Elle Fanning’s new Apple TV series Margo’s Got Money Troubles just went from sexy aliens and hilarious wrestling scenes to absolutely heartbreaking in Episode 7, and it doesn’t look like things are about to improve anytime soon for titular lead Margo (Fanning), who is now facing many parents’ worst nightmare: A heated custody battle that is actively threatening her parental rights.
Episode 6 Set Up an Intense Custody Battle
Episode 6 of Margo’s Got Money Troubles ended with the shocking news that Mark (Michael Angarano) was suing Margo for full custody, despite the fact that he hadn’t been interested in his son Bodhi’s life from the minute Margo revealed that she was pregnant. In fact, Mark went to great lengths to make sure Bodhi’s existence didn’t affect him at all, even pressuring Margo to sign an NDA (which she signed) and agree to live Mark and his family alone (which she did).
However, after Margo’s Only Fans account was traced back to her, in spite of the heavy blue alien makeup that she had used to conceal her identity, Mark accused Margo of being an unfit mother and had her served with papers. Episode 7 picks up from that earth-shattering event, with Margo hiring Lace (Nicole Kidman) as her attorney. What ensues is a harrowing and, at times, genuinely horrifying, narrative arc in which things crumble not only for Margo but also for her family and friends.
Margo and Jinx Face Their Toughest Moments Yet
After consulting with Lace, Margo decides that she wants to pursue mediation with Mark rather than enter a full-blown custody case in court. During mediation, however, Mark reveals that the lawsuit isn’t a farce; he actually believes that she is an unfit mother, not only because of her Only Fans account—although that is a significant part of his argument—but also because of her financial instability and the fact that her father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), is living with her after assaulting Mark and breaking his hand.
Things go from bad to considerably worse when Jinx, who is recovering from substance use disorder, becomes distraught over what is happening to his daughter and his grandson and no doubt feels helpless if not partially responsible for how things have gone. In a truly brutal scene, Margo and her friend/roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham) find Jinx passed out in the tub with a heroin needle in his arm.
At first, they aren’t even sure if Jinx is still alive, and at one point, Margo gets stuck underneath Jinx, who remains unconscious in the tub, and nearly drowns. Ultimately, however, they are able to pull Jinx out and have him rushed to the hospital.
Margo’s Custody Case Is Only Getting Harder
Unfortunately, Margo only gets to experience the relief that Jinx is still alive very briefly. Both Susie and Lace tell Margo that there is no way she can allow Jinx to continue to live with her and Bodhi given that he just overdosed in their bathroom while Bodhi was home. Devastated, Margo does eventually kick her father out, but as they are returning to the apartment to collect Jinx’s things, they discover that CPS has just arrived to inspect both Bodhi and the home.
Jinx, Susie and Margo all suspect that this is Mark’s doing and that he has contacted CPS as a way to get ahead in the custody case, although the CPS worker explains that reports are confidential.
Not wanting to conceal anything out of fear that it would only make matters worse, Jinx informs the CPS worker that he just overdosed on heroin the night before, while Bodhi was home. Because of that, the CPS worker informs Margo, Jinx and Susie that all three must provide a urine sample for drug testing and explains that, if any one of them test positive, it will be a factor in their decision.
Jinx argues that he shouldn’t be tested as he is no longer living there, but the CPS worker insists that all three provide samples. The episode ominously ends with Jinx and Margo looking terrified over this news, suggesting that Jinx is not about the pass that test, which might mean very bad news for Margo’s custody case.
What’s Next for Margo’s Got Money Troubles?
Season 1, Episode 8 of Margo’s Got Money Troubles—the season 1 finale—will drop on Apple TV on May 20. Already, we know that the episode title is “Lock and Load,” and the description of the episode reads, “Margo has her day in court.” Presumably, this means that by the end of Episode 8, audiences will know whether Margo retains full custody, has to split custody 50/50 (which Lace explained was the most likely outcome because of California’s preferences) or loses custody.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles also hasn’t officially been renewed for Season 2, so it remains to be seen whether this story will continue on screen. Hopefully, the show is renewed based on the solid reception by audiences and critics alike, and hopefully, Margo manages to hold onto custody of Bodhi.