On Golden Pond Scum

In today's Dinette Set, Burl appears to be acting like an ass, however:

• I suspect Burl's analysis of the Crustwood's Community Theater's performance is more accurate than Joy's.
• The need to bring baby wipes for Burl makes him more pathetic than anything else. And makes no damn sense.
  
• The really remarkable thing is how cheery Ma appears to be, despite the fact that they went somewhere without her.