A Million Little Things Round Table: Should Maggie and Gary Call it Quits?!

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The Dixons took a family picture with their big, close-knit, framily on A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5.

Gary is feeling the distance from Maggie, while she grows closer to Eric. Also, Rome and Gina discuss their baby debacle, and Eddie and Katie are taking things slow.

Join TV Fanatics Christine Orlando, Jack Ori, and Meaghan Frey as they discuss the hour.

Should Maggie and Gary take a break from one another (romantically)?

Christine: No, but Gary was right that Maggie has begun to shut him out. I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it.

Between living with the fear of recurring cancer while trying to live her life without it, and finding out that some guy is walking around with her brother’s heart, I think Maggie is really struggling to deal with it all, and she's not used to sharing with someone else.

If she were thinking clearly, she’d get herself into therapy to better handle all of this.

Eric Hugs Maggie - Tall  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Jack: I agree, Maggie is overwhelmed, and she's pulling away from Gary. She's leaning too much on Eric and not enough on Gary. She didn't even tell him about the Open Mic.

What Gina said about not wanting to be the kind of couple that doesn't tell each other things applies to Gary and Maggie, and if they don't start communicating there are going to be problems.

Related: A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Austin

Meaghan: I hate to say it, but yes. Right now, Maggie can't handle everything all at once. She is trying to figure out who she is now that she is cancer-free. She should want to figure this out with Gary, and the fact that she doesn't just goes to show that she isn't in the right headspace for their relationship.

I'm not saying that they need to break up permanently, but I think they need to give Maggie the space to see if without cancer, is their relationship what Maggie wants? I think it is safe to say the answer is yes, but I think if Maggie doesn't take the space she needs that they will end up falling apart.

Do you think Maggie and Eric's relationship is similar to Patricia and Eric's?

Christine: A little. Unfortunately, her mother’s secret brought all of her grief about her brother back to the surface, and Eric feels like a lifeline.

He's also someone who isn't at all connected to her cancer so that may be an attraction as well, even if she isn't conscious of it.

A Man in Mourning- Tall  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Jack: Yes and no. Maggie is aware that Eric isn't Chad, but he is a connection to her lost brother and someone who didn't know her before the cancer.

Related: Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 6 Review: All Souls and Sadists 

Meaghan: I was hoping not but based on her conversation with Delilah, I think so. Maggie is clinging to anything that brings a piece of her brother back.

Despite her reassurance that she doesn't expect to relocate and their cute date, Katherine still appears hesitant about her relationship with Eddie. Thoughts?

Christine: I think that’s normal. It would be a relief for her to start over someplace new where no one knew all of the sordid details of their lives, and Katherine gave herself a night to fantasize about that, but she knows that Eddie needs to be there for his daughter in some capacity.

Just because Katherine is a responsible grown-up who has decided to stay in her marriage, doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, and we saw some of that struggle here.

Smiling Savilles - Tall  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Jack: I was glad that Katherine realized that moving to Austin wasn't a real possibility for Eddie. When she mentioned them all moving, I thought she was deliberately ignoring that Eddie's daughter is here until she said that.

I think Katherine is conflicted. She loves Eddie, but she is still hurt and angry, and things are very awkward for her right now.

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Meaghan: I think Katherine is just being cautious. As great as they have been as of late, it is impossible for her to forget how much he can hurt her when she lets her guard down.

Regardless though, I am so happy about the direction that their relationship is going. It feels organic and is playing out in a way that feels far from forced, which is exactly what we needed.

How will Rome and Regina reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion to the baby issue?

Christine: I have no idea. I’ve seen more than one marriage struggle with this, and someone usually ends up being resentful.

There’s really no middle ground on this one. When it comes to having a child, you are either all in, or you’re not.

I’m wondering if Regina not wanting a child has anything to do with the abuse she suffered as one. But either way, one of them will have to change the way they see their future as a couple or else this could eat away at them slowly over time.

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Jack: I really don't know if there is a way. They need to talk and get it all out in the open. They are both walking around with resentment over the baby issue, and that's not good for either of them.

Rome needs to be honest about the fact that he wants kids, and if Regina really doesn't, they have to decide whether their marriage can work.

Decisions to be Made  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Meaghan: Something has to change for one of them. They can't cave on how they feel to please the other one because they will just end up resentful, but if one of them genuinely changes their opinion on the matter, that is different.

What if anything would you like to see tweaked to improve the rest of the season?

Christine: How is it that everyone drops everything the moment Delilah calls? They all show up for photos.

Delilah never has a problem getting a babysitter. Heck, the wife of the man she slept with helps her save her gorgeous house! At some point, I’d like to see Delilah have to deal with a real problem completely on her own.

Mom's Work is Never Done - tall  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Jack: I really like what I'm seeing so far. We've had two weeks without PJ, and I hope we keep it that way. I'd be THRILLED if the stupid PJ story was dropped altogether.

Related: The Rookie Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Tough Love 

Meaghan: I'm with Jack. Please continue with this no PJ thing. With him gone, it is clear how much he was bringing down the initial episodes.

What was your favorite quote or moment?

Christine: When Gary walked into the open mic night and realized that not only had Maggie hidden it from him, but she’d invited Eric to be there in the first row to watch…you could feel the punch to the gut that was for him, and I loved the emotion of it even though no one said a word.

Anniversary Blues -Tall  - A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5

Jack: I loved when Rome's father showed up in full Navy uniform to apologize to his mother, especially coupled with Regina's suggestion that she and Rome talk honestly.

I also liked Gary coming home to find Maggie wasn't there and discovering both the funeral plan folder and the open mic flyer. It just showed exactly how much Maggie has been keeping from him.

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Meaghan: Everything about the scene with Rome's dad showing up in his dress uniform. I had chills seeing him standing there. That was such a great moment.

Do you agree with our AMLT Round Table, Fanatics?

Hit the comments below with your thoughts. 

A Million Little Things airs Thursdays on ABC.

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Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is an insomniac who spends late nights and early mornings binge-watching way too many shows and binge-drinking way too much tea. Her eclectic taste makes her an unpredictable viewer with an appreciation for complex characters, diverse representation, dynamic duos, compelling stories, and guilty pleasures. You'll definitely find her obsessively live-tweeting, waxing poetic, and chatting up fellow Fanatics and readers. Follow her on X.

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A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 5 Quotes

Is that the actress playing the character who is loosely based on Regina because if Regina commits a crime, that woman gets stopped for questioning.

Gary

Theo: See, this book is full of lies. I don't know what to believe anymore.
Eddie: Yeah, neither do I.