Bitin', Spankin' and a Load of Yankee Psychobabble
Mandy tries a new style of parenting that puts her at odds with both Audrey and Mary when it comes to how Cici is raised. And the three way battle constantly puts Georgie and Jim in the middle.
Warning: Spoilers Below
Cici Bites
Georgie and Mandy returned from the park early because Cici bit a kid. Mandy tells her parents she explained to Cici why what she did was wrong and that’s met with condescension from Audrey. Mandy’s mother explains that Cici needs to feel why what she did was wrong and suggests Mandy bite Cici back. Mandy is appalled that her mother would suggest that, but Audrey explains that Mandy bit “only once” and Audrey bit her back.
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Mandy continues to push her new wave style of parenting but Cici ends up biting Mandy. This gives Audrey the opportunity to point out how the new wave parenting isn’t working. Mandy and Georgie try to use toys to show Cici why biting hurts, but Cici just thinks pain is funny. Something needs to be done and the disagreement is about to turn into a full blown family feud.
Clashing Styles
Audrey takes Cici to the park to give Mandy a break, but they have to come back early because Cici bit another child. When Mandy says she’ll take care of it, Audrey tells her that she already did. Mandy quickly figures out this means that her mother bit her daughter. This angers Mandy who calls Georgie’s mother, Mary, and asks to stay over there.
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Mary is happy to have her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in her home. But she runs into many of the same problems when watching Cici. Her granddaughter throws a toy at her and hurts her. Mary talks to Georgie and tells him that he needs to suggest stricter discipline to Mandy. Mary doesn’t agree with the biting but is an advocate for spanking. Georgie talks to Mandy and she quickly realizes this is coming from Mary. Mandy now feels like her mother and her mother-in-law are ganging up on her.
On the Radio
Mandy is driving home and getting frustrated when she hears a radio show tackling family issues dynamic. She decides to call in and air her dirty laundry on the show. Audrey overhears it and decides to call in and explain her side of the story. Audrey tries to tell the radio host that Mandy was spanked as a child, but Mandy reveals Jim never spanked her. This leads to Audrey telling Jim to pick up the phone and get in on the call.
Troy Harvey/CBS
The McAllisters continue to argue over discipline when Mary calls in to tell her side of the story. At the shop, Georgie and Ruben have been listening to the whole conversation. Georgie has been staying out of it until he hears his mother and mother-in-law ganging up on his wife. The episode ends with Georgie picking up the phone and telling Ruben to dial.
What’s Next?
This episode highlights some of the problems that will eventually lead to Georgie and Mandy’s marriage ending. Georgie is trying to let Mandy parent her way, but he really doesn’t agree with her. He supports his mother’s views on spanking and also doesn’t want to fight with his mother-in-law. He’s trying to avoid conflict and it’s going to implode the marriage. At the same time, Mandy is unwilling to listen to others who have been through parenting previously. This could contribute to major issues in the marriage going forward.
Check out Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2025
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