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feliciakwNot much preamble to this one. I'll skip the dramatis personae this time since we've met all the major players. For an ep that didn't have a whole lot going on, I've got a lot of notes here. And I intend to flesh out Jensen's scenes more later because a couple of them were true gems.
First, the previouslies. They spent quite a bit of time recapping Jake's murder case, so I had high hopes of progress on that front. Sadly, not much happened.
Before we dive in, I will point out at this point that Max is starting to feel much more comfortable at home. He's got a good job that he likes. He and Dad aren't at each other's throats. He's very supportive of Mom and Em, though he hasn't had much interaction with Daisy. He and Maggie are cordial. He's settling in.
VOJ tells us that he's glad Em is moving on with her life. Em and Stack banter about the wait staff of strippers. They have also gotten their first paying gig, a Policeman's Benevolence Association dinner. (Someone from the Association attended Charlotte's fundraiser--see previouslies--and hired Em and Stack.)
In the Morgan living room, Charlotte, her father the career politician, and the fam are watching an interview Charlotte gave. It's considered a disaster because of comments Charlotte made about the importance of a woman's career. She said that she believes having a career enriches a woman's life, and in return, that enriches her children's lives. None of the kids understand why this is a problem. It's a problem because now mother's groups, who were some of Charlotte's biggest supporters, are now protesting her as being critical of stay-at-home moms. Which was totally not her point. She states that she herself stayed home for Jake and Max. (NOTE: Whoever asked the birth order of the kids? This leads me to believe that Max is the 2nd child. Mom raised Jake and Max as a stay-at-home mom, then raised Emily and Daisy as a working mother.) No mom should be criticized for the choice she makes, whether to work or not to work. Charlotte mentions that Jonathan is gone for a week and will have this mess to return to.
Granddad the Politico declares that this interview could cost Charlotte the race and declares the need for a press conference that afternoon, from her home, surrounded by her family. Daisy is in. Max says to call him at the studio enough ahead of time for him to get home. Ben will come home from work, too. Em is very hesitant, citing a nervousness of being in front of reporters and a lack of public speaking skills. But she finally, reluctantly, agrees to show, too.
Max & Em in Max's room. Max tells Em she'll do fine. She wonders why he's in such a hurry to leave, is he late for work? No, Max wants to get to work early so he can avoid running into Maggie and "Austin Powers."
"Austin Powers? You wish," says Em. "More like 007."
To which Max ruefully agrees.
Em points out that Max shouldn't let his ego get in the way of socializing with Maggie. Which is more important, Em asks. Ego, of course, Max says with a smirk, but he gets Em's point. Em wishes she could be there to see Max run into Mag and Whit. Em loves awkward moments . . . when they're not her own.
Daisy in her room talking to Jake. "Are you there?" She doesn't feel him. She asks for a sign. VOJ says he'll try.
At the police station, the hooker that Jake was watching (it sounded like they called her Darien. So I'm thinking DaryAnne? Maybe? Anyway . . . ) is arrested on a solicitation charge. Ben wants it listed as an anonymous tip in order to keep Max's name out of the arrest report. No prob. One of the beat cops gives a rapid fire rundown of the exposition: Max met a guy who told him Jake used to follow Eddie Marble to the girl's place. Ben thinks she might know something, like why Jake was hanging out with Eddie Marble.
Walking past Jake's room, Daisy finds a stray dog lying on Jake's bed. Daisy thinks it's Jake, or a sign from Jake. VOJ assures us it's not.
Max runs into Maggie and Whit outside their places of employment. Whit suggests that since they'll be working right next door to each other, they should all go to lunch together sometime. Max is agreeable to the idea and even suggests dinner so they wouldn't have to rush back to work. Whit likes the idea and suggests tomorrow night. Max ups it to tonight. Each is trying to be the big man here, very civil and cool. Maggie is nonplussed.
Max gets home for the press conference and finds Daisy in the front hall with the stray dog. Daisy tells Max that she thinks the dog is a sign from Jake. He teases her about it (insert a good Dean-esque eyeroll), but when Mom and Granddad hear the theory, they stress how strongly they do NOT want that theory getting into the press. (I have a note here that simply says "Jensen's smile." Yes, there was a bit of smiling and banter here.)
Ben arrives home as well, surprised to find the dog.
When Em arrives home, she's horrified to see that one of the reporters is Mr. Janero, one of the regulars at Milo's. She cannot face the roomful of reporters, so she leaves.
Stack finds Em back at their catering headquarters. She is freaked that her previous job is going to come out and ruin her mom's chances at election. Stack is sweetly supportive of her.
Whit is calling for dinner reservations at the very high end, elite restaurants. Maggie is weirded out by all of it. Whit says he realizes that Max is one of Maggie's best friends, and he wants to get to know him. Maggie insists on someplace casual.
At the end of the press conference, Charlotte is very upset that Em didn't show. She's very distracted by everything. Ben heads back to work, Max explains the dinner he's going to go get ready for ("That's a bad idea," says Daisy), and Daisy wants to walk the new dog.
In Max's room, Max is trying to choose which shirt to wear to dinner. The dog is sitting in the hallway watching, and barks. "Everyone thinks this is a bad idea," Max tells the dog. "Jake's probably laughing his ass off."
Brief scene at the police station with one of the other cops questioning the hooker. The cop is not getting anywhere, so Ben wants a crack at her. He wants to offer her a deal, because she's not ready for jail.
Dinner at a TGIFriday's or Applebee's type restaurant. VOJ: These are the moments I'm glad I'm dead. I'll never have to suffer through an uncomfortable dinner like this." Maggie, Max, and Whit all stare at their menus. Whit inquires as to the purpose of a bread bowl. Maggie tries to explain, but Whit doesn't get it, so Maggie asks Max to explain. Bread bowls just . . . are. Whit is very uncomfortable at this restaurant, and he isn't hiding it well. He wants to go elsewhere. Max loves the place. He used to come here as a kid, he says, and waxes nostalgic about a huge dessert they have to deliver on a stretcher. That gets something of a laugh, and the three decide to stay.
Em sneaks into the house via the kitchen, but the new dog barks the alarm. Charlotte appears from the living room, asking Em why she missed the press conference. Em claims work, but Mom points out that it was half an hour, Em could have gone back to work like Max did. Em huffs that she got stuck at work and couldn't get out.
At the restaurant, Max, Maggie, and Whit are thoroughly enjoy sharing the HUGE dessert. Banter about the dessert. Max declares it to be very American. "We're all about wretched excess. It's our art." Serve the dessert on a stretcher, you could put it on display at the gallery, says Whit. And have the audience eat it at the end of the evening, says Max. Whit finds that idea creative. Whit mentions seeing Max's artwork and how it reminds him of another famous photog and is very encouraging. Max is surprised that Whit has seen his work. Maggie says she showed him, hopes that's alright. Max assures that it's fine, but he's got a long way to go. I don't know about that, says Whit. "You have a remarkable eye. Don't underestimate yourself."
The next morning, kitchen/dining area. Em is making breakfast as VOJ explains that Em is going to come clean about her previous job (she never told the family she worked at a high end strip club). Coming clean was something he never had the guts to do, VOJ tells us. Max (wearing a green sweater that really looks rather nice on him) asks what's the occasion as he swipes a hot muffin, bouncing it back and forth from hand to hand as he sits at the table. Daisy is reading the paper. Nice pic of Mom . . . "And Emily . . . OMG you're a stripper?!?!?!?" Stunned looks all around.
Later that day, Granddad is chewing out the family in the living room. Em storms out, up to her room. Charlotte scolds her dad, you can't talk to Em that way. Max gets up to go after Em, but Charlotte holds him back and goes instead. Em makes it abundantly clear that she was NOT a stripper. She served food, period. Charlotte is angry that Em kept the job a secret for a year. "It's like I don't even know you." Back and forth about how they are or are not coping with the loss of Jake, how Mom has changed since starting her campaign. Mom says Em was always her tough little kid, never wanting to show hurt, but it's okay not to be okay. Em leaves.
At the police station, Ben is questioning the hooker. He tells her the cameras are turned off. "You gonna rough me up?" she asks. No, says Ben, the cameras are off because he's not supposed to be there. He offers her a cigarette, leaving the pack on the table between them. He tells her that it was his son who was killed. Ben bluffs that he knows Jake talked to Hooker. She denies it, but he sees something there. They have a quiet back and forth about what does she know? . . . and just as she's about to offer him something in exchange for a deal . . . They are interrupted and she's made bail. To which I say WT???? That was just a little too conveniently timed, and suddenly I'm thinking there's a crooked cop in the shop and he's trying to keep Jake's case from being solved.
Charlotte is out shopping and runs into . . . JANET FRASIER!!!!! Hey, it's Janet Frasier! Sporting a very smart haircut and looking quite well. Last time I saw you, Dr. Frasier, you were helping a very tall, rather good-looking young "detective" identify werewolf bites on a victim in San Francisco. You were going to report them as pit bull bites, to which the very tall detective agreed wholeheartedly. But I digress . . .
Yes, this show was shot in Canada. Why do you ask?
Ahem . . .
So, Charlotte is out shopping and runs into friend Susan. They exchange pleasantries--how's the fam, etc. Susan's son Aaron really misses Jake. Still calls Jake his best friend. Aaron's getting ready to graduate college. Charlotte can't believe it. The women promise to call each other soon and part ways.
VOJ wishes he could be there for Mom. He's trying . . .
Charlotte sees Jake across the plaza, then he's gone.
Maggie stops by the house and finds Max on the patio with one of his cameras disassembled on the table so he can clean it. She met Daisy and Gray Dog. Max laughs and says Daisy really needs to come up with a better name for it. Maggie has actually stopped by to bring Max a book of photography by the photographer they were discussing at dinner last night. Both Maggie and Max are glad dinner went well. "I'm not gonna go hot tubbing with you guys, but it was okay," Max says. The photography book was actually Whit's idea; he picked it up for Max. Maggie is impressed that they're all behaving in such a mature manner about the whole thing.
Em and Stack in the catering kitchen. Em is distressed about the situation with Mom. Stack is supportive and encouraging.
Nighttime, kitchen. Dad tells Max that he questioned DaryAnne, the woman that Jake was following. Ben is convinced that Jake went to her. Max is stunned. Max is also upset that she made bail and they had to let her go. It's the law, Dad says. But you can still question her, right? She'll have lawyered up. Then Max will go talk to her. NO! Absolutely not! Besides, it wouldn't hold up in court.
Enter Charlotte, wanting to know what's going on. It comes out that Max brought Ben new information regarding Jake's case, and Mom is upset that Dad didn't tell her this. Charlotte decides to quit her mayoral race. Max is getting involved in police cases, Em worked at a strip club, and Daisy thinks a stray dog is a sign from Jake. Her family is falling apart without her.
In Max's room, Max and Em discuss whether Mom should quit the race. Em says yeah, maybe. Max asks if she was happy before she started the campaign. He wasn't around a lot before, but was she happy? Em says no. Max says that now Mom has something to get excited about, something to look forward to. That's not nothing.
Charlotte tells Ben that she feels like she's not there for the kids. She knew something had to give. Ben will back her either way, whether she stays in the race or not. Charlotte says she'll announce her withdrawal from the race at the PBA dinner.
Whit visits Max at work. He's leaving for New York and needs someone to take care of his BMW, drive it around, etc. Maggie told him she's accident prone. "She's not lying, man," says Max. Whit thinks the Beamer would be a better alternative to the bike considering the current weather. Max takes the keys, very impressed.
"Think of it as yours," says Whit.
I'm thinking okay, dude, what's the catch? What do you want?
"It's a nice car," says Max.
"I think you'll find I treat my friends very well, Max. As long as they respect what's mine."
Max and I get it. It's a trade. The car for Maggie.
Maggie isn't yours to trade, says Whit.
Maggie doesn't belong to either one of us, says Max.
Are you sure? says Whit.
Max puts the keys down on the table between them, and Whit picks them up. Whit will be back in a week or two. "Be good, Max," he says as he leaves.
Back at the house, Gray Dog has chewed Jake's favorite rookie baseball card. Daisy realizes the dog is not a sign from Jake. Em says they need to find his real owners. Daisy pulls out a "Lost Dog" flier with the dog's picture. They agree to return the dog.
At the PBA dinner, the whole family is sitting together, minus Em, who is working. Em gives a very heartwarming impromptu speech. After she explains to the puzzled attendees that she's not just the caterer, she's Charlotte's daughter, she tells them how much the PBA has meant to the family in the past year, how it's been a really difficult year, etc. Nice speech, nice applause, Mom does not withdraw from the race. (And Max has a bashful but proud smile for his sister.)
Charlotte does not quit the race, but she does tell her father that she won't work with him anymore. He's the political machine, not her. She'll do things her way, and that includes taking care of her family the way she knows how to.
Em and Stack have a new gig, an anniversary party of one of the PBA attendees.
VOJ says we all have secrets, things we won't admit or confess to, but it will eventually come out. Like Daisy being lonely, but not for Jake.
Daisy returns dog to owners while Mom looks on, smiling.
Emily's secret is that she cares.
Closing scene: DaryAnne heads to Eddie's apartment and tells Eddie to get out of town.
VOJ says some lies must be protected no matter what the cost.
Next ep is our last one.
First, the previouslies. They spent quite a bit of time recapping Jake's murder case, so I had high hopes of progress on that front. Sadly, not much happened.
Before we dive in, I will point out at this point that Max is starting to feel much more comfortable at home. He's got a good job that he likes. He and Dad aren't at each other's throats. He's very supportive of Mom and Em, though he hasn't had much interaction with Daisy. He and Maggie are cordial. He's settling in.
VOJ tells us that he's glad Em is moving on with her life. Em and Stack banter about the wait staff of strippers. They have also gotten their first paying gig, a Policeman's Benevolence Association dinner. (Someone from the Association attended Charlotte's fundraiser--see previouslies--and hired Em and Stack.)
In the Morgan living room, Charlotte, her father the career politician, and the fam are watching an interview Charlotte gave. It's considered a disaster because of comments Charlotte made about the importance of a woman's career. She said that she believes having a career enriches a woman's life, and in return, that enriches her children's lives. None of the kids understand why this is a problem. It's a problem because now mother's groups, who were some of Charlotte's biggest supporters, are now protesting her as being critical of stay-at-home moms. Which was totally not her point. She states that she herself stayed home for Jake and Max. (NOTE: Whoever asked the birth order of the kids? This leads me to believe that Max is the 2nd child. Mom raised Jake and Max as a stay-at-home mom, then raised Emily and Daisy as a working mother.) No mom should be criticized for the choice she makes, whether to work or not to work. Charlotte mentions that Jonathan is gone for a week and will have this mess to return to.
Granddad the Politico declares that this interview could cost Charlotte the race and declares the need for a press conference that afternoon, from her home, surrounded by her family. Daisy is in. Max says to call him at the studio enough ahead of time for him to get home. Ben will come home from work, too. Em is very hesitant, citing a nervousness of being in front of reporters and a lack of public speaking skills. But she finally, reluctantly, agrees to show, too.
Max & Em in Max's room. Max tells Em she'll do fine. She wonders why he's in such a hurry to leave, is he late for work? No, Max wants to get to work early so he can avoid running into Maggie and "Austin Powers."
"Austin Powers? You wish," says Em. "More like 007."
To which Max ruefully agrees.
Em points out that Max shouldn't let his ego get in the way of socializing with Maggie. Which is more important, Em asks. Ego, of course, Max says with a smirk, but he gets Em's point. Em wishes she could be there to see Max run into Mag and Whit. Em loves awkward moments . . . when they're not her own.
Daisy in her room talking to Jake. "Are you there?" She doesn't feel him. She asks for a sign. VOJ says he'll try.
At the police station, the hooker that Jake was watching (it sounded like they called her Darien. So I'm thinking DaryAnne? Maybe? Anyway . . . ) is arrested on a solicitation charge. Ben wants it listed as an anonymous tip in order to keep Max's name out of the arrest report. No prob. One of the beat cops gives a rapid fire rundown of the exposition: Max met a guy who told him Jake used to follow Eddie Marble to the girl's place. Ben thinks she might know something, like why Jake was hanging out with Eddie Marble.
Walking past Jake's room, Daisy finds a stray dog lying on Jake's bed. Daisy thinks it's Jake, or a sign from Jake. VOJ assures us it's not.
Max runs into Maggie and Whit outside their places of employment. Whit suggests that since they'll be working right next door to each other, they should all go to lunch together sometime. Max is agreeable to the idea and even suggests dinner so they wouldn't have to rush back to work. Whit likes the idea and suggests tomorrow night. Max ups it to tonight. Each is trying to be the big man here, very civil and cool. Maggie is nonplussed.
Max gets home for the press conference and finds Daisy in the front hall with the stray dog. Daisy tells Max that she thinks the dog is a sign from Jake. He teases her about it (insert a good Dean-esque eyeroll), but when Mom and Granddad hear the theory, they stress how strongly they do NOT want that theory getting into the press. (I have a note here that simply says "Jensen's smile." Yes, there was a bit of smiling and banter here.)
Ben arrives home as well, surprised to find the dog.
When Em arrives home, she's horrified to see that one of the reporters is Mr. Janero, one of the regulars at Milo's. She cannot face the roomful of reporters, so she leaves.
Stack finds Em back at their catering headquarters. She is freaked that her previous job is going to come out and ruin her mom's chances at election. Stack is sweetly supportive of her.
Whit is calling for dinner reservations at the very high end, elite restaurants. Maggie is weirded out by all of it. Whit says he realizes that Max is one of Maggie's best friends, and he wants to get to know him. Maggie insists on someplace casual.
At the end of the press conference, Charlotte is very upset that Em didn't show. She's very distracted by everything. Ben heads back to work, Max explains the dinner he's going to go get ready for ("That's a bad idea," says Daisy), and Daisy wants to walk the new dog.
In Max's room, Max is trying to choose which shirt to wear to dinner. The dog is sitting in the hallway watching, and barks. "Everyone thinks this is a bad idea," Max tells the dog. "Jake's probably laughing his ass off."
Brief scene at the police station with one of the other cops questioning the hooker. The cop is not getting anywhere, so Ben wants a crack at her. He wants to offer her a deal, because she's not ready for jail.
Dinner at a TGIFriday's or Applebee's type restaurant. VOJ: These are the moments I'm glad I'm dead. I'll never have to suffer through an uncomfortable dinner like this." Maggie, Max, and Whit all stare at their menus. Whit inquires as to the purpose of a bread bowl. Maggie tries to explain, but Whit doesn't get it, so Maggie asks Max to explain. Bread bowls just . . . are. Whit is very uncomfortable at this restaurant, and he isn't hiding it well. He wants to go elsewhere. Max loves the place. He used to come here as a kid, he says, and waxes nostalgic about a huge dessert they have to deliver on a stretcher. That gets something of a laugh, and the three decide to stay.
Em sneaks into the house via the kitchen, but the new dog barks the alarm. Charlotte appears from the living room, asking Em why she missed the press conference. Em claims work, but Mom points out that it was half an hour, Em could have gone back to work like Max did. Em huffs that she got stuck at work and couldn't get out.
At the restaurant, Max, Maggie, and Whit are thoroughly enjoy sharing the HUGE dessert. Banter about the dessert. Max declares it to be very American. "We're all about wretched excess. It's our art." Serve the dessert on a stretcher, you could put it on display at the gallery, says Whit. And have the audience eat it at the end of the evening, says Max. Whit finds that idea creative. Whit mentions seeing Max's artwork and how it reminds him of another famous photog and is very encouraging. Max is surprised that Whit has seen his work. Maggie says she showed him, hopes that's alright. Max assures that it's fine, but he's got a long way to go. I don't know about that, says Whit. "You have a remarkable eye. Don't underestimate yourself."
The next morning, kitchen/dining area. Em is making breakfast as VOJ explains that Em is going to come clean about her previous job (she never told the family she worked at a high end strip club). Coming clean was something he never had the guts to do, VOJ tells us. Max (wearing a green sweater that really looks rather nice on him) asks what's the occasion as he swipes a hot muffin, bouncing it back and forth from hand to hand as he sits at the table. Daisy is reading the paper. Nice pic of Mom . . . "And Emily . . . OMG you're a stripper?!?!?!?" Stunned looks all around.
Later that day, Granddad is chewing out the family in the living room. Em storms out, up to her room. Charlotte scolds her dad, you can't talk to Em that way. Max gets up to go after Em, but Charlotte holds him back and goes instead. Em makes it abundantly clear that she was NOT a stripper. She served food, period. Charlotte is angry that Em kept the job a secret for a year. "It's like I don't even know you." Back and forth about how they are or are not coping with the loss of Jake, how Mom has changed since starting her campaign. Mom says Em was always her tough little kid, never wanting to show hurt, but it's okay not to be okay. Em leaves.
At the police station, Ben is questioning the hooker. He tells her the cameras are turned off. "You gonna rough me up?" she asks. No, says Ben, the cameras are off because he's not supposed to be there. He offers her a cigarette, leaving the pack on the table between them. He tells her that it was his son who was killed. Ben bluffs that he knows Jake talked to Hooker. She denies it, but he sees something there. They have a quiet back and forth about what does she know? . . . and just as she's about to offer him something in exchange for a deal . . . They are interrupted and she's made bail. To which I say WT???? That was just a little too conveniently timed, and suddenly I'm thinking there's a crooked cop in the shop and he's trying to keep Jake's case from being solved.
Charlotte is out shopping and runs into . . . JANET FRASIER!!!!! Hey, it's Janet Frasier! Sporting a very smart haircut and looking quite well. Last time I saw you, Dr. Frasier, you were helping a very tall, rather good-looking young "detective" identify werewolf bites on a victim in San Francisco. You were going to report them as pit bull bites, to which the very tall detective agreed wholeheartedly. But I digress . . .
Yes, this show was shot in Canada. Why do you ask?
Ahem . . .
So, Charlotte is out shopping and runs into friend Susan. They exchange pleasantries--how's the fam, etc. Susan's son Aaron really misses Jake. Still calls Jake his best friend. Aaron's getting ready to graduate college. Charlotte can't believe it. The women promise to call each other soon and part ways.
VOJ wishes he could be there for Mom. He's trying . . .
Charlotte sees Jake across the plaza, then he's gone.
Maggie stops by the house and finds Max on the patio with one of his cameras disassembled on the table so he can clean it. She met Daisy and Gray Dog. Max laughs and says Daisy really needs to come up with a better name for it. Maggie has actually stopped by to bring Max a book of photography by the photographer they were discussing at dinner last night. Both Maggie and Max are glad dinner went well. "I'm not gonna go hot tubbing with you guys, but it was okay," Max says. The photography book was actually Whit's idea; he picked it up for Max. Maggie is impressed that they're all behaving in such a mature manner about the whole thing.
Em and Stack in the catering kitchen. Em is distressed about the situation with Mom. Stack is supportive and encouraging.
Nighttime, kitchen. Dad tells Max that he questioned DaryAnne, the woman that Jake was following. Ben is convinced that Jake went to her. Max is stunned. Max is also upset that she made bail and they had to let her go. It's the law, Dad says. But you can still question her, right? She'll have lawyered up. Then Max will go talk to her. NO! Absolutely not! Besides, it wouldn't hold up in court.
Enter Charlotte, wanting to know what's going on. It comes out that Max brought Ben new information regarding Jake's case, and Mom is upset that Dad didn't tell her this. Charlotte decides to quit her mayoral race. Max is getting involved in police cases, Em worked at a strip club, and Daisy thinks a stray dog is a sign from Jake. Her family is falling apart without her.
In Max's room, Max and Em discuss whether Mom should quit the race. Em says yeah, maybe. Max asks if she was happy before she started the campaign. He wasn't around a lot before, but was she happy? Em says no. Max says that now Mom has something to get excited about, something to look forward to. That's not nothing.
Charlotte tells Ben that she feels like she's not there for the kids. She knew something had to give. Ben will back her either way, whether she stays in the race or not. Charlotte says she'll announce her withdrawal from the race at the PBA dinner.
Whit visits Max at work. He's leaving for New York and needs someone to take care of his BMW, drive it around, etc. Maggie told him she's accident prone. "She's not lying, man," says Max. Whit thinks the Beamer would be a better alternative to the bike considering the current weather. Max takes the keys, very impressed.
"Think of it as yours," says Whit.
I'm thinking okay, dude, what's the catch? What do you want?
"It's a nice car," says Max.
"I think you'll find I treat my friends very well, Max. As long as they respect what's mine."
Max and I get it. It's a trade. The car for Maggie.
Maggie isn't yours to trade, says Whit.
Maggie doesn't belong to either one of us, says Max.
Are you sure? says Whit.
Max puts the keys down on the table between them, and Whit picks them up. Whit will be back in a week or two. "Be good, Max," he says as he leaves.
Back at the house, Gray Dog has chewed Jake's favorite rookie baseball card. Daisy realizes the dog is not a sign from Jake. Em says they need to find his real owners. Daisy pulls out a "Lost Dog" flier with the dog's picture. They agree to return the dog.
At the PBA dinner, the whole family is sitting together, minus Em, who is working. Em gives a very heartwarming impromptu speech. After she explains to the puzzled attendees that she's not just the caterer, she's Charlotte's daughter, she tells them how much the PBA has meant to the family in the past year, how it's been a really difficult year, etc. Nice speech, nice applause, Mom does not withdraw from the race. (And Max has a bashful but proud smile for his sister.)
Charlotte does not quit the race, but she does tell her father that she won't work with him anymore. He's the political machine, not her. She'll do things her way, and that includes taking care of her family the way she knows how to.
Em and Stack have a new gig, an anniversary party of one of the PBA attendees.
VOJ says we all have secrets, things we won't admit or confess to, but it will eventually come out. Like Daisy being lonely, but not for Jake.
Daisy returns dog to owners while Mom looks on, smiling.
Emily's secret is that she cares.
Closing scene: DaryAnne heads to Eddie's apartment and tells Eddie to get out of town.
VOJ says some lies must be protected no matter what the cost.
Next ep is our last one.
