‘A Million Little Things’ Season 2, Episode 12 ‘Guilty’ Review: Mommy Issues

Two of the biggest mysteries of the season are finally solved in A Million Little Things. Eric (Jason Ritter) is finally coming clean with Maggie about his scarlessness. And boy did I not expect how complicated it was at all! It also begs the question if Eric’s going to stay on in A Million Little Things since well, honesty has been hurting a lot of people in the group lately.

On the other hand, this week’s episode also finally gives us a good look at the woman who’s been hovering over Gary’s head since he first mentioned her, his mom. She’s always been a fixture in Gary’s issues and now, we’re finally able to see if Gary’s (James Roday) verdict of her is really true. Much like him, Regina (Christina Moses) is also forced to face her own mommy issues as she tells her mom about the adoption. After all, even if they’re relationship is getting better, they’ve got years to backtrack on. From fake movies and Sutton Foster to mommy issues and revelations, this week’s episode on A Million Little Things packs a ton! So, here’s what happened.

Roadtrip to New York

Since Sophie’s eventful baseball game, Gary has been holed up in his apartment. And he’s been watching this 90s courtroom thriller that his mom was in. As Delilah so kindly puts it, it’s like a scab he can’t help but pick. So, the gang heads to the rescue.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

Upon bringing up the topic of his mom, Delilah (Stephanie Szostak) manages to convince Gary to finally talk to his mother who’s currently in New York. Once they finally meet, Gary doesn’t waste time and slams Alice (Marcia Gay Harden) with the abandonment issue. What he didn’t expect is that she did actually come back after she left them.

Apparently, a year after she left, she came back to check on Gary. Once she pulled up in front of his house, she saw her son at the end of the street playing hockey with all his friends. He was smiling. And she decided that if she got out of the car, she would ruin this happiness of his. She didn’t want him to feel that something’s missing in his life like she always felt with hers. Sadly, Gary felt just that with her absence.

Gary Forgives

Hearing his mother’s explanation, Gary very nearly explodes. As he tells her, every week, he asked his dad where his mom was. And every time, his dad would reply “soon Gary, she just needs some time.” But, soon enough, little Gary realized that his questions were tearing his dad apart. One day, his dad came home to him watching this courtroom thriller and his face turned white as a sheet. Alice was there on the screen. And that’s when Gary realized she was never coming back.

Sure enough, this explosion racks up tears with Alice. So, she apologizes and asks Gary to come back after her show so they could have dinner and try to start over again. However, Gary refuses. Afterward, Gary confides in Delilah. His freaking mother, the person who should’ve loved him the most didn’t even get out of the car. That’s why he found it hard to trust people until Maggie (Allison Miller) came along.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

Later on, Gary changes his mind and decides to give his mom a second chance. However, a production assistant comes along and announces that a famous producer just picked up their play. This leaves Alice a dilemma of whether she should take the producer out for dinner to discuss plans or her son. But from the get-go, her choice is glaringly and painfully clear. So, Gary makes the decision for her. And he tells her to go with the producer. Gary has gone through enough heartbreak in A Million Little Things. But, he needed this.

Once again, Alice leaves her son. All this time, Gary thought she left because of him. But, as he realizes, it was simply all about her.

Rome’s Story

Coincidentally, Rome (Romany Malco) had found out that his old pal Todd (Jerry Ferrara) just stole his movie story. The dude literally copied the script and just changed names and some words. And he was reaping the prizes for it. So, Rome hitches a ride with Delilah and Gary to New York and confronts Todd. Unfortunately, Todd denies everything and the two even get to the point of threatening each other with lawyers. As Todd reminds Rome though, he can’t exactly copyright an idea. But, of course, Rome isn’t giving up that easily. That is his life’s story.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

So, later that night, Rome crashes Todd’s meeting with movie star Isaac Martin who by the way was Rome’s choice. And he just lets it all out: the depression, his suicide attempt, and Jon jumping off a building. And as Rome realizes, Todd can’t steal his idea after all because that is his story and no one else. After leaving Todd more or less ashamed, Rome leaves. Seriously, this was probably his most badass moment in A Million Little Things. The man had everybody floored.

As it turns out, it wasn’t all for nothing. A while later, Isaac calls him up and offers a partnership with him. Apparently, Rome, his passion, and his script resonated with the star. And now, he’s willing to produce Rome’s story. As Isaac says “guys like Todd have been stealing our stories for years.” It’s time they don’t let them anymore.

Grandma Shelly

Meanwhile, Regina’s off to meet her mom for lunch to tell her about the adoption. And contrary to Regina’s expectations, Shelly (Romy Rosemont) reacts with such joy at the news. She’s even more excited than Regina and Rome combined. After their lunch, Shelly even takes Regina on an early baby clothes shopping spree. 

Somewhere along the conversation, the topic of adopting a child of the same race pops up. Regina thinks it’ll be better and easier for the child growing up. In her own childhood, Regina had a hard time growing up as the only black girl in their neighborhood. She didn’t feel black enough nor did she feel white enough. And though she was saying this out of good intentions, it rubs Shelly the wrong way and it makes her feel that Regina is excluding her.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

As Shelly explains, she was only looking out for the best for her daughter. She didn’t see color and she doesn’t think anyone should either. But, as Regina points out, the world just isn’t that way. “You may not see color but, I don’t have that privilege,” Regina says. Still, Shelly was wounded.

Later that night though, Shelly realizes that she’s been skating past the bad to get to the good her whole life. And she knows she has disappointed her daughter. So, she asks Regina for a chance to start over again. At least that’s one mommy issue having progress in A Million Little Things. 

The Day Eric and Maggie Died

Elsewhere on A Million Little Things, Maggie gathers up the courage to talk to Chad. When she gets to his apartment, she sees that he’s packing. Eric found it hard to stay in the same place he and Chloe (Sutton Foster) lived in. And of course, Chloe’s family still had a lawsuit against him. On one of the boxes though, Maggie spots a photo of Eric and Chloe in a Hawaiian kind of party from 2017. Eric was shirtless and Maggie doesn’t see a scar where it should be. Realizing that Eric’s been lying to her all along, she runs out.

Later that day, Eric goes to Maggie and tells her his story even though she wouldn’t open the door. The truth is, it was Chloe that got Chad’s heart. She was sick. And the transplant allowed her to live six more years until it ended in their tragic motor accident. Eric and Chloe just got engaged then. And Eric surprised her with a trip to a vineyard. In his happy daze, Eric missed the bend sign and they crashed. Eric awoke to blue and white lights, unable to move any part of his body, and knowing that Chloe was gone. All this time, he carried that guilt.

Jack Rowand/ ABC

When he received the letter from Maggie’s mom, he was so moved by it that he wrote back. He didn’t intend to let it get that far, but it just did. And the more time he spent with Maggie, the more time he wanted until she kissed him. Then, he knew that he couldn’t hide anymore.

With a trembling voice, Eric confesses that he drew back from that kiss not only because he didn’t want to hurt Maggie but also because he loved her. Despite his lies, Eric tells Maggie that his feelings and their connection were real. Then, he says goodbye.

Later, Maggie calls Delilah for comfort. But, Delilah sends Gary instead. Somehow, he eases her pain and their little talk becomes somewhat of a resolution to the things they left hanging when they split. But, when Maggie invites Gary out for dinner, he refuses.

A Million Little Things continues Thursday, February 13th, with “Daisy” at 9/8c on ABC.