Grid Effect

So, did anyone feel like they could do without half of that story last night? One half was phenomenal, I couldn’t fall asleep as a result of the latter half. But at least we saw Eric and all his insecurity on full display and Vince gambling with money he doesn’t have to appease an acting legend.

As far as Eric once managing a Sbarro, for a kid that grew up with limited means in New York City and was somewhat troubled in high school (we always get references to his violent tendencies), there are much worse things he could be doing with his time than managing a fast food restaurant. He could be Dom, for example. But he is definitely hesitant to let hollywood players know about his career history, and when Vince calls attention to it, the cuts are that much deeper. Vince didn’t even call him pizza boy, he referenced it to make a point about his limited experience in producing films.

At the very least, he was being proactive. He saw a potential problem, looked for a resolution and sold a movie to a distributor that hated him on a trailer for $25 million. Again, he was a little too proactive and may have a verbal agreement with the hollywood equivalent of Elaine’s dad from Seinfeld, but the fact he was able to accomplish what he did was impressive. Even if it was ill-advised.

I also enjoyed that look he flashed Billy Walsh as he walked off, I get the impression the devolving partnership between those two will result in multiple missed punches and a screaming match while several onlookers restrain the two stubborn, opinionated hot heads.

Oh, and the Dennis Hopper cameo, how bizarre was that? I assume he just wanted to promote soccer in a mainstream US venue, because the entire scene wasn’t about much else other than Vince spontaneously gambling with money he doesn’t have, and illustrating that Dennis Hopper still hangs out with the production crew from Easy Rider as well as the muscle bound Italian from OZ that was raped by Adabisi.

Also, I like Vince claiming he was having a “hard day” in this episode as a reason for lashing out at Eric. Look, I live a pretty relaxed lifestyle, I never really have any complaints. But if a hard day for me ever consists on gambling with money I don’t have, then through an extenuating set of circumstances actually winning when I should have lost, then presumably sleeping with a beautiful woman I barely know based solely on name credibility, I suspect I would consider the droll I do now a little more tedious than it already seems. But Eric had been busting his ass all day getting chewed out by Walsh, then Ari and now Vince. Seems like Vince doesn’t have much room for complaint.

As for the other storyline that I refuse to rehash in detail here, all I will say is this, I would rather watch Turtle and Drama party plan than banter about rim jobs from fifty year-olds. Maybe I’m in a the minority on this one, but I would hope I’m part of at least a plurality, if not a majority.

Its really hard to quantify the strength of these episodes when half of it is so immensely enjoyable and the other half makes me want to take a shower based on a vicarious horrific experience. All in all, it has been the best episode of this short season, and a little over half of it was quality material. I geuss that says something about the direction the series is taking.

Flight of the Conchords post coming later today/early tomorrow.