Everyone seems a little too distracted by Off Campus and Euphoria right now, causing them to overlook another huge TV moment: Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Brought to us by Apple TV — the streaming home of The Last Thing He Told Me and Ted Lasso — the series follows a college student turned single mother who launches an OnlyFans account to make ends meet. The first season is a rollercoaster of tears, laughter and grit.
Margo, played by Elle Fanning, gives us a far more thoughtful depiction of sex work than almost anything else currently on our screens, and she’s joined by a phenomenal cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, Thaddea Graham and Nick Offerman.
But nothing could have prepared us for that incredible season finale. We desperately need someone to discuss the Margo’s Got Money Troubles ending with, you in? Let’s dig in.
What happened at the second mediation?
Margo’s ex-lover and ex-professor, Mark, suddenly pushes for custody of their son, Bodhi. We soon discover the move is heavily influenced by his overbearing mother, Elizabeth, who weaponises Margo’s complicated family dynamics and sex work against her throughout the case.
The custody battle becomes increasingly messy, with obstacles including Jinx’s relapse and overdose, Shyanne breaking Elizabeth’s jaw, and Child Protective Services being called on Margo — more on that chaos in a moment.
Determined to prove herself, Margo makes a genuine effort during her psychological evaluation and successfully passes. The mediator ultimately concludes that she is fit to care for Bodhi. Margo then asks Mark to drop his custody petition, but he refuses. Instead, he argues that she is not morally fit to raise their son and begins listing all the reasons why. It's a tough scene to watch.
Overwhelmed and furious, Margo loses her temper and physically attacks Mark, much to Lace’s horror. As a result, the case is escalated and forwarded to the Superior Court.
Who won the custody battle for Bodhi?
So things were looking pretty bleak.
At the hearing, Margo defends her work, arguing that it is not illegal for her to earn an income this way. She also emphasises that Mark is effectively a stranger to their son. The judge asks Margo and her parents to hold Bodhi, observing his reaction to each of them. He doesn’t cry until Mark holds him, reinforcing the idea that Mark is, in fact, unfamiliar to the child.
The formidable Superior Court judge has plenty to say about everyone involved, immediately launching into an incredulous rebuke of Mark for having impregnated his student — a delicious moment. That said, the judge also makes some pointed observations about Margo and her parents.
Ultimately, he rules that Margo should retain primary custody, while also stating that Bodhi should know his biological father, granting Mark visitation rights two weekends a month. It’s not a completely clean or joyful outcome, but Margo appears relieved to finally be able to introduce Bodhi to Mark on her own terms.
Elizabeth is far from pleased, and it’s clear the matter is far from over. Further custody drama seems inevitable in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season two.
Who called CPS on Margo?
So this wasn’t much of an impending mystery as we all assumed it was Mark (aka the worst) behind the CPS call. If not him, then his mother Elizabeth (also the worst).
But we soon find out the call came from inside the house… or more accurately, inside the family.
Shyanne’s new husband, Kenny, eventually admits that he was the one who called CPS after learning about Jinx’s relapse. It wasn’t a calculated move, but one he frames as an act of love and desperation. He explains that Shyanne loves both Jinx and Margo too deeply, and would never have been able to make that call herself.
Naturally, Shyanne is furious that Kenny went behind her back. Their relationship is clearly going to need some serious TLC in season two.
Is Margo continuing OnlyFans?
Margo’s sex work is heavily weaponised against her throughout the custody battle, isolating her from several people in her life. However, she ultimately chooses to continue, having found a sense of financial independence and control through OnlyFans. Over the course of the season, her online presence grows significantly, particularly through collaborations with fellow creators KC and Rose.
Cassie is reminding us of another famous blonde…
In the final episode, she makes it clear that even if Shyanne were to help her financially, she would still continue with OnlyFans, and she even plans to post more explicit content moving forward.
Season one of Margo’s Got Money Troubles ends with Margo posting new content and making more money than ever before. For the first time, she feels unapologetic and unashamed.
Okay, time to wait for Margo's Got Money Troubles season two.
Watch Margo's Got Money Troubles on Apple TV.
