Joanne Gardner

Joanne Gardner is a supporting character of the TV series The Purge. She is portrayed by American actress Shelley Calene-Black.

Season 2, Episode 6: Happy Holidays
In 2036, with 117 days to go until Purge night, Joanne is standing next to some plants on a wall in her house when she sees her son Ben and his girlfriend Kelen Stewart get out of the car and walk towards her with their bags. Joanne, overjoyed to see her son, says "Oh!", goes over to him and says "Oh, how long" and mother and son hug. Joanne releases her son, grabs him by the shoulders and Ben, also happy to see his mother, introduces his girlfriend: “Mom, this is Kelen”. Joanne turns to Kelen and she greets her, “Hello, Mrs. Gardner. Thank you for inviting me” and shakes his hand. Joanne tells him “It's a pleasure. I was delighted when Ben told me you were coming. It's wonderful to have female company around here” and the two smile at each other. Just then, their oldest son, Logan, walks up to them and yells, glad to see his little brother, “Fuck off, mini B is back! Oh!" and greets Ben asking “How are you, little one?”, he looks at his brother's girlfriend, points to her and says “And you've come with a girlfriend of flesh and blood”. Logan stands next to his mother, extends his hand to Kelen and greets her, "Hello, Kelen." Logan and Kelen shake hands and he introduces himself saying “I'm Logan, the handsomest, oldest, and most mature of the Gardner brothers” and looks at Ben, who looks away. Kelen says "That's not saying much."

In the evening, Joanne prepares dinner and the table. She and Kelen sit in chairs while Ben brings the last plates to the table and Logan fills the wine glasses. Logan tells Kelen to tell him how much wine he wants in his glass: “Tell me how much”, Kelen tells him “Just a little bit, please”. Ben walks over to the table with the last plate of food. Joanne says “Roast turkey. It's Ben's favorite dish." Ben puts the plate on the table and Logan looks at him and says “Mini Benny always has everything he wants”, sits in his chair, looks at Kelen and asks “Did he tell you that everyone called him that? Little Benny? Ben arranges his cutlery and Kelen looks at him. Joanne laughs a little and Kelen turns to Logan and asks “Well, Logan, what do you do for a living?” Joanne says “Oh, he graduated from the University of Louisiana years ago”, Kelen looks at Logan and says "That's good". Logan says “Yeah, but what good is that. A huge debt, they don't give me credit, I work mowing lawns. So… that's what's in store for you”, Joanne looks at her oldest son and says “Hey, you had a good interview this week”. Ben hands his mom a plate of food and Logan says, “For a loading dock. When you have a degree in economics, that's not a good one." Joanne smiles, takes the plate and places it on the table. Logan looks at his mother and says “But, mom, you're a sweetie. Thank you” and pats her hand. Logan clears his throat, looks at Ben and Kelen, smiles, and says, "Well, the Campus Killer has gone viral!" Ben hands his brother a plate and he jokingly asks them, "How does it feel to study with a psycho?" Logan picks up a knife, makes little noises, and pretends to stab something with the knife. Joanne closes her eyes and says “Logan”. He stops and Joanne opens her eyes, looks at Ben and Kelen, and says to her oldest son, "I don't think Ben and Kelen want to talk about that right now." Logan puts down the knife and Ben looks at him and says “Yeah, shut up”. Logan says "The coward doesn't have the decency to wait for the Purge, does he?" Kelen looks at him and Logan picks up a cherry, eats it, and goes on to say, "Hunting on a campus...is catching fish in a barrel." Ben sits back in his chair and says "He killed my friend" and asks "Could we not talk about it at dinner please?" and starts cutting up his part of the turkey. Joanne says “I agree”, looks at Kelen and asks “Kelen, what do you study?”. She looks at Joanne and tells her "History of Art". Joanne says "Oh!" and smile. Kelen says “I know it's not very practical, but I love it” and Joanne laughs. Logan looks at Kelen and jokingly points to Ben and says, “I know what would happen if Ben came across this killer. She passed out watching mom get a shot.” Joanne and Kelen look at him without saying anything and Logan goes on to say “Like…”, signs with his hands, laughs and asks “Do you remember?” and goes on to say “Ben was one of those kids who sucked his thumb until he was ten years old. Mom tried to correct him. In the end they had to put a special glove on her like Margo…”. Joanne and Kelen say nothing and Ben angrily orders "Shut up!" and hit the table. They all look at him and Ben, furious, points the knife at him and says "I'd like to see what the Killer would do with you." Kelen and Joanne look scared at Ben. His mother calls him “Ben”. He calms down, puts down the knife and says “I'm sorry…”, tells Logan “You can't talk. If you don't live there in fear." Kelen, Joanne and Logan look at Ben in silence and continue eating dinner.

A few hours after dinner, late at night, Joanne wakes up, puts a pot of tea on the stove to heat, and makes herself a cup. When the kettle boils, Joanne picks it up and pours the tea into the glass. At that moment, he hears his front door open, turns around, sees Ben, and tells him, "Take off those muddy shoes before you go in." Ben stands by the door and kicks off his shoes while Joanne pours more tea back into her cup. She tells her son "It's too late to go for a walk." Ben goes to the kitchen and tells his mother "It's too late for tea" and puts the backpack that he holds by a handle on his shoulders. Joanne looks at her son and explains “Since your father died, I haven't slept a whole night” and asks “Do you want one?”, Ben says “No, I'm going to sleep”. Joanne walks over to Ben with her mug and explains, “Logan is having a really hard time right now. And I think he misses that little ten-year-old brother who copied all his steps”, Ben tells him “Yeah, I know. She made me angry”, Joanne nods and closes her eyes and Ben apologizes to his mother for his words at dinner: “I'm sorry I lost my temper”, Joanne explains “If we keep our feelings, they usually manifest in ways that can scare us." Ben doesn't say anything and Joanne asks her son to “Be careful”. Ben doesn't say anything and goes back to his room.

Season 2, Episode 7: Should I Stay or Should I Go
With 116 days to go until Purge night, Joanne gets up early to make breakfast. Kelen also gets up early and talks to her about how she has to go now. Joanne tells him “Oh, you can't go” while Kelen looks at his cell phone for a map and a car to get to the university. Joanne takes some eggs out of the fridge and asks, “Hey, is Ben awake? Can't he give you a lift?” Kelen says “No, I'm asking for a car”, Joanne says “Oh, it's just a long drive. It'll cost you a fortune,” Kelen looks at her without saying anything. Figuring that something must be up, Joanne asks, “Kelen, honey. Have you and Ben had a fight?” She looks at Joanne and says “No, not at all. But I have to go". Joanne smiles and says “Okay, let me make you breakfast”, Kelen nods and Joanne starts making breakfast while she continues looking for the car that will take her to the university. As Kelen waits for breakfast, Ben greets his mother "Good morning", she says to her son "Good morning". Kelen turns to her boyfriend and greets him "Good morning." Ben gives him a kiss on the cheek, sits next to his girlfriend and asks “Did you sleep well?” Kelen, a little nervous, replies “Yes, very good. Great”, Ben tells him “I see. You are always the last. Kelen looks at Joanne and explains to Ben, “I was just telling your mom that I have a lot of homework to do. I have a political science test coming up. I'll get a car back to campus and start studying,” and tries to leave saying “Thanks for everything, Mrs. Gardner” and tells Ben “I'll meet you there. Voucher?" but Ben gets up from his chair and says “No way. I'll take you". Kelen tells her “No, you should stay with your family. Don't cut the trip short”, Ben replies “It's okay. Right, Mom?” Joanne replies “Of course not. I'll be calmer if you take her”, Ben tells her “You see. I'm going to pack and get dressed” and returns to the room. Joanne tells him "Fine" and goes back to making breakfast.