Viv’s back!
Sure, Katie might get annoyed by her most annoying friend, but she still wants Viv to be happy. When Viv stops by on her way home from shopping, Katie quickly deduces that despite the forced cheerfulness, Viv isn’t happy.
One of the most refreshing aspects of American Housewife has been Katie’s and Viv’s friendship. Viv first showed up as someone Katie constantly compared herself to, but after their experience on the snow day, Katie understands her wacky neighbor a little better. She may joke about Stand Your Ground laws and throw things at Viv without a preemptory head’s-up, but she’s genuinely concerned when Viv says she needs her husband’s permission to buy things.
Katie quickly explains to Viv that she shouldn’t have to ask Alan to buy new clothes. Marriage should be 50/50 (although Greg would be happy with 70/30). After some ineffective roleplaying, Viv grasps the idea. The next day, she’s back at the Otto house manically announcing that she broke up with Alan and is now moving in.
For once, Katie is in the position of defending Viv to Greg. Greg tries to keep Viv and Katie separate before Katie can convince Viv to do something stupid, and he’s the one most put out when Viv moves in with huge luggage and out-of-control Starbucks orders.
Viv truly has nowhere else to go. She’s a sibling-less orphan who pulled the plug on her best friend and is in the middle of a legal battle with her family. Viv tries to counteract her loneliness by being the fun aunt and gifting the kids Xboxes bought with stolen gift cards. Greg gets more and more frustrated with the Ottos’ oblivious houseguest.
Katie is completely on Viv’s side until Doris and Angela point out the strain this is putting on her marriage. After hearing Greg’s suspiciously specific divorce-plan, she becomes terrified that he’s going to leave her over Viv’s pushiness and neediness. Suddenly, Alan isn’t a monster anymore. He’s a romantic gentleman and Viv needs to take him back immediately. It’s the only way to get her out of Anna-Kat’s room.
While Katie tries to get through to Viv, Greg tries to get Oliver and Taylor to understand the consequences of their actions. They keep leaving cabinet doors and dresser drawers open for him to fall over. When he politely asks them to remember, they promise they’ll do it and immediately forget. Taking away their allowance and dessert only elicits a “Meh.” They don’t really care about either of those things. Katie suggests that swearing is the best way to get through to them, but Greg is sure he just hasn’t come up with the best punishment yet. It doesn’t help that Viv gives them expensive gifts when he’s in the middle of lecturing them. It’s just another reason why Viv needs to leave.
Katie and Greg try to trick themselves into thinking that Alan is a misunderstood, henpecked husband who is literally the best. An actual visit with Alan changes their mind. Alan’s main hobby is stealing priceless religious artifacts from pious people. Katie had advised Greg to start swearing at the kids, but she saves her bluest words for that [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] piece of [redacted] Alan.
When the two return, Greg finally finds a way to get through to Oliver and Taylor. He takes away their Xbox and proves he is the kind of scheming, cold-hearted person that could leave Katie. Katie freaks out, but Greg assures her he would never leave.
She still needs to get Viv out of their house.
Katie had found out from Alan that he hadn’t frozen Viv’s credit-cards. She just used it as an excuse to stay close to Katie. Viv and Katie have another touching moment where Viv admits that she just wanted friendship and family during this difficult time.
Katie can’t lie to her friend. She tells Viv to go ahead with the divorce and gives Viv the hug she’s been waiting for since “The Snowstorm.” Looks like Viv’s here to stay!
What did you think of this week’s episode? Let me know in the comments!
