So Help Me Todd: A Fun Mother-Son Duo

So Help Me Todd finds a solid balance between a mother-son dynamic and a comical mystery-drama series. Todd Wright begins the show out of a job and without a license in the aftermath of a scandal that left him floundering. But, when he starts working with his mother, Margaret, at her law firm, things begin picking up for him.

Although Margaret is exasperated by Todd countless times, the duo is initially brought together when Margaret’s husband never returns home. The sad reality emerges that he does not want to spend the years he has left with Margaret.

The show follows each case and mystery that Margaret must defend and Todd must solve. Each of their professional strengths emerges, showing they can be a good team. But, it is just as much a show about family, even acknowledging a behavior that feels realistic to parents and children.

Todd and Allison groan when Margaret’s behavior feels too much like she is a mother to young children than grown adults. Thanksgiving brings out insecurities involving the family dynamic when Todd is the only of her children to be present for a holiday initially. There is a sense of estrangement between Todd, Allison, and Margaret toward Margaret’s eldest son, Lawrence, as he is never around, even if his husband is present for family dinner.

Although Allison’s marriage may seem perfect, there are underlying feelings that she may not be entirely happy with her husband. Todd’s relationship with his mother is improving. However, he is still working through certain events from their past, such as how Margaret was not present for his eighteenth birthday and seemingly emotionally disappeared after Margaret’s first husband’s death.

No family is perfect, and this series highlights the ups and downs of a mother’s relationship with her children and their relationships with each other. Part of the series’ underlying subplot is how Margaret handles her new status as single, given the awful way her second husband left her.

So Help Me Todd also portrays unique dynamics between the co-workers at the law firm, whether it be between the previous romantic relationships Todd had with Susan, his competitive nature with Lyle, or Margaret’s growing wish to continue advancing at her office. The characters portray a competitive spirit with each other, but never a malicious one, keeping an all-around positive energy in the show.