BWW Recap: The Earrings Are Coming Off on THE MINDY PROJECT

Feast of the Seven Fishes? Men in the living room, women in the kitchen? Whipping your earrings off when you're mad at the Italian men in your family? I'm sorry, was this a documentary of my childhood? My last name may be Irish, but I grew up Italian and the Castellano household is the truest Italian-American household I've seen in 30 years.

After last week's huge reveal of Mindy's pregnancy, this week she was just trying to find the perfect moment to reveal the news to Danny. But there never seems to be that perfect moment. When she finally decides to fly home to tell him in person, she is surprised to find Danny's Dad, Alan, and little sister, Little Dani there. Little Dani's adolescence has taken a turn for the worse and Alan needs some help from Danny.

Once Annette gets word that Alan is back in town, she invites the whole family over for dinner. Scared at the reaction (justifiably), Danny asks Mindy to leave that night to family and doesn't invite her. But we know Mindy doesn't back down so easily and she invites herself. Annette is on her best behavior trying to prove to Alan that she is doing great. Meanwhile, Alan asks Danny to assist in raising Dani suggesting maybe she stay in New York for a while. But Mindy, the queen of BS calls out Little Dani for just being a brat and not a troubled child, Danny doesn't back her up once again because she's not family. Mindy has a surprise bonding moment with Annette when she commends her for calling out Little Dani. Putting together the signs, Annette figures out Mindy's pregnant and is overjoyed. She drops her charade and rips Alan a new one while revealing the pregnancy to Danny. When Danny finally locates Mindy, he is speechless. And if you didn't get choked up when he said "We're a family," to Mindy at the end, well then you're just made of stone.

I was happy to see a follow up of Alan and Little Dani. They were such a big part of Danny's character last season, it was great to see a little "where are they now" episode. Annette Castellano (Guest Star, Rhea Perlman) was at her absolute best in this episode. Ranging from enraged ex-wife to sentimental grandmother to be to disciplining mother was just the picture of the perfect Staten Island Italian Mom. There are few things I love more than when people get called out on their crap and both Mindy and Annette pulled that off flawlessly in this episode. I think they are more alike than they care to admit.

Lines I Love:

• Mindy - When I was suspended for stalking my teacher, I was locked in my room for 5 days. Yeah, sure, I escaped because nothing was gonna keep me away from Mr. Sherman.

• Morgan - Who are these people? Let me guess, your old Scout leader and a little girl robot you built.

• Mindy - I knew I shouldn't have told you, but it's not my fault. I have ADHDTV!

• Peter - Family doesn't wait to be invited. It's like HPV, it just shows up and never leaves.

• Mindy - Oh don't you step to me, I murdered a bunch of eels tonight.

Even though I adored the family drama of this episode, I am always disappointed when there's little Morgan. A surprise cameo from Peter after such a big to-do was made of his exit last week was welcomed and I'll always enjoy his and Mindy's friendship. Hopefully soon we can see the office's reaction to the newest Castellano. I'm thinking Morgan will have the most emotional reaction. He has my vote for godfather.

Follow me on Twitter @eponineq and follow @BWWTVWorld for all the latest updates, scoops and recaps.

Photo Credit: FOX

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