Grid Effect

Peculiar episode on Sunday. Definitely damn funny, but it was a first time for many things. Bret and Jermaine’s first experimentation with illegal drugs, their first opportunity (and presumable achievement) at a “man-man-lady” threesome (though I’m sure Mel has always been a viable option) and the first time the show completely disregarded any type of continuity.

A couple episodes ago, Bret was overly-squeamish about promiscuity, this episode he was gun-ho about a potential “lady-lady-man” threesome and running out the door of Mel’s apartment for emotionless sex? What gives? For the most part I don’t give a shit. Like stated about Entourage yesterday, comedies should ultimately be judged on the creativity of their humor, which Conchords is still excelling in, not on plot points. Look at a series like Curb Your Enthusiasm. In the pilot, Sammy, Jeff and Suzie Green’s child was an infantile boy (never shown on camera), in his first actual appearance on the series in “The Doll”, he had morphed into an 8-10 year old girl.

Still, that and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (whose first episode is up online, by the way) are the two best comedies still making new episodes. Just find a way to make me laugh, and all will be right with the world. I was just taken aback by it, but having an eager Bret in that situation made for better comedy that a timid one, so we here at Grid Effect applaud them for the decision.

But that misses the focus of this episode, as Kristin Schaal proved she isn’t better in small doses. From her interrogation of the “new fans” to her bathroom inspection of Bret (all while respecting his boundaries) she was definitely a highlight. It would be preferable if she was prominent in the last two remaining episodes. Speaking of Mel…

Am I the only one who watches these episodes worried about what’s going to happen to Dave? Seeing him cooped up in his crowded basement playing Solitary (or so it appeared) while his wife served dinner to two men that she wants to sleep with and their dates only solidified my concerns. Is it still a comedy if this guy slits his wrists? It was further explained how she cost him his career (which was hilariously inflected and delivered by Schaal), can’t they just divorce or something?

The musical numbers left something to be desired. Its at the point now where I’m just uncomfortable watching those if with a group of people. This time it was a mock anthem to “all the ladies of the world” and an acid trip parody. Yawn. But I’ve made my peace with the (in my admittedly unpopular opinion) sub-par music, and enjoy the other twenty-five minutes of the episode.

Other notes:

-I love how the only song they perform on for audiences on the show is that “Who likes to rock the party?” track. And we generally only here bits and pieces of it before they’re cut short, this time by the host of a world music night.

-Dave offered up the always bizarre wardrobe this show doles out. This time it was a t-shirt with a mouse screwing another mouse in a mouse trap from behind (that’s some redundant shit right there), and a blouse.

Maybe back later today with a review of that online It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia episode.