Jimmy, Kenny, and Shannon took the news of their parents’ divorce fairly well, all things considered. Being a teenager is difficult enough as it is, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if piling a divorce on top of hormones, school, and identity would’ve sent one of them spiraling. Instead, after recoiling at the surprise of their family dynamic changing, they embraced the idea of their parents finding happiness, even if it meant that they’d have to find it without being married to one another. But even as they’ve been supportive of Pat and Eileen’s decision to go about life on their own terms, there has to be a part of each O’Neal sibling that would love nothing more than to see their parents patch things up and their father move back into the house.
On the next episode of The Real O’Neals, Pat’s brother (and Jodi’s ex-husband) Dwayne comes to help fix up the garage so that Pat can be officially move in. This was Pat’s way of taking a baby step toward independence while retaining some sense of the normal he knows, but it could have a major impact on Dwayne, as Shannon sees the chemistry that still remains between him and Jodi and decides to get them back together. Shannon might not be the most emotional of the O’Neal siblings, and her interest in fixing Jodi up with Dwayne might not be wholly altruistic, but she’s still a kid who’s just learned that her parents are going to be getting a divorce. Even if it’s subconscious and somewhat irrational, she’s acting out in opposition to the news of Pat and Eileen’s separation, focusing her energy and attention on another failed marriage since she knows she can’t save her parents’. But will Shannon be able to admit to herself that the divorce hit her harder than she initially let on?
Elsewhere on The Real O’Neals, Eileen becomes addicted to a Crossfit class she takes with Kenny, thereby forcing him to break the hold it has over her.
The Real O’Neals airs Tuesdays at 9:30 on ABC.
Will Jodi and Dwayne get back together? Could the idea of Jodi and Dwayne rekindling their relationship give Pat or Eileen pause at their decision to move forward? How will Kenny get through to Eileen about the negative impact her fixation on her class is having?
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THE REAL O'NEALS - "The Real Fit" - Pat's brother Dwayne (who is also Aunt Jodi's ex-husband) comes to town to help Pat build his new "tiny house" in the garage. Shannon realizes Jodi and Dwayne still have chemistry, and tries to get them back together. Meanwhile, when Eileen becomes addicted to a CrossFit class she's taking with Kenny, he must find a way to break the cult-like hold it has over her, on ABC's "The Real O'Neals," airing on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 (9:30-10:00 p.m. EST). (ABC/Richard Cartwright)NOAH GALVIN, BEBE WOOD
