Todd comes around to mention a current problem with one of the cases for trespassing. He fears he might go to jail but Bryan promises him he will convince his mother to fight it for him. Todd’s emotional connection comes by the virtue of helping someone out like him looking to get back on his feet after making a mistake. And also, because he was his best buddy in school.
Margaret is not willing to go in for an appearance. She thinks people never change and remembers Bryan as a notorious boy who would occasionally steal money from her purse. While shopping, she runs into her old friends. They ask her about Henry, who has suddenly fallen off the radar and is not hanging out with their husbands anymore. Casually, they repeat the same thing Margaret did to Todd when he mentioned Bryan. This prompts her to take his case and she shows her expertise when she strikes a plea deal with the prosecutor for no jail time. A few nights later, she catches Bryan’s arrest on television for robbing the AAA Pawnshop. He also names her as his lawyer on national television.
Margaret has lost all hope and says that she will not be representing him because he is guilty and there is nothing she can do about it. Todd, in his usual style, takes it upon himself to solve the case and help his friend out. He takes Susan under the impression that Margaret authorized the visit to the pawn shop. Once there, he pretends to be a married couple and tells the owner that he wants to pawn her engagement ring. Susan plays along and they get valuable information out of the owner. No signs of forced entry and the power were shut off so the CCTV didn’t work might mean an inside job. His last security guard Grady was fired on bitter terms. In the hearing, Bryan does not get bail for his previous encroachment and is placed on home arrest. Johnny, his uncle, once again pleads with Margaret to continue with the case as Danny, his son, already keeps him preoccupied.
Todd visits Grady, who tells him about another camera in the opposite shop that might have captured something useful. When Todd reviews the footage, he catches a glimpse of the shoes that Johnny was wearing at the hearing. He tells Margaret the same, who sympathized with Johnny and took the case. They are parked outside Bryan’s house but catch police cars arriving. Bryan cut his ankle bracelet off and ran away. When Todd visits Grady to discuss a possible lead on Johnny’s whereabouts, he learns of another camera in an adjacent store that may have captured useful footage. After reviewing footage from the camera, Todd sees that Johnny was wearing shoes similar to those worn at a recent hearing - information which he shares with Margaret. Shortly thereafter, they spot Bryan running away from police officers outside his home; it is later revealed that he had cut off his ankle bracelet and fled due to guilt over what he had done to Johnny. ..
Danny is a stripper who was working the night of the robbery. Margaret calls him and he tells her that he was there, clearing himself of suspicion. He also reveals that his uncle, who got out of prison last year, told him not to tell Bryan about it. Johnny isn’t a good influence and Bryan doesn’t need to know about his past mistakes. Margaret takes Danny’s address and visits him the next day. ..
Todd noticed a game controller at his house and said to Margaret that he thinks Bryan is innocent. The next day, Todd took Margaret to the pawnshop and showed her a newly installed HVAC vent. He climbed up to inspect but said an adult could not have made it through the small opening. Margaret climbed up too and noticed some kind of food, which when tasted, revealed that it was baby food. Danny was the one who was sent through the vent. Danny confirmed Margaret’s theory and the next day at court, Bryan was absolved of the charges. Bryan promises to turn around his life and thanks the mother-son duo. ..
The to and fro between Susan and Todd continues, hinting at a possible romantic spark ahead. As promised, Todd accompanies Margaret to the Symphony to show his gratefulness. She calls her friends and tells them the truth, confident about her new status.
The Episode Review
The comedy in the first season of “The Office” was not as good as it could have been. This problem may continue into the upcoming episodes, as all of the shooting for the season has already been completed. ..
Despite its steady tone and watchable episodic setup, So Help Me Todd is unable to resonate on an emotional level. The drama side of things has been completely drained out. The problems that Todd and Margaret had in the pilot have been ironed out like they didn’t even exist. There are no more differences in the family and it seems like a perfectly chirpy group once again.
This is a very sad event, as the change itself loses its significance. Episode 3 showed Todd the mirror to someone else’s life and then his own intention to undo their mess. The subtle romantic tangent between him and Susan is more or less a distraction.
The show has some other interesting characters in Allison and Chad, and the viewers are still waiting to see that side of things. Until then, no more bonus points for these dull and unenlightening episodes. ..
