Episode Recap
At the Coopers’ dining room table, Mary says a prayer, asking God to “look after Sheldon and I as we travel to Germany”, which Sheldon corrects to “Sheldon and me”. Mary insists God doesn’t care about grammar, but Sheldon points out his mother won’t be on a ten hour flight with God. After Meemaw asks Sheldon if he’s excited about the trip to Germany, he tries to answer in Deutsch, but George doesn’t want to hear any more German. Mandy wonders where Missy is, prompting Sheldon to explain his sister is mad at him for telling on her. George admits Missy is also mad at him for grounding her. Georgie reminds his parents they were mad at him all the time, but now he and Mandy are getting married. Mary makes clear there shall be no weddings while she’s away. Mandy admits she hasn’t told her parents yet because of her mom. Georgie insists Mandy’s mom has been pretty sweet with CeeCee, though. After Mary remarks that some people are just better grandmothers than mothers, Meemaw wonders if it was a swipe at her. “Could be a compliment”, Mary says unconvincingly.
Later that night, as Sheldon struggles to get to sleep, he uses the knocker on his wall to get Missy’s attention. Using the walkie talkie, Sheldon tells Missy he knows she’s mad at him, but since he’s going to be out of the country for the summer, he thinks it would be better for them if they parted amicably. “We've never been away from each other for this long, which will be different, and I don't like when things are different. So I suppose what I'm trying to say is... I'll miss you.”, Sheldon tells Missy as she listens to the walkie talkie in her room. After Sheldon hears a knock on his bedroom wall, he gets up and opens his bedroom door. He finds Missy’s walkie talkie on the ground in front of him.
Over at Meemaw’s, she asks Dale if he really thinks they need all these security cameras for the backroom. Dale wanted a rottweiler but Meemaw said no. Meemaw insists they won’t get robbed again as she’s “taken precautions”. Georgie arrives and asks if Mandy is around. After hearing she’s not, Georgie reveals he’s found a wedding ring. After Meemaw asks to see it, Georgie explains he hasn’t got it yet, saying it’s a little expensive. Bitter divorcee Dale gives Georgie some unwanted advice not to spend much on a ring. Meemaw asks Georgie what he needs. He was hoping for an advance on his paycheck - “next month and the month after that, and, like, two weeks after that.” Dale tries to suggest a cheaper ring, but Georgie is insistent it’s important he gets the real thing. Meemaw gets wads of cash out of a Raisin Bran box, telling Dale these are the “precautions”.
As George drives Mary, Sheldon and Missy to the airport, Sheldon tells his father that when they get to the airport, they'll be looking for “international departures”. George sarcastically thanks Sheldon for telling him Germany’s another country. “Is he joking? I'd like to believe he's joking.”, Sheldon wonders. After Mary tells Sheldon his father is joking, Sheldon remarks, “He's a football coach. I don't know what he knows.” Mary wonders to make Missy take off her headphones, seeing as she won’t be seeing her for a few months. George tells Mary to just enjoy the silence. Sheldon tells his mother not to feel bad as he’s the one Missy is mad at. Realizing his mom is upset, Sheldon taps on Missy’s shoulder to tell her that their mom is feeling bad because she’s ignoring her. Missy says good, blaming Mary for making her go to the airport.
Over at Meemaw’s, Georgie and Mandy are packing up their belongings and baby supplies as they get ready to go to her parents’ house. After Georgie jokes that they’re good for food since they’ve got her boobs, Mandy asks him not to mention her boobs at her parent’s house. When Mandy asks if they’re forgetting anything, Georgie pulls out a ring box. He knows they’re already engaged, but he wanted her to have this. Mandy says it’s beautiful, and she doesn’t know what to say. Georgie thanks her for asking him to marry her, but wonders if they can leave that bit out of the story when they tell people. “Why? 'Cause a woman proposing to a man is embarrassing?”, Mandy wonders. “Yeah.”, Georgie admits.
At the airport, Sheldon is excited to hear the announcement for their flight to Frankfurt. When Mary asks George if he’s going to be okay, he tells her not to worry, and to have a great trip. They both hug and say they’re going to miss each other. “Great, can we go now?”, Missy asks. Mary says not before she gives her a hug. As they hug, Mary tells Missy she won’t miss her attitude but she will miss her. After George tells Missy to say goodbye to her brother, she says no. Sheldon is fine with that as he doesn’t care for hugs, but Mary insists. “Fine, bye.”, Missy says in a perfunctory manner before quickly heading off to the giftshop. “Auf Wiedersehen!”, Sheldon says with a wave.
As they sit in their plane seats before take-off, Mary notices the rain coming down outside. Sheldon is lost in thought, so when Mary insists the plane will take off without an issue, Sheldon thinks his mother is nervous and tries to comfort her. Mary admits she was trying to calm him down. Sheldon explains he’s not nervous, just excited that there’s a celebrity on board. After Mary wonders who, Sheldon replies “Dr. Van Doornewaard.”, much to Mary’s bewilderment. Sheldon tries to help Mary by describing him as “the Dmitri Mendeleev of physics”, but that raises another question. “Dmitri Mendeleev? Oh, he is to chemistry what Pierre-Simon Laplace is to…”, Sheldon says before Mary cuts him off with “Got it. He's a famous science guy.” Sheldon wants to go introduce himself, but Mary points out the fasten seatbelt sign is on and they’re preparing for take-off. Sheldon wonders if Dr. Van Doornewaard could sign his vomit bag, so long as he doesn’t have to use it first.
As George drives Missy home, he remarks about the weather but Missy remains silent. George tries to get her attention, but Missy is in no mood to talk. When George asks what’s going on, she responds “Nothing”. “Like you never messed up when you were my age?”, she asks her father. George admits he screwed up plenty, but the army sorted him out. After Missy jokes that maybe they should ship her off to the army, George says “You know, that's not a bad idea.”. George runs with the idea, saying she’ll be up at 0600 tomorrow to do jobs around the house. Missy insists he can’t make her do that. George says it’s cute she thinks that. After Missy asks why he’s trying to ruin her life, George says "That’s ‘Why are you trying to ruin my life, sir?’". Missy has just one question: What’s 0600?
When Pastor Jeff walks into the laundromat, he finds Dale up on a ladder. Dale explains he’s fitting a security camera, saying you can’t be too careful. “People rob laundromats?”, Pastor Jeff questions. After Dale flashes back to the gaming machines in back, he tells Pastor Jeff it happens all the time. Dale excuses himself, saying he’s got to go grab something. “So, help yourself to a washer and... peace be upon you.” In the gaming room, Dale tells Meemaw that Pastor Jeff is in the laundromat. Meemaw doesn’t see the issue, but Dale points out Jeff wanted to close the video store, so what will he think of an illegal gaming room? Meemaw tells Dale he’s not going to find out… unless you start acting all weird. “Did you already start acting all weird?”, she wonders. “Nah.”, Dale says before quickly admitting “Yeah.”
When Meemaw and Dale return from the gaming room to the laundromat, she tells Jeff what a nice surprise this is. Pastor Jeff wonders if Connie was in the storage closet this whole time? “Yes, I was.”, Meemaw says, before Dale adds “That’s not weird.”
When Georgie, Mandy and CeeCee join Mandy’s parents Jim and Audrey in their living room, Georgie and Mandy show off the engagement ring he just bought her. After Mandy asks if her parents are okay with a small wedding, Audrey says she is “more than okay” with it. Georgie is happy to hear they don’t have a problem, but Mandy is taken aback by her mother’s choice of words. Audrey argues that under the circumstances, a smaller wedding is better. Mandy wonders whether her mother is embarrassed for her friends to learn they have a baby. Audrey admits the friends know she has a baby, they just might be under the impression that Mandy and Georgie are already married. Georgie tries to get the conversation back onto safer ground: admiring his ring.
On the flight, Sheldon presses the assistance button, even though Mary warned him not to bother the attendants. A female attendant, Sue, comes over to ask how she can help. Sheldon wants to know when the seat belt sign will be switched off. The flight attendant explains it will be when the captain feels it’s safe to move about the cabin. Sheldon points out she’s moving about the cabin. “Because you pushed the button”, the flight attendant reminds him. After Mary apologizes for bothering her, Sue asks if there’s anything else. “Yes, would you please tell the man in 44E that I'm a huge fan of his mirror symmetry theory? And he also may want to consider applying it to enumerative geometry.”, Sheldon tells her. After Mary says there’s nothing else, the flight attendant leaves them.
Mary knows Sheldon is excited, but she tells him when the seatbelt sign goes off he needs to be respectful. That man may not want to meet him- Mary is interrupted by a chime, followed by Sheldon undoing his seatbelt and jumping out of his seat. When the flight attendant returns with a gin and tonic for Mary, she starts to say she doesn’t really… but realizing she’s on a ten hour flight with Sheldon, Mary thanks the flight attendant.
At the McAllister’s, Jim tells Mandy and Georgie that they don’t have to go. Mandy jokes they have a big wedding to plan. After Audrey wonders if they’re doing this just to spite her, Georgie insists they’re not. When Mandy details her intention to hold a big wedding and invite all their family friends, Georgie realizes that is what they’re doing after all. Jim tries to reason with Audrey and Mandy to no avail. When Mandy opens the door to reveal a downpour outside, Georgie doesn’t think they should drive in this, but she insists it’s just a little rain. As Mandy steps outside, Georgie remains still. Mandy returns a moment later, soaking wet and asking for a towel.
At the laundromat, customers are staring out the window at the pouring rain and the whistling wind. As Dale warns them to get away from the window, Pastor Jeff asks Meemaw if there’s some place they can shelter. Meemaw and Dale discuss whether they should move everybody “somewhere else”. Dale reminds Meemaw she didn’t want “you-know-who somewhere else”. After a tree branch smashes through the window, Dale takes charge and insists everyone follow him. When Pastor Jeff questions how they’ll all fit in a supply closet, Meemaw suggests maybe God will provide a miracle. After they’re all shepherded into the gaming room, Pastor Jeff wonders what all this is. “A miracle.”, Meemaw claims.
As George drives home with Missy in the howling rain, a man on the radio warns that winds are now expected to reach speeds of 120 to 180 mph. Residents are strongly advised to use caution. A weather warning siren wails in the distance. As Missy admits she’s scared, George says it’s okay, they’re almost home. He tells Missy to keep an eye out for funnel clouds. “What happens if I see one?”, Missy wonders. George explains they’ll get out of the car and lay down low till it passes them by. Missy is surprised they would get out of the car, but George points out cars can be picked up in the wind so it’s safer on the ground. As Missy turns her head and sees a funnel cloud approaching, she tells her dad they need to get out of the car.
As Sheldon stands and talks to an equally excited Dr. Van Doornewaard, a man in the aisle seat is forced to listen to their conversation.
At the McAllisters’ house, they have all sought shelter in the bathroom. Jim asks Georgie how CeeCee’s handling it. Georgie, who is cradling his baby, says she’s liking it in there. Jim jokes she takes after him; it’s his favorite room in the house. Audrey, unable to let the issue go, tells Mandy they won’t be paying for a big wedding. Mandy can’t believe that’s what her mother wants to talk about when they might all die in the storm. Audrey accuses Mandy of always being dramatic. Mandy insists they’re not counting on them to pay. “Uh, actually…”, Georgie starts to say. Mandy thought he was saving up. Georgie admits he was saving up, but says it’s now on her finger. Mandy wonders how much he spent on the ring. Jim is curious, too. Georgie whispers the price to Mandy, who gasps. Now Jim’s real curious. Audrey takes it as proof they’re not having a big wedding.
George and Missy are laying low in a muddy puddle by the side of the road, as the weather sirens blare, the rain pours and the wind howls. After Missy asks her dad if he can see the tornado, George tells her to keep her head down as he holds her close.
In the gambling room, Meemaw, Dale, Pastor Jeff and the other customers are all sitting in a circle. Pastor Jeff tells Meemaw he can’t believe she’s running a gambling room. Meemaw argues the gambling room is keeping them all safe, so maybe the Lord works in mysterious ways. Dale thinks that’s a good argument. Pastor Jeff counters that maybe He sent that storm so He could save all these souls. Dale says that’s good, too. Meemaw says if He’s going to save their souls, they need to survive first. She asks Pastor Jeff to put in a word with his boss. Pastor Jeff prays for the Lord to keep them safe. Not just of those huddled there, but all their loved ones, wherever they may be.
Back out by the road, Missy says it’s getting quieter. George looks up and realizes the tornado is moving away from them. They’re okay, he says. After Missy starts to cry, George tells her it’s over. Missy says she’s sorry, sorry for everything. She’s been awful and doesn’t even know why. Missy admits she really does love George, and Mary, and she doesn't actually hate Sheldon. She promises she’ll be better. George knows she will. He says he loves her too, and hugs her. After Missy asks where the car is, George points to it turned on its side in the middle of the road. “Glad we got out?”, he asks. Missy nods.
As Dale drives Meemaw home in his pick-up truck, Meemaw surveys the neighborhood. Meemaw says Mary’s house looks okay, but she gasps as they pull up in front of her house, and realize it’s been destroyed. “Oh, Connie, I'm so sorry.”, Dale tells her. He says the important thing is no one was in there. “I mean, it’s just stuff, right?”, Dale says before picking up a note. “And money.” “Oh, no. All my money.”, Meemaw cries. She bends down to sift through the rubble and pick up all the money, asking Dale for help.
As Sheldon unpacks in the German hotel room, Mary tries to phone home but doesn’t get an answer from Meemaw’s house either. Mary admits she’s starting to get a little worried.
Back in Medford, George, Missy, Georgie and Mandy join Meemaw and Dale at what’s left of Meemaw’s house. Georgie finds a baby picture of him that’s not even cracked. George tells Mandy she’s welcome to stay with them for as long as she needs. She can stay in Sheldon’s room, so long as she doesn’t tell Sheldon or touch anything. George also extends an invite to Meemaw, who is grateful but expects Dale was just about to make an offer himself. Dale insists he was going to, he’s just taking a break. Missy walks over to Meemaw to ask if it’s a “finders keepers” situation with jewelry. After Meemaw says no, Missy hands over a chain she found. When Pastor Jeff comes over, he says he’s sorry for Meemaw. Jeff promises he won’t act on what he saw earlier today as she’s been through enough. Pastor Jeff offers to give her a hand and asks if there’s anything special she’s looking for. “A box of Raisin Bran”, Meemaw says. Meemaw sits down on the porch as everybody continues searching through the remnants of her home.
