MJ's mom gave advice to Niecy about her relationship with the father of her first child, after Niecy discovers her grandma let him back in the house to see his son after Niecy kicked him out of the house. It's about the children, not her. Her job is to let him be a daddy and not make it hard for him to show up, but at the same time not to do cartwheels when he does show up. She also told Niecy she's always thought Niecy was like her, and that's why she knows Niecy can do better. And final advice...keep her legs closed...(talked to my grandma about this episode, and we realized it may be too late for that advice given the last episode...what if Niecy is already pregnant again?!)
MJ's baby brother, PJ, goes to their father for advice on investors for his new venture involving marijuana. He has one potential investor, but she wants him to find another investor with $3-5 million to invest. PJ is thinking about his friend Frank's father, but his father suggests he goes another way. He tells PJ not to let Frank capitalize off of him and his work just because Frank was born into wealth, even using Donald Sterling as a reference point. He then suggested PJ reach out to David to invest, noting new money always wants to spend money and he'd probably spend more to impress Pauletta (MJ). Interesting theory, since David revealed to MJ he actually comes from money. But David ends up agreeing to be an investor.
Later in the episode MJ's father goes to her home to check on her. Earlier in the episode, Lisa told MJ she didn't think MJ was living a lifestyle suitable for motherhood. And now her father tells her his fatherly intuition tells him she doesn't want kids. He says he also thinks this based off his analysis. She has gone out and reached all of her life goals, but a husband and baby eludes her. Of course her response is those things are not within her control. But when she says it's hard to find what he has with her mother, that's when his advice gets a bit deeper. He says he and her mother started a tradition that he doesn't think is even relevant today. He tells her to throw what her parents have out of her mind and focus on what makes her happy, instead of aspiring to have what they have. He says she and David love each other, and it doesn't matter if its not a perfect package. He goes so far as to say let that woman give him the babies MJ doesn't want to have. He says to go get her happiness instead of Leave it to Beaver goals and goals she doesn't really want. If she wants David...go get him...if she doesn't want David...move on...
That advice will stick with me for a minute. Are some of my goals things I don't actually want, but rather things I think I should want?? I spoke with my grandma about it (she watches the show too). Her grandmotherly intuition, and observation of me, suggests I might not really want one of the goals I've set for myself. Stepping back to figure out which goals are not want you really want, to focus on chasing your happiness, seems like a step everyone should take...an assessment everyone should make every so often. I'll be doing it!
Besides all of the parental advice, there was also the story of MJ's fertility. On live tv, MJ is told the injections did not work as expected, and she only has four eggs. This is of course devastating news, even though the doctor reassures her that it is not a perfect process, and they could increase dosage of hormones and try again. Lisa goes to talk to MJ, where we discover she doesn't believe MJ has a suitable lifestyle to raise a child (workaholic, stressful family, too many relationships, and drinking excessively). But, we also get deeper insight into this strange, once vague, triangle between them and David. It turned out David was Lisa's friend first, but David asked MJ out. MJ asked Lisa how she felt about it, and Lisa said she was fine with it. Well, it's five years later, and it seems she wasn't okay with it then and isn't now. At this point, they have an exchange of words that ends with MJ telling Lisa David didn't want Lisa, and Lisa replying that now MJ knows how that feels. POW! But this was a short-lived "victory" for Lisa who ends up sulking about it with MJ's mom. For one thing, David goes to check on MJ, gives her flowers, and tells her he will always be there for her no matter how complicated things may be. (Reigniting my desire for them to get back together). And after talking with MJ's mom, Lisa passes David on her way out the house. He came to discuss the business investment with PJ. First thing out of David's mouth is "How is MJ?" Lisa replied, "I'M FINE DAVID, THANKS FOR ASKING." She leaves, and he just looks confused and oblivious.
At the end of the episode MJ decides to not let the cameras follow her to her next doctor's appointment. At the appointment she tells the doctor she wants to take the chance of using one of the four eggs to get pregnant! Guess her father's fatherly intuition was wrong...