‘Mom’ Meeting: Christy’s New Boyfriend Gets Dangerously Roasted

Photo Credit: Mom/CBS, Acquired From CBS Press Express

As Bonnie movies in with Adam and clashes with his lifestyle, Christy’s new boyfriend catches some heat for his own. Isn’t ‘Mom’ past passing judgment on different perspectives?

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The characters on Mom aren’t the greatest people you will ever meet. Beyond their checkered pasts, they’ve got an affinity for biting zingers and they aren’t above breaking the law (just don’t tell their sponsors). But we don’t judge their struggles with sobriety or their mostly harmless hobbies. When Christy starts dating Brad (guest star Bret Harrison), an earth-conscious vegan, he doesn’t receive the same acceptance.

In order to fit in with Brad, her first relationship prospect since Chris Pratt’s midseason guest appearance, Christy subjects herself to the wonders of plant-based lasagna and quinoa cakes. Sure, for someone not adhering to a vegan diet, that can be taxing. But Mom approaches Brad’s differing perspectives on nutrition, sex, and even his choices of entertainment with an old hat informality that projects an ill-fitting attitude. Aren’t these characters above belittling others for something as minor as their decision to opt out of consuming animal products?

When Christy first tells her group about Brad at the cafe, the wince-worthy jokes commence. This isn’t a mere case of “Don’t make fun of vegans!” (Though, by now, making fun of vegans is outdated and ridiculous.) It’s the manner in which the poking fun was handled. Brad takes Christy to a vegan restaurant? He must be gay! Brad wants to talk about countries without clean water sources? He’s a laughable snooze! Brad doesn’t watch sports? “What, were you raised by women?” That’s a direct quote from Adam, completing the trifecta of homophobia, ignorance, and heteronormativity.

We shouldn’t expect Jill, Bonnie, and Adam to live perfect, politically correct lives. Nobody speaks with language so pristine and inoffensive that they might as well be robots. People slip up and tell an off-putting joke every now and again, but Mom continued to allow its characters to equate veganism with some sort of error in masculinity. This would be passable for a sitcom with a timestamp younger than 2010, but Chuck Lorre (who co-wrote the episode) shouldn’t inject a series so important for women with low-hanging fruit–especially since it’s already lacking in representation.

Photo Credit: Mom/CBS, Acquired From CBS Press Express

While Christy dabbles in new diets with her new date, Bonnie and Adam decide to prioritize practicality and move in together. In theory, it’s an obvious next step and a time saver for Bonnie, who has to lug bags upon bags over to Adam’s when she stays the night. But where there’s smoke with these two, there’s a five-alarm fire. Bonnie blow dries her hair for an hour, and Adam can’t use the bathroom. Bonnie uses his prized Kennedy Space Center mug, and Adam pitches a fit. The bickering continues until Bonnie’s back in bed with Christy eating ribs.

Who is Adam to judge Brad when he’s as anal retentive as Monica Geller? If you can’t watch TV in peace while a coat is draped over the couch, you shouldn’t deride another person’s disinterest in your interests. It’s just a fact of life, people. And to add fuel to this fire, Brad isn’t nearly as overbearing as Bonnie or any of them make him out to be. Although he teaches Christy ingredient replacements and how to have tantric sex (which is a bonkers concept, I’ll give her that one), he doesn’t drop dissertations on converting to veganism. Still, despite what he says, mung bean pizza isn’t better than the real thing. Another fact of life.

Next: 'Mom' Meeting: Bonnie's Response To Her Mother's Death Was Perfectly Unexpected

It’s dangerous for Mom to roast a character for simply living their truth. Not to quote an animated rabbit, but Thumper has it right. If it’s not nice, don’t say it. Bonnie, Christy and their friends wouldn’t appreciate an outsider who can drink alcohol responsibly making light of their reliance on group meetings and hard-earned willpower. They may not have chosen their paths, but that doesn’t grant them the right to cut others down. Given the divisive nature of our world, comedy shouldn’t draw reductive lines. Mom need to stand up for the challenge.

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Mom airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.