Bored to Death but "Nothing I Can't Handle By Running Away"

     Season three of HBO's Bored to Death comes to a close with "Nothing I Can't Handle By Running Away." Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) tries to make amends with his biological father, grifter Bergeron (Stacy Keach, Prison Break, Lights Out), only to get kidnapped by some thugs whom Bergeron owes money to. George (Ted Danson) springs into action to save Jonathan, and brings along Ray (Zach Galifianakis) and his league of Super Rays (including The Office's Zach Woods), who are all in costume. Even though the bad guys have guns, a happy ending is found by all, in a slapstick, roundabout way. 

     Bored to Death is one of the most original, consitently funny series on television. Part buddy comedy, part film noir, and lots of other, less identifiable parts, "Nothing I Can't Handle By Running Away" embraces all of those signature elements, crafting a heck of a finale that should satisfy any fan of the show. It's odd that Jonathan, George, and Ray have now defeated actual evil people a couple of times, and remain unscathed. Yet, somehow, they do it. And it is quality television to a point where one doesn't spend much time pondering how unrealistic it probably is.

     The showdown in the stadium is meant to bring pure joy for the viewers, and that it does. No matter that three groundskeepers happen to be in a sort of mob, and can't shoot Jonathan, who isn't a deft or fast runner. George's commentary from the press box only adds to the hilarity of the scene, giving it a surreal quality. Not to mention the unathletic quality of the various Super Rays.

     But there is much, much more to Bored to Death than humor. The friendship between Ray, George, and Jonathan is heartwarming and strong. George and Ray do not hesitate to rush to their friend's aide when he is in need, with little worry for their own safety. It's why their friendship stands the test of time, even when Ray can't make things work with Leah (Heather Burns). Instead, Ray is reduced to seeking dirty, dirty elder love, including with a new lady (Lynn Cohen, Sex and the City) in the finale.

     George, unlike Ray, is making strides with family, too. Learning from Jonathan and Ray how to be a father figure, he is able to reconnect with his daughter, Emily (Halley Feiffer, Mildred Pierce), and throw a wedding for her and her completely inappropriate fiance, Bernard (David Rasche, Rubicon, Ugly Betty). With all of this love to give, he may even manage to make things work with Josephine (Mary Steenburgen, Danson's real-life wife, and a delightful addition to the cast). Thus, George ends "Nothing I Can't Handle By Running Away" in the best place of the trio.

     Jonathan is left in a very weird spot at the end of season three. For one, he doesn't realize that Bergeron does, indeed, return to try to save him, rather than just running away. Which means, Jonathan misses a connection with his dad that will hopefully be revisited, should HBO wisely order a fourth season. Even bigger, Jonathan decides not to tell Rose (Isla Fisher, Wedding Crashers) that they are half brother and sister. It's disturbing, though not having been raised together, the incest is technical, rather than ingrained. Still, Jonathan can never really be happy with someone he knows he is related so closely to. And thus, it must end in a big, messy way, with her furious for having kept the secret, and likely not even wanting a sibling-esque relationship with him. The drama!

     Please, HBO, bring back this quirky, wonderful series for a fourth season!

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

     Click here to read every review of Bored to Death I have written.

     Please click here to order Bored to Death previous seasons on Blu-ray or DVD.

Lights Out - "Pilot"

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


     Looking at all of the great reviews out there, I know I am going to get some flak for saying this - FX's Lights Outs pilot was boring. It really was. It wasn't the acting, which was fine. It wasn't even the boxing; despite my distaste for the sport, I enjoyed Rocky. I don't think I have any problem with slow pacing, though my negative opinion of Rubicon might make it look otherwise. The story was sweet enough, I guess. I love the network's other shows like Damages and Justified, so it's not the FX tone that bothers me. I was just bored with it.

     The story was about Patrick 'Lights' Leary (Holt McCallany), who gave up boxing five years ago at the insistence of his wife, Theresa (Catherine McCormack). Now, the money is dwindling, and he must consider some tough choices to support his family. His brother, Johnny (Pablo Schreiber), who manages his finances, has Patrick call BINGO numbers and play a heavy to bring in a little cash flow, but it's not enough. Apparently, the gym they own is a sinkhole, but they can't give it up because it would break their father's (Stacy Keach) heart. So Johnny tries to force Patrick back in the ring by letting a past opponent announce a fight on TV without Patrick's knowledge, angering both Patrick and Theresa. But is Patrick really that angry?

     I get the character of Patrick. I understand his frustration, his nostalgia over the days when he did something he loved, his deep adoration for his family, and need to be a provider. He's a fine character, and Holt can make Patrick wither a daughter's boyfriend, not to mention larger game, with a simple stare. As a character, I like Patrick a lot. But it wasn't enough to draw me in, and none of the other characters were painted quite as beautifully as Patrick was, at least not in the pilot.

     I guess that's why I found the first episode boring. With only Patrick interesting me all that much, the show dragged anytime he wasn't the focus of the scene. Yes, Patrick was constantly on screen, but he wasn't always the most animated person in each scene. Others just couldn't hold my attention. Plus, I feel like I've seen a Patrick before. In this day and age, the novelty of a tough guy also being a caring family man is gone. It's been done before. So I don't see anything to get super excited about. Yet.

     I really don't get the urgency of the money. Surely Patrick understood that when he quit fighting, resources would be limited. He had to have known roughly how long the nest egg would last, figuring in the cost of living. And if he didn't, Johnny would have. Sure, the gym may be slightly unpredictable, but Johnny should have made some kind of move earlier to salvage things. Johnny doesn't seem the type that would let such a thing go until it's too late, but that's exactly what has happened here. I don't like it. It seems contrived, a necessary element to propel the story forward, but not one that holds up if examined too closely.

     And I feel like certain things will be predictable. Patrick got in a fight with a guy outside the bar. Previews for the rest of the season showed him being arrested. Who wants to bet that the guy he beat up is pressing legal charges, even though he willingly accepted the fight? I could be wrong, but if I'm not, it's lazy writing.

     Which doesn't mean I won't watch at least one more episode. FX has a solid enough track record that I will give it a little more time. Plus, the critics who were raving about the series may have seen more episodes. That's my best explanation for their praise, as I didn't see a worthy subject in the pilot. I guess I just don't want to miss out on another success like Sons on Anarchy, which I sadly didn't watch simply because I wasn't interested in biker gangs. I regret that decision now, and hope to eventually get to the DVDs.

     As a Keach fan from his days on Prison Break, I am looking forward to seeing Pops figure more into the story. Surely, he has opinions of the mess his boys have gotten themselves, and likely him, into. The few moments of him we got, I can't believe he'd passively sit by and just watch things happen without wanting to do, or make someone do, something about it.

     Whatever my opinions, I am sure there are plenty of people who enjoyed the show. I'll watch next week's before I do anything drastic, like give up on it. Lights Out airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX.

Article first published as TV Review: Lights Out - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.