The series follows Christy Plunkett (Anna Faris), a single mother who—after dealing with her battle with alcoholism and drug addiction—decides to restart her life in Napa, California's wine country, working as a waitress at the restaurant Rustic Fig and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She lives with her mother Bonnie Plunkett (Allison Janney), who is also a recovering drug and alcohol addict, as well as her teenage daughter Violet (Sadie Calvano), who was born when Christy was 16. Christy also has a younger son Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal) by her deadbeat ex-husband Baxter (Matt Jones). Other prominent characters in the series include the manager of Rustic Fig, Gabriel (Nate Corddry) and the head chef, Rudy (French Stewart). Mimi Kennedy who plays the wise Marjorie, Christy and Bonnie's friend and co-Alcoholics Anonymous member, was upgraded to series regular status for this season. The episodes are usually titled with two odd topics that are mentioned in that episode.
Season two of Mom initially aired Thursdays in the United States at 8:30 p.m. after The Big Bang Theory, but it has aired in other time slots on the same night at various points of the season.
Christy starts having recurring nightmares about relapsing and on Marjorie's advice takes new attendee Jill (Jaime Pressly) under her wing. When Bonnie learns from the landlord that Christy is three months behind on rent, Christy admits she gambled away what little money they had trying to win enough to pay rent. Bonnie and Marjorie come up with enough money for one month's rent to keep the landlord at bay, but Christy, hearing Chef Rudy place a bet on a college football game, can't resist trying to multiply one month's rent into three months' rent: she wins her bet, but gets mugged after cashing in, forcing the family out of the house and into a motel.
The family becomes essentially homeless, after an incident in the motel room two doors down drives them out. Alvin goes to visit Christy at the old house and finds it abandoned, except for Baxter who is using the shower. The landlord shows up and says Christy fled in the middle of the night, which irritates Alvin and leads him to angrily castigate Christy.
Christy and Bonnie meet a woman at an AA meeting who rents them a beautiful house in the country at a ridiculous discount. After avoiding the issue, the realtor finally admits that three people and a dog were murdered in the house, and the atmosphere in the house becomes increasingly scary for everyone inside it. Meanwhile, Bonnie plays mediator between Alvin and Christy, as well as the two eventually make up.
Christy worries when Violet's behaviour starts mirroring her own from her drinking days. She reminds Violet that the reason she gave up her baby was to commit herself to school and build a future, but Violet says she can't do that while not knowing if her baby is safe. The two visit the Taylors and Violet sees that her child is being well cared for, also accepting she no longer has any excuses to not make something of her life. Meanwhile, Bonnie tries unsuccessfully to lie her way into several jobs before finally getting one as a building manager, which also will provide the family with a free apartment.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: Bonnie's series of unsuccessful job interviews and Christy's allergies to Marjorie's cats.
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5
"Kimchi and a Monkey Playing Harmonica"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky Teleplay by : Susan McMartin & Sheldon Bull & Marco Pennette
Christy has ambivalent feelings about Baxter's new wealthy girlfriend Candace (Sara Rue), which start to turn negative when Roscoe starts bragging about all the things Candace gives him that Christy cannot. Meanwhile, Bonnie and Alvin's relationship begins to heat up, but a conversation with Marjorie convinces Bonnie that she should slow things down.
Absent: Sadie Calvano as Violet, Nate Corddry as Gabriel and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: Baxter begins learning Korean for an overseas job and Bonnie discovers an internet meme on YouTube while settling into her new job as building manager.
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6
"Crazy Eyes and a Wet Brad Pitt"
Ted Wass
Story by : Gemma Baker & Alissa Neubauer & Adam Chase Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Nick Bakay
Bonnie and Christy are catapulted into the lap of luxury when Jill, Christy's wealthy sponsee, asks them to keep her company in her expensive home during her recent release from rehab, but they soon discover that Jill's frequent relapses might be too much for them to handle.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: Jill's erratic behaviour towards Christy and Bonnie watching a movie in Jill's home theatre.
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7
"Soapy Eyes and a Clean Slate"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Alissa Neubauer Teleplay by : Gemma Baker & Marco Pennette & Adam Chase
While trying to right some of her past wrongs, Christy takes a lot of frustration out on Baxter until Violet helps her realize that despite his faults, Baxter was there for her and Roscoe when Christy couldn't be. Taking a cue from her daughter, Bonnie tries to come clean with Alvin about her own past.
Title meaning: Bonnie attends to a tenant's apartment and her confessions to Alvin about her past.
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8
"Free Therapy and a Dead Lady's Yard Sale"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Susan McMartin Teleplay by : Gemma Baker & Marco Pennette & Adam Chase
When Bonnie and Christy find out Violet cheated on Luke, they are worried about her and eventually (with a separate assist from Baxter) get her to see a therapist at a free clinic, where Violet's anger towards Christy leads Bonnie to tell Violet that her idealized biological father regularly abused Christy. Christy lies about the man's fate but tells the truth of how he beat her, shocking Violet.
Special guest star: Spencer Daniels as Luke
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie
Title meaning: The therapist at the free clinic and Bonnie's dealing with the death of a tenant.
31
9
"Godzilla and a Sprig of Mint"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Nick Bakay Teleplay by : Eddie Gorodetsky & Alissa Neubauer & Sheldon Bull
Christy's evening alone takes an unexpected turn when she meets her attractive, single neighbor, Andy (Colin Hanks) who seems perfect until he reveals a really weird personal quirk. Also, Bonnie and Alvin's romantic plans are derailed by Alvin's ex-wife, Lorraine (Beverly D'Angelo), who claims to want a reconciliation.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Blake Garrett Rosenthal as Roscoe
Title meaning: Alvin's nickname for Lorraine and his dinner date with Bonnie.
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10
"Nudes and a Six Day Cleanse"
Jeff Greenstein
Story by : Alissa Neubauer & Sheldon Bull & Susan McMartin Teleplay by : Marco Pennette & Adam Chase & Gemma Baker
After realizing she's been a waitress longer than she planned, Christy takes steps towards a new career. Taking advantage of a chance encounter in her AA group, she agrees to intern for a competent but creepy lawyer she met in AA. Also, Bonnie and Alvin try to recapture their youth.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie
Title meaning: A case file Christy handles and her reprimand from Violet.
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11
"Three Smiles and an Unpainted Ceiling"
Anthony Rich
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky & Nick Bakay
Just as Alvin and Bonnie take a big step toward a committed relationship, with Alvin moving into the apartment across the courtyard, his unexpected death rocks the Plunkett household.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: Bonnie's term for sex with Alvin and the vacant apartment opposite hers
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12
"Kitty Litter and a Class A Felony"
Jeff Greenstein
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky & Marco Pennette Teleplay by : Gemma Baker & Adam Chase & Susan McMartin
While trying to cope with her own grief after Alvin's death, Christy is forced to perform damage control when Bonnie begins acting out and the rivalry between her and Lorraine intensifies to ridiculous degrees, until she meets with Alvin's sons and gets a surprising helping hand.
Absent: Matt Jones as Baxter and Blake Garrett Rosenthal as Roscoe
Title meaning: Christy's substitute for Alvin's ashes and Bonnie breaking into Lorraine's house to steal the ashes.
35
13
"Cheeseburger Salad and Jazz"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky Teleplay by : Nick Bakay & Alissa Neubauer & Sheldon Bull
Christy is concerned with the way Bonnie is processing Alvin's death and tries to get her professional help, but things become more difficult when a tow truck driver named Bill (Toby Huss), who bears a slight resemblance to Alvin, comes into their lives.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie
Title meaning: Bonnie's order at a Hooters-style restaurant and her attempts to turn Bill into a replacement for Alvin.
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14
"Benito Poppins and a Warm Pumpkin"
Ted Wass
Story by : Nick Bakay & Britté Anchor Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Alissa Neubauer & Susan McMartin
When Christy suddenly gets promoted to manager of the restaurant, she discovers that being the boss comes with its own set of problems. Also, Bonnie has a nemesis in the building who tries to get her fired.
Absent: Matt Jones as Baxter and Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie
Title meaning: Christy's twisting of Gabriel's metaphor for a successful manager and Bonnie's blackmailing taunts in a tenant meeting.
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15
"Turkey Meatballs and a Getaway Car"
Ted Wass
Story by : Eddie Gorodetsky & Marco Pennette & Susan McMartin Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Nick Bakay & Gemma Baker & Adam Chase
After hiding from Claudia in a suitcase in Gabriel's motel room, Christy discovers that she enjoys sex most when there's a risk of getting caught. Meanwhile, Marjorie nominates Bonnie to be the next secretary of the women's meeting, but Bonnie takes the role a little too seriously.
First appearance of: Beth Hall as Wendy Absent: Sadie Calvano as Violet
Title meaning: Bonnie recounts a near-relapse while grocery shopping and Marjorie's memories of running with the Black Panthers.
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16
"Dirty Money and a Woman Named Mike"
Ted Wass
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Sheldon Bull Teleplay by : Nick Bakay & Alissa Neubauer
While visiting their friend Regina in prison where she is getting paroled early, Christy and Bonnie are shocked at how prison has changed her into a religious fanatic. Christy is also quite relieved when Regina quickly forgives her for gambling away the stolen money she had given Christy for safe keeping.
Absent: Sadie Calvano as Violet, Nate Corddry as Gabriel, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Blake Garret Rosenthal as Roscoe
Title meaning: The money Regina left with Christy before getting arrested and Marjorie's remembrances of a former cellmate who was a scrounger.
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17
"A Commemorative Coin and a Misshapen Head"
Anthony Rich
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Susan McMartin Teleplay by : Sheldon Bull & Adam Chase
Christy and Bonnie start getting worried when they discover that Violet is dating a psychology professor who is more than twenty years older than her. Their anxieties start to intensify after he asks them for her hand in marriage, and things come to a head after Violet gets engaged to him.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie
Title meaning: Christy losing a coin toss and Bonnie's queries into Violet's reservedness over introducing her boyfriend.
40
18
"Dropped Soap and a Big Guy on a Throne"
Anthony Rich
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Gemma Baker Teleplay by : Eddie Gorodetsky & Nick Bakay & Susan McMartin
Christy and Bonnie face temptation when Bonnie is prescribed pain medication for a back injury; Bonnie genuinely tries to be responsible but eventually succumbs to addiction, and the episode ends with a To Be Continued screen.
Bonnie begins relapsing in secret, but is soon found out, leading to a great rift between her and Christy. Christy gets a call from Bonnie late that night, with Bonnie saying she got a DUI and asking to be bailed out; Christy tells Bonnie to wait in jail until the next morning, then sobs in pain over what is happening. The episode ends with a To Be Continued screen.
Absent: Sadie Calvano as Violet, Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: A dinner date interrupted by Bonnie's sensitive tooth and the dentist she dates offering to help, leading to them both getting intoxicated.
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20
"Sick Popes and a Red Ferrari"
James Widdoes
Story by : Alissa Neubauer & Adam Chase Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky & Nick Bakay
After Bonnie's relapse, the women from her meeting rally around to help her through withdrawal and get sober again, but a still-furious Christy wants no part of it and lashes out at her mom until she gains some perspective on things.
Absent: Sadie Calvano as Violet, Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter, French Stewart as Chef Rudy and Blake Garret Rosenthal as Roscoe
Title meaning: Christy's fury over the amount of care Bonnie is receiving and Jill describing her own mother's suicide by asphyxiation.
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21
"Patient Zero and the Chocolate Fountain"
James Widdoes
Story by : Chuck Lorre & Eddie Gorodetsky & Nick Bakay & Marco Pennette Teleplay by : Adam Chase & Gemma Baker & Susan McMartin
Christy is sick of Bonnie after Bonnie's refusal to accept blame for her relapse lands her a huge legal penalty, Bonnie is sick of Christy for not letting her do whatever she wants, and the entire group is sick of both of them for being selfish and fighting all the time. They nearly ruin great news for Marjorie before coming to terms with what they've done wrong by themselves.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel, Matt Jones as Baxter and French Stewart as Chef Rudy
Title meaning: Christy's pandemic-themed joke about Bonnie's resentment and an elaborate decoration at Marjorie's secret party.
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22
"Fun Girl Stuff and Eternal Salvation"
James Widdoes
Story by : Alissa Neubauer & Sheldon Bull Teleplay by : Chuck Lorre & Warren Bell
When Roscoe announces that he wants to live with his father in his new house, Christy is devastated, and she in turns devastates Bonnie when she coldly tells her mom she's moving out to get away from her. However, Christy's efforts to find a new living situation don't work out well, and she and Bonnie eventually mend fences.
Absent: Nate Corddry as Gabriel
Title meaning: Jill's plans to celebrate Christy moving in and Regina admonishing Jill for an insult to her religious nature.