Suburgatory “The Nutcracker” Review

Given what happens on ABC’s other show about the suburbs, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that this week’s Suburgatory, “The Nutcracker,” advanced a slightly scandalous plot that I’ve seen coming for awhile, but never thought would come to fruition so soon.

After discovering George’s NYC gal at Thanksgiving, Tessa has been giving him the silent treatment. So when she catches him breaking up with Zoey, she assumes that he’s sacrificing his happiness for hers. Her search for the perfect gift to give him, to make up for this, leads her back to Zoey herself and Tessa invites her out to the ‘burbs for their first annual tree-decorating party.

But as it turns out, George is already making eyes at another woman, a sweet, honest, un-jaded blonde art teacher who leads his wreath-construction class. In order to get to know her better, he decides to throw the decorating party, not knowing about Tessa’s surprise guest.

Needless to say, the pretty blonde isn’t crazy about the sexy brunette from the city kissing the guy she thought was into her, and Tessa trying to get her out of the house doesn’t help matters.

George also invites Dallas, who initially (and reluctantly) turns him down due to the family’s holiday ski trip. But when the snow grounds the plane, she rushes to the party and…in a move that honestly surprised me…kisses him full on the lips under the mistletoe.

Of course, she plays it off, but there was something in George’s eye. He was not at all put off by her public display of affection. Of course, it was the last straw for the already distraught art teacher, who we probably won’t be seeing again.

George and Dallas. How do we feel about this? Is it too Wisteria Lane for a show like Suburgatory? Should they have let it simmer a little longer, or is it better to acknowledge the attraction? I honestly don’t know on this one.

But I continue to love every scene that Lisa is in; her rebellion against her mother is endlessly entertaining, as it seems to always lead to her either being naked or cold or both. The other scene-stealer is Noah, who is consistently hilarious.

This was a great Christmas episode. There was hilarity and angry Koreans and forbidden kisses, all ending with a sweet father-daughter scene and one very badly photoshopped picture. I’ll forgive it. ‘Tis the season, after all.

What did you think of the episode? Let me know below!