Luis can’t stand the scratchy toilet paper. Luckily, his abuela Maria offers to sneak him some soft toilet paper she received from her boyfriend. That is, if he gets her a pack of cigarettes. Esperanza won’t let her have any. Luis agrees.
That night, Julio catches someone stealing their recycling cans, which Esperanza was planning to sell. The thief convinces Julio that he needs the money more. When he lets him take the cans, the man calls Julio a “good guy.” The words ring pleasantly in Julio’s ears.
Later, Esperanza discovers that Luis’ toilet paper and chewing gum are missing. When she confiscates it, Luis has to ask Maria for more. This time, she wants McDonald’s in exchange.
Julio’s friends take his car out at night to get fast food. Luis shares with Julio that it’s his fault Esperanza feels the need to take care of everyone. He was the oldest child, and Maria made him take care of his siblings.
Maria wishes she didn’t have to live under her control, however. She especially wants to learn how to drive. Luis agrees to teach her in exchange for unlimited toilet paper.
The thief later returns to ask Julio to be his lookout so he can steal more cans. The thief initially declines, but is persuaded when the man says he thought Julio was a “good guy.” ..
Julio’s car comes out of nowhere and smashes into their grocery cart, sending cans flying everywhere. Esperanza and an angry neighbor come out to scold them for stealing their recycling. And Maria and Luis get a talking to for getting McDonald’s.
Esperanza is mad at everyone because they don’t appreciate all she’s done for the family.
Maria has an outburst about the toilet paper. Esperanza just needs to enjoy her life and let them all live theirs. Maria has a secret boyfriend! Esperanza is shocked.
Julio goes to his sister’s house to return her belongings after avoiding her for so long. He is surprised to find that she has been married to his ex-husband and that he still owes him money. Julio decides to stay with Memo, but he is worried about what the future holds.
Julio chides Memo when he wants to start doing hard drugs together. But Memo thought Julio was a good guy and would want to be there for him! Hearing those words again, Julio agrees.
Esperanza dreams of Ronald Reagan that night. In the dream, Reagan tells her that American residents like her deserve nice things. He holds up some soft toilet paper and Esperanza wants it. ..
The next morning, Esperanza changes out the toilet paper.
The Episode Review
Maria and Luis bonding over their covert operations is something I didn’t know I needed. It’s nice to see the show’s focus shift briefly to Maria and Esperanza, although I’m not sure if their character traits are explored thoroughly enough to justify an arc about side characters.
Julio’s storyline could have been cut or at least reshaped to better fit into the familial themes that the other subplot was exploring. His drive to be seen as a good guy didn’t seem to contain any deep relevance.
