Last Man Standing Season 7 Episode 5 Review: One Flew Into the Empty Nest
Rachelle Lewis
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Vanessa finds an interesting way to deal with the Baxters impending empty nest, as Kristin and Ryan are faced with Boyd growing up on Last Man Standing Season 7 Episode 5.
Mike's quiet home is getting invaded by a young Hong Kong foreign exchange student Vanessa befriends.
It is an age-old tale of a man being happy about having an empty nest, while a woman has trouble accepting the kids are gone. Even though Kyle and Mandy still live in the Baxter home, Vanessa remarks they are never there leaving the house feeling way too quiet.
Vanessa loves being a mother. She gave up her career to raise her girls. When she meets Jen, who shares her love of Geology, her motherly instincts kick in, and she wants to take the girl under her wing.
Having Jen stay with them not only gives her a safe home while in America, but it allows Vanessa to share her insight of Geology with the young girl.
Vanessa: All I am asking is to have dinner with Jen and her dad so that we can meet them.
Mike: I am just not that interested in this.
Vanessa: Well I hear what you are saying, and I understand your concerns but no.
Mike: What do you mean no?
Vanessa: I want this, so I am overruling you.
Mike: You can do that?
Vanessa: I can. I am going to invite Jen and her dad here for dinner tomorrow night. You will be sweet and nonconfrontational. You won’t bring up things like snowflake, Benghazi or deflategate.
They both benefit, but it is more about the friendship they developed so quickly. Jen's mom is not mentioned. Maybe she needs a mother figure as much as Vanessa needs to be one.
Men like Mike don't wear their hearts on their sleeves or share their emotions often. Mike expresses his love for his wife with actions, not words.
His willingness to keep quiet, not express an opinion and sit there as Henry riddled him with political questions spoke volumes about his love for Vanessa. However, that is what you do for the one you love right? You put their needs ahead of your own.
The kicker was Mike changed himself to impress Henry for Vanessa, but Henry found his lack of opinions weak. Ed, Joe, and Chuck were screaming about what an opinionated jerk Mike is, had me rolling on the round.
Nothing says male bonding like being able to tell your friends they are stubborn, loud and obnoxious.
Mike: I am heading home. I am going to do a meet and greet with Vanessa and a foreign exchange student.
Chuck: Oh, this is priceless. Mike Baxter is hosting a foreign exchange student.
Mike: No, no, no, no. Vanessa invited them to come meet us and I am married to Vanessa.
Joe: Translation, when Vanessa says jump. Mike says how high?
Ed: When any of my wives wanted to do something that I was against, I said no, no, no.
Mike: Did you really?
Ed: Yep.
Mike: That is why you are in the divorce attorney’s hall of fame.
It just goes to show that the qualities you may find annoying about your significant other or spouse might be endearing to other people.
Mike's realness, as well as his ability to recognize Henry's real issue, was letting his daughter go, are what sealed the deal for Jen to live with the Baxters. Nice job Mike!
In a marriage, each partner plays a role. Mike is generally the one who gets his way. Vanessa putting her foot down shocked him, and I hope we get to see more of that side of her.
She was sweet but stern, which is also how Mike truly knew the issue was important to his wife.
Related: Last Man Standing Season 7 Episode 4 Review: Bride of Prankenstein
Boyd telling Mandy and Kyle about his crush, Danielle, is like every teenage boy whose thinks his parents are so not cool. Honestly, most teenagers are embarrassed by their parents, especially when it comes to talking about first crushes.
Those teenage years are tricky. Ryan and Kristin are in for a wild ride. They think they are cool, hip and fun, as most young parents do. Their son though, does not.
Mike: Just to let you know that really wasn’t me last night. I have a lot more attitude.
Jen: Well, just to let you know that wasn’t the real me last night either.
Mike: You know there is an American expression I love; a man’s home is his castle.
Jen: I prefer an ancient Chinese expression. Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do it for him.
It is hard to blame Boyd for not telling his parents first about Danielle. His mom did take a selfie with him to document the moment. Fun for her but not so fun for him, even though he allowed it.
The thing about teenagers is, they still need their parents. There are times only mom and dad can solve a problem. Boyd's freak out over his crush coming over was the perfect example of a mom and dad moment.
Their family talk was also a great reminder that even though kids say they want to be grown up or are experiencing more grown-up feelings, like a crush; they are still kids.
Related: Last Man Standing: Why Recast Molly McCook Deserves a Chance as Mandy
It will be interesting to see how Ryan and Kristin, who were teenage parents, deal with Boyd's teen years. After all, it is one of the reasons the character was aged, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Ryan: Can you believe our little boy is having a girl over? The next thing you know we are going to be doing the father/son dance at his wedding.
Kristin: Ryan stop. We are not allowed to be excited about this. He is growing up and we need to start treating him like it.
Ryan: I know, but it is so cool right?
Kristin: It is the coolest thing that has ever happened!
There was no Outdoor Man vlog with words of wisdom from Mike Baxter. It was missed. I always enjoy listening to him wax poetically about the hot topic of the moment. I hope this was just an oversight and it is not gone forever.
Now it is your turn Last Man Standing fanatics
What do you think about foreign exchange student Jen staying with Mike and Vanessa?
Did you enjoy Ryan and Kristin excitement over Boyd's first crush?
How great was it when Ed, Chuck, and Joe were all bashing Mike?
Share your thoughts below or connect with TV Fanatic on Twitter and Facebook. Remember you can watch Last Man Standing online here any time you need a Baxter fix.
Rachelle Lewis was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in 2019..
