This year, Baskets was a season about growing up.

Christine Baskets has her kids, they’re who she holds on tight to. Her father was terrible and her brother picked up many of his traits. While they aren’t estranged and meet up, Christine has needed to assert herself to him many times. Her DJ twins are successful, career wise anyway. As such, they’re on the own and only check in here and there. They’re distant.

Chip and Dale are in her orbit. Chip tried to leave Bakersfield (and failed) and Dale made his own business in town (which eventually failed along with his marriage). Chip and Dale have had a difficult time succeeding and with their father committing suicide years ago, there’s that specter always hanging over them. Christine especially feels guilty and worries about Chip and Dale (especially Dale this season).

A lot of what Christine does is to provide for her kids, to fix what goes wrong. She’s always the safety net. They know where they can find her no matter what happens and despite how many times they take advantage of her.

She also adopts Martha in a way. Maybe she’s just looking for a friend but she ends up treating her like a child. It’s not until Martha tells her how controlling she is, does Christine realize that she doesn’t listen to what people tell her (much like Dale).

The Baskets Family Rodeo represents the pinnacle of Christine’s efforts. A massive investment to get them all working together. And Chip and Dale, of course, do what they always do. Chip was the first one to come around though. He’s the more clear-headed of the two and considering how much he fights with Dale (which is almost always his fault) that’s not a surprising turn of events.

Dale had a really rough time this season and his meltdown(s) were especially bad this season. His constant pushback on Ken turned out to be an exemplary demonstration of how good of a person Ken is. Someone who does and can make his mother happy. Ken isn’t an enemy.

Considering how obnoxious Chip and Dale can be, it’s a wonder how well the writers can make this show work. A large part of that is how good Zach Galifinakis is at playing both characters. They share similar traits but they read as two completely different people. And Louis Anderson holds them together as Christine. Now she may not be the constant glue as her boys have come to realize that they aren’t kids. They need to grow up and rely more on themselves.