'Up All Night' goes down on one knee

NBC's Up All Night brings their first season to a close with "The Proposals." Reagan (Christina Applegate) panics when she thinks that she lost her engagement ring. But Chris (Will Arnett) is actually having it resized, and hopes he can finally propose, since she ruined the first attempt, years ago. Meanwhile, Kevin (Jason Lee) comes back to town because he misses Ava (Maya Rudolph) and plans on putting a ring on her finger, but will she take him back?

Chris and Reagan are a good couple because they complement each other well, and have much in common where it counts. Most of all, they both care deeply about one another. This is evident in Chris's planning, where he sets up the perfect moment, reminiscent of the first proposal, recalling their romantic history together. It's also clear that Reagan feels the same way when she goes to great lengths to replace her missing ring, even paying off Gammy (Marion Ross, Happy Days, Gilmore Girls) for a diamond earring to use as the stone. She also stops herself from ruining this second attempt, seeing what Chris is about to do.

Most couples see the passion cool over time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Regan is caught up in the moment the first time around, and that's why she ruins Chris's original proposal. But in "The Proposals," she is able to slow down enough to see what is going on. People don't always need to run hot to prove their love for their spouse. Reagan and Chris show each other in little ways every day. And letting one's husband have his moment is a way that she shows her love, as much as planning and executing the second proposal is how Chris does his part.

Ava and Kevin are a wonderful couple. Jason Lee is sorely missed when Kevin disappears months ago, and many viewers long for his return. This finally happens in "The Proposals," but asking Ava to marry him is moving way too fast. While it is awesome that he is back on Up All Night, neither Ava nor Kevin are ready to marry, and so doing so just to keep the character around would have felt forced.

That being said, it would still be nice if wedding bells were in Kevin and Ava's future. There is no reason why they can't be in a couple of years. Ava is right that she did get pretty dependent on Kevin, and has to find herself after he leaves. The fact that she realizes this is a step in the right direction. They both need to grow separately before they can fully grow together. So hopefully they will just date for awhile, leaving some breathing room. Though, no one would complain if Lee became a series regular next year.

Up All Night  has not yet been renewed for a second season, but is considered a probable pick up. Should that happen, it will return to NBC next fall.
 
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