71: So We’re Shippers, Sue Us

Parks & Recreation: “The Trial of Leslie Knope”

Ellen: At last, the writers and creators of “Parks & Rec” admit they wrote themselves into the wrong corner. The first episode of this season concluded with Leslie and Ben resolving to be friends and throw ash on the coals of their relationship for the good of Leslie’s career. This was a perfectly sensible choice on the part of the couple and the writers, that at the same time made no sense and seemed to punish any fan’s (ie my) emotional investment in their relationship. No way could it have ended with such a pat, sober, unfunny discussion.

Per this week’s episode, I’m a little frightened about what’s going to happen next. If Leslie will give one bribe, what’s to say she might not give another? What will Systems Man Ben Wyatt do next? And yet I wouldn’t want the court reporter to have said anything different.

Dennis: I spend a lot of time demanding that recurring characters are upped to regular players on shows (see also: every other show I write about this week), so I’ll refrain from doing it with this week’s Parks and Recreation episode. But, I think I might be in love with Ethel Beavers. From being screamed at by April to being carted around in the back of Leslie’s car, she definitely gets my Star of the Week award. Oh, and this was a pretty great episode in general. I’m happy the show has ditched the quandary set up in the last season’s  cliffhanger that Leslie can’t run for office and date Ben at the same time, and is instead moving full steam ahead again with their super cute coupling. I’m not saying I want them to get Jim and Pam-style married just yet, but I’m happy the writers (and Ben and Leslie) have realized that no obstacle should keep these two silly soulmates apart any longer.
Zoë: I never thought that breaking Ben and Leslie up was a mistake, because I think it was a move that functioned both as a plot device and as a realistic character decision. That said as adorable and heart warming and wonderful as it is that they’re back together, it’ll be nice now that it’s “sorted” a bit to return to the development of the other characters. For example, Chris was as nuanced and interesting and….Chris-like as we’d seen him all season and I appreciated that. While he’s a ridiculous character, he’s also a guy who’s good at his job and generally charismatic and the focus on other characters (and the haircut) has made him more caricature lately. I hope this week we’ll have a little more workplace drama, maybe some updates on the campaign, and heck Ben and Leslie together for more than 2 scenes.

The Office: “Mrs. California”

Dennis: Admittedly, I’ve never been a regular viewer of The Office. I check in here and there, but I’m one of those obnoxious Anglophile snobs who liked the Ricky Gervais version way better. Still, even I admit the show has had some well-written episodes, especially in its middle seasons, and I felt the need to check in for the first time all season to see Maura Tierney appear (sorry Spader, my allegiances lie with the former Abby Lockhart) here as this episode’s title character. I thought Tierney a surprisingly good fit in the office, elevating just about everyone around her (except maybe Wacky Jim. When did Jim get wacky?), and I was reminded that Tierney needs a full time role on television again. Now that Tierney’s cancer is in remission (a big yay for that!), and she escaped The Whole Truth wholly unscathed, here’s hoping she gets a starring role on a show worth her acting prowess. Will that show be The Office? It seems like any appearances she might make would put her in a triangle between Spader and Ed Helms, which could be interesting, or it could be annoying. Either way, it’d get me to tune in every week, for the first time in American Office history. Who knew it was that easy?

Psych: “In for a Penny…

Zoë: Psych‘s strong sixth season has been a little less strong lately. Not bad, just back to what it was before. However, this week they tried to do some work that was desperately needed, but giving Juliet a life outside of “bossy cop” and “lady annoyed by Shawn”. The latter is especially bad since, ostensibly, they’re dating and he should care about her feelings, although hasn’t really shown this lately. Unfortunately the episode didn’t do much for the “fleshing out” part of Juliet’s character also used the third act for her to renege on all that as interesting previously. Psych isn’t  a show that allows for angst very long. Even Shawn and his dad’s trouble relationship was always better than most bad TV parenting and Juliet’s bad father is no exception. I get that the show is a serial, despite it’s continuity, and that they’re not really going to do much in the way of dealing with Juliet’s poor relationship with her father. But I thought the moments where she told Shawn off for being a jerk who ignores her feelings and her dad for, well, a lifetime of the same thing was some of the best work for the character all season. To have that be pulled out at the last minute because we can’t end an episode on a down note, seems to be a bit much. I don’t know. I like Juliet as a character, but the show doesn’t really know what to do with her, especially in regards to her dating Shawn. It makes them both look like a bad couple because of this and I was hoping this episode would tweak that dynamic. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Up All Night: “Week Off”

Dennis: I’m still really liking Jason Lee on this show. Besides continuing to be a good romantic foil/grounding force for Ava, this week he had a nice little moment chatting with (and humorously, impersonating) Chris. It seems like the show is still having a hard time finding stuff to do with Will Arnett’s character (as evidenced by the weird addition of Chris playing hockey in the previous episode and in the opening credits, as if to say “See! He has hobbies!”) and I’ve liked him the best when he has a dad friend to talk show with (whether it be Lee or Will Forte earlier in the season), rather than his semi-douchey lawyer buddies (much as like Paul F. Thompkins, and in a previous episode, Bryan Callen, in other TV stuff). I’m not sure if Up All Night can afford a fourth big TV name on its call sheets full-time, but I’ll keep enjoying his stint, however long it lasts.