Season 3 - Episode 2
HBO (US)
After last week's cliffhanger with Jonathan hanging from a giant clock having been framed for murder, it was difficult to predict what direction this episode would take. Ray's heroic rescuse followed by Ray, Jonathan and George in bed together wearing matching pyjamas gave a great idea (as well as one of the single funniest images I've ever seen. Then the next twenty minutes twisted and turned all over the place, never dropping a beat.
This is the best episode that the consistantly funny Bored to Death has ever done. The central trio of characters are an eclectic bunch, each with their own brilliant character traits - Ted Danson's portrayal of a paranoid, stoned George riding a bike up to a large carousel being everything that character should be - and each one of them adds a little something to the tale (and it's always nice to see Patton Oswald as the spy dealer Howard too).
The plot of this episode is gloriously silly, the 50s noir style seems to have been turned up a notch this season (which gets no complaints from me) but it really works, and keeps you guessing - and laughing - until the end. Bored to Death has had a strong start to its third season, let's hope it continues.
**** 1/2
Really wish they would've just combined the first episode and this into an hour-long instead of making it just "part 2" uh I watched it HBO 2 Go anyway at the same time but my connection isn't great so it was all pixelated and sort of ruined it for me...that said, the episode itself fully lived up to my expecations!
ReplyDeleteLoved the opening scene of "Gumball" as Jonathan and Ray are sneaking away from the cops (watch at http://vimeo.com/30750396 ). Zach G's and Jason S. are both masters at physical humor and facial expressions, and those were so key to this whole scene. Also it was awesome that they used "Howl" by Junip as the song, such a great tune.