Last Man Standing Season 7, Episode 10 recap: Roadtrip and a mystery

Last Man Standing returned and Mike, Ryan, and Boyd took a road trip. Back home, Mandy and Kyle tried to solve a murder, but their main suspect was Ed.

A few revelations occurred in Last Man Standing Season 7, Episode 10. On a drive out to see a hot air balloon race, Mike (Tim Allen), Ryan (Jordan Masterson), and Boyd (Jet Jurgensmeyer) all learned what they really care about: each other. Naturally, this lesson came about the hard way as Ryan and Mike rarely agree.

Back at home, Mandy (Molly McCook) and Kyle (Christoph Sanders) tried to solve a murder case from 1972, but their main suspect ended up being Ed (Hector Elizondo). When they initially asked him about his knowledge of that time, he refused to talk. Would they be good citizens and contact the police? Or did Ed eventually come clean about what all transpired in 1972?

More from FOX

• Only 3 of FOX’s live-action scripted shows are coming back in March 2024 the rest are being held for Fall 2024
• Is El Cantito from Kitchen Nightmares still open?
• Bob’s Burgers: The (Raccoon) King and I was a busy episode for all
• Bob’s Burgers skipping Thanksgiving this year: Here are 4 can’t-miss holiday episodes to rewatch
• Is Love Bites from Kitchen Nightmares still open?

The road trip

Last Man Standing began when Mike brought tax forms to Ryan at the pot shop. After a clever Toy Story reference and some jabs, Mike asked if he could take Boyd fishing for the weekend. Ryan informed him that he planned on spending time with Boyd this weekend, but he acquiesced, and Mike became excited to spend time with his grandson.

As Mike wondered what gear to bring for the fishing trip, Kristen (Amanda Fuller) revealed Ryan was super pumped about taking Boyd to an arts and crafts festival that weekend. Mike pondered why Ryan didn’t stand up for it when he visited the pot shop, but Kristen told him Ryan wanted to be a good man. Displeased to discover Ryan overtook him as the better man, Mike went back to his office to talk to Boyd and straighten it all out.

In his office, Mike told Boyd the fishing weekend would be postponed because Boyd should spend time with his father. After Ryan declined, a childish argument broke out between the two men. Boyd came up with an idea, albeit a laughable one; a road trip for all three men.

Naturally, both men dread the weekend. Mike prefers fishing over watching a hot air balloon race, he dislikes being in a car with Ryan for the trip, and he cannot let Ryan do something nice for him.

Ryan knows Mike will insult him, he fears Mike will lecture Boyd on his conservative ideas, and he too dislikes being in a car with Mike for that long. While Kristen and Vanessa (Nancy Travis) reassuringly tell their husbands to enjoy the weekend, privately, both women acknowledge it will be a bumpy road trip.

On the drive there, Mike voiced his displeasure about Ryan’s driving, his fondness for NPR, and his ability to neglect his check engine light. The check engine light forced Ryan to pull off the road. Ryan only brought woodcarving tools, so the repair took awhile.

Ryan lamented Boyd loves Mike. Finally, the question arose of why Ryan didn’t stand up for himself earlier. Essentially, Ryan understood the importance of Boyd spending time with Mike.

Growing up, Ryan loved his grandfather, but his father didn’t approve of Ryan spending time with his grandfather. Ryan worried he will become similar to his father, so he allowed Mike to spend time with Boyd. In addition to the love of grandfather and grandson, Mike taught Boyd many important skills. Mike noted how rare it is for Ryan to compliment his father-in-law.

Last Man Standing added another rare feat when Mike returned the compliment. He told Ryan that he is a good father. Ryan’s father was not a good role model. Ryan is a good role model for his son and a caring son-in-law. Ryan also felt the rarity of this moment.

The Tool Man fixed the car and they agreed to continue the weekend, with Mike as the driver. However, before they resumed their drive, Mike and Ryan told Boyd that no matter how much they argue, they will always love Boyd, and they both want Boyd to love them.

The road trip certainly offered some heartwarming confessions. Mike respects Ryan, Ryan cares about Mike, they love Boyd, and vise versa. Furthermore, they are a family. They bicker, but they stick together.

Although many of the jabs were funny. C’mon, who names a car, much less who names a car Ruth Motor Ginsburg? Credit Boyd for bringing his two favorite men together.

A mystery

Back at home, Kyle and Mandy listened to a podcast about an unsolved murder in 1972. As they debated whose the real murderer, Mike spotted one of Kyle’s photos. It looked like Ed with hair. Kyle and Mandy needed to talk to Ed.

Under the guise of lunch, Kyle and Mandy attempted to ask Ed about the murder case in 1972. For some reason, he refused to answer. He ordered them to stop snooping around what he did in 1972. Naturally, their suspicions grew.

Mandy became convinced Ed was the killer. Kyle doubted her, mainly because he loves Ed. He affirmed Ed treats him like a son. Last Man Standing also gave us the plot twist that Kyle turned his own father into the police.

In a frightening moment, Ed entered the house through the back door. He told them he would settle their curiosity. He pulled out a picture, with him and other naked hippies.

What he revealed is that one of the women in the photo was Barbara Streisand! To protect her rising career, he never showed anyone that photo. Kyle and Mandy promised to keep that information a secret.

While there were some funny moments from this storyline, it could have used some tweaking. Ed is an intelligent man who can masterfully tell a story. Instead of him being the main suspect, he could have regaled Mandy and Kyle with his memories from 1972. Perhaps even one of the hippies in that photo could have been the murderer.

Last Man Standing ended 2018 with a fabulous episode. Noticeably absent in this episode was Chuck (Jonathan Adams), and Kristen and Vanessa didn’t receive substantial screen time. Nevertheless, the revelations that Ed has a naked picture of Barbara Streisand, that Ryan cares about Mike, and Mike respects Ryan made this a good episode. It started the remainder of Last Man Standing Season 7 on the right direction.

What did you think of the winter premiere? Which storyline was your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Last Man Standing airs Fridays at 8/7c on FOX.