Get WOKE

Article first published as TV Review: WOKE on Seat42F.

Premiering on Hulu next week is WOKE. The dramedy follows cartoonist Keef Knight, whose career is just about take off when he finds himself pushed into becoming a social justice warrior. That is exactly the opposite personality from the one Keef has carefully crafted his entire life, determined to blend in with white people and not make waves or be the slightest bit controversial. But after a traumatic run-in with the police, he begins hallucinating talking objects who won’t leave him alone until he finally speaks his mind – very loudly and publicly.

Lest you think this is one of those dumb, weird comedies about a man going crazy, WOKE is not that. The talking objects are never more present than they are at the beginning, later used sparingly and with care, not a constant gag that you have to struggle through if you’re not into it. WOKE is much more focused on the emotional and mental turmoil that Keef is experiencing as he tries to pull himself out of the hole he digs into and find a new normal. This series was so compelling,  I couldn’t stop until I’d blazed through all right episodes in a single day.

Lamorne Morris, best known as goofy sidekick Winston in New Girl, shines as Keef in WOKE, perfectly balancing an everyman quality with someone who can be serious and inspiring. He carriers this show on his back, as its almost entirely from his perspective, and he does it with excellence. I hope this show runs for many years because I can’t wait to see him play more of this character, or any character, really, after this.

He is supported by an amazing and varied ensemble, all there for how they relate to Keef, but complex characters on their own. Keef’s roommates are Clovis (comedian and writer T. Muph) and Gunther (Blake Anderson, Workaholics). Gunther is the super-woke white guy who seems to fight more for racial justice than the Black characters that surround him, even at times telling them how to act concerning sensitive issues. Yet, he stops short of being too annoying and patronizing, and displays a huge heart at all times. Clovis, meanwhile, is a player who lies to women constantly, and yet is somewhat good to his friends. One wonders what his backstory is that has made him this way, as his charm makes him difficult to hate, even as his actions are despicable.

Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live) is introduced as a journalist who has strong morals, though further episodes reveal just how far from perfectly noble she is. Rose McIver (iZombie) is Keef’s fellow artist love interest, and they struggle with their interracial relationship and personal drama as they come together during a very disruptive time for Keef.

The subject matter is timely, though definitely written before recent events. Still, the conversation is more than relevant. Who really needs to watch this show is the Blue Lives Matter crowd. This will humanize the other side of the debate in a way that is badly needed in this hyper-partisan time, and in the tradition of great television shows, will foster understanding. But who is more likely to watch it are those already in support of Black Lives Matter and the series will preach to the crowd.

Apart from that, though, WOKE is an extremely well-made series, no matter what issues its tackling. It has terrific characters, is beautifully set in San Francisco, and expertly balances itself well between smart writing and really funny stuff, simultaneously being a true exploration of society at large and individual personalities, shining a light on so much that needs it. A koala subsplot is particularly insightful, in my opinion. This show is excellent, and season two can’t come soon enough.

WOKE premieres on Hulu on September 9th.

Please ponder the "Perils of Paranoia" with House

     In the opening hook for the House fall finale on FOX, "Perils of Paranoia," a lawyer (Vincent Spano) collapses. Upon searching the patient's dwelling, Park (Charlyne Yi) and Adams (Odette Annable) discover a secret closet arsenal that the man's wife (Amanda Foreman, Parenthood, Private Practice) knows nothing about. This gets everyone thinking about paranoia, especially after the lawyer insists his collection is just a safety net for the very real possibility of the U.S. government collapsing. It also spurs House (Hugh Laurie) to play on Park's own manifestation of that titular emotion in how she is treated by her co-workers.

     How can one judge paranoia? Everyone is afraid of something, and everyone has a different justification into how much fear they allow into their lives, or in how they choose to cope with that fear. Is it silly to plan for the worst, when the chance of the worst happening seems remote to most people? Should the government actually collapse, this man will be hailed as a hero for having the foresight to predict and prepare. Maybe he is more aware than most. It's hard to decide where the line between paranoia and caution exists sometimes, and "Perils of Paranoia" plays up a threat that many Americans today feel is very real. Which just makes the definition of paranoia all the more elusive.

     House, of course, does not feel confused. He loves to poke fun at inferior people, and he considers everyone inferior. This patient provides an excellent opportunity for House, though he is too busy messing with his employees to take much advantage of it. In fact, House has been letting much slide lately. Did prison change him forever? Certainly not, as he still engages in plenty of shenanigans, including a delightful contest of wills with Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) in this week's episode. But House is more mellow, and doesn't use every single weapon in his cruel arsenal anymore, and there might be something more there than meets the eye.

     An important clue to what House is going through this season on House might be the subject of the game he plays with Wilson. Wilson insists that House is exactly the type of person to own a gun, but House denies possessing one. Wilson doesn't believe him, and both lay traps for each other. In the end, Wilson does find a weapon in House's closet, though House is able to lie and claim it's only a prop. Instead, viewers see that it belonged to John House, House's deceased adopted father, and is a keepsake, not a source of protection. Might House be dwelling on his parentage, and thus, not have time to needle everyone quite as much as usual? And how can Wilson be so off base, because even though a gun is in House's apartment, he is totally wrong about his theory?

     The other victim of House's half-hearted torment this week is Park, whom House tries to make feel alienated on the team. He is successful, though it doesn't take much. Adams clearly doesn't like her, nor do Taub (Peter Jacobson) or Chase (Jesse Spencer) take a particular interest. Adams suggests that maybe they just don't know her, and her offer of a date towards Chase, as well as shooting down his initial excuses, intrigues him enough to accept. Through Chase, viewers now stand a chance of learning a little more about Park. Though when Chase inevitably dumps Park for Adams, as obvious sparks fly between the good looking docs, it could be a source of yet more tension on the team.

     Taub acts a little like House, and also a little like a mother, in trying to find Foreman (Omar Epps) a date. Foreman is bored and frustrated in his job, and isn't taking time to pursue a personal life. Perhaps there is still some lingering bond from living together, so Taub feels like he can, and should, interfere. Unfortunately, instead of accepting Taub's offer of available women, which might benefit him, Foreman falls for a girl who is already married named Anita (Yaya DaCosta, Ugly Betty, All My Children). This cannot and will not end well, so why does Foreman get involved? Especially after being so judgmental about Taub cheating on his wife. Thus, "Perils in Paranoia" features the return of Foreman the Hypocrite.

     Lastly, Blake Anderson (Workaholics) guest stars as a loser clinic patient who is stealing from his employer in "Perils of Paranoia." One expects better guest stars on this series, such as Amanda Foreman, and it baffles why Anderson appears. He basically is the same seemingly stoner persona he uses in his terribly unfunny Comedy Central series, so why even pop up if no range will be shown? Instead, it's a head scratcher, especially as the scene feels slightly out of place in the overall episode.

     Then again, it wouldn't be the first time House treats someone in the clinic that is not connected to the bigger story. In fact, earlier in "Perils of Paranoia," House searches for a beautiful, big-breasted girl (Rachel Sterling, The Man Show) to treat in a throwaway that may only be intended as a joke punch line. Could both the woman and the young man be another symptom of a changing House? Or could the series just be making a couple of bad decisions, as neither is memorable nor necessary?

     House will return in January to finish what may very well be its final season.

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Article first published as TV Review: House - "Perils of Paranoia" on Blogcritics.