In just two days, she’ll receive a token for 30 days of being sober, but she’s still feeling down. Spending time with Felicia at the bar doesn’t feel the same any more.
Olivia encourages Sam to find joy in things that won’t trigger her and to keep busy in ways that don’t involve bars. That’s the first step. The next will be to make amends with friends whom she’s hurt. ..
Sam wants to go roller skating with Brit and Joel so that she can run into them.
Sam’s apology to Brit doesn’t go as planned. She ends up placing just as much blame on Brit as she does herself. ..
Felicia becomes upset when she realizes that Sam was just using her for a ride. She accuses Sam of only thinking of her as a “bar buddy,” when she is much more than that. Felicia feels used by Sam and accuses him of only thinking of her as a ‘bar buddy.’ ..
Meanwhile, Carol is prepping for her next book club meeting. She’s anxious about the club finding out about Sam’s recovery, so it complicates things when Sam’s probation officer shows up to the house during a book club discussion. ..
Bob invites Officer Gail inside, much to Carol’s chagrin. This leads to the truth coming out about Sam. Everyone encourages Carol to express her true feelings. She says she feels angry, picks up the food tray, and throws it on the ground. The club praises her and comforts her. ..
Sam is given a token for being 30 days sober. She hands it to her friend Olivia, who tells her to show up for the people who matter and they will start showing up for her.
After the game, Sam goes to the bar to apologize to Felicia. She took her for granted as a friend and is determined to make up for it. They hug and make up. ..
After the episode, Felicia and her friend sing karaoke together. Felicia is proud to say that her friend has been sober for 30 days. ..
The Episode Review
In episode 3, Felicia’s character was developed more and her role in the story was more significant. Rather than being a “dud” friend who only wanted to drink with Sam, it turns out that Felicia is a complex character with responsibilities as a mother and loyalties to Sam. I thought the arc of the two friends in this episode was touching and well-drawn.
Carol’s arc is almost unbearably cheesy. Hopefully, though, her cathartic experience will lead to reconciliation between her and Sam.
After 30 days of sobriety, Sam has successfully maintained her abstinence from alcohol. Many people are curious to see if she can keep this up, and whether or not she and Brit will ever reconcile. ..
