Enlist in SPACE FORCE

Article first published as TV Review: SPACE FORCE on Seat42F.

Greg Daniels, who adapted The Office for American audiences, has been busy, with new two shows hitting streaming services in as many months. One was Upload, which I reviewed back in mid-May, and the other is SPACE FORCE on Netflix. I’ve had the chance to watch all ten episodes, but will talk about the show mostly generally to avoid spoilers.

SPACE FORCE stars Steve Carell as the manager of a department, just like The Office, but this series isn’t nearly as funny as that one was, or even as amusing as Upload (despite sharing the delightful Owen Daniels in underrated roles). Though, I’m not convinced it’s meant to be. There are outrageous things that happen and eccentric characters. Yet, the tone the lead character sets for the piece and some of the events of it keep things more reigned in.

As the series begins, General Mark Naird (Carell) is promoted from the Air Force to lead the new branch of the military, Space Force. And while his fellow branch heads (Jane Lynch, Patrick Warburton, Noah Emmerich, and others) make fun of him for it, Naird takes the job seriously and does his best. He finds ways to work the scientists who have such different mindsets than he does, and struggles to be a good father to his daughter, Erin (Diana Silvers, Ma).

But it’s not easy. As mentioned, the generals rag on him endlessly, as does their boss, John Blandsmith (Dan Bakkedahl, Veep). Not to mention, the unnamed POTUS is likely the same one we have today, temperamental and petty, though with the events of this year out of the mix (for now, anyway). Mark’s assistant, Brad Gregory (Don Lake, Zootopia), may have saved his life once, but is woefully incompetent. The social media guru, F. Tony Scarapiducci (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation), is more hindrance than help. And last, but far from least, Mark’s wife, Maggie (Lisa Kudrow, Friends, The Comeback), is in prison for the next 40-60 years for reasons not revealed to the audience in season one.

As mentioned, the SPACE FORCE base is comprised of scientists, who you might think are cold and unfeeling based on stereotypes. One could also say the same about military officers. Yet, while outward displays of affection are rare, possibly one of the elements that keeps this series low key, we see some very sweet moments. There’s great stuff between Mark and his daughter. There’s arguably even better stuff between Mark and the head scientist, Dr. Adrian Mallory (John Malkovich, Billions, Being John Malkovich). The two have a terrific bond that is often awkward, but really makes up the emotional core of the series. A secondary romance between Mallory’s second, Dr. Chan Kaifang (Jimmy O. Yang, Silicon Valley), and Captain Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$) is also touching.

This human companionship, the scenes where characters connect, is SPACE FORCE’s redeeming quality. Amidst the chaos and the colossal screw ups and the infighting and competitiveness, there are people with hearts who are trying to do a great job. That provides an in for viewers to connect to, and with excellent acting, it’s easy to forget about how few times you’ve laughed out loud.

Which is not to say SPACE FORCE isn’t funny. It’s just more strange funny than obviously humorous. I wouldn’t call its style subtlety, necessarily, but it is a bit sneaky. It’s clever, but not overly so. More just bizarre, really.

Reviews for SPACE FORCE have been mixed, but honestly, I’m fully on board. The ensemble is terrific, the storytelling is interesting, and the acting as absolutely fantastic, as you would expect from this cast. Go in expecting The Office and you’ll be disappointed. But go in with an open mind and withhold judgment, and you may agree.

The only regret I really have is that Mark’s father, Fred (Fred Willard, Modern Family, Jimmy Kimmel Live), won’t be able to return for a second season, and will have to disappear off screen.

Other than that, and especially with the giant cliffhanger of an ending, I’m ready to re-enlist for another mission. SPACE FORCE’s first season is available now on Netflix.

LIFE IN PIECES Holds Together Well

Article originally published as LIFE IN PIECES Review on Seat42F.

Every once in awhile, a family sitcom comes along that just feels fantastic. The most recent was Modern Family, the first such program to do the mockumentary style, and now comes LIFE IN PIECES, a single-camera show that feels a bit more poignant than its peers, at least at the start, with a truly terrific ensemble, bridging the gap between dramas like Parenthood and comedy.

LIFE IN PIECES revolves around a couple in their 70s, their three children, and the families of those children, all undergoing major transitions in their lives. The half hour is split into four pieces, one for each couple, and through the short vignettes, reminds us of what life is about. It’s hard to tell a moving story in roughly five minutes, but this show manages to do so four times over, and by keeping them so short, leaves material for future, fresh episodes on the same topics.

In the pilot, John (James Brolin, Pensacola: Wings of Gold, Catch Me If You Can) decides to stage a mock funeral for his seventieth birthday. His loved ones have varied reactions to the event, but it’s his wife, Joan (Dianne Wiest, In Treatment, I Am Sam), who is the most affected, as one might expect, as while the couple isn’t near death, it’s something they’ll have to think about sooner rather than later.

Son Matt (Thomas Sadoski, The Newsroom) is at the opposite end of the spectrum, just beginning to date Colleen (Angelique Cabral, Enlisted), who is still living with her ex (Jordan Peele, Key & Peele), so they haven’t yet begun their lives together. Other son Greg (Colin Hanks, Fargo) has just become a father for the first time with wife Jen (Zoe Lister Jones, Whitney). Daughter Heather (Betsy Brandt, Breaking Bad) is sad about her kids growing up, as her son, Tyler (Niall Cunningham), looks at colleges, daughter, Samantha (Holly J. Barrett), has her first period, and daughter, Sophia (Giselle Eisenberg, The Wolf of Wall Street), becomes disillusioned about Santa Claus. Too bad her husband, Tim (Dan Bakkedahl, Legit), isn’t much help.

As you can see, LIFE IN PIECES is not just a Modern Family retread. For one thing, only one of the four couples has kids that can be a part of the plot. For another, the topics they are tackling are a little more mature and complex. That makes the show a little less frivolous, and a bit more mature, than its peer.

(For the record, I’m not knocking Modern Family; I still love that show. I’m just illustrating the differences.)

The material is genuinely funny, and the performances are what you would expect from such a strong cast. In twenty-minutes, I was moved numerous times by the trials and frustrations of life. It’s relatable because LIFE IN PIECES shows us things most people go through, but it’s also emotional, as life is just a series of pieces, and these are the important ones to hang onto, or that will be remembered. It’s this insight, not novel, but still vital, that makes the show so good.

Obviously, one episode is not enough to judge a show on, and it would be hard to deliver four pivotal bits every single week, twenty-two weeks a year, for seasons on end. But the way LIFE IN PIECES approaches its topics, big moments, but just a part of lives constantly moving, sets up a repeatable format and a way to keep things going. The immediate aftermath of Jen coming home from the hospital, for one, is important, but there will be many other important bits in that first year, and new things the couple must go through. It gets a little gross, like life, but remains relevant and compelling.

I’m excited about LIFE IN PIECES and am already setting a season pass on my TiVo. I’m usually terrible at predicting which shows will do well and which ones won’t, so I’ll just say that I hope this one catches on. I want to still be watching it five years from now.

LIFE IN PIECES premieres Monday, September 21^st at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

"Love" LEGIT

Article first published as LEGIT Review Season 2 on Seat42F.

LEGIT’s second season begins on FXX this week with “Loveline.” It’s as much a continuation of the first year as it is a fresh tale. Jim (Jim Jefferies) appears on the radio show Loveline with Dr. Drew Pinsky (himself). During and after this appearance, past girlfriends haunt him, while Dr. Drew attempts to convince Jim that he has a sex addiction and should seek help.

I love that LEGIT goes this route of continuation, rather than starting over. It provides a cohesion and through-line between the two seasons, and even if you didn’t see the previous episodes, or your memory is a little fuzzy about them, there are still plenty of jokes that can be enjoyed with no background. It’s not the type of show to really do long arcs, but the inclusion of Peggy (Ginger Gonzaga) and Jenny (Bre Blair) are still able to hail back to the previous installments.

Even more of a connecting tissue is the movie that Jim got fired from after his highly inappropriate, but very funny, rape misunderstanding last season. The film is now in theaters, and it turns out to be very, very good, much to Jim’s dismay. This provides no end to the humor at Jim’s expense.

A theme of “Loveline” seems to be ‘poor Jim.’ The main character in LEGIT is likeable enough, but he also has his flaws. He can be selfish and self-absorbed. “Loveline” shows us a different side of him, the kind that unfairly suffers from circumstances often outside of his control. It makes him more sympathetic, and even when he looks a bit pathetic, you still root for him to do well, something that isn’t quite always the case in previous entries.

Of course, that’s not true of everything in the half hour. There is at least one scene in which Jim lies to get what he wants, something we’ve seen is part of his nature. But mostly, this premiere finds Jim more accessible and easy to get behind than before.

Even Jim’s sex addiction issues aren’t an indicator of Jim being bad. For one thing, we’re only told about the worst of his actions. What is shown is actually relatively tame. We know he’s screwed up, but I’m not even convinced that Jim needs help. He may just need to find the right person.

Playing it down could actually backfire. LEGET gets well-deserved credit for the handling of some sensitive issues, especially in the way it portrays people with disabilities, both physical and mental. If the sex addiction story is made light of too much, without any real consequences or development, then it could do disserve not only to that problem, but also the character of Jim.

What I like about LEGIT is that it features fully formed characters. Billy (DJ Qualls) is so much more than what one might expect at first glance, and Steve (Dan Bakkedahl) has plenty of problems and idiosyncrasies, too, his alcoholism brought up again in “Loveline.” Jim can be unfeeling at times, but the way he takes care of Steve and Billy as much as he does proves his humanity and compassion for fellow men. Yes, the show is a comedy and needs to keep being funny, but it could also make the sex addiction thing a season-long plot that shows us something new in Jim.

That aside, though, “Loveline” is absolutely just as hilarious as pretty much any installment of LEGIT so far. It’s an edgy, different show with a specific voice and perspective not often shown on TV. I greatly enjoy it, and this premiere is true to the established form. It definitely bodes well for the coming installments.

LEGIT premieres Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on FXX.

DVD Review: ‘Legit – The Complete First Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Legit – The Complete First Season’ on Blogcritics.

Last year, FX presented an edgy new comedy called Legit. Starring Australian comedian Jim Jefferies as a version of himself, the show follows Jim as he tries to be a better person. This usually includes helping his roommate, Steve (Dan Bakkedahl,Veep), and Steve’s severely handicapped brother, Billy (DJ Qualls, Road Trip), with something their lives are lacking, inspired by Jefferies’ actual life. The results are always hilarious, if not rewarding for Jim. Beginning this Tuesday, just ahead of the second season premiere, Legit – The Complete First Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray.

Billy is confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed below the neck due to muscular dystrophy, but he’s a normal guy who wants to party and get laid. Jim understands this, and does his best to help Billy out, taking him to Vegas and springing him from his home, much to Steve’s chagrin. Even more disapproving is Billy’s mother, Janice (Mindy Sterling, Austin Powers), though Billy’s father, Walter (John Ratzenberger, Cheers), doesn’t seem to mind, and Billy’s nurse, Ramona (Sonya Eddy, General Hospital), mostly comes around to Jim, seeing through his crap.

Right from the start, Legit sets itself apart because of its portrayal of those with disabilities, which has earned it a huge following from that community. Billy himself is a full developed character, seen as someone with the usual needs and dreams, not someone confined or limited by his challenges. Billy’s best friend, Rodney (Nick Daley), has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder, but Jim includes him in the fun, too, and others pop up throughout the season. These people are poked fun at, but only when they’re in on the joke, not at the expense of anyone, and if that line is ever crossed, there are consequences for the person that crosses it. If nothing else, Legit deserves praise for creating dynamic characters of this type, taking what Glee has done a (much raunchier) step forward.

Now, Jim isn’t completely altruistic, at times being downright selfish. He certainly doesn’t treat women nearly as respectfully as he treats his buddies. And his motivations are sometimes mixed. The results of his actions are often bad, at times bordering into gross or creepy. But he is a layered character, someone that is likeable enough, and earns respect because he gives it.

The show itself is told from a very unique perspective. I haven’t had the chance to catch much of Jefferies’ standup routine, so I don’t know how closely the material here hews to it. However, I can’t name another sitcom on television that really comes close to the story or tone of Legit. Like other FX shows such as Wilfred and Louie, the creator has a strong, guiding hand, allowing his voice to really shine through in a very satisfying way. You may not like Legit, it’s certainly not for everyone, especially the easily offended, but it should be easy enough to respect Jefferies and the work that he’s doing.

I mentioned that Legit might be offensive, and that’s very true. There is plenty of humor related to drugs, sex, prostitutes, masturbation, rape, and the like. It’s adult material, and it airs with a TV-MA rating for good reason. However, all of this fits the style and tone, and is used because of the people the show revolves around, not gratuitously. So if you don’t like that stuff, then stay away from Legit and leave it for the rest of us immature viewers to enjoy. Or, better yet, loosen up and give it a chance.

The two disc DVD set contains all 13 episodes of season one, plus a handful of bonus features. This includes a Director’s Cut of the “Pilot,” a gag reel, deleted scenes, commentaries for select episodes, a featurette on Jefferies, and some autotuned Rodney, It’s a good, appropriate mix.

Legit – The Complete First Season is available this coming Tuesday.

Blu-ray Review: 'The Heat'

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'The Heat' on Blogcritics.

The Heat was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. The comedy-action movie is the story of a stuck up FBI agent named Ashburn (Sandra Bullock, Gravity) forced to partner with a rough Boston police officer named Mullins (Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids) to take down a drug kingpin. In one another they find friendship while learning something about themselves.

The Heat is a typical buddy cop movie for much of the running time. This time, the cops are women, meant to be novel take on the genre. True, there have not been dozens of female buddy-cop movies, however, the plot is pretty standard fare, so novel, it’s not.

The main draw of The Heat is the casting of  Bullock and McCarthy. They don’t seem a natural pairing, so of course one expects it to be entertaining when the two are thrust together. They are both terrific actresses, and have created two mostly well-defined, layered characters, but the material drags them down.

They are surrounded by a great comedic supporting cast. Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie) plays a fellow agent with a crush on Ashburn. Dan Bakkedahl (Legit) is a creepy albino DEA officer, and his partner is played by Saturday Night Live‘s Taran Killam. MADtv‘s Michael McDonald is a villain, and Back to the Future‘s Tom Wilson is Mullins’ boss. The cast also includes Tony Hale (Arrested Development) and Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). But none of these comedy stars manages to really contribute much of anything major to the movie.

We are introduced to Mullins’ family, constantly bickering and ripping on one another. Jane Curtin (3rd Rock from the Sun), Michael Rapaport (Prison Break), Nate Corddry (Harry’s Law), Joey McIntyre (Boston Public), Michael Tucci (Diagnosis Murder), Bill Burr (Breaking Bad), and the comedy duo Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo (Ronna & Beverly) make up the loud-mouthed clan, who frequently improvise. They could easily fill out their own spin-off movie, a la The Klumps, only they’d probably be quite a bit funnier, which, to be fair, isn’t saying much.

Now, with Mullins’ family and a semi-clever twist at the end, The Heat isn’t a complete waste of time. Plus, there are some really nice scenes between McCarthy and Bullock. Overall, though, the film left me feeling a bit empty.

Director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) also co-created Freaks and Geeks, and directed episodes of a ton of great TV shows, including The Office, Arrested Development, and Nurse Jackie. With his record and a great cast, you might think The Heat would be at least amusing.

There are a ton of special features on this release, including additional footage. There are deleted, extended, and alternate scenes. There are also a number of 10-minute segments of themed deleted scenes and bloopers with introductions by Feig. Which means if you do like the film and want more, you can spend hours pouring though the unused footage. Plus, we do get to hear about how the movie was made, and multiple audio commentaries, including one by the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys, are included.

There is not a strong argument for going Blu-ray over DVD on this one. I always love watching things in the best quality available, of course, but there aren’t really any dark scenes, special effects, or detailed audio bits that beg for high def. Your experience would probably not be much negatively impacted by going with standard definition. Of course, even if nothing really pops in the visual or auditory, clarity is always appreciated, and the Blu-ray is an extremely clear presentation.

The Heat is available now.

Veep Back in the (Not Quite White) House

Article first published as VEEP Season 2 Premiere Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 94%

HBO’s VEEP is back for a second season just in time for “Midterms.” Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and staff anxiously await the results of their party’s fate as the votes are counted for Congressional seats. Selina looks for a way to use the numbers to her advantage to gain more power on the Hill, while others hope to thwart her, in a way, although, as usual, Selina’s own worst enemy is herself.

There are so many fantastic elements to “Midterms” that it’s hard to figure out where to start. VEEP, which is a little rocky in season one, definitely seems to understand itself by the second year. Not only do all of the main players get perfect little bits this week, but there’s room to bring in a wealth of fantastic guest stars, all pulling their own weight.

Among the new characters we are introduced to are: an important member of the President’s staff (Kevin Dunn, Luck, Samantha Who?); a numbers cruncher who has returned to help the President rebound from his big losses (Gary Cole, Office Space, The Good Wife); and a percentage-obsessed nerd (Kumail Nanjiani, Franklin & Bash, Portlandia). Plus, we get the return of Ohio’s Roger Furlong (Dan Bakkedahl, Legit), who has never liked Selina, and never will.

I guess what is surprising is that Dunn and Cole’s characters don’t hate Selina. Selina still manages to offend Cole’s guy, but neither are actively trying to see her fail. They may work for the President, but unlike the President’s liaison with his veep’s office, Jonah (Timothy Simons), the whole White House camp isn’t against Selina.

Which proves what some have suspected, that Jonah is just a jerk. Yes, the President frequently blows Selina off, but Jonah’s dismissive attitude isn’t true of everyone in his office. It’s a power play by someone who wants to take advantage of every ounce of influence they are given, and he isn’t given much. Some people like and respect Selina, which is probably why she’s been around as long as she has.

Between the core cast, which is, without exception, phenomenal at this distinct type of groaning humor, and these guest stars, VEEP soars. It’s hard to define exactly why I am enjoying the show so much, but every single actor on screen just nails their roles. Their line delivery is flawless, the writing is tight, and the show knows exactly what it is, with no wavering in tone or presentation.

A look around at the ensemble supports this conclusion, each with their own bits in “Midterms.” Amy (Anna Chlumsky) balances a dying father with her professional responsibilities. Dan (Reid Scott) fights with Furlong. Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) lays the smack down. Mike (Matt Walsh) tries to unload a leaky boat he foolishly bought. And Gary (Tony Hale) not only has a lipstick emergency, but is part of the biggest kerfuffle in the entire half hour, which hilariously unfolds in the Oval Office itself.

I am somehow not disappointed that the President has yet to make an appearance, even in an installment where he is frequently known to be just around the corner. I feel like the idea of him, painted in the small details we get from other characters, is greater than any actor could actually perform the role. Should VEEP decide down the line to bring in the POTUS himself, it would take absolutely perfect casting to nail the role. Instead, I feel he is better off remaining a legend and a myth, only talked about, never seen, his absence always making Selina seem less important than her job title would lead one to believe.

In the end, Selina actually does get what she is asking for in “Midterms,” or at least part of it. And as fans might expect, it’s not what she bargained for. The President actually calls for her (which NEVER happens), but to ask her to do some difficult stuff, some of which involves shouldering part of the blame for awful midterm elections, which really aren’t her fault.

Louis-Dreyfus is brilliant, making this unlikable woman just a smidge charming enough that viewers can understand how she got where she is. She isn’t nice and she isn’t sharp, well, not entirely, yet she worked her way up to V.P. somehow. It actually makes sense almost solely because of Louis-Dreyfus’s nuanced and carefully thought out portrayal.

And she is matched by everyone else on screen. It’s her show, but it wouldn’t work without the right balance of support the others bring, keeping her the star and the focus, even while servicing their own stories. Excellent work, all around.

If you only sort of enjoyed season one, “Midterms” is worth a shot because I feel the game has been kicked up a notch. If you’re already a fan, this is VEEP at the top of its game, and you should be very satisfied with its return. And if you’ve never watched the show, give it a try. “Midterms” is accessible to anyone, even the brand-new watcher.

VEEP returns this Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

This series is Legit

Grade: 87%

FX’s latest sitcom is LEGIT. Starring Australian comedian Jim Jeffries as a fictional version of himself, based on his stand up routine, LEGIT finds Jim wanting to grow up and be a responsible adult. Unfortunately, this is something that will not come easily to him.

The “Pilot” opens with Jim and his roommate / best friend Steve (Dan Bakkedahl, The Daily Show, Community) waiting in line. We soon learn that Jim tricked Steve into coming because Jim didn’t want to stand in line alone. This tells us immediately what kind of self-centered jerk Jim is, and that Steve is the schlep who follows him around. It sets the tone very quickly as to who these characters are, and what their relationship is with one another.

From there, Steve and Jim’s conversation moves towards the possibility of Jim being a father, which he decides he can only do if the mother dies. Not right away, mind you; he’s not completely cruel. And he’s be willing to continue the sexual intercourse, even if his mate’s body becomes disease-ridden.

This sequence is a fantastic opening. I really feel like it does a great job of outlining Jim himself, what his sense of humor is, and how he sees the world. He likes to think that he’s a good guy, but clearly, he is a long way off from that. But Steve hangs around him for a reason, and we get glimpses of the good Jim right away, even if it is couched in a self-involved narcissist.

I feel like I could keep repeating the same observations in every scene of the episode; that’s how good LEGIT is at explaining itself right out of the gate.

Now, Steve is not a total rube. He has limits as to what he will put up with, and he isn’t shy about correcting Jim’s bad behavior. He may be pushed into doing things that he’d rather not to, but he sets limits, and mostly sticks to them. He is also just about the best brother in the world to his younger, handicapped sibling, Billy (DJ Qualls, Road Trip, Memphis Beat), so he’s easy to root for.

The rest of the first episode involves Jim and Steve taking to find a hooker. Billy has muscular dystrophy, so he hasn’t had any experience with women, but he is a normal horny man, and would like to correct that oversight. It’s a very good thing Jim is around, because Steve only agrees reluctantly to go along with it, and Billy’s mother, Janice (Mindy Sterling, Austin Powers, Desperate Housewives), does not approve.

Jim keeps telling Steve that he wants to improve himself, and it’s at Steve’s encouragement that Jim sets out to help Billy. It’s not the way that Steve thinks Jim should be helping, and Jim’s openness with everyone he knows (and a twitter feed) spread the story much faster than it should be spread. But at least he helps, and it’s hard to fault someone with being who they are, open and honest. And yes, at the end of the day, Jim sees a way to help himself by helping Billy, but at least he’s helping, right?

LEGIT should fit in just fine with the rest of FX’s comedy lineup. It’s most similar to Wilfred, and not just because Jeffries looks and sounds a bit like Jason Gann. The humor is along the same lines, as is the sensibilities of the lead, and some of the show’s themes. The most surprising thing is that LEGIT may even be slightly filthier than Wilfred (or Archer or anything else on the network). If you like WILFRED, but don’t enjoy strange mysteries surrounding men in dog costumes, than LEGIT is the show for you!

I personally find this type of humor pretty darn funny. I admit, it is not for everyone, and it’s not a series that families can watch together or the easily offended should view at all. But for young adults and those in college, LEGIT could easily become something to tune in to every week.

I don’t know that it’s really relatable. Everyone may know someone like Jim, but few real people would go to the extremes that this comedian does. However, it’s not really necessary for LEGIT it be relatable, and the jokes are accessible enough the way they are.

LEGIT premieres Thursday, January 17th at 10 p.m. ET.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on Seat42F

Don't cry for the Veep

HBO's Veep rounded up its freshman run with "Tears." Flying to Ohio (where else?) to endorse a gubernatorial candidate, Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) learns that her poll numbers are bad. Suddenly, her endorsement is not needed, and in fact, Roger Furlong (Dan Bakkedahl, Community) threatens retribution if Selina does throw her weight behind him. Mike (Matt Walsh) gets the idea that Selina, overly emotional, could save face if she just shows a little emotion, so he manipulates her into crying during an interview. Suddenly, Furlong wants her by his side again. Then he doesn't. Then he does. The he vows vegeance.

Veep is, more than anything, a very smart comedy of errors. Louis-Dreyfus is her typical, brilliant, comedic self in this role, finally allowed to unleash her profanity amid her stumbles, unlike on her network series. No matter how hard Selina tries, nothing goes her way. She often reacts badly to these negative turns of events, but though she does some ugly things, she remains likeable because of Louis-Dreyfus' subtle depth of personality.

The actress, surely an Emmy nominee this year, is surrounded by an absolutely terrific supporting cast, whose characters are mostly as genuine, sympathetic, and bumbling as she is. Mike is an idiot, but he finally has a great idea, which then backfires. Selina orders Amy (Anna Chlumsky) to fix her poll numbers, which Amy takes completely in stride, even if she has no idea where to even begin with that request. This comes a week after Amy willingly takes the fall for her boss, without coming across as a weak-willed toady. Gary (Tony Hale) keeps Selina on task, such as letting her know that she only has four seconds with a hotel manager.

Then there's Dan (Reid Scott). Dan is not yet a fully accepted part of Selina's work family. He deals with Furlong through most of "Tears." At first, Dan supports Selina, but then is willing to betray her when his own reputation is threatened. Looking good at the end of the day, he is excited by his promotion, and issues a press release within seconds, only to see things come crashing down around him. He may seem smooth, but he's just as much a screw up as the rest. His personal agenda, though, makes him less trustworthy than the other, more earnest members of the group. Which is why he stands out, and is so essential to the show.

"Tears" is a wonderful showcase of so many great things about the series. There are fantastic lines, such as Mike talking of tweaking Selina's "tear nipple," and Selina scolding her people for putting her on stage while she is an emotional wreck. This is followed up by Selina' realization that the job is killing her mental state, and she soon loses the ability to cry, a set of circumstances that lets Louis-Dreyfus slay viewers. The wry writ, all around commitment to the characters and premise, and amusing weekly stories, which do not veer into too goofy a territory, make the entire package work beautifully.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what is so funny about Veep. There aren't many laugh out loud moments, but rather, a slow build up of fun elements that leave one with an overwhelming feeling of joy. The series did not grab me right away, but each episode drew me further into the story and the characters. Part schadenfreude, part wonder at the talent displayed, each half hour leaves one with an overall sense of entertainment. What more could you ask for in a television show? That's why season two, which will probably reveal the results of Furlong's wrath, should be much anticipated.

Seinfeld curse? What Seinfeld curse?

Veep will return to HBO next year.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Community triple dose ends season

NBC's Community had the rare opportunity last night to air not one, not two, but three episodes! Of course, not knowing this far ahead of time, each of the final three are stand alone stories, while still contributing to the larger whole. Also, not knowing if the series would be renewed or not, the final episode gives enough closure that it could serve as a series finale, with just a few seconds of content cut out. Thank goodness, this is not the case, and Community will return next year mid-season. #SixSeasonsAndAMovie

In the first half hour, "Digital Estate Planning," the gang, still expelled from Greendale, goes with Pierce (Chevy Chase) to his deceased father's company to learn how he will get the estate. Upon arrival, they learn that Pierce's father, Cornelius (Larry Cedar, Deadwood), has left them a video game in which to compete for his inheritance. Not only that, but the man explaining this to them, Gilbert Lawson (Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time), is actually Pierce's half brother, and he wants the money!

"Digital Estate Planning" is awesome because much of it is done in 8-bit animation, with the characters becoming part of the game. It contains a number of great jokes and references, such as Britta (Gillian Jacobs) "screwing up drinking" and Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed (Danny Pudi) singing a new version of their talk show theme song! It is also awesome because it forces Pierce to look at himself and who he is, as well as face the fact that he has a sibling. There is some serious soul searching, once Pierce eventually figures out how to stop running his character into walls. And the finale of this episode hints at a major plot point at the end of the season, which is also an overall theme in Community: People are stronger together than apart.

Plus, Abed finds love with an 8-bit girl whose family is slaughtered by Annie (Alison Brie) and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), and they have hundreds of children!

Episode two, "The First Chang Dynasty," is the long-awaited show down between the study group and Chang (Ken Jeong). They plan an elaborate, Ocean 11 style, heist to rescue the Dean (Jim Rash) from Chang's evil clutches. This is also a great excuse to dress in costume, and Britta's goth gal getup is extremely memorable.

Unfortunately, "The First Chang Dynasty" is one case in which the group's ineptitude does not pay off. Chang may be evil and like using his own name incessantly, but he's also smart. He thwarts their attempts to fool him, and is only stopped because members of the school board happen to walk in on the entire thing. Thus, Greendale returns to normal. Or as normal as Greendale gets.

"The First Change Dynasty" is a wonderful episode because, underneath the goofiness, the bond between these students and their dean is felt. This is again echoing the same theme as "Digital Estate Planning," really setting up how the season will end. The characters get into trouble, and it takes a noble sacrifice by Troy to save them. This reaffirms just how far they would go for each other. And it's great that Jeff (Joel McHale) rewards the Dean with a kind touch that sends him collapsing to the floor in ecstasy.

It's a little disappointing that the Dean doesn't give the group credit for the Biology class after the events of "The First Chang Dynasty," as that class is what leads to the Chang mess in the first place. But at least he revokes their expulsion. "Introduction to Finality" picks up months later, as Jeff tries to study for the summer Biology final, which the other members of the study group seem utterly unconcerned about.

How odd that in "Introduction to Finality," Jeff is the only one that cares about school! Once upon a time, he was the least interested in the curriculum, anxious just to graduate and get back to his life! But in this episode, Jeff really commits to Greendale one hundred percent. Not only does he keep trying to study, in spite of the insanity going on around him, he also sacrifices any chance to return to his career in a trial in which he defends Shirley against Pierce, who is represented by Jeff's former colleague, Alan (Rob Corddry). It really brings things full circle, and demonstrates the kind of man Jeff has become!

It's a good thing that Jeff picks this moment to stand up for his friends and choose happiness because an Evil Abed is afoot in "Introduction to Finality." Depressed over losing Troy, who we'll get to in a minute, Abed becomes Evil Abed, intent on bringing darkness into this timeline. He easily takes out Britta, sending her into a spiral of self doubt. But when he tries to go after Jeff with a bone saw, which is hilariously delayed because he needs an extension cord, he is instead surprised to be confronted with total goodness. Troy isn't the only one who cares about his friends in the group, and seeing this affirmed by Jeff's actions cures Abed of his own depression.

It's odd that it takes an act of martyrdom to cure Abed, considering another action of the same is what drives him there in the first place. Troy sacrifices his happiness and freedom to keep the group out of trouble, agreeing to enroll in the Air Conditioning Annex. But, it turns out, Troy gets there at the opportune time, as Murray (Dan Bakkedahl) kills Vice Dean Laybourne (John Goodman) in order to assume the position, and Troy, as the chosen one, is the only one who can stop Murray from getting away with it.

What results from this crime is that Troy must engage Murray in a battle to the death in air conditioning repair. Yes, it's silly, but it's still a great, inspiring sequence! Especially when Troy spares his foe, rather than letting Murray die. Community has a tendency to go a bit over the top, which is part of its charm. But when Troy defeats Murray, the others want to lock the killer in some bizarre chamber, and it takes Troy to bring a dose of reality to the situation, instructing the others to hand Murray over to the cops to be tried for murder. One may not think a bit of realism can be funny, but this one truly is!

Then, with balance restored to the Community universe, "Introduction to Finality" plays a version of the show's theme song, with images of each of the characters finding a good ending flashing over it. It's a heart-warming, touching sequence, and one of the best in the show's run. What's more, on top of the expected endings, a couple of dangling threads are tossed in, since the series is, indeed, returning. Chang's next mission? Take over a rival school, surely to do battle against Greendale. And, it turns out, Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) faked his death! It's the perfect ending to an awesome season!

Community will return to NBC next year, likely in January. #SixSeasonsAndAMovie

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