Merry Happy Whatever Recap: Meeting The Father

This recap of Netflix Series Merry Happy Whatever Season 1, Episode 1, “Welcome, Matt” contains significant spoilers. You can read the review of season 1 by clicking these words.

Episode 1 sees Matt (Brent Morin) nervously meeting the Quinn family in the lead up to Christmas. He wants to impress his partner Emmy, who assures him to relax and to be less himself, especially with the Star Wars quotes.

It’s clear that when Matt meets Emmy’s father Don that he is going to be immersed in family dynamics that will test his personality. The way Don greets him is aggressive, and it is even more intimidating as the man is a sheriff. Matt has his work cut out, and it gets worse when he reaches their home.

Matt is desperate for a nap, but he keeps on getting introduced to waves of family members, all enthusiastic and bubbly. Drama hits the Quinn family as Kayla is asked for a divorce by Alan in the middle of the intense introductions, which forces Don to unclip his holster. Matt is soon squeezed away from his partner as the sisters need each other during a traumatic time.

Episode 1 sees our lead character finding out about a secret “In-Laws Club” designed for those who are associated with the Quinn family by marriage. Apparently, this strange traditional family will overcome his sanity.

Bless his soul — Matt attempts to engage with Emmy’s father by helping him with the lights after he ruthlessly rejects Matt in proposing to his daughter. Matt’s assistance ends in an accident as one of the decorations, which is sentimental to Don’s deceased wife, is damaged by Matt. The two men end up in the hospital. Matt senses that Don likes one of the nurses, and makes another attempt to engage, which gives him more ground.

Merry Happy Whatever Season 1, Episode 1, “Welcome, Matt” is a good, joyful opening episode, setting the base for the rest of the season.

You can read the recap of episode 2 by clicking these words