S01.E22 Whales

[AnnaRose]

Quote

Whales (Season 1 | Episode 22)

8:30PM EST Tuesday | ABC

After learning that donations are down at their church, Peggy grows concerned that the cutbacks will affect the nursing home where she is secretly housing a close relative. Mike and Peggy blame the low donations on Father Abdi and disagree with him about how to raise funds. Meanwhile, Joey pet-sits his friend's snake and, in true Joey fashion, uses the snake to his advantage.

Airdate: May 14, 2019

[Phebemarie]

Is everyone too busy tweeting #RenewKidsarealright to post thoughts about the show tonight?  

[ItCouldBeWorse]

34 minutes ago, Phebemarie said:

Is everyone too busy tweeting #RenewKidsarealright to post thoughts about the show tonight?  

I'll start.  What does the title refer to?

[Phebemarie]

1 hour ago, ItCouldBeWorse said:

I'll start.  What does the title refer to?

In the Bible story of Jonah, whales symbolize rebirth.  

Maybe it's a metaphor?

I loved tonight's episode, even though it made me sad.  My mom had a mother like Peg's and an aunt who looked after her.  Hit a little close to home.  

I appreciate how the writers give all the characters memorable moments to shine in every episode.  No one is left out.  Every moment is earned rather than generated for cheap laughs.  

Ack!  I'm so disappointed this show wasn't renewed.  

Edited May 15, 2019 by Phebemarie

[giovannif7]

2 hours ago, ItCouldBeWorse said:

I'll start.  What does the title refer to?

I took it as a dual meaning term that played into two storylines - in the gambling world, I believe that big money players (high rollers) are often referred to as whales. And, similarly, I've heard the same term used in reference to rich folks being pursued to give large monetary donations to churches, charities, universities and other organizations.

Edited May 15, 2019 by giovannif7

[libgirl2]

8 hours ago, Phebemarie said:

In the Bible story of Jonah, whales symbolize rebirth.  

Maybe it's a metaphor?

I loved tonight's episode, even though it made me sad.  My mom had a mother like Peg's and an aunt who looked after her.  Hit a little close to home.  

I appreciate how the writers give all the characters memorable moments to shine in every episode.  No one is left out.  Every moment is earned rather than generated for cheap laughs.  

Ack!  I'm so disappointed this show wasn't renewed.  

My mother is in a nursing home with dementia, so this episode hit close to home too. I thought the ending was lovely. 

Why are we losing this show???? *sob* 😪

[Yeah No]

It's hard to bring myself to write anything specific about this episode because I'm so upset over the cancellation.  I was worried that we wouldn't see Wendy again, but happy that she had a fitting showcase, plus it was nice to see the old and new priest again.  I laughed out loud several times during this episode.  I think the show was getting better every week.  What a pity.  We have one episode left.  I know the petition has over 4,000 signatures but I don't hold out much hope that it will amount to anything.  And to think of all the trash that gets renewed with lower ratings.....

[mammaM]

13 hours ago, Phebemarie said:

Is everyone too busy tweeting #RenewKidsarealright to post thoughts about the show tonight?  

I think so. Like always, made me laugh.

Lawrence, "Sometimes I just say things" 😂😂

And the snake charming bit, it put Pat to sleep

[cbetsky]

Not going to lie, I teared up a bit when Mike told Frank "she's not heartless, she's heartbroken." 

[libgirl2]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

It's hard to bring myself to write anything specific about this episode because I'm so upset over the cancellation.  I was worried that we wouldn't see Wendy again, but happy that she had a fitting showcase, plus it was nice to see the old and new priest again.  I laughed out loud several times during this episode.  I think the show was getting better every week.  What a pity.  We have one episode left.  I know the petition has over 4,000 signatures but I don't hold out much hope that it will amount to anything.  And to think of all the trash that gets renewed with lower ratings.....

In addition to the same old trashy reality shows. A few are fine but how many Bachelors do we need? 

[Cowgirl]

So, since we all need cheering up after the STUPID MORONIC IDIOTIC SHORT-SIGHTED cancellation, I'll start off with some of the funny bits:

Pat:  "There is no God!!" 

Joey:  Catch that snake -- it's the only father Davey has ever known!

Poor Father Abdhi (sp?) wanting the new sweet ride. 

I was grossed out at the former priest and the bragging about his afternoon delight.  Isn't fornication considered a sin? 

Eddie standing up and saying hi when Mike was talking about the new ushers.

Now the snake has Mom's table scraps to fuel its rage!

William's snake charming prowess. 

I have a question though...so, Wendi won a car that looks just like the one she's already got? At first I thought this episode might have been shown out of order, but upon reflection, I don't really think so. Weird.  

[rhys]

17 minutes ago, Cowgirl said:

So, since we all need cheering up after the STUPID MORONIC IDIOTIC SHORT-SIGHTED cancellation, I'll start off with some of the funny bits:

Pat:  "There is no God!!" 

Joey:  Catch that snake -- it's the only father Davey has ever known!

Poor Father Abdhi (sp?) wanting the new sweet ride. 

I was grossed out at the former priest and the bragging about his afternoon delight.  Isn't fornication considered a sin? 

I thought Cecil got married a few episodes ago.

Nice that the Jewish woman was the one to save St Agnes's. 

Bittersweet about Peg being heartbroken instead of heartless. Good lesson from Mike to Frank. Plus I loved his line about eating gravy on a pizza crust. Comedy gold.

[Cowgirl]

1 hour ago, rhys said:

I thought Cecil got married a few episodes ago.

Nice that the Jewish woman was the one to save St Agnes's. 

Bittersweet about Peg being heartbroken instead of heartless. Good lesson from Mike to Frank. Plus I loved his line about eating gravy on a pizza crust. Comedy gold.

Cecil did get married.  I guess they still could be young enough to produce children.  

I forgot about the gravy on a pizza crust line!  I loved that one too. 

[biakbiak]

17 minutes ago, Cowgirl said:

Cecil did get married.  I guess they still could be young enough to produce children

The Catholic Church doesn’t teach sex only for procreation but also to strengthen the bond between husband and wife even after a union can no longer produce children and that was reinforced in Vatican II. Sex is cool as long as you’re married and not using contraception!

[2727]

I loved Timmy dropping the snake in disgust because "It's so dry!" 

Cecil has (presumably) been celibate for decades ... it's nice that he's finally getting some but that doesn't mean all the Clearys need to hear about it! TMI, dude.

[tribeca]

Everyone even the mom seems to hate Frank.  He isn’t that like-able but I am always surprised by his mom not liking him. 

I will miss this show.  It was funny with a lot of heart. 

[Armchair Critic]

"I always apologize to the toilet" and also Pat calling dibs on the bed sleeping with his Aunt. He is so cute.

[StatisticalOutlier]

I had forgotten all about the collection baskets on a stick.  Are they still using those, or did Vatican II ruin that, too?

I also learned something--the captions identified the snake charmer song as "Streets of Cairo."  I always sang it as "There's a place in France where the alligators dance." 

[funandfitpt]

I love this show and am so upset it is cancelled. I shouldn't be surprised because every show I tend to like gets cancelled. 

[libgirl2]

2 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

I had forgotten all about the collection baskets on a stick.  Are they still using those, or did Vatican II ruin that, too?

I also learned something--the captions identified the snake charmer song as "Streets of Cairo."  I always sang it as "There's a place in France where the alligators dance." 

I haven't been to church in awhile but I remember them well into the 80s, though I think they now just pass a basket. Maybe it depends on the church and how honest its members are! 

[festivus]

Ugh, I'm just so mad about this show being cancelled I haven't posted about it. All my entertainment these days is letting me down.

My favorite part of this episode is that they felt William needed to be wearing the hat to charm the snake. I'm going to miss this show so much. 😥

18 hours ago, tribeca said:

Everyone even the mom seems to hate Frank.  He isn’t that like-able but I am always surprised by his mom not liking him. 

I will miss this show.  It was funny with a lot of heart. 

It seems like she's the meanest to the ones who adore her most, Frank and Pat.

[savannah31401]

6 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

I had forgotten all about the collection baskets on a stick.  Are they still using those, or did Vatican II ruin that, too?

I also learned something--the captions identified the snake charmer song as "Streets of Cairo."  I always sang it as "There's a place in France where the alligators dance." 

 Yup still using them. I give online, but we still have to the envelope in to prove our attendance for parish member tuition rates.

[Yeah No]

On 5/15/2019 at 6:18 PM, 2727 said:

Cecil has (presumably) been celibate for decades ... it's nice that he's finally getting some but that doesn't mean all the Clearys need to hear about it! TMI, dude.

I hear you but I guess he's just so elated to finally be "getting some" that he wants to shout it from the rooftops 24/7, LOL.  Just yuck!  😝

[xander874]

On 5/15/2019 at 7:50 PM, tribeca said:

Everyone even the mom seems to hate Frank.  He isn’t that like-able but I am always surprised by his mom not liking him. 

I feel like when the show started, she liked him and his sucking up. Now I wonder why he even tries. But, I guess characters evolve - William has turned from the quiet book nerd to the talented one (albeit still nerdy).  And now I am sad because we will never see the other characters evolve.

I did like Lawrence acknowledging he sometimes says stupid stuff just to get a rise. And I like to see Peggy get vulnerable occasionally so I liked the stuff with Tess.

[libgirl2]

19 hours ago, savannah31401 said:

 Yup still using them. I give online, but we still have to the envelope in to prove our attendance for parish member tuition rates.

Oh yes the envelopes! I went to Catholic school and they would send those home with us to give to our parents. 

22 hours ago, festivus said:

Ugh, I'm just so mad about this show being cancelled I haven't posted about it. All my entertainment these days is letting me down.

My favorite part of this episode is that they felt William needed to be wearing the hat to charm the snake. I'm going to miss this show so much. 😥

It seems like she's the meanest to the ones who adore her most, Frank and Pat.

OMG! That was hysterical! 

2 hours ago, xander874 said:

I feel like when the show started, she liked him and his sucking up. Now I wonder why he even tries. But, I guess characters evolve - William has turned from the quiet book nerd to the talented one (albeit still nerdy).  And now I am sad because we will never see the other characters evolve.

I did like Lawrence acknowledging he sometimes says stupid stuff just to get a rise. And I like to see Peggy get vulnerable occasionally so I liked the stuff with Tess.

Yes, there was still so much more there to explore. Phooey. I'm really ticked. 

[Cowgirl]

2 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

My favorite part of this episode is that they felt William needed to be wearing the hat to charm the snake. I'm going to miss this show so much. 😥

William was stylin' in his pink bejeweled turban!  I love that Greg the snake liked ragtime music. Being a clarinet player myself, I love that William plays the clarinet, among other instruments. 

[incandescent]

I can't believe this was the last I'll ever see of this family! I'll miss Pat the most, my sweet little Crab Boy.

[dcalley]

2 hours ago, incandescent said:

I can't believe this was the last I'll ever see of this family! I'll miss Pat the most, my sweet little Crab Boy.

There's one more this Tuesday!

[Angeltoes]

On 5/15/2019 at 6:18 PM, 2727 said:

Cecil has (presumably) been celibate for decades ... it's nice that he's finally getting some but that doesn't mean all the Clearys need to hear about it!

Or as the young priest said,"Yes, we're all aware that you're getting some."

[eskimo]

This is the first I'm hearing about it being cancelled.  Total BS.  They don't give shows a chance to get an audience anymore.  CHEERS bombed its first season, but back then when the season was over it went into reruns for the summer and you could catch it then.  During summer reruns, when people weren't watching their regular season shows they checked out other shows and CHEERS gained an audience and became their highest ranking show.  But now it has to be a hit right out of the gate or it gets the ax.  This is a great show with lots of different personalities.  I thought it was really well written, truly funny, and didn't cater to the lowest common denominator.  Grrrrr. 

On to the reason I came here: who played Aunt Tess this episode?  She wasn't listed on IMDB in the cast for this episode (although the blackjack dealer was???).  I know I've seen her on other sitcoms, but it is escaping me right now, and it's driving me crazy! 

ETA: Pat is my favorite!!!

Edited May 20, 2019 by eskimo

[Squeaky Mouse]

50 minutes ago, eskimo said:

On to the reason I came here: who played Aunt Tess this episode?  She wasn't listed on IMDB in the cast for this episode (although the blackjack dealer was???).  I know I've seen her on other sitcoms, but it is escaping me right now, and it's driving me crazy!

Jenny O’Hara. Among lots and lots of other roles, she was Doug’s mom on King of Queens.

[eskimo]

7 hours ago, Squeaky Mouse said:

Jenny O’Hara. Among lots and lots of other roles, she was Doug’s mom on King of Queens.

Yes! Thank you!

[libgirl2]

12 hours ago, Squeaky Mouse said:

Jenny O’Hara. Among lots and lots of other roles, she was Doug’s mom on King of Queens.

Yes! I remember when she had a flirtation with Arthur. 

[methodwriter85]

I've always referred to Jenny O'Hara as TV Shirley McLaine. LOL.

I liked the fitting showcase for Wendi, too. I also loved that she was completely unapologetic for winning.