True friendship doesn’t have a one-size fit all definition and neither do the O’Neals. Whether it’s exes sharing a friend, one for romance and other for bromance, or fag hags slash fruit flies (ABC said it, not me) and their G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend), The Real O’Neals illustrates what truly goes into calling someone a friend on their episode “The Real Third Wheel.”
So, who is the third wheel when all individuals involved are in a “throuple”? That’s a three-person couple. It sounds weird and something more for TLC’s Sister Wives, but it works on ABC’s The Real O’Neals because behind the complex and confusing dynamic of Eileen, Pat and VP Murray exists honest and genuine feelings of friendship; ones of kindness, consideration and compassion.
See, VP Murray gets caught in a lie when his girlfriend Eileen and best friend Pat who happen to be exes discover he has told both of them different excuses for why he cannot see them on the night of their “noniversary”–that’s an anniversary for no longer being married. A perplexed Eileen and Pat learn they’ve each been duped by the awkward yet fitting third member of their odd yet understandable “trilationship.” In order to get to the bottom of this, they sneak into VP Murray’s office to break into his computer date book to see what’s really happening.
It’s nice to see more development of VP Murray on the series and congrats for getting onto first name basis with the O’Neals, Vice Principal Murray. Or should we say, Clive? Truly, his character delivers, time and time again, some of the funniest moments of each episode and last night was no exception. When Clive is caught having dinner with his building super/life-coach/friend Marco by Eileen and Pat, Clive uses his emotional tool belt to help build the house of trust. Well Clive, you nailed that joke and hammered home the humor. Get those tool jokes? From the beginning, the success of this show remained in building out its supporting cast and it appears the series is doing just that.
Meanwhile, the younger generation is also teaching a lesson in friendship. Boyfriends Kenny and Brett are about to have a relationship milestone–the meeting of the girl best friend during brunch. Unlike Kenny’s brunch fantasy of sunshine, neon colored outfits and mini unicorn rides, real brunch is comprised of subpar coffee shop service and third wheel mentality. Brett’s bestie, Christie, is visiting and Kenny gets a front row seat to the annoying nuances that come with long-term bestie status. They finish each other’s sentences, giggle at the same inside jokes and share a passion for The Real Housewives franchise.
In order to compete with Brett and Christie, Kenny invites Allison, who he doesn’t really know all that well, over for a night of Real Housewives marathon bingo. To his surprise, Kenny discovers Brett and Christie have not only had sex with each other but are also each other’s ex. When Brett and Christie leave, Allison delivers Kenny with an honest take on his intentions with her. Basically, she calls him out for being a bad friend and only wanting to hang out when he needs something. Feel the burn! When Brett returns to make sure Kenny is all right with the news and asks if he can hang out, Kenny declines. He not only wants to make things right with Allison, he ends up establishing a real friendship with her through improvised slam poetry. That’s their new annoying, inside bestie thing.
It’s the little things that build friendships. They happen over time and through moments we weren’t expecting. Eileen slowly pushing margarita glasses and mugs off tables for dramatic effect when she learns of bad news while hunting down Clive’s lie with Pat is comical for us but it’s a bonding moment for them. When Pat does the same thing later in the episode, not only is it hysterical it’s touching because it’s an honest moment of friendship. It is those annoying nuances we do with each other that create a bond unlike any other. An honest friendship founded on support, openness and experiences.
Oh yeah, did we mention Jimmy and Shannon bonded as friends, business partners and siblings when they opened a ride-sharing service? Well, they did. Sure, their Uber services won’t continue on after this episode but sharing in the experience has established a special friendship between oldest brother and youngest sisters.
Being the third wheel doesn’t have to be a bad thing when everyone involved has each other’s best interest at heart. We can have lovers, besties, business partners as long as there are respect and understanding. Kenny’s new friendship with Allison will serve him differently than his romantic one with Brett. Clive and Eileen, Pat and Clive and, for that matter, Eileen and Pat are all friendships providing each other with different support. The Real O’Neals shows us what it takes to make real friends.
(Photo: ABC/Kelsey McNeal)
ABC’s The Real O’Neals Tuesdays 9:30/8:30C.
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