TV Review: Fuller House S1 E07, “Ramona’s Not-So-Epic Party”

By Tyler Hodg

It’s party time at the Fuller House in “Ramona’s Not-So-Epic Party,” as Kimmy throws her daughter Ramona a 13th birthday get-together filled with family, friends, and naturally, disaster.

Things just don’t go the young Gibbler’s way on what was meant to be one of the best nights of her life to date. A power outage, ice cream cake turned to ice cream soup, and constant bickering between her parents all halt the excitement for Ramona.

The seventh episode focuses more on the Gibblers and less on the Fullers; the family dynamic hasn’t been explored in the show until this instalment. Ramona, who’s involvement so far has been merely background noise, finally finds her voice, and viewers get a chance to learn just how vulnerable the young girl is.

Equally as vulnerable is mother Kimmy. She struggles to understand her relationship with soon-to-be ex-husband Fernando during his constant state of trying to get her back.

If “Ramona’s Not-So-Epic Party” sounds heavier than most of the previous episodes, it’s because it is. There are actually a few decent jokes, mostly involving Jackson trying to court Ramona’s best friend Lola, but the humor is meant to mask the serious turmoil the Gibblers face.

There is, however, one joke that is just plain sad: yet another dig at the Olsen twins. Ramona returns from a shopping spree, and proclaims she got her first designer dress–which, is a piece from the Elizabeth and James line by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The twins are actually named in the episode, with Kimmy proceeding to say, “no wonder they don’t have to act anymore.” The self-aware aspect to the show makes all those involved look childish and considerably worse with each jab that is taken.

“Ramona’s Not-So-Epic Party” succeeds in pushing the overall arch forward, and sets the tone of the Gibbler family’s fate. The show still has trouble incorporating all characters in a smart and interesting way, but this episode is more than effective its predecessors.

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