Grad Night
Johnny goes in to see Alexis and says he has a favor. She replies she would like a ride to work, and he tries to explain that he mean he needed a favor from her. He needs her to work the motel front desk that Friday, but Alexis says it’s her high school graduation. She tells Moira and Johnny she doesn’t want them to intend, but they say they will while David says he won’t. Moira tells David he has to unless he has a special excuse, to which David replies it is his birthday. Moira and Johnny claim they didn’t forget.
David wraps up a purchase for a customer who asks for a gift receipt, and David complains that he wishes everyone remembered special days. Patrick asks if David is okay, and David asks if his family has ever forgotten his birthday. Patrick says no, he always had some kind of party, sometimes two before realizing this isn’t helping and says his family has forgotten other things. He watches David and says he senses it is his birthday. They banter and Patrick faux-causally offers to take David out for his birthday at the cafe. David reluctantly agrees, and Patrick looks pleased.
Alexis peruses a pile of resumes at Ted’s office, and she realizes that there are candidates who have gone to school for vet stuff. She asks if she should be assisting with surgery, and Ted emphatically says no. He says she’s learning, and he’s pleased. She thinks, and then she decides she is taking someone more qualified’s job and that there is probably a better job for her. So, she decides to quit. Ted is disappointed but supportive, and he doesn’t let her try and leave early even though it is her graduation.
Johnny is talking on the phone at the motel front desk and booking a reservation for someone named Damian Steele. He excitedly shows a skeptical Stevie that they are fully booked. She says the no in the no vacancy sign burned out years earlier and it hasn’t been an issue. He’s still excited and insists on an awkward high-five.
At the town hall, Moira wants to work on song. Ronnie points out that they are an ensemble group and that number requires a lead vocal that happens to be in Moira’s range. Jocelyn arrives with good news and bad news, and the good news is that they have been invited to perform in the Little Towns, Big Voices Festival but the bad news is that she and Moira will be attending the high school graduation instead. Moira tells a surprised Jocelyn that Alexis doesn’t want her at the graduation so she can attend the festival.
Moira arrives home to see Alexis trying on her cap and gown. She watches her and then suggests Alexis not wear the cap because it will flatten her hair and pull focus from her face. Alexis says they all have to wear one. Moira argues, but then gives Alexis a pep talk and says how proud she is that Alexis went back to school at her age. Alexis faux-causally says it is not too late if she wants to come. Moira says it’s fine, and then reveals that she’s singing with the Jazzagals. Alexis tries to hide her disappointment. Before she leaves, Moira glances back at Alexis trying on her cap and gown with a sad look on her face.
David arrives to find Patrick already seated at the cafe. They happily banter, and then Stevie arrives and asks if anyone else is coming. Patrick is clearly flustered at her arrival and excuses himself the restroom. Stevie asks David is it is okay that she is there. David is confused and say yes, why? She points out that Patrick has brought a nicely wrapped gift bag for David, and she thinks she’s crashing a date. David insists she’s wrong, and she points to the gift and says that if there is anything sentimental in the bag, she is crashing a date.
At the graduation, Alexis stands with the teenage graduates, looking out at the audience and one asks which ones are her parents. She says she told them not to come. Jocelyn announces her name and kisses her on the cheek as she accepts her diploma. Alexis again looks out at the crowd and half-smiles.
Stevie and David look at the menus and each other and the present. Patrick returns and observes they found his present. David says they didn’t want anything to spill on it. Patrick replies, “So you put it on the table?” David and Stevie nod. Stevie then insists David open the present, and David thanks Patrick before even opening it because it’s the first gift he hasn’t bought himself in a long time. Patrick says it’s nothing. David looks at the gift and then looks at Patrick. Stevie asks what it is. Patrick says it’s the receipt from their first sale at the store. Stevie looks wide-eyed and pleased, and David looks touched. He says, “This is not nothing” and thanks him. He and Patrick share a look and Stevie excuses herself as Twyla brings their order of mozzarella sticks. As Stevie leaves, she gives a thumbs up behind Patrick that only David can see. David says it is a very solid frame and Patrick replies that he is learning. They then “toast” with their mozzarella sticks.
At the graduation, Ted arrives and has been taking pictures. She says she thought he wouldn’t want to come, and he says that just because she’s moving on, that doesn’t mean they can’t still see each other. They lock eyes and she says she’s really glad he came. He says he’s glad, too.
Johnny is at the motel desk happily telling someone that they are booked up. Then, Roland arrives and reveals he is Damian Steele, to Johnny’s irritation. He then uncomfortably describes a role playing ritual he and Jocelyn have on graduation, which further irritates Johnny.
Jocelyn is on stage and congratulates the graduates. She says they have a special surprise in honor of their achievement. Alexis wants to go, but Ted says they should stay. The surprise turns out to be the Jazzagals, with Moira on lead vocals, singing “Baby, I’m Yours.” Alexis is delighted and applauds wildly for her mother.
Patrick drives David home after their date. They sit in the car and banter about the evening and their successful partnership. David leans over and kisses Patrick very gently. Patrick looks surprised and happy, and he thanks David. David asks, “For what?” Patrick says he’s never done that before, with a guy, and he was getting worried that he was going to let David leave with them having done it. David smiles and then jokes that he’s a very generous person. They agree to talk in the morning. As David gets out of the car, they say their goodnights.
David walks into the motel and Alexis is waiting with a yellow flower for him, saying happy birthday. He replies with a happy graduation. Then, Johnny and Moira come in with cake and sing to their children. David notices the cake has misspelled his name. Moira insists they are doing the best they can. Johnny and Moira sing some more.
Tropes that Appear in this Episode
- Big Damn Kiss: David plants one on Patrick at the end of the night, launching their relationship.
- Birthday Episode: It's David's birthday, and his family has forgotten, but it turns out okay.
- Call-Back: The frame gift references back to David insulting/hurting Patrick's feelings over the frame he picked out for his business license.
- Cloud Cuckoolander: Alexis misunderstands Johnny's need for a favor, thinking he wants to do her a favor.
- Closet Key: Patrick admits that his and David's first kiss was his first kiss with a man, and that he was scared he wouldn't be able to initiate that himself.
- First Kiss: David and Patrick share their first kiss.
- Forgotten Anniversary: Johnny and Moira forgot David's birthday. They also don't know it's also Alexis's graduation, but that's because she didn't tell them and doesn't want them to come. The latter is definitely subverted because Moira was taking center stage at the Jazzagals' surprise performance at Alexis's graduation.
- Generation Xerox: David launches his relationship with Patrick, mirroring his parents, with himself as the Moira to Patrick's Johnny.
- Good Parents: Johnny and Moira are both loving, dedicated parents to their adult children in this episode, despite some mishaps.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Stevie had once had feelings for David, but she encourages him to be with Patrick.
- Nice Guy: Both Patrick and Ted prove to be very nice guys in this episode, though neither is a push over.
- Not a Date: David doesn't realize Patrick thinks of their evening as a date.
- #1 Dime: Patrick's gift to David is the framed receipt for the first sale at their store.
- Oblivious to Love: David is so glum about his family forgetting his birthday, he misses the obvious signs that Patrick is attracted to him and thinks of their evening as a date.
- Odd Couple: Johnny and Roland have a conversation that optimizes their odd couple friendship.
- Queer Romance: David and Patrick begin their romance, which becomes a signature part of the show.
- Season Finale: This episode is the Season Three Finale and sets up major storylines for Season Four as well as providing closure to many of the third season's stories.
- Shipper on Deck: Stevie supports David and Patrick's romance, being very pleased to find out what the gift is.
- Third Wheel: Stevie realizes she is this and politely leaves.
