The Baker and the Beauty Episode 4: I Think She’s Coming Out
Pass the rolls, please. In this week’s episode of The Baker and the Beauty, Noa embarks on one of the scariest parts of a new relationship: meeting the family. And something tells me when your family is the Garcia’s; you’re in for quite the ride.
Breaking the Bubble
Things have been safe in the bubble Daniel, and Noa are living in. He gets the best of both worlds, sneaking around with a gorgeous model and having his private, untelevised life when they’re separate. However, when Noa shows interest in meeting his family, things quickly complicate. Breaking the news to the Garcia family goes as one might expect. Mari begins to prepare a fancy meal, while Mateo tries to get out of a gig provided for him by Vanessa. He believes he needs to be at the dinner that night, of course. Something tells me you’re not there for moral support, Mateo.
On the other hand, Natalie is torn. She is finally at a good place again with Amy and promised to go to the movies that night with her. She’s quick to swoop in and be a good sibling, agreeing to invite Amy over for dinner instead. I mean, come on. Imagine your brother started to date one of your favorite celebrities. I’m pretty sure it’s not a hard choice, even if you’re hiding a giant secret from your parents.
Protecting those You Love
Rafael, on the other hand, has his doubts and worries about his son and what dating Noa might bring to his life. I actually feel quite torn on his beliefs. I appreciate a father on a TV show having these sort of feelings. Usually, this role is reserved for the mother, and the father seems apathetic to the idea, but this is not the case for Rafael. His son is to take over his business someday, and dating a supermodel is not in his cards. Alas, this is what bugs me. Both he and Mari say time and time again they want what is best for their kids, but do they consider if this is what Daniel wants?
Noa points this out early in the episode while they sit in bed and discuss dinner. She thinks the camera loves him, and he would be great in a role that allows him to showcase his talents. Daniel doesn’t have a direct answer when she asks what he wants.
At his house, Daniel prepares for dinner with a set of rules that may be longer than the actual meal itself. I think anyone who has brought someone home for dinner knows how this feels. There are certain topics just off-limits and areas you don’t want to touch. Well, let’s just say Mari quickly breaks those rules, but all in good fun, of course.
Hi, I’m Noa.
Noa is thrilled to be attending dinner with a real family, which in reality, is so heartbreaking for her character. The Garcia’s are insanely overwhelming, but great people who truly care about each other. To think Noa may have been stripped of those experiences growing up makes me sad. She shows up to dinner with flowers for Mari and rum for Rafael, proving she’s still the perfect dinner date. Mari does what mothers do best and embarrasses her son, while Rafael takes a darker route. She wants to see the bakery, so the two of them head downstairs together. Rafael is honest with his fears for his son, and Noa doesn’t appear offended.
She knows how her lifestyle may affect him negatively and wants him to know that she cares for Daniel. Will that be enough? I do wonder if Daniel thinks he can tolerate this lifestyle if he were to live it, but if the entire world is watching your back, how long can you truly remain sane?
LISA VIDAL, NATHALIE KELLEY, VICTOR RASUK
Dinner Complications
Things seem to be going well following this talk in the bakery, and a montage of dinner shows that the Garcias ARE that fun family. That is until Noa asks the question that makes everything come to a standstill, and the stares from the panned table are all very similar. How long have Natalie and Amy been dating? Mari is quick to brush it off and laugh, saying they are just friends, but the damage is done. Natalie leaves the table, and Amy tries to cover it up, but it doesn’t last. She runs after Natalie, and at this moment, you think things just can’t get any worse.
Drama Soup
Then Vanessa shows up. She’s got a bowl of soup in her hands and manages to make an already awkward dinner worse when she realizes Noa is there. She’s quick to throw angry words at everyone sitting, and Daniel tries to get her to talk to him privately. It would seem that Vanessa was a slow pot to boil for everyone in the family. Now, I understand that Vanessa has redeeming qualities and how their relationship ended was not so far on her. However, I do think it’s telling that people in his family were not too keen on her from the very beginning.
I do think that Daniel needed to sit Vanessa down in the days following the proposal and explain why he feels the way he does. In reality, Daniel has felt this way for some time; however, Noa provided the catalyst for change. In Vanessa’s eyes, she thinks that Daniel became instantly smitten with a celebrity. It just was the timing of how it all fell. Still, he owes her an explanation, and she doesn’t take it. It’s a genuine one, too, but all it earns him is a slap. Ouch. Vanessa has her immature moments, and this is one of them. Time to pick yourself up, girl, and move on. It’s clear he has.
BELISSA ESCOBEDO, CARLOS GîMEZ
First Kisses
Amy talks Natalie down and tries to help her come to terms with what just happened in the dining room. She’s upset for obvious reasons, but these two work well for each other. Amy is the confidence that Natalie needs. The two finally share their first kiss, and it’s delicate and sweet as anyone would expect. I love that we see these two together on screen. A lot of times, any LGBTQ representation is quick and rarely a minority on the screen. Natalie and Amy feel like an important part of the story, not a side piece to fill up time. And to think there are probably teenagers out there seeing themselves on screen for the first time in their lives… how warming and safe that must feel. Nice job, guys!
“I’m Leaving! I’m Trapped! I’m gay!”
Best. Lines. Of. The. Night. I cracked up. And YAY, Natalie! However, Vanessa proves again that she has to be hurtful to those who hurt her. She is angry that Noa doesn’t want to go outside with Daniel and thinks its because she’s ashamed to be with him. This isn’t the case, but she doesn’t see it that way. She also tosses a bowl of soup on Mateo for lying to her about being sick, and I’m starting to think she’s not someone you want to piss off when hot liquids are involved.
She leaves (as does Amy), and they are both verbally jumped by the paparazzi outside, wondering where Noa is. They were tipped off by Lewis accidentally while he was on his blind date, and things have gotten a bit insane. He leaves the date to try and help his friend, which is sad as he seemed to be enjoying himself. However, Rafael shows Noa a secret way out of the bakery that she and Daniel use to get her to safety without the paparazzi shoving cameras in their faces.
Or, so they think. Once outside, there is still someone waiting for them. The two retreat to their bubble and stay there for some time, but it is Daniel that admits they can’t stay there forever. The episode ends with the two of them looking at their phones, seeing since they left that social media has exploded with news about this new couple. (Cue the dun, dun, dun…)
NATHALIE KELLEY, VICTOR RASUK
Couple Other Things
I love despite Mari and Rafael’s less than stellar reaction to Natalie’s sexuality, the family sticks together. The scene between Rafael and Natalie in her room is sweet and shows this family is rock solid even if they hit a snag or two like normal families. I also loved seeing the couple talk about their daughter and Mari’s fear that she doesn’t know Natalie as well as she thinks. These raw reactions are things that aren’t always showcased, and I really enjoy the moments.
What’s going on with Lewis? He gets bad news at the doctor and tells his date not to contact him again. This makes me sad, even if he’s a pain sometimes. It would seem his life revolves around making sure Noa’s runs smoothly, and with such a scary medical situation, I would like for him to find some happiness. Hopefully, someone calls his bluff.
Honestly, this show is just refreshing. It’s not a show you have to watch and make sure you don’t blink because you might miss something. It isn’t too heavy, and your stomach will only hurt from laughter. But it’s also real. Each character serves a purpose, and they matter. I love that about Dean’s shows, and it’s fun to see them grow each episode. As always, the music, scenery, and wardrobe are stunning and make the show feel complete.
If you’re not watching this fun show, you’re missing out. Join the Garcia family and friends, Monday nights at 10 pm on ABC. You won’t be able to stop once you start. Promise.
Stay connected with So Many Shows:
More From So Many Shows:
The Baker and the Beauty SCAD aTVfest
The Baker and the Beauty Episode 2: Get Carried Away