Ep 5. Uncle Dad

In Baskets season 1 episode 5, titled "Uncle Dad," Chip's past troubles come back to haunt him as his mother arrives in town with her new boyfriend, whom Chip can't help but refer to as his "uncle dad." As if that weren't complicated enough, Chip's mother enlists him to help her move into a new home, and Chip's inability to say no leads to a series of mishaps and misadventures.

The episode begins with Chip at work, trying to keep his circus job afloat even as his inexperience and lack of enthusiasm leave him struggling to connect with the audience. Meanwhile, his mother Penelope calls and informs him that she and her new beau will be coming to Bakersfield for a visit. Chip is immediately apprehensive, as he has not spoken to his mother in some time and is unsure how to navigate their strained relationship.

When Penelope and Uncle Dad arrive, Chip is visibly uncomfortable and reluctant to engage with them. However, his mother quickly puts him to work, asking him to help her move her belongings from a U-Haul truck into her new apartment. Chip reluctantly agrees, and chaos soon ensues as they attempt to navigate a narrow staircase with a large sofa.

As the day wears on, Chip's frustration with Uncle Dad mounts, as the man seems determined to undermine Chip at every turn. Uncle Dad makes suggestive comments about Chip's mother, insults Chip's masculinity, and generally acts like a boorish buffoon. Chip grits his teeth and tries to hold his tongue, but eventually his anger boils over and he gets into a physical altercation with Uncle Dad.

The episode touches on themes of family dysfunction, adult children grappling with the legacies of neglectful or abusive parents, and the inevitable awkwardness that arises when estranged family members attempt to reconnect. Through Chip's struggles to navigate his relationship with his mother and her new partner, the show offers a comedic but ultimately poignant exploration of the complexities of family dynamics.

As with previous episodes, the show's quirky humor and deadpan delivery shine through in even the most awkward or uncomfortable moments. The episode's physical comedy, particularly during the moving scene, provides plenty of slapstick laughs, while Chip's ongoing attempts to connect with the circus audience offer a melancholy counterpoint to the family drama.

Ultimately, "Uncle Dad" is a standout episode that advances the show's central themes of failure, disappointment, and redemption while also delivering plenty of laughs and memorable moments.