Grid Effect

We’re going to skip the links for a minute (maybe get back to them later today) because we found access to Showtime and managed to watch last night’s Weeds during lunch. And while it wasn’t exactly a laugh riot or even all that dramatic, there were some decent setups that could payoff.

First off, it seems worth noting that these last three episodes have been light years better than the first three, and we attribute basically all of the credit to Kevin Nealon. Since he fled Majestic and ended up in Ren-Mar, we’ve had more scenes with Andy and more familial interaction. Which is strange, since he isn’t part of the family. But an increase of Justin Kirk has always been a good thing for this show, and it looks like we’re going to get more of him and Kevin on screen together. These two are my Jim and Pam for college girls who watch The Office.

I’ve never heard the term coyote applied to someone who assists illegal immigrants in sneaking across the border, but the way they threw it around, something about it had me cracking up. Like it was the most natural and obvious term that could ever be established for someone in that line of work. By far and away the best scenes in this episode were the two of them leering at women on a sidewalk curb, and the insanity that was happening at the beach with all the illegals hiding in the water. Particularly the latter. The phrase “Mermex” is something that will be with us for a long time, though it will never be put to good use here in Ohio.

We have a feeling Dean is gone for good this time. So long Dean, just another casting casualty on a long list for this show. Nothing personal, I'm sure. Your writers are just confused.

We also wonder if Maria/Mermex will become a guest character, because that was a lot of introduction for a one minute cameo. We kind of hope she won’t be, because Doug Wilson without a relationship brings much more humor to the character. Still, we’re pretty certain it’s inevitable.

As for Nancy’s story with the smuggle tunnel, we’re fairly blase about. Though it’s a completely different setting and an alteration on her usual trade (all drugs and illegal immigrants as opposed to just marijuana), it just feels redundant. For instance, the criminal overlord running for mayor elects not to kill or reprimand her in any way because…well, we really couldn’t tell. It looked like he was in a hurry and he commented on her brown eyes, so complete stroke of fortune and aesthetics got her out of trouble once again.

On the Hodes front, we actually felt bad for Dean. Who seems entirely too attached to his daughter. We couldn’t help but think that Celia was only taking her back to spite him, and since that was what Isabelle wanted it didn’t seem that sinister. Revolving around that whole storyline was the concept that it was completely unacceptable for a child to live in either Detroit, New York or St. Louis. While none of these cities would qualify as optimal living conditions for most anyone, the only thing really unlivable about them is the weather, and maybe that is the aversion. I know the insinuation was the they all have a relatively high crime rate, but there are plenty of children who live there peacefully as well. Especially lawyers kids.

We don’t really have anything to add about the Silas-hot mom setup, other than it’s been done about 10,000 times since that wretched comedy American Pie made it fashionable. The only twist they could add would be to have Andy & Doug get jealous, then it would sort of be like a Riggins brothers quarrel.

While are hopes are up for future episodes, this left little to write home about. We’ll be back next week with a hopefully glowing recap. Back with more links later today.