Okay, before I get into this, please know that I really do like Nini and this isn’t me trying to insult her and/or call her insensitive, I just wanted to put something I’ve been thinking about out into the tumblr void.
Episode 7 got me thinking a lot about the difference between knowing and understanding. When Ricky opens up to Gina about his mom’s new boyfriend, Gina says, “Look, I get it.” Ricky pushes back, not rudely or defensively, but still. He says he isn’t sure she does. “Let me guess, you’re mad at everyone and everything because just when you were getting used to things changing, they change again.” Foreshadowing for Gina’s news of her impending move, sure, but more than anything, it’s Gina proving she really does get how Ricky is feeling. She understands the longing for familiarity and stability.
In contrast, when Ricky is leaving the party at the end of the episode, Nini says “I know you’ve been going through a lot.” He pushes back, this time rude and defensive, but still. He asks her not to do that. She comes back with “I’m just trying to help you.” And she is, but (as evident by her independent attitude and the possibility of her applying to the Actor’s Conservatory preforming arts school) she is also longing for the very change that Ricky and Gina are pushing against. Nini reminds Ricky that he should talk to his mom, the very opposite advice Gina gave him earlier. As much as Nini tries, she doesn’t truly get how hard this is for him.
Nini knows what’s going on with Ricky, but Gina understands.