Director: Steven Tsuchida — Writer: Rachel Specter & Audrey Wauchope Aired: 11/30/2015 — Season: One — Episode: 8 — Nielsen ratings: 1.00 Description: Rebecca's mother visits; Greg and Heather go to Christmas dinner with his mother and step family.
I can see right through you. You are a mom pleaser. A Level Five mom pleaser. You will say anything to make that woman happy.
— Paula
At her apartment, Rebecca is preparing for a visit from her mother Naomi. When her mom arrives she immediately nags her daughter about giving up a high paying job in New York for West Covina(♫ Where's the Bathroom? ♫). In order to please her mother, and perhaps finally receive a treasured family heirloom, she lies about how succesful her new life is in California.
Meanwhile Heather joins Greg for a Christmas dinner at his mother's house with his stepfather and half-siblings. At the dinner Heather points out how unfair Greg is being to his mother about having left him and his father years ago.
Elsewhere, Josh Chan meets a student from his alma mater named Nguyen who gives him a chance to relive his high school years as part of a Fillipino dance group. While he enjoyed performing again he realizes it's time for him to look towards the future and not dwell in the past. On the last day of her visit Rebecca's mother finds out she had been lying to her.
A few other things come to light including Rebecca's true reason for moving and her belief that her mother hates her. Rebecca's mother responds that all her worry and nagging are because she loves her daughter too much not because she hates her. While she disagrees with her daughter's recent actions she's proud to have raised her with a strong resolve.
Greg thanks Heather for helping him rebuild his relationship with his mom. The two then have a moment and share a kiss. After her mother leaves Rebecca bumps into Josh. The two commiserate over having both matured over the holidays. Everyone then comes together at the end to celebrate Christmas in California (♫ California Christmastime ♫).
Recurring themes[]
Songs[]
Episode songs
"Where's the Bathroom?" Performed by: Naomi Bunch Writers: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger
After a flying all the way from California to New York Naomi needs to pee.
"California Christmastime" Performed by: Rebecca, Josh, Greg, Paula, Heather and Darryl Writers: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger
Rebecca and her friend's song about special Christmas time is in California.
Greg and Heather's romantic relationship begins in this episode.
Backstory:
Rebecca's history with her mother is explored. Rebecca always believed Naomi hated her and treated her harshly because she was a reminder of her father. Naomi tells her she raised her that way to toughen her up and that she always loved Rebecca.
The Garfinkel ring's history is explored. In 1901 the was brought over to America by a mother who was fleeing her home country with her daughter. It was a family heirloom passed down from one generation to the next when the daughter came of age.
Greg's history with his mother is explored. She divorced his father and didn't fight for joint custody, something she always regretted. Greg resented her for this and treated her and his step family poorly because of this.
Rebecca, unsatisfied with Paula's ideas to build a case against Josh, turns to Nathaniel for help crafting a truly evil plan. Meanwhile, Josh finds becoming a priest is harder than he thought.
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Dan Gregor and Doug Mand
Just as Rebecca tries to be more realistic and practical, Trent throws a wrench into her plans. At the same time Josh and Valencia reckon with their shared history.
Directed by: Audrey Wauchope - Written by: Erin Ehrlich
Rebecca, Paula, Heather and Valencia participate in a séance after a spooky discovery. Darryl takes his parenting duties to an extreme, while Nathaniel is determined to prove to his father he's the best person to run the law firm.
As Rebecca contemplates her feelings about her career, Paula is forced to deal with a big client. Josh tries to get back in the dating game, while Heather and Hector deal with insurance.
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick
As Rebecca contemplates her feelings about her career, Paula is forced to deal with a big client. Josh tries to get back in the dating game, while Heather and Hector deal with insurance.
Directed by: Erin Ehrlich - Written by: Ilana Pena
Heather and Valencia both have changes in their lives which leaves Rebecca reeling. Meanwhile, Paula has to adjust to some good news/bad news from her eldest son.
Rebecca gets more than she bargained for during a day out with Darryl. Josh lends a helping hand to Paula, while Heather encourages Nathaniel to be a nice person.
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Rene Gube
Greg returns to West Covina, which forces Rebecca to question things she thought she knew about people she has loved in her life. Meanwhile, Valencia and Josh make some shocking discoveries while at their high school reunion.
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Rene Gube
Rebecca supports Paula in her time of need despite, her own personal challenges. Emotions run high when Greg, Josh and Nathaniel have an unfortunate encounter.
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Alden Derck & Aline Brosh McKenna
Rebecca gets a call to help her old nemesis out of a complicated situation. Meanwhile, Nathaniel, Josh and Greg attempt to deal with their competing feelings for Rebecca.
Directed by: Marty Pasetta, Jr. - Written by: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger and Jack Dolgen
Rachel Bloom and the cast of the critically acclaimed series perform live versions of fan-favorite songs with incredible staging, multimedia visuals and a live band and orchestra.
