Celia Hodes

Infobox character
name = Celia Hodes
series = Weeds
first = "You Can't Miss the Bear"
last =
occupation = Homemaker
Councilwoman
spouse = Dean Hodes (divorced)
children = Isabelle Hodes (daughter)
Quinn Hodes (daughter)
portrayer = Elizabeth Perkins
creator = Jenji Kohan

Celia Hodes is a fictional character in Showtime's comedy/drama series, Weeds. She is one of several main characters, and may be considered the antagonist. Celia is the mother of two girls, Isabelle and Quinn. For some time, she was a member of the city council in the fictional community of Agrestic, California, near Los Angeles. Celia has tense relationships with many of the main characters on Weeds, including Nancy Botwin, who she attempted to turn over to the DEA, Doug Wilson, with whom she had an affair, and Andy Botwin, for whom she has said she has "no respect."

Celia Hodes is portrayed by actress Elizabeth Perkins.

Character History

Little is revealed about Celia's early life, but her relationship with Isabelle is shown to be similar to Celia's relationship with her own mother. After much arguing during Celia's chemotherapy, the Hodes family shuts out Celia's mother, who has not returned. She is the mother of two girls, and early in season one she sends her eldest daughter, Quinn, to a boarding school in Mexico. Celia was married to her husband, Dean Hodes, for sixteen years before the two chose to divorce during season three. Celia's younger daughter, Isabelle, chose immediately to live with her father following the divorce because of her distaste for Celia. Following the divorce, Celia is forced to live in a motel for some time.

Celia is a breast cancer survivor. During the first season, she underwent both chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Although she had reconstructive surgery on her breasts, she is still insecure due to a large amount of scar tissue on and around her breasts, which is revealed when she has a sexual relationship with Sullivan Groff.

Celia holds a degree in English literature.

Relationships

Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) - Nancy and Celia have an antagonistic friendship. Both are quick to side against the other when caught up in a dispute with an outside party. Celia is an alcoholic, yet crusades against drugs while on the city council, causing problems for Nancy. Celia often seems to have Nancy's best interests in mind, but strange ways of securing it; for example, throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars of Nancy's product into a swimming pool to 'save' her. Throughout season 3, Celia knows that Nancy is a drug dealer, but doesn't turn her in, eventually realizing that she envies that type of life and joining Nancy's team. True to form however, when busted for her involvement in the business, she informs on Nancy instantly.

Dean Hodes (Andy Milder) - Celia and Dean have had a tense relationship for the duration of the series, and it is mentioned that throughout their sixteen years of marriage, Celia enjoyed only the first two. After Dean has a serious motorcycle accident, Celia is forced to take care of him because he has no family. Celia has always shown jealously towards Dean because he is close with Isabelle while she is not.

Isabelle Hodes (Allie Grant) - Celia and Isabelle have never gotten along. As a young child, Isabelle was overweight, and Celia insisted that she lose the excess weight. In fact, Celia was so persistent that she suggested the PTA at Isabelle's elementary school keep diet sodas available in the vending machines for "girls who are watching their figure." Isabelle has always resented her mother's constant criticisms, and, as a result, has always been much closer with her father than with Celia.

Doug Wilson (Kevin Nealon) - Celia and Doug are both vocal about their distaste for one another. During season two, Celia decides to run against Doug in the election for city council. This makes Doug very angry because he is used to running unopposed. They become increasingly hostile towards one another in the weeks leading up to election, which Celia ultimately wins because Doug's name is absent from the ballot. However, the two have an unexpected affair and make a deal to tell their spouses and to remain together. After Celia tells Dean about the affair and Doug does not tell his wife Dana, though, Celia becomes angry and breaks the affair off. The two immediately resume their hostile relationship.

Silas Botwin (Hunter Parrish) - As a member of the city council, Celia begins an anti-drug campaign in Agrestic. She puts up signs on lamp posts that read "drug-free zone", and installs several security cameras, all of which begin to disappear. When Celia discovers that it is Silas who has been stealing them, she has him arrested. When he is arrested he is driving his mother's car, which has a large amount of marijuana in the trunk. When she discovers it, she blames both Silas and Nancy for making a mockery of her anti-drug campaign. Silas also has sex with Celia's daughter in the first season, for which Celia scolds him harshly.

Shane Botwin (Alexander Gould) - Celia and Shane seldom interact. During the first season, when Celia is going through treatment for cancer and Shane is being scrutinized by his peers, the two share a moment in which Celia urges him, "let your freak flag fly." The two agree that with her having cancer and his having a dead father, they both make people very uncomfortable.