One of our greatest hopes in this life is that we settle into a career alongside individuals that we can call our family. Which seems counterintuitive to the current workplace zeitgeist in America, since it’s all about profits over people and our desire to just get our check and head home. But we spend so much time at work, it would be a dream to have the right people around us, who support us and care about each other and help one another grow, and we haven’t a clue what that would look like or be like. So, we turn to stories, since they can help us imagine such a life, and the season two finale of Happy’s Place on NBC is of note, because it put that on display for us.
Which ‘Everyone’s a Critic’ and ‘Couples Counseling’ accomplished through a pair of unique episodes. The former of which revolved around a tough time at the bar. For it was performance review day, and that went… about as well as one might expect. Because Bobbie had some hard words for Steve regarding his ability to overexplain, and she wanted Emmett to improve his customer service skills, and this was all so harsh that Izzy wanted her to find a way to be gentle with the staff, and in an attempt to step in and do so, she ended up ticking off Gabby, and that brought about a little dissent at the bar. One that even Takoda suffered through since he was seen as a spy, since he didn’t get a hard review.
Which in turn, brought forth another attempt to clear the air as a group, wherein Izzy took more heat. That put her in a tough space, mentally, because she wanted to be a manager who held folks accountable yet was loved, and Bobbie informed her… being both is not an easy task because it isn’t easy to find in a place where everyone is so close. Because they do bond and take feedback differently. But such feedback wasn’t designed to be mean; it was designed to try and help everyone, and bearing a burden regarding that is part of the game. Which helped Izzy find peace, and eventually, everyone cooled off and listened to Bobbie because she did have their best intentions at heart and helped them be more productive and successful.All of which spoke to how we need people in our lives that are straight with us and ruffle our feathers for the right reasons, and who help us to learn and grow in our career fields, and if we had that in a work environment, with people we were close to, it would be bumpy but productive and healthy for all. Which was lovely to see, and the next episode in this hour-long finale built upon that. For it revolved around two key conflicts. The first one involved Bobbie and Izzy, regarding the Speakeasy. Because the undue pressure and worry that Isabella had regarding that prompted tension when Bobbie tried to help. Plus, Emmett was struggling with his relationship with Monica, in that he wasn’t feeling the deep connection that he felt with Bobbie, and well, everyone had to rally around them and help guide them.
That involved getting Izzy and Bobbie to therapy, where they could learn about their feelings and what created such a conflict, and it all related to not being vulnerable enough and holding onto the wrong things. While Emmett was advised to break it off. Because that was the right thing to do, and leading someone on would cause more harm than good for all. Which he did, with hilarious and awkward results, and Bobbie and Izzy found their peace, and the former came to understand that she needed to give people and situations more opportunities to flourish and grow, including her relationship with Emmett. Of course, that didn’t restart here because Emmett needed time, but once more, we saw a family grow.
All because the right work environment, with the right people, would indeed create a place where healthy moments like this could happen, and what a workplace that would be. Because that would indeed motivate us to come into work and enjoy our day with others in a fulfilling manner, where we go home happy, and that would be incredible, and these elements brought forth a charming end to the season. One that opens up new opportunities for Bobbie and Emmett down the line and brought about some laughs thanks to guest stars Cheri Oteri and Eric Stonestreet, and now, all we can do is patiently wait for the fall. When season three of this magnificent show gets underway. Until next season.