Despite their differences, the O’Neal family always has each other’s back which is why The Real O’Neals continues to evolve from a teen coming out and coming-of-age story into a real family affair. The lessons in family values and morally sound decision-making always seem to balance out the show’s corky and random humor that we tune in for. And last night’s episode was no exception.
In the latest episode “The Real Fit,” Kenny decides to enroll in Booty Blast CrossFit purely pumped on the promises of the gym’s suggestive flyer–a generic image of a ripped and shirtless hunk from the 80s. Equally intrigued on the gym but not for the same reason (it’s more appropriate for Kenny to use the overt gay pun this time), Eileen decides to test out the class with her son. Overly optimistic on the eye candy opportunities awaiting him, Kenny’s expectations to working out become clear when the show breaks into one of its reoccurring fantasy sequence themes. Which we love. This time Kenny, dressed in tennis gear and a headband, walks into a room full of sweaty men lifting weights while singing Olivia Newton John’s “Physical.” Back in reality, the mother and son gym newbies face their fitness fate with Trainer Joshua and his drill sergeant style. His forceful delivery pleasantly changes the comedic pace of Kenny and Eileen’s soft, sarcastic digs to one another.
Back at home, Pat’s brother, Dwayne, who also happens to be Aunt Jodi’s ex-husband, is visiting town and helping Pat build his dream “tiny house” in the garage. A big hit with the other O’Neals, Dwayne’s do no wrong charm and exceptional carpentry skills start to frustrate Pat whose inferiority complex to his brother begins to show. Excited to help out because he’s good at this kind of work, Jimmy joins Dwayne and they take over Pat’s project which only makes matters worse.
We see Dwayne seductively hose himself down so we can clearly assert Aunt Jodi and Dwayne still have chemistry for each other. Shannon also picks up on the palpable romance and tries to get them back together. She tricks them, locks them in her bedroom and plays “Linger” by the Cranberries hoping they can rekindle their relationship. While they do make out which we assume from Jodi’s messed up hair and later confirm by her verbal admission, the couple divorced for a very good reason. Jodi explains to Shannon that Dwayne didn’t think she was mom material and that was a marriage breaker for her. At that moment, we get the real message that relationships are complicated and go deeper than attraction. And the scale of comedic laughs to serious sighs begins to balance.
Newly addicted to physical fitness, Eileen has switched roles with Kenny who no longer wants to work out. She replaces her Catholic mentality with CrossFit madness and it’s a Sunday! However, in a nicely crafted scene of Trainer Joshua hanging from gymnastics rings in a Christ-like position preaching to his trainees she realizes her behavior has gone too far. Kenny, who’s ready to take his mom to actual church with the rest of her family, genuinely listens to why his religious mom feels like a hypocrite. We empathize with Eileen who is often irrational because this time we begin to question our own hypocritical ideals and behaviors.
Pat and Dwayne end up confessing their true feelings in a brotherly heart-to-heart where we find out Dwayne admits he was fearful of being a bad dad and, therefore, never tried with Jodi. Pat’s inferiority fades and his exceptionally good father skills shine through. At church the O’Neals whisper their well wishes for each other making the show a real role model on what it means to be a family.
Now that the series has stopped focusing on only Kenny’s obsession with being gay and fabulous and started revealing more of the other character’s storylines, The Real O’Neals is positioning itself for long-term success. The reoccurring jokes such as the same generic image of the ripped and shirtless hunk from the 80s finding itself on products throughout the episode really highlight the smart humor behind the show. It’s those covert jokes that never get mentioned but must be discovered that keep it different than many other sitcoms. We look forward to the fantasy sequences and allow the ridiculous jokes to pass as believable because at the end of each episode we find balance between the real laughs and real lessons.
What did you think of this episode? Let me know with your comments below.
The Real O’Neals, ABC Tuesdays 9:30pmPT/ET
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