APB To Viewers

Article first published as APR Review on Seat42F.

If you’ve read very many of my reviews, I’m sure you’ve noticed how hard I am on crime shows. I find most of them to be very formulaic and repetitive, telling the same story over and over again and copying the peers that have come before it. As a genre, I find it one of the weakest, based on the many lazy executions of it, and there are far more bad examples of how to do it than good ones, even among those that have become ratings hits.

I say this to give you an idea of the mindset I had going into FOX’s new drama, APB, and to illustrate how hard this series had to work to win me over. Yet, win me over it did, with a gripping pilot and an interesting premise. It could very well fall right into that awful pattern most cop dramas follow repeatedly in week two. But for a first episode, APB’s premiere was a great one.

The story begins with wild billionaire playboy Gideon Reed (the always fantastic Justin Kirk, Weeds), a man who likes splash and cares little for the consequences of doing what he wants. The flip side of him is that Gideon is an innovative engineer, and so his brilliance excuses much of his bad behavior in the business world. When a close pal and long-time advisor of his is killed, Gideon decides to pour his resources into reforming one particularly bad, underfunded police precinct in the city of Chicago. In doing so, he not only gives the metropolis hope, but also reforms an entire industry.

If that sounds like a fantastical story, well, it mostly is. You may read that APB is loosely based on a New York Times article about a rich guy that developed an app for the New Orleans cops, sort of like Gideon does in the series. However, this fictional version takes things a heck of a lot further, with equipment and procedure redesigned from the ground up.

The weakness in the story is how the police officers, initially skeptical of Gideon, quickly begin to be won over by the results of his inventions. A more realistic approach would be to have Gideon only slowly gain any traction with the people who are forced to accept his leadership against their will, as is what happens between he and the surely-crooked mayor. The audience, who are supposed to relate to Amelia Murphy (Natalie Martinez, Saints & Sinners, Kingdom), the face of the force, may feel as betrayed by these law enforcement types who quickly become converts as the characters themselves are portrayed to be at the start. The conflict is simplified far too much to be realistic.

But the reason I am willing to overlook this is because APB is so darn inspiring. In an era where the systems that are supposed to serve us are plagued by inefficiency and outdated thinking, and when the citizens of the country are more divided than ever, seeing people come together to make a community better and bring it into the modern age is awesome. It’s exactly the type of thing optimists wish to happen in real life, and when told with a complex, noble hero like Gideon at the center, alongside the brave women and men in blue, with nary a corrupt one among them, it’s a show that’s hard to resist.

What I do worry about is APB’s timeslot, which is following 24. While there are some suspenseful sequences, APB isn’t nearly as fast-paced as it lead-in. I wish the order were reversed, as it would serve fine as a warm up, but may be a let down after the adrenaline-pumping intensity of the real-time series.

APB premieres tonight at 9/8c on FOX.

A TYRANT Rules

Article first published as TYRANT Review at Seat42F.

FX, which has been very successful in making quality television programs these past few years, does it again with TYRANT, premiering this week. Set in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Abbudin, the story is one of a dictator’s family in a country trying to modernize, and whose people want to be free. The son who has rejected his homeland and spent the past twenty years living in America is forced to return and rule when circumstances incapacitate those who should be running Abbudin.

The lead character in TYRANT is Bassam “Barry” Al Fayeed (Adam Rayner, Hawtorne). He is a closed-off doctor and family man who has tried to escape his past. He only reluctantly agrees to go home for a brief visit after a long absence, and is determined not to be dragged in to the politics there, which he follows from afar. His friend, Fauzi (Fares Fares, Zero Dark Thirty), an opposition journalist, and Barry’s family really want him to contribute. Can Barry be persuaded to help the two sides come to an understanding?

 

This is a very delicate time for Abbudin. Barry’s father, Khaled (Nasser Faris, House of Sand and Fog), doesn’t understand why the people want to be out from under him, thinking he has given them prosperity and peace. Watching his fellow dictators fall, Khaled tries to find a way to hold onto his power. He quickly realizes that his elder son, Jamal (Ashraf Barhom, The Kingdom), is too brutal and dispassionate to appease the population, and so hopes younger child Barry can help with that.

TYRANT is very interesting in making us see the perspective of the ruler. Khaled is shown to be ruthless in flashbacks, but seems a just leader now. Does he have a point in his views? And clearly, having the wisdom to work on bringing Barry into the fold, he’s trying to do right by his people. If he simply wanted revenge he could bomb them, which he’s not doing, and it he was solely worried about his own life, he could take some wealth and flee, again another option not considered.

Viewers are asked to see Barry as a reluctant captain, someone people can follow because he’s worthy of such loyalty, but made all the more eligible by his derision for the position. He is a normal guy and wants to stay that way. He has abandoned the trappings and riches he is entitled to by birth, and so should be the type of president the masses would fall in line for.

Barry is further grounded by his American family. Wife, Molly (Jennifer Finnigan, Better With You, Close to Home), is compassionate and understanding, though she’s getting tired of Barry refusing to talk about his past. His daughter, Emma (Anne Winters, The Fosters), is a perceptive daddy’s girl. His son, Sammy (Noah Silver), is a typical rebellious teen, and somewhat-secretly gay, which will be a problem in the Middle East. Together, the trio serves not only as a window into what is an alien culture for many viewers, but also a way to give Barry reason to stay true to who he is, rather than what he was.

But there’s definitely an undercurrent of awfulness to the Al Fayeed family. As I said, Khaled is shown to be terrible in the past, and reveals a hint of that now. Jamal is following in those footsteps, perhaps with an extra level of insanity and total lack of moral compass. Barry, too, exhibits brief flashes of that anger and cruelty in the “Pilot,” meaning back in this environment, he may struggle to hold on to his mature, civilized self, reverting to someone no better or more deserving than his relations.

Also starring Justin Kirk (Weeds), Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact, meaning FX now has both Borg Queens), Moran Atias (Crash), Salim Daw (Prisoners of War), and Mehdi Dehbi (Septieme ciel Belgique), TYRANT is an intriguing, complex, character-driven drama that will challenge worldviews and open audience’s eyes to global differences. It is important for showing us something we’re not used to seeing, but it’s also fully engaging on its own, with family and political drama, apart from the setting. The acting is terrific, the set design is spectacular, and the pacing is near-perfect. I am definitely hooked.

TYRANT premieres this Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

"First Days" of New MODERN FAMILY

Article first published as "First Days" of New MODERN FAMILY on TheTVKing.

ABC's Modern Family began its fifth season last night with a pair of fresh episodes, "Suddenly, Last Summer" and "First Days." The first took place in late June, the day gay marriage became legal in California, and also concerned parents trying to get time away from their kids. The second picked up months later, as the children went back to school, and various family members found new professional opportunities.

It's cool that Modern Family celebrates the recognition of legal gay marriage. The show has authentically shown a loving, committed homosexual couple, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), for years. It feels very natural for Mitch and Cam to want to wed as soon as they can, since their union is not recognized by their state, and that they would both try to propose right away once they had the right to follow through on the promise.

That being said, "Suddenly, Last Summer" isn't just a commentary on social justice; it also stays true to the humorous content of the show, with Mitchell and Cam both ruining one another's surprises, wanting to be the first to ask. Even the emotional moment at the end of the show, when they both say "yes" at the same time without asking the question, is both heartfelt and amusing. A+ job on this plot. I can't wait to see the ceremony itself!

It's great that all of Mitchell's adult family members pitched in to help with the failed proposals, showing their support for their loved ones, but I was displeased with the running gag that baby Joe puked whenever gay marriage is mentioned. I suppose this could be taken two different ways, one of which is saying that those who are against extending civil rights to homosexuals are babies, but it just doesn't feel that way to me. This is probably a personal taste thing, though, so it's hard to criticize the show for it too harshly.

Also great in "Suddenly, Last Summer" is Jay (Ed O'Neill) seeking a break from Manny (Rico Rodriguez). The Jay story isn't so much about him wanting Manny to go away as it is Jay wanting to avoid a bunch of Columbian relations in his house, but he doesn't stop to think about Manny as he's pushing the boy towards the plane. This makes his sorrow when he misses Manny all the better, and delivers an emotional gut-check to the end of the episode.

Similarly, Claire (Julie Bowen) and Phil (Ty Burrell) try to schedule time away from their three children, working to synchronize schedules of the trio. I was particularly impressed with Phil, showing more willingness to manipulate his kids than usual, giving him another welcome layer. But the best part comes when the adults also try to ditch each other, proving everyone needs time alone no matter how much they love their family. They deserve the respite.

It's this realistic take on what a family is, with plenty of laughs that actually land tossed in, that makes Modern Family so successful, even after five seasons. In a year when every network is tossing family-based comedies on the air, this one remains the current standard to live up to, something the newbies are by and large failing to match. The timing and punchlines are consistent, and the actors, writers, directors, and the rest are extremely talented.

It's a shame the series skips ahead so far for "First Days," though not unexpected, as most broadcast series don't cover the summer months, when they are off the air. This means we don't see the results of the machinations and plans in the prior half hour, though that is frequently the case with Modern Family episodes, which tend to stand alone. This lack of many through arcs, though there are admittedly some, is the one glaring flaw in the show's makeup.

I liked "First Days" a lot less than "Suddenly, Last Summer." The reason is because Modern Family threw reality out the door for a gag in a couple of spots. Haley (Sarah Hyland) acts a complete fool when Mitchell's rich boss (Justin Kirk, Weeds) wants to whisk her away. This is not in character for Haley, whom we haven't seen caring about money or much older men before, and makes the viewer grimace as much as Mitchell does at the prospect.

Even worse is Cam's story, in which he is asked to take over an AP History course. Cam has no qualifications in History. In the real world, this means he can sub in the classroom, but not take over full-time. To portray a school as trying to hire someone who hasn't had educational training and gone through the long, complex process to become a teacher is offensive. There are exceptions to the typical teacher college track, but they are few and far between, and certainly do not apply in the circumstances depicted here. Ridiculous.

Now, Cam eventually accepting the gym teacher / coaching position, and the music instructor last year, is a little more believable, as they are not core subjects, but again, while he could possibly be hired on as a coach without a teaching license, physical education and music education are not jobs just anyone can do. It's a lot harder the most people would assume, and most states do require a specific license in those fields, as well as earning a Master's degree within the first decade of teaching.

My big problem with these stories is that they perpetuate a myth about teaching as a career. In an age where state governments can strip teachers of union rights and the media shows people talking about how teachers get "paid too much," no more bad images are needed. Teaching is a tough job with long hours and stringent higher education requirements that continue through one's entire career these days. Teachers get paid far less than the normal professional with a Master's degree, though a Master's is required most places to teach for more than a handful of years, and those who go into it work very hard for little material reward. Seeing this kind of thing on TV, trivializing the profession, hurts real, working individuals, and is a big pet peeve of mine.

Other than that, though, and I know that section is a big joy-suck, I enjoyed the episode. Phil and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) hanging out in the background of a commercial was amusing, Clarie's first day working for her dad went so wrong it felt right, and the kids starting school worked out well.

I also applaud Modern Family for finally updating their opening title sequence. They changed Mitch and Cam's section when Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) was recast two years ago, but the rest have remained the same since the first episode. Luke (Nolan Gould) and Alex (Ariel Winter), in particular, have changed in appearance over this past year, so it was definitely time.

Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

The ashes of Weeds

Weeds is done. Last night, Showtime aired the final hour of the popular series, entitled "It's Time." Rather than an action-packed, dangerous climax, leaving the characters in disarray, as most of the show's season finale have done, instead what is presented is a calmer, more introspective examination of the characters. No earth-shattering events happen, but fans check in with the Botwins years later and see how they end up, as well as the legacy they are leaving behind.

"It's Time" takes place the week of Stevie's (Mateus Ward) Bar Mitzvah. Friends and family have gathered at Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) mansion to celebrate. While there are many familiar faces we haven't seen in awhile, such as Dean (Andy Milder), Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz), Sanjay (Maulik Pancholy), Clinique (Julanne Chidi Hill), and Marvin (Fatso-Fasano), it isn't a who's who gallery, but rather a random sampling of guest stars who mostly did not appear earlier in the final season, who just happen to be available for the party, making for a natural feel, rather than a forced look back.

A main theme is the legacy one leaves behind, especially as it pertains to sons. Guillermo talks to Stevie about his birth father, revealing some truths that Stevie did not know. This sparks a self-examination in the boy, who doesn't look very Mexican, nor speak Spanish, even though his father was mayor of Tijuana and a gangster.

Stevie blows off the Bar Mitzvah portion of the event as a reaction against this new information, not sure who he is now, given his different daddy influences. But then a strange thing happens. He talks about how proud he is of his mom, and how supportive she has been. It is a very different parent-child bond then we're used to seeing with Nancy, who screwed up with Shane (Alexander Gould) and Silas (Hunter Parrish) royally, repeatedly.

So Nancy has finally done it! She has settled down enough to act like a real mother. She has raised a son right, who loves and respects her, rather than resents or worships her in inappropriate ways. It's an unexpected, and very sweet ending. Viewers have seen Nancy try to grow in this final season, after being in prison and getting shot. It's very rewarding to see it pay off in the end, even if Nancy herself isn't sure it has.

Nancy hasn't completely changed. She runs a pot empire. But in this future, that's a legal career, and her company is about to be bought by Starbucks, setting up her and her loved ones for life. This is the peace and stability she has longed for. And she can't believe she has it, as insecure as ever, and worried about the men that once loved her who no longer hang around. When Stevie leaves for boarding school soon, she will be all alone.

Yet, Nancy is not alone. What she fails to see is, no matter how many mistakes she makes, those men still love her. Stevie proclaims it publicly, and the others do it more subtlety. Silas has a good life, and even though his wife, Megan (Shoshannah Stern), hates Nancy for everything she did to Silas, he doesn't hold a grudge. Shane is on the wrong track, but when his mother intervenes, he agrees to go to rehab. The final scene, where Shane, Silas, Doug (Kevin Nealon), and Andy (Justin Kirk) gather around Nancy on the porch makes it clear. She did good, and not just for Stevie.

Ah, Andy. He finally grew a pair and left Nancy. When he did, he found his joy, raising a daughter in Renmar. It's interesting that, in the end, Nancy is the one trying to win Andy, and he resists. Does Nancy really want him, or is she just trying to hang on to someone, feeling like her world is slipping away? It doesn't matter, because this is what Nancy has always done, so her emotions are real, whether she's stick with him romantically for life or not. It's too bad that Andy is the only one that realizes that love isn't enough, and that they are better off apart than together.

Doug, the lone main character who isn't a Botwin who stays for the length of the series, has his own legacy to worry about in "It's Time." He is happily succeeding in his latest scam, a cult-like religion that he runs. It will fall apart eventually, as it always does, but at least this time Doug has a family. He makes up with his son, Josh (Justin Chatwin, not seen since the Weeds "Pilot"). Doug has his biological family and his adopted one, the Botwins, meaning that no matter what happens, he will be fine.

Weeds can be crazy, and a couple of those outrageous elements are present in "It's Time" in Stevie's speech and the cool new cell phones. But it chooses to focus on the heart in the end, and while that's not been the obvious tone of the show up til now, it's always been an underlying theme. At the end of the day, it's not drug kingpins and burning suburbs that will define Weeds, but rather the rich characters it follows. These people were a bunch of weeds, but they're finally blossoming into something better, especially Andy and Silas. Nancy helped them get to that point, and they're grateful. So Weeds goes out on a very touching moment, not with the world perfect, as no world is, but with it realistically working out.Awesome.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Weeds reaches the "Threshold"

Showtime's Weeds is in its finale season, so one might think that the plot arcs would begin to develop towards final, happy endings for the characters. For the last few weeks, that's exactly what the show appeared to be doing. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) has a good job and is dating a respectable rabbi named David (David Julian Hirsh, Hawthorne). Andy (Justin Kirk) longs for kids, and when he meets a hot, young woman, Joanna (Aubrey Dollar, Women's Murder Club), who is willing to marry him, he thinks he has it made. Silas (Hunter Parrish) is offered a lucrative deal to grow marijuana. Shane (Alexander Gould) has completed the police academy and landed a cushy job until he's old enough to officially join the force, and has a great girlfriend, Angela (Daniele Watts). Even Doug (Kevin Nealon) is finding purpose in making his fake charity a real effort.

But this week's installment, "Threshold," in true Weeds fashion, screws everything up. Nancy dumps David when she learns that he is still mourning his wife, and quits her job. She also decides that Silas's deal isn't what he should be doing. Shane and Angela get in trouble with the law, Andy's new wife would rather wait eight to ten years to bear children, and Doug deals with noise complaints when he brings his homeless charges to a hotel.

Is it folly to hope that Weeds will end with something nice for these people, who always seem to jump from one mess right into another? Yes, most of their problems are brought on by themselves, or at least by Nancy's self-destructive tendencies. But that doesn't mean that loyal viewers who have been watching for nearly a decade don't want to see them find some sort of peace.

The thing is, the title has always had a double meaning, beyond the fact that the Botwins are in the pot business. The central characters are weeds in the world, and deserve to be pulled out of it, unless they can find a way to turn themselves into something useful or pretty. This is the challenge, and with only three half hours left, despite some early promising signs, it seems like a long shot.

Would it even make sense for this show to have a happy ending, given everything that has come before it? I don't know. Writers can deliver the most satisfying finales for even spiteful characters (see: House), so I don't want to say no. And yet, everything that has led up to this moment points to utter tradgedy.

The delight of the final season of Weeds is in how it revists the past. This is about to ramp up in a big way, as the Botwins will spend their last moments back in Agrestic, the neighborhood where it all began. Look for more familiar faces, like Conrad (Romany Malco), Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz), Lapita (Renee Victor), and even Yael (Meital Dohan) to pop up. Though the lack of Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins) in the wake of the rest is completely unacceptable, and will probably end up being this year's biggest mistake.

The last three episodes of Weeds will air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Animal Practice doesn't make perfect

Grade: 69%

ANIMAL PRACTICE, a new NBC sitcom, is airing a special preview of its “Pilot” tonight after the Olympics. Set in a huge veterinary hospital, Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk, Weeds) runs the show in his unprofessional style, gambling while helping patients, assisted by Dr. Rizzo (Crystal the Monkey, The Hangover Part II, Night at the Museum, Community). Then his ex-girlfriend, Dorothy Rutledge (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Better With You), takes over, and as they say, there’s going to be some changes around here.

It’s smart of NBC to air their new shows following a popular sporting event that lots of people tune into, considering that not a lot of viewers generally watch NBC shows. However, this only works for series that are smart and funny, like Go On. In the case of ANIMAL PRACTICE, it will probably be counter productive, confirming the negative opinions about the network, and not earning any extra eyeballs come September.

On paper, ANIMAL PRACTICE should be good. Kirk is brilliant in Weeds, Garcia Swisher is charming and funny, and they have decent enough chemistry. The animals, especially acting pro Crystal, lend an air of whimsy, and actually contribute positively, not just being used for gags, or wasted as set dressing. There is also a terrific ensemble, which includes Tyler Labine (Reaper), Bobby Lee (MADtv), and Kym Whitley (Sparks). Plus, the setting is unique and quirky enough for viewers to expect something original and neat, a la Better Off Ted.

Unfortunately, ANIMAL PRACTICE does not live up to the sum of its parts. The main problem, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, has to be Kirk. Or more accurately, Kirk in the part of Coleman. He just isn’t right for the role. I’m not asserting that Kirk can’t handle being the center of a series, as I don’t believe that to be the case at all. He just doesn’t feel right in this one, even though he should, given his past work. The entire half hour, I wished that Labine would switch places, and then there might be something here. But alas, no.

Coleman is supposed to not play well with humans, preferring the company of animals, but I think that part of the issue is that Kirk does display empathy to other people. He can’t help it. His character is allowed to show that just a bit, even as we’re hit over the head with the knowledge that he’s actually the opposite of this. This can shift, given time, but at the moment, nothing really adds up, and that’s unacceptable because he is the show’s lead.

The second change that should be made is to immediately fire Betsy Sodaro’s Angela. She is a weird person, which again, should be a good fit for this type of humor. But she’s too weird. Her presence is disturbing, and every time she’s in a scene, it distracts from what’s going on, in a bad way. She’s part of a new sitcom trend, like Jennifer Irwin’s Creepy Carol in Breaking In, that should never have been started. Again, the actress is probably fine, though I’m not familiar with her previous work. But unlike Kirk’s Coleman, she isn’t necessary, and I don’t see any way that she could become an acceptable part. Best just to ditch her now.

Now, there is room for ANIMAL PRACTICE to grow. Just because Kirk isn't connecting with the rest of the cast and his surroundings now, doesn't mean he won't eventually. He's a smart guy and a talented actor; he can probably figure it out, and I'm willing to wait around and give him that chance. After all, there are some good jokes, and there are enough positive ingredients to hold my attraction. So my recommendation isn't to avoid the show, but don't hold high expectations for it at the start, either.

ANIMAL PRACTICE previews tonight, and then officially premieres Wednesday, September 26th on NBC.

Weeds is "Red in Tooth and Claw"

This season, the final one for Showtime's Weeds, the show is going back to its roots. With the Botwins living in the suburbs once more, surrounded by upper middle class opulence and the wisp of a normal life, there is nothing Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) wants more than to stay there. That's why, in this week's episode, "Red in Tooth and Claw," she tries to get out of the the drug business.

There is definitely something ideal about living this way. It's the American dream. Sure, one may have to donate a bit of money and kiss some butt, playing local politics, but that's far better than running from guns. Life here isn't dangerous. As Nancy watches Stevie (Ethan and Gavin Kent) play soccer, a happy, normal child, she knows that she wants to give him this life, as she has failed to do with her other two sons. The life she used to have, before all the craziness started, way back in the early days of Weeds.

Alas, wanting doesn't make it so. Nancy has forgotten why she got into the pot business in the first place - to support her family. She is broke once more, and has no prospective income coming in. Shredding the pot she does have is a dumb move. It's understandable, given how she just saw such a horrible reflection of herself in Kiki (Kat Foster). And sure, it helps Nancy go straight. But it also takes away the only thing of monetary value that she really has at this time. She may get the life she wants temporarily, but it will come crashing down around her soon enough.

Where might Nancy seek help? In "Red in Tooth and Claw" she finally meets the neighbor whose pool she has been secretly using. It turns out he is a rabbi, and thus, resists the sexual advance Nancy inevitably tries to make. It's interesting to watch her in this scenario, as she has a certain method to get her way, and a rabbi throws that off. But perhaps he can offer her some helpful guidance, at least spiritually. Then maybe she can be happy with what she has, instead of wanting to be with a group of people, meaning this rich neighborhood, that she doesn't fit into anymore.

Andy (Justin Kirk ) also gets a bit spiritual in "Red in Tooth and Claw." He is seduced by yet another woman, and wonders aloud if this might be a karma payback, or the work of a god who just likes to see him get laid. He does seem to get with a lot of people throughout the run of Weeds. This monologue is a great way to address that concern for viewers who have remarked how unrealistic this is. It's very tongue in cheek, which is classic Weeds style.

However, Andy's dalliance with the roller derby chick costs him a reconciliation with Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh), whom Andy actually has real feelings for. As lucky as Andy thinks he is, there is a reason that he doesn't end up with any of the many women that throw himself at him. Getting sex is one thing; maintaining a meaningful relationship takes a different skill set. Andy is good only at the first, not the second, and his run with Jill may be over, sadly.

Yes, it's a little messed up that Andy goes after Jill, especially after all the years that he pines for Nancy. But Nancy was Andy's sister-in-law, so at least Jill is slightly more appropriate. Both sisters are a lot alike, so it's clear that Andy is attracted to the similar qualities in each. No matter how hard he tries, he probably won't get either girl, and there's scarce time left for him to find someone who actually appreciates him. Nancy and Jill would each benefit from finally fully committing to Andy, but that ship has seemed to have sailed. What will become of Uncle Andy?

Silas (Hunter Parrish) is at a crossroads. With his pot stolen because he isn't open to head from a guy, he has no stash and no job. Nancy has not yet told him about her desire to go legit, but will this be something Silas would even consider? Silas grew up with Nancy's illegal machinations, and that's the life he not only knows, but has chosen. He is lost without the growing business. It's really a blessing, though, because he should have noticed how destructive this life can be by watching his mother, and it's time for him to pick something else. Perhaps the only way he can do that is by being forced out.

Shane (Alexander Gould), alone of the Botwin family, has staked his claim on a worthwhile path. Funny, since he went darker than any of the rest when he murdered a woman a few years back. Shane has a good girlfriend (Daniele Watts), who is a positive influence on him, and he is fitting in very well to the cop world. It's heartening to see him making good choices, and to witness those choices pay off. As long as Shane doesn't do something stupid to screw it up, he's got his life made.

Part of the conceit of Weeds is that its characters are weeds themselves, the annoying plants choking out the ones you want around, ruining the landscape. Shane has turned himself from a weed into something better. What chance do the rest of them have in the short time that the series has left, as it will bow out permanently at the end of the season? Will they need to be pulled from the garden of life so that others can thrive? Or will they, too, find a way to not be as destructive as the term weed implies? Weeds has been a terrific show for many years, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

Weeds airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

For Weeds DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first posted on TheTVKing.

Weeds wears "Synthetics"

     Last night's episode of Showtime's Weeds, "Synthetics," finds Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) on a date with her boss (Aidan Quinn), wearing a wire so the SEC can listen in. This proves quite the dangerous game, as the couple return home to find Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Andy (Justin Kirk) wanting to talk about their drug business. Then Nancy's former cellmate / lover Zoya (Olga Sosnovska) arrives, as does Nancy's current lover, Zoya's brother, Demetri (Pablo Schreiber). Needless to say, things get chaotic, and despite Nancy's best efforts, the authorities likely hear far more than she'd like them to. Which will not make her life an easier, despite her release from the halfway house.

     Which is how Weeds goes. Nancy thinks she has things under control, and then it all explodes in her face. In "Synthetics," this may be at least partially chalked up to karma. After all, the beginning of the episode finds Nancy bragging to the woman that runs the halfway house that she doesn't need any help. But Nancy always needs help. For the most part, Andy, Silas, and Shane (Alexander Gould) do their best to provide that help. But Andy is growing tired of it and Silas only wants to assist Nancy from a business standpoint. With her framework of family support dwindling, it is only a matter of time before Nancy crashes and burns even worse than the time she spends in prison.

     Will it hurt Nancy that the SEC now knows her business? Possibly, but to what extent is up in the air. After all, how often do government agencies work well together? It is more probable that any drug-related conversation overheard will be used as leverage to make Nancy do their bidding, rather than to turn her in. She is of no use to the SEC's case behind bars, so why should they put her there? It's sort of a plea bargaining deal, and one Nancy may be able to come out on top of. For now. Nancy's life, at least the way she is heading, is not destined for stability.

     All of this financial business has the possible side effect of taking down Doug (Kevin Nealon). He didn't start cooking the books for the company, but his job is currently to do so. Doug shows a willingness to ignore laws and rules, which is why he spends several years on the run. He doesn't really help Nancy, but is like a dog that follows the Botwins. Though more a moocher than a contributor, the Weeds dynamic would suffer without his presence. Hopefully Nancy will not abandon her friend in his hour of need. This could go either way.

     It is thrilling that Andy actually wants the family to go straight. Sure, he will continue to smoke some weed, but he wants to run a legitimate business, not continue to use drug deals as the primary income in Weeds. Andy is a genuinely nice, supportive guy who doesn't make waves. His biggest downfall is his weakness for Nancy. He will never be mentally or socially healthy until he gets over that, and despite his best efforts, he isn't there now. How long can he keep pursuing something above the boards with Nancy circling around him? As regrettable as it might be to Nancy, Andy needs to find his own path, away from her, in order to achieve a happy ending.

     Silas, on the other hand, only delves deeper into the underground world. With a drug dealer as his primary parental influence, and his modeling career fizzling before it even gets going, Silas turns to what he knows. He has the skills to grow pot, if not the business sense to sell it. He could be a player in the world of illegal substances. If he doesn't let his penis screw him up, as he is in danger of doing after meeting Emma (the great Michelle Trachtenberg). Whether Emma will side with Silas, or continues to work against him, remains to be seen. But being with a female companion never works out for Silas, and Emma isn't likely to be different.

     Shane is the enigma on Weeds. He is under the wing of a cop (Michael Harney), but his motivations are unclear. Is Shane really interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement? He may be a little erratic, but he could have the temperament for it. It finally appears Shane is moving away from his murderous self. Or, possibly, Shane is only seeking to learn the inner workings of police business so he can help the family company stay one step ahead. Shane does have a deep affection for Nancy, and would do almost anything for her. This new path could easily just be a way for him to make himself useful and earn her approval.


     Weeds continues its fantastic seventh season Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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

     For Weeds DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Weeds - "Synthetics" on Blogcritics.

Weeds packs its "Bags"

     Last night kicks off Showtime's seventh season of Weeds. The premiere episode is titled "Bags," and it finds Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) being released from prison after serving three years of her term, said to be far less than half of her sentence. As season six ends, it's obvious Nancy is going to jail to protect one of her sons, but the series skips over the period of her incarceration almost completely. It is revealed that Esteban (Demián Bichir) has been killed in prison, and since Nancy is of no more use to the FBI, they do her the final favor of sticking her in a halfway house in New York City. Nancy asks her sister, Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh), not to tell anyone about the development, but Jill doesn't listen, and it isn't long before Nancy's family is on their way to her.

      It's a shame there isn't some exploration of Nancy's stint behind bars, but the time jump does nicely set things up as fresh, with various characters moving in various directions with their lives in the intervening time, and what will come next is highly unpredictable. What is known is that Nancy has a plan to get back on top, and it begins with a cache of weapons she is told about by her cellmate.

     Nancy being involved in a lesbian relationship in prison is not unexpected, as she always seeks physical comfort and protection, no matter what position she finds herself in. As such, while the kiss between Nancy and the other woman is likely intended to shock, instead, it merely triggers a, "Oh, of course." What will be far more interesting is if the lover gets out of jail and searches for Nancy, who, outside of the prison walls, will most likely no longer want female companionship of that sort, especially not from a convicted felon.

     Another bump in Nancy's road ahead will be the aforementioned sister, Jill. From the short conversation they share over the video chat, it appears Jill is raising Nancy's young son, Stevie, as her own, and has no intention of giving him back to his mother. In fact, Stevie thinks Nancy is his aunt. This is not new behavior for Jill, who previously tries to "save" Nancy's other children. Unfortunately for Jill, Nancy will not take no for an answer, and at the earliest opportunity, she will try to reclaim her missing offspring. Knowing Nancy, she will probably succeed, but not before causing herself and those around her more unneeded trouble.

     A halfway house does not seem a natural environment for Nancy, the former pot dealer. She is not in her new quarters an hour before she engaging in illegal activities that most certainly violate her parole. The only real question is, how soon before Nancy makes a break for it, and has the law chasing after her again? Despite numerous bad experiences, Nancy is not the type to sit tight and wait things out for an indeterminate amount of time, and the chances of her serving out her time there are small, indeed.

     Shane (Alexander Gould), unsurprisingly, has things together the best when the series rejoins the rest of the cast, who have spent the past three years living in Denmark. Shane has a regular girl, though she dumps him, and is leading a life he enjoys, putting on shows with marionettes. It's also Shane who makes the decision to return to Nancy, and predicts that Uncle Andy (Justin Kirk) will want to join him.

     Andy cannot let go of Nancy, despite her many rejections of him as a romantic partner. Nancy's dead husband's brother, Andy has a fantasy that, because he serves as a father figure for his nephews, he will someday get to be their actual step-father. Nancy merely uses him and strings him along. Too bad, then, that Andy's reticence to return to the states upon learning that she has regained her freedom is token, at best. Even after having three years to ruminate on all of the ways Nancy has screwed him, not literally, Andy still is ready to rush to her side. He is, at heart, a very good guy, and Nancy does not deserve him. It is sad she will never realize that.

     Also accompanying Shane and Andy is Doug (Kevin Nealon). Despite being left behind by the Botwins many times, living with them in a foreign country for three years seems to finally have made Doug a part of the family. Though, they must not show it to him, judging by his surprise that he is invited along on the newest journey. Andy and Doug are good friends, but Andy puts his family first, always. Shane realizes that Doug is now included in the group, and it's touching when that is made known to Doug.

     Unfortunately, the same courtesy is not extended to elder brother Silas (Hunter Parrish), who has found work as a male model for some type of beverage. While it is understandable that Shane would not expect Silas to want to go for a variety of reasons, not least of which is Silas's extreme anger at his mother when last the two were together, it is also not kind to leave him behind in Denmark, either. Whether Silas wants to go to New York or not should be up to him, and the least Shane could have done is presented it as Silas's choice. To not do so is a sign Shane may have turned his back on Silas, a regrettable development for the brothers.


     Make sure you tune into Weeds next week as Nancy gets her boys back. The series airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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

     For Weeds DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Weeds - "Bags" on Blogcritics.

Weeds "Theoretical Love Is Not Dead"

     Six seasons in, is anyone getting tired of Showtime's Weeds?  'Cause I'm sure not.  And after this week's season six finale, I'm not sure how anyone else could be either.  The series is constantly reinventing itself, and this year was certainly no different.

     The show spent it's first three years in a quiet, suburban community.  It got a little grittier as pretty much all of the main characters moved south to the California-Mexico border for seasons four and five.  Season six found the Botwins, along with pal Doug (Kevin Nealon) on the run.  They went through the northern states of Washington, Montana, Colorado, and a few other places, before ending up in Dearborn, Michigan, Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) hometown.  They crash with her former teacher, who was also her lover, Warren (hilariously, Richard Dreyfuss).  Of course, they cannot run forever, and their enemies track them there, as well.

     As the finale began, Nancy was being held hostage by her husband, Esteban (Demian Bichir), and his henchman, Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz).  They have come for Esteban and Nancy's baby, who she took when she fled.  Esteban wants Stevie back, and then he will kill Nancy.  Nancy's family is already at the airport, waiting for her.  She manages to sneak a call off to Andy (Justin Kirk), telling him they will be going with Plan C, which Andy is not at all happy about.  Through a series of small twists, Warren is arrested, Andy, Shane (Alexander Gould), and Silas (Hunter Parrish) make it safely on a plane to Paris, and Nancy willfully stays behind with Steview, Esteban, and Guillermo.

     At this point, viewers like may were wondering if the crazy woman had finally snapped.  Did Nancy actually believe that Esteban would let her live after, from his viewpoint, kidnapping his child?  Esteban has killed for far less.  However, Weeds has a repuation for delivering each season finale a twist ending, and this one was no different.  As Nancy and her captors walked out of the airport, a squadron of police and F.B.I. were there waiting for her, and she quickly confessed to the murder of Pilar Zuzua, an act that Shane actually committed.

     Where does this leave Weeds for season 7?  Obviously, Nancy will be spending some time in lockup.  She may be released, as the evidence may not point to her.  Afterall, she didn't do it.  But of course she'd lie to protect her son, so she will do her best to convince them that she did.  Will Esteban release the videotape that proves Shane killed Pilar?  Will Nancy's family come back and try to break her out?  Will they come back at all?  Will Doug be returning?  Fans were upset about the depature of long-time star Elizabeth Perkins, who played Celia Hodes, this year.  Is this an opportunity to bring her back?  Or will Doug join her on the used-to-be list?  Will a couple of years have passed, so her sons can be the proper age (only four years have passed in the first six seasons)?  There are so many questions!

     But there are always so many questions left on Weeds.  Luckily, the series has been renewed for a seventh season, so they will not be left unanswered.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Weeds have been pulled

     Showtime's Weeds returned for it's sixth season last Monday, and the first two episodes have basically only set up the next volume in the story.  I saw volume instead of chapter because this is the second time the show has practically reinvented itself from the ground up.  At the end of season three, the suburb where the story was set burnt to the ground, taking the now ill-fitting theme song with it, as well as any racially diverse cast members.  Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker, The West Wing) took her family south, and they soon settled into new routines near the Mexican border, and with new minorities.  She was soon caught up in the drug game again, and plenty of old familiar faces found their way back to Nancy.  As season six begins, the principal cast has slimmed down to only Nancy's family and Doug (Kevin Nealon, Saturday Night Live), who did not appear the last two weeks.

     It's very regrettable that Celia (Elizabeth Perkins, Must Love Dogs, The Flintstones) is gone, but she and many of the recurring characters has a great ending, setting up a new gang of misfits.  How Doug left that group is anyone's guess.  Early previews show Doug being captured and forced to try to help Nancy's current husband, Esteban (Demian Bichir) track Nancy and their infant son down.  Nancy, meanwhile, has fled north, up not across the border, with the baby and older sons Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould) in tow, as well as their Uncle Andy (Justin Kirk, Angels in America).  The reason for their flight is that Shane killed a woman to stop her from killing him and his brother.

     The actors are really showing their range.  Parker's character is barely sane anymore, and has taken her always confused Nancy to the extreme.  Shane, once the sweet child, is homicidal, and doesn't seem to concern himself with guilt, a startling, but satisfying twist, considering it has really given a chance for Gould to shine.  Silas has had more plot previously, but one can definitely feel his frustration at having his life ruined.  And Andy, well, Andy just goes with the flow like always.

     One wonders if the Botwins, now rechristened the Newmans, will manage to stay at their next harbor very long, or if they will be on the run for the rest of the series.  Surely it's only a matter of time before they are found.  Yet, I find myself more interested in what they will be doing now, rather than what's coming for them.  And I am extremely grateful that the harsh lighting of southern California and Mexico has been left behind.

     Weeds, a brilliant dramedy, airs Monday nights at 10pm on Showtime.