DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Central Park episode “Mother’s Daze” is laden with spoilers. You’ve been warned. Proceed at your own peril.
Welcome back, Central Park lovers! Episode two is here, and it’s “Mother’s Daze”! I liked this one better than the season premiere. We’re privy to the Tillerman family’s Mother’s Day celebrations, and it’s sickeningly sweet. Helen discovers that she can’t go a day without being berated by Bitsy Brandenham.
Bitsy learns that she can’t last 15 minutes without an alcoholic drink in her hand. Not gonna lie, this one feels like a valuable lesson that we all learned over the past year and a half. “Mother’s Daze” may have less music than its episodic predecessor, but it embraces the lighthearted kookiness for which Central Park is known.
Ready to delve into “Mother’s Daze”? Let’s get to it.
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Now, we open with Birdie (voiced by Josh Gad) showing us a series of plaques on park benches. It’s a standard New York City gift — if you love someone, immortalize it via plaque. This segues into a scene wherein Cole (voiced by Tituss Burgess), Molly (voiced by Emmy Raver-Lampman) and Owen (voiced by Leslie Odom Jr.) are preparing to shower Paige with Mother’s Day love.
Then, Owen discloses his extravagant plans for his wife. He wants to go all out for Paige, just like she does every day for the family. The trio bursts into song, which is par for the course when you’re in a musical comedy. Bitsy (voiced by Stanley Tucci) is spying on parkgoers via her massive telescope. She bites her thumb at Mother’s Day. Well, she also dresses her dog up as her long-dead mother for an alcohol-infused tea time, but who doesn’t do that?
Next, Helen (voiced by Daveed Diggs) is finally getting a day off. Helen leaves strict instructions for the Brandenham Hotel staff: Don’t disturb Bitsy. Lionel (voiced by Norm Lewis), Bitsy’s premier bartender, complains about the lack of staff at the hotel bar. He’s overworked and underpaid. I’d just like to note that I knew Lionel was voiced by Norm Lewis before reading the cast list. That’s how good I am.
Meanwhile, Cole shows Molly the fake pearl necklace he made for Paige. Molly scoffs at it, citing that it’s, well, fake. But drugstore pearls must be real! Cole and Molly head to a shop so the former can spend his money on his mama like the big boy he is.
Later, Owen meets Paige (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) with a cup of coffee and a sunflower in hand. They’re going on a fun Mother’s Day walk. Paige spots an illegally-placed plaque and notes that it contains a strange message. Almost like a riddle. She proceeds to follow the said riddle from bench to bench, much to Owen’s annoyance.
Then, Bitsy confronts Lionel after she endures a dry spell. Lionel isn’t abiding by her drinking schedule. He tells her that he’ll walk away from the Brandenham if she doesn’t meet his demands. It’s a standoff! Helen arrives at a swanky hotel for a spa day. She feels out of place. Molly and Cole are at a store, but nothing really screams, “Mom!”
Next, Paige is still following the slew of plaque clues. I love that Birdie is illustrated in the background, but nobody acknowledges his presence. He’s just watching. Bitsy is wasting away to nothing. She’s sobering up! Lionel leaves the Brandenham, and the bar patrons join him. Bitsy’s all alone.
Meanwhile, Paige finds a clue that leads her to the Central Park Zoo. Owen, exasperated, trails behind her. Cole and Molly come up short amid their shopping trip for Mommy Dearest. After getting a massage and partaking in various poolside amenities, Helen leaves the hotel to return to Bitsy. Perhaps “taking time off” isn’t for her.
Later, Helen finds Bitsy at the Brandenham bar, which is a complete mess. She marches Bitsy over to Lionel’s newest place of employment. Helen orders Bitsy to apologize to him. He’ll come back to the Brandenham if Bitsy hires more bar staff and his monetary demands are fulfilled. Give Bitsy her drinky-poo!
Then, Paige finds the final plaque to the puzzle. It says this: “There was no crime, but there is a treasure. Her name is Paige Hunter, the best mom ever.” Please excuse me while I go sob. Apparently, the whole family staged this treasure hunt because they know how much Paige adores a good mystery. Cole and Molly appear with a pair of homemade cards.
Now, Paige launches into a sweet song about loving her kids. I’m not crying. You are. Tillerman family 5eva!
RELATED: Catch up on all the musical madness with our Central Park recaps!
Overall, “Mother’s Daze” is a fun and heartfelt outing that fully embraces the family theme. Additionally, it gives Hahn a chance to shine with another solo song. I know Birdie is the narrator, but I hope we get more insight into who he is at some point. He’s just a plain ol’ cool cat.
The first three episodes of Central Park Season Two are currently streaming on Apple TV Plus.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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