Partners – “They Come Together” & “Let’s Have a Simple Gwedding” Review. A Marriage Made in Heaven…Not!

Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2

Air Date: Monday, August 4, 2014, 9:00 and 9:30 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“I won’t ask you to [tell a lie]. But I will teach you how to tell the truth ten different ways.” – Allen

Allen tries to convince Marcus to let him help with his settlement agreement.

“They Come Together” does a good job of setting up this new buddy comedy series from FX. Partners is about two Chicago lawyers who come together (see where the title comes from?) due to fate and desperation. Kelsey Grammar plays Allen Braddock, Martin Lawrence plays Marcus Jackson, and Telma Hopkins is Marcus’ mother Ruth, and together, they absolutely shine. They are supported by Daniéle Watts as Marcus’ daughter Laura, Rory O’Malley as Marcus’ assistant Michael, McKaley Miller as Allen’s stepdaughter Lizzie, and Edi Patterson as Veronica, the investigator in Marcus’ law firm, all talented comedians in their own right.

The Set Up

Despite his family connections, Allen is fired from his prestigious family’s law firm for his unethical practices. Now in court facing a judge to answer for his illegal maneuverings, Allen is forced to partner with Marcus, a very soft-spoken attorney who runs his law firm very differently. Marcus serves the community taking on pro bono cases with most of his clients’ payments coming in the form of promises and baked goods. With an impending divorce that will most likely leave him broke, Marcus needs Allen as much as Allen needs Marcus.

Comedic Genius

Allen talks to Marcus, Ruth, and Laura about Marcus' business and pending divorce.

Allen talks to Laura, Marcus, and Ruth about Marcus’ business and pending divorce.

While Grammar and Lawrence are experts in the comedy genre, no one practices that craft as well as Hopkins. I have loved her since her days as a singer with the group Tony Orlando and Dawn, and her brilliant turn in the 1989 comedy series Family Matters. I know, I know, I’m dating myself. Hopkins makes me laugh with just a look, especially when it is accompanied by putting her hands on her hips, or tipping her head and raising one eyebrow. Grammar, Lawrence, and Hopkins have excellent comedic timing and know how to use sarcasm to get a laugh. Hopkins’ character Ruth is a combination of all the stereotypical Jewish, Italian, and African-American mothers we all hope to avoid in our lives but love nonetheless. Ruth is loving, caring, and only wants the best for her son, no matter how much he tries to push her away.

The Assistants

Victoria and Allen meet and Marcus watches as each sizes up the other.

Patterson only has one scene in “They Come Together” but she uses it to the best of her ability. Her character Veronica is both smart and sexy, and she knows it. I love the way she finishes every sentence out of Allen’s mouth when they first meet, prompting him to quip, “You have rendered me speechless.” I can’t say too much about Veronica other than I’m sure we’re going to enjoy her antics in future episodes as she puts the sass in sassiness.

O’Malley plays the quintessential gay assistant to a tee although I’m not sure he’s gay. While Michael looks, dresses, and acts gay, he makes reference to dating a woman. I can’t wait to see where this goes. This one particular line in “They Come Together” describes his brand of humor. “Finally, somebody whiter than me” is his reaction at meeting Allen. O’Malley does a good job of delivering his lines and I think he will add something special to Partners.

How to Go Undercover

After Michael explains Adam and Steve's problem, Allen completely takes over the meeting.

After Michael explains Adam and Steve’s problem to Allen and Marcus, Allen completely takes over the meeting.

In “Let’s Have a Simple Gwedding,” Michael brings new clients to Braddock & Jackson, Marcus and Allen’s newly formed law firm. His friends Adam (guest star Will Taylor) and Steve (guest star Zach Bandler) were ripped off by “the wedding planner to the A list of the gay list,” at their ”gwedding.” Gwedding, get it? A gay wedding? OK, it’s a little tedious. Marcus and Allen decide to take the case—Marcus as the do-gooder who always has to help people, and Allen, who is practically drooling over the thought of the future revenue that will come from same sex divorces. They decide to go undercover as gay fiancés who need help planning their wedding, and the scenes with the wedding planner and their faux “gwedding” are absolutely hysterical. Yes, it is a timeworn scenario but the writers of Partners make it work. In the meantime, Ruth and Lizzie grow closer bonding over, ahem, playing cards and shopping. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, or to bestow the wisdom of age on a young person.

Overall

I don’t like reviewing comedy series because it takes a lot to make me laugh, especially when canned laughter is used in the background. It is so damned annoying! But Partners sets itself a head above the typical buddy comedy with its witty dialogue, great acting, and a multitude of laugh-out-loud moments. Yes, it follows the old-school formula of past comedy shows on broadcast television, as opposed to Married and You’re the Worst, the sharper, more upscale comedies that have recently premiered on cable network FX, but Partners gets the job done. It is deliciously funny, and one I will be adding to my list of go-to shows for the remainder of the summer.

What did you think of “They Come Together” and “Let’s Have a Simple Gwedding?” Did the two episodes strike your funny bone the way they struck mine? Let’s discuss! Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave me a comment below.

Tune in to Partners Mondays at 9:00 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

Keep in touch with Partners on its website and LIKE the series on Facebook.

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Follow Partners on Twitter, using hashtag #PartnersFX, as well as cast members Martin Lawrence/Marcus @realmartymar, Kelsey Grammar/Allen @KelseyGrammar, Rory O’Malley/Michael @RoryOMalley, Edi Patterson/Victoria @EdiHasAUnicorn, McKaley Miller/Lizzie @McKaleyM, and Daniéle Watts/Laura @danielewatts.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!