As far as virtues are concerned, Sadie Saxton has got tenacity, industriousness and dignity down. Mercy, on the other hand, seems to remain in short supply.

On the “Awkward” Season 5 premiere, Sadie’s mother Darlene returned from a sort of spiritual sabbatical in New Mexico to check in on her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in months. During the show’s third season -- and amid the Saxton family’s financial crisis -- Darlene met a man in Santa Fe and demanded Sadie move east with her to live with him. Understandably, Sadie protested, but Darlene -- who couldn’t be dissuaded -- left anyway…without her daughter.

Now, the sting of Darlene’s abandonment still burns in Sadie, who’s reticent to forgive her mother and accept her back into her life. Still, Darlene pleaded her case as best she could on Monday night’s episode.

“I know that I have to earn your forgiveness, and I’m not going anywhere until I do,” Darlene said candidly, adding that she officially moved back to Palos Hills to prove how serious she was about righting her wrong. “I know it’s hard for you to believe, but I really have changed.”

Still, while Darlene may have acknowledged her error in flying the coop, she wasn’t necessarily a banner parent while she was around. In the show’s first season, Darlene routinely shamed her daughter for overeating, forced a food journal upon Sadie and once sent the Queen Bee into a fit of hysterics for having eaten a single bite of a cookie.

What do you think: Should Sadie consider giving her mother another chance, or has Darlene already proven she can’t be trusted? And, even if Darlene does stick around, will her lack of compassion do Sadie more damage than good? Share your thoughts, and see Sadie’s next move on the next “Awkward” episode, Monday night at 9/8c!