’t get such nice little lessons at the end, I would end each episode in despair. All Mike and Frankie want to do is go to their favourite restaurant, then go home and be with each other. With Brick at a sleepover (a surprise to Frankie that anyone would want her weirdest child – until you realize that the other mother’s child is just as weird), Sue going to her first boy-girl party and Axel trying to score money for a date he’s ill prepared for, the adult Hecks think there’s a possibility this V-Day could go off without a hitch.
Hitch 1: Axel and the boys end up back at the apartment after getting ditched by their girls for college boys, whom they erroneously assume will foot the bill and hand over the girls when the night is done. They take over the house, forcing Frankie & Mike to their restaurant earlier than normal.
Hitch 2: After waiting for a couple of hours in front of the drafty door, Frankie and Mike get their seat and actually start to relax and enjoy themselves when Frankie gets a call from the mother of Brick’s new friend. Obviously, the chocolate Frankie gave Brick to share with is new friend was the wrong step for a peaceful night. So Brick gets bundled up and joins his parents on their date. It’s okay though. He’s engrossed in his book (I really like that kid).
Hitch 3: Sue realizes that she does not need to be at that party. She’s still just a little kid. No, she doesn’t want any beer, to smoke pot or to make out. She sneaks off and calls her dad, who didn’t want her to go in the first place, pulling Mike away from the restaurant to swoop in an get his daughter. He does it in raging, tall as hell, scary father style and Sue finds out her best friend, who got her braces off and is now considered attractive (and the main reason Sue was invited to the party) is also uncomfortable at the party. Thus, Mike ends up rescuing two girls and having them join in his and Frankie’s romantic outing.
In the end, all the kids (plus extras) end up at the table and Frankie realizes that she might as well treasure these days because one day, they won’t be around. Awwwww.
Lesson Learned by this Anti-Valentiner: Don’t have kids. Don’t go out to eat on Valentine’s Day.
