Ep 14. Cheddar Cheese and a Squirrel Circus

Christy and Bonnie find themselves channelling their inner Johnny Knoxville in "Mom" season 7 episode 14, titled "Cheddar Cheese and a Squirrel Circus." The episode starts off with Christy contemplating her next move in her pursuit of law school. Meanwhile, Bonnie is prepping her new roommate and fellow recovering addict, Tammy, for her GED. As expected, things quickly veer off course when a squirrel makes its way into the apartment. While trying to catch it, the girls make a borderline insane discovery that "Jackass" fans will surely appreciate.

As they try to come up with a plan to catch the intruding squirrel (who has taken up residence in Bonnie's closet), they discover a stash of cheese—specifically, cheddar cheese—that was buried behind a bunch of boxes. From there, things escalate in the most ridiculous, slapstick way possible. Christy wanders into the storage unit to look for a container to carry the cheese back to their apartment and finds herself locked in, leading to a series of physical stunts and gags that feel more in line with a "Jackass" movie than "Mom."

As they gather supplies to try to break into the unit to rescue her, the girls begin to brainstorm a way to make some money off the squirrels who've taken up residence around their building. Tammy suggests that they harness the power of the squirrel circus she and her siblings put on as children, which sets off another round of physical comedy as the girls try to gather the performers (the squirrels) and build the set.

In "Cheddar Cheese and a Squirrel Circus," the humor largely comes from the physical comedy, which feels more like something out of a silent film than a typical sitcom. With its ragtag collection of half-baked ideas and wildly varying tones—there's a scene where Bonnie and Tammy pay a visit to a lawyer only to be interrupted by an angry raccoon, for instance—the episode feels like it's constantly teetering on the edge of insanity. But while some of the jokes are admittedly broad, there's some clever wordplay and physical humor that lands just as strongly. If you're a fan of "Jackass" and other stunts-based comedies, there's a lot to enjoy here.

As always, however, "Mom" isn't afraid to tackle some serious topics alongside the wacky hijinks. This episode, in particular, mines some of the humor from Bonnie and Tammy's past struggles with addiction and determination to turn their lives around. There's a sweetness to their friendship that shines through even when they're getting into absurd antics, and it's nice to see the show continue to explore the ways that addiction and recovery shape one's relationships.

Overall, "Cheddar Cheese and a Squirrel Circus" is a bit of a departure from the show's usual rhythms and tone. But it's also an unexpectedly fun, unpredictable ride that showcases how talented the "Mom" cast truly is. Even if you're not usually into slapstick humor, there's something to enjoy here. And if you're a "Jackass" fan who also loves character-driven sitcoms, this episode is definitely for you.