User Reviews

"A Matter of Mothers" is that rarest of episodes, missing JJ, Thelma and Keith, with the return of Chip Fields as Linella Gordon, Penny's real mother. Willona has a new boyfriend of two months, Jeffrey (Rod Perry), whose extravagance toward Penny begins to worry her mother. A coming out party finds Jeffrey bringing some of his friends along, a gang that would look perfectly natural on Death Row. Once Willona decides to throw them out it's too late, two police officers raiding the apartment, accompanied by Linella Gordon, Penny's natural mother, newly married and suddenly affluent. Now Willona knows where all the expensive gifts really came from, attempts to curry favor with Penny with money. She admits to setting up her rival just in case Willona tries to fight her case to receive custody of Penny. What neither woman is aware of is a little recording device that captures their entire conversation on tape, Penny inadvertently proving her real mother's guilt, as opposed to Willona's.

This is the only episode I can recall which Thelma didn't appear in. That wasn't good. JJ and Keith don't appear either. Despite this many cast members being missing, the episode is quite powerful. Penny's natural mother reappears, with a scheme for taking Penny away from Willona. Just like her Season 5 appearances, Chip Fields is excellent as Penny's abusive mother. Willona's boyfriend is really an actor hired by Penny's mother. The party scene features some weird people, as well as Janet Jackson's brothers singing in the background. Ms. Gordon thinks she can frame Willona, until it's discovered that her conversation has been recorded on tape. The last scene, where Ms. Gordon finally gives up, is very emotional. Despite the monster she is depicted as, the woman is crying and trembling. There was definitely something to be read between the lines. Chip Fields, as this character, was an example of appearances being deceiving. When you look at her, you see an attractive woman. It can be hard to believe that what's inside of someone can be so opposite to their appearance. In any case, she got to me. It might have been only because of her pretty face, but I felt sorry for this woman, even though I shouldn't have.

wow. btw i give this episode 10 stars, ten times over ... Lesson learned folks.

People will lie on you, on me, on your child,or make your teen child or younger kid lie on you. Be careful.What i learn is always record when you're able.I record literally just about everything i feel is relevant. I always will. This show the mother bio-mom is still a bad mean evil troubled woman.She need psychological help.She has not at all raise Penny. So Pen is better with the hard-working great mom Willona Woods.Penny is a wonderful little girls,and Janet make me feel sorry for her, and only happy when she with the Evans and most of all, with Willona her mother.I think those now a days thinking you can't at all record someone,is not being smart.I was happy to see the tape on. I love that part.Also when Willona says, "Now, you get your little two-bit player out of my house,before i BREAK your neck,Linella Gordon lol or something like that."Willona got hood in a NY minute and protective and i love her no matter how she act because her heart was in the right place. Willona and Penny just were great together. and i am not tired of watching the GOOD TIMES series,now in my mid 30s almost.Still love it.This is 1 of my favorite because it's so real. Great episode for the ages.