‘A Million Little Things’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘The Game of Your Life’ Recap: Bittersweet Decisions

Finally, A Million Little Things has given us a turning point. After weeks of dark and dreary episodes that were honestly starting to get too much, this week’s episode has definitely given us something new to hope for. So far, it has been the most pleasantly emotional episode and the best example of how A Million Little Things is stepping up its game becoming more lovable.

After taking quite a hit from the revelation of Eddie (David Giuntoli) and Delilah’s (Stephanie Szostak) affair, the adults are trying their best to move on and well, act like adults. It wasn’t easy but, their friendship came through. Now, everyone’s more focused on their own lives. Delilah and Regina (Christina Marie Moses) made up and are now focusing on the restaurant. However, Delilah is flabbergasted as Sophie (Lizzy Greene) suddenly starts acting out.

Meanwhile, Gary (James Roday) finds out that Maggie (Allison Miller) is facing down the barrel of another treatment set again. But, since he didn’t find out from her own mouth, he’s giving her the chance to tell him herself. Rome (Romany Malco), on the other hand, quit his job and is now actively seeking help for his depression. And lastly, although Eddie and Katherine (Grace Park) are trying their best to work out their marital issues for their son, it seems that their marriage is far from jumping off the rocks.

No Part is a Small Part

Bright and early in the morning, Sophie rushes down the stairs past her mother looking upset. However, Sophie brushes off her mother’s questions. In contrast, Gary greets Maggie good morning in his apartment with breakfast and a mysterious date plan. The happy atmosphere carries through to the Saville household as Theo (Tristan Byon) tries on his tree costume for a play. Both Katherine and Eddie admire their son. However, as Theo reminds them that the play was on that day, their smiles fade.

Eddie mentions that he received an email from the school that they moved the play date and thought that Katherine received it too. However, it seems that the emails were only sent to the primary parent. Katherine leaves the house upset about missing her son’s play no matter how small his part was. At court, she tries to postpone the case honestly stating her reasons to the judge. Unfortunately, she’s refused.

Meanwhile, Rome finally decides to give Maggie’s referral a try. On his session with Dr. Heller (Jeff Joseph), he admits that even after quitting the job he hated, he doesn’t feel any different. In turn, Dr. Heller asks him to look back on his family and see if they had a history of depression. He also prescribed Rome some anti-depressants.

Later that morning, Delilah visits Regina. However, her visit is cut short when she receives a call from Sophie’s principal. Arriving at Sophie’s school, Delilah finds out that her daughter punched another girl in the face. The reason she did it was because the said girl, Chloe, posted a picture on Instagram where she declared that Sophie’s dad was a sinner who was burning in hell because of his suicide. Delilah tries to calm Sophie down but, she blows up on her instead.

Taking Matters Into Hand

Later on, Eddie sees Theo off to school alone. Theo asks his dad if his mom was going to make it but, Eddie could only reply that she’ll try her best. Truthfully so, Katherine held nothing back at court doing her job so well that she managed to get the opposing team to request to postpone. Unfortunately, she was still running a tad too late for the play. Upon finding out, Eddie immediately sets out to hold up the play.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

At first, he steals the Queen’s poisoned apple. That didn’t work, so he sets out to convince Theo’s principal, Principal McIsaac, to hold up the play for at least 20 minutes. Eddie teams up the working moms and helps them confront Principal Mcisaac to make some changes around the school.

On the other hand, Gary brings Maggie to an awaiting hot air balloon ride and a pizza picnic. He keeps hinting at getting to know each other more as he tries to nudge Maggie into telling her about her treatment. Sadly, it doesn’t go as planned and Maggie figures out what Gary was trying to do. He immediately apologizes and offers an immense amount of support. But, Maggie disappoints him when she admits that she’s not fighting her cancer anymore. Gary is speechless as she explains that she’d rather live a life of quality rather than banking on a sketchy 30% chance of survival. She even credits the inspiration to him. Gary tries to fight her on it but, Maggie’s mind is set.

Parents

Upon getting home, Delilah tries to cheer up Sophie by some mother and daughter bonding time. In the middle of their TV marathon, Delilah brings out a dummy and a pair of boxing gloves. She then encourages Sophie to pour out all her frustrations on the dummy instead of the real person.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

On the other hand, Rome takes his therapists advice and gives his parents a visit. He catches them in the middle of repairing the chandelier. As he turns to help, Rome’s dad asks when Rome’s going to have a child. But, Rome simply laughs it off. He then turns the conversation and asks his father if he’s ever had bad days. The old man pauses and looks down on his son and replies that everyone has them. It’s all part of life. Later before he leaves, Rome’s mother pulls him aside and admits that his father has had his share of bad days. She reminds him to take care of himself not only for his self but, also for Regina before sending him off with a hug.

On the other side of town, Eddie’s distraction works and Katherine arrives just in time. She finds other working moms praising Eddie for his help to let their pleas be heard. And she’s surprised to find it was all for her. Suddenly, Principal McIsaac calls their attention about Theo. It turns out, the lead of the play has told Theo that his part was useless. However, with some teamwork, Katherine and Eddie manage to turn this around and assure their son that no matter how small his part was, he still mattered. With renewed vigor, Theo puts his arms up straight and lets his mother put his costume on him.

The Game of Life

Later that day, Gary drives home in silence with Maggie. Suddenly, he takes a detour and takes her to a basketball court. There, he challenges her to a game for her life. If he wins, she goes on with chemo. However, if she wins, he concedes, and he’s banned from ever mentioning treatment ever again. After shortly considering it, Maggie accepts.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

Gary starts off strong putting a gap between their scores. But, Maggie quickly catches up through a little bit of hustling. The game intensifies, and soon, the ball lands on Maggie as the last point is on the line. Gary corners her far from the ring but, she holds onto the ball and aims for a shot. In one smooth motion, the ball floats through the air and perfectly falls through the hoop giving Maggie the win. Gary couldn’t seem to accept defeat. But, he gives Maggie what she wants.

On the other hand, the Dixon’s are having fun with their boxing. As Sophie lets out her strongest punch, Delilah hopefully asks if she’s feeling better. But, Sophie gives a decisive no. So, Delilah decides to switch to plan B: let’s eat out feelings. After stuffing themselves full of nachos, movie theatre candy, and chicken wings, they settle into a sincere talk. They both admit to having a lot of questions about what’s happening in their lives. And Delilah assures that they’ll find the answers. Maybe not today or tomorrow but, they’ll find it someday.

It’s What’s Best

Getting home after the play, Eddie and Katherine were in a delightful mood. As they remembered Theo’s silly antics on the closing curtain, they can’t help but laugh. As their relationship seems to be taking a turn for the better, Katherine tells Eddie that she couldn’t be with him anymore. They were a good team that day. But, she couldn’t get past what happened, and she didn’t feel like she had to. Instead of feeling happy, she felt angry at everything.

Like them, Gary and Maggie were stuck at a choice. As Gary drops off Maggie that night, he begs for her to stay and let him fight with her. Tears fall from her eyes as he desperately tries to convince her. But, Maggie’s mind is set. She steps out of his car and instead thanks him for the great day.

Afterward, the guys get together and mull over their troubles resulting to Gary giving the privilege of his couch to Eddie. As soon as the commercial break hits on the TV, the guys rush to the bathroom. Since Eddie called dibs on the guest bathroom, Gary goes into Rome and Regina’s master bathroom. There, a certain box poking out of the trash bin calls his attention.

Gary delivers the pregnancy kit box to Rome who goes into a panic. But, Eddie reminds them that it’s actually the stick that matters. Soon enough, Gary fishes it out of the trash bin. As soon as Eddie points out that Gary’s holding onto the portion that the pee usually touches, Gary drops the stick. Rome picks it up only to confirm his suspicions. Someone’s pregnant.

A Surprise Far From Expectations

Getting the confirmation sets Rome into another panic. Luckily, Eddie grabs ahold of him and comforts him. Eddie uses his own experience of how Theo changed his life to convince Rome to receive the congratulations finally. A few days later, Rome is already looking at baby bonnets online. He even finally decided to take the medication prescribed to him.

On the other hand, Eddie and Katherine agree on explaining what was happening to Theo. As Gary comes along to pick up Eddie, Katherine has a word with him. She thanks him and asks him to look out for Eddie and Gary replies with a firm “I will.” It turns out; he’s also decided with Maggie. As she opens her door to head out, she’s greeted by a grape soda with a blue balloon tied to it with the simple note “I’m in” attached to it.

Back at Rome’s, he finds his wife gorging on some mint chocolate ice cream. With a smile, he admits to finding the stick. But, Regina denies it was hers. Rome plays along and asks who’s was it. Regina gives him a look but, he simply laughs. This time, Regina’s face falls as she tells her husband the truth. It’s Delilah’s.

A Million Little Things continues next Wednesday, October 31st, with “Unexpected” at 10/9c on ABC.