Here’s a question I legitimately have to ask myself sometimes: What is this show even about? What is the central tension? Is it a workplace drama about the stresses of being an undervalued employee?

Is it about the road to redemption?

And if so, when is it going to be over?

No, no, no. This show, dear reader, I would like to propose is actually about the life-changing magic of FOOD. And as evidence for this theory, I present this episode:

You’ve got sandwich convos.

Lollipops.

A whole bunch of excitement about coffee!

And a lot of glee about some macaroni & cheese.

Now, in the normal world, this episode would be about one thing: PAIGE! How is that not being discussed? How is she just a footnote at this point? For a town that apparently loooooooooves gossip, everyone has moved on from the mysterious single mother who just rolled into town yesterday (yesterday!!!) to pick up the kid she left behind. (And I’m sorry, but is Vince not even getting a trial? Doesn’t she have to make a statement???)

Even Preacher is just kicking it today. And what’s he thinking about? FOOD.

You’re telling me this man couldn’t take a single day off to process M/P & Christopher leaving town?! Or double-check that grave sight to make sure Wes is still hidden away for good? Nope, he’s back at work, but he has made up his mind about one thing.

Done with dating?! He went out with Julia like once.

Anyway, this is a pretty heartbreaking revelation because Preach is ready to put a ring on it.

Yeah, well, Preacher, you haven’t exactly proven to be great at finding stuff. Maybe you should try, I don’t know… online dating?

Also, isn’t this town full of single ladies on the prowl? Wasn’t that what we were led to believe when McDreamy came to work at the clinic?

Wait, sorry… wrong show. Remember the waiting room FULL OF WOMEN last season (i.e. eight weeks ago).

And why were they all here? Nope, not because the clinic was handing out COVID boosters.

Do these same women NOT EAT AT JACK’S? It’s the only dining establishment in town. *Sigh*

Okay, thankfully Bree is here to give Preach an ego boost.

Come on — this guy is way cuter than Cameron. Amiright?

Anyway, Bree’s not the only one giving out pep talks. Char’s also feeling a little bad about herself because she has an on-again, off-again relationship with the truth. Thankfully, Doc is there to tell her to #shakeitoff. (I’m sure Char is gonna bounce right back from this little oopsie.)

Denny — who, BTW, was this close to being high school class president — is also handing out some helpful advice.

I’ve never seen Denny look more intense or committed to something. This is a real switch from when we first met him.

That said, the real MVP of this episode is Brady’s new BFF, Jeb. It’s really good to see Brady out there connecting with people again. He really hasn’t made any friends since prison.

This episode was honestly the happiest I’ve seen Brady look in a long time!

It’s really too bad that Brady didn’t tell Jeb that the first rule of drug smuggling is that you shouldn’t do any of the drugs. (So far, he’s not great at running this operation, is he?) (RIP, Jeb.) Maybe Michelle should try recruiting Muriel to take over Emerald Lumber — she’s got a real can-do attitude.

Now, I know I’ve proven I am not a lawyer, but is she allowed to just DO THAT? Isn’t that a HIPPA violation?

Oh, who cares. She made coffee! See, magic.