Amy cooks a meal for Lino but tells him that he can’t have any heavy food as he is going into surgery the next day. Filomena thinks Amy is not feeding Lino well but Amy patiently explains Lino’s condition and the doctor’s orders. Meanwhile, Giacomo refuses to see Lino and only vents about how he messed up the garden.
The next day, Lino goes to the hospital for surgery. Everyone is worried about the outcome and is trying to cope in their own way. Amy is happy her family is there to help her. Lynn is hoping some holistic lavender oil will help calm everyone and Lino’s parents turn to prayers to find some solace as they wait for an update on the surgery. ..
The doctor soon gives them the good news that they have successfully removed the tumor. Everyone is happy to hear this and is thankful that Lino will be okay. ..
Giacomo finally decides to see his son after the surgery. He seems to have had a change of heart and is eager to have a conversation with him.
Amy finds herself putting off little fires because she is frustrated with how difficult it is to get things done. First, Giacomo cuts all the flowers in the garden, he is also frustrated that he can’t find good bread in the supermarket, and Filomena wants Lino to eat more than bananas.
Lino is upset after hearing his dad congratulate his friend on his son. He shares his frustrations with Amy, telling her she will never know what it feels like to have a child that is loved and appreciated. ..
Amy heads over to a friend’s house, Preston and he tells her how hard it has been for him as a caregiver. He has been in the same position before with his first love. He tells her to be prepared for what may lie ahead but Amy believes it will get better soon.
Amy, Giacomo, and Filomena take Lino for his first follow-up visit to the doctor after the surgery. The doctor informs them that the surgery went well but Lino will need further treatment. This is to make sure his cancer doesn’t recur. Lino has two options: he can choose to continue with chemotherapy or be part of a clinical trial. ..
The clinical trial for the new drug is not going well for him. He is not sure if he will be given the real drug or a placebo. There is a chance that he might not get the real drug and end up with a placebo.
Amy is forced to talk to him outside the office of the doctor. She asks him to allow Lino to make the decision as he fully understands what the risks are. She urges him to trust his son to know what is best for him. She assures him that she will always be on his side but if he can’t respect his choices, he can go back to Sicily. Lino decides to enroll in the clinical trial. The family decides that they will support the couple through every decision.
The family celebrates the new year with a dinner and Zora announces that she is engaged to Ken. Everyone is ecstatic and happy for the couple but none more so than Giacomo. Lino can’t help but marvel at the irony of the moment and the hypocrisy of his father.
Lino confronts his dad and tells him the one who should be ashamed is him. He says he left his family and everything else behind as if it was nothing. Lino argues that he was following his dreams and he didn’t want to be another version of his dad. His father says he doesn’t understand him and Lino says that is okay as long as Giacomo can accept him.
He tells his dad that he is tired of fighting his disease and him. He asks him to choose if they can be father and son or two angry men.
Lino tells Giacomo that he is happy that his son is a chef in America. He gives Lino his hat and calls him his son. Meanwhile, Filomena asks Amy to consider having a baby because it will give Lino more spirit to fight and survive.
Lino starts feeling sick after getting the real drug from the clinical trial.
The Episode Review
Giacomo was able to put his ego aside and be a father to his son when he needed him the most. It was a surreal moment to see them make up and it felt healing when he gave him his hat. ..
Amy is feeling overwhelmed because she is caring for her elderly mother and it is not easy. I am in awe of the woman that she is because she has such faith and strength.
I am not sure if Filomena will take my advice about having a kid. Let us wait and see what happens in the next episode.
