Now that the debates are over, "The New Normal" returns to its usual Tuesday night time slot to deliver its take on the hottest political and social issues. Religion, faith, and the quest for the perfect godparents were this week's topics. Nana is M.I.A. after she and Goldie had a big blowout in the previous episode, but Rocky fills in with a dose of opinionated sass.
Are you a fighter?
Bryan and David are lacking in the faith department but want their baby to have enlightened godparents to impart spiritual wisdom. They ask Tiffany and Victoria to take the role, but the couple reveals that their own fruitless struggle to have a baby for the past six years turned their faith into bitterness.
Bryan decides to return to his Catholic roots and rediscover God so he can find godparents. He meets Father Michael, who describes Jesus as the Chuck Norris of his day. He compares the Pope to an old, intolerant uncle and encourages Bryan to fight for his place in the church. He has to push for change if he wants to see a difference.
Rule 1 of Surrogate 101
Creepy Gary of Expanding Families meets with Goldie for a routine check-in and describes surrogacy as a simple transaction instead of a lifelong relationship. Goldie suddenly realizes that Bryan and David won't always be a part of her family. Shania mistakenly thinks the baby is related to her and expects to welcome a half-sibling. Goldie explains that she is merely a storage unit, but Shania has faith in her new family. She thinks Bryan's soul is identical to hers because they often think alike.
Shania is in charge of the class guinea pig, Marshmallow, and has to take photos to illustrate her family life. She insists on including the guys, but Goldie tries to dissuade her. Later, the guinea pig dies in the guys' care. Bryan asks Rocky to secretly buy a replacement, but she didn't check the gender. When Shania notices the difference, Rocky decides to explain the concept of death.
The speech leaves Shania with a peaceful understanding of death, and she holds a memorial to celebrate Marshmallow's life. Goldie and Shania's spiritual eloquence leads Bryan and David to select them as the baby's godparents.
Goldie confesses that she doubted Bryan and David because her family members always left her. They remind her they aren't the typical family and assure her that she can rely on them.
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