Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E3 - "Jennifer of Troy"

Airdate: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 9 pm ET/PT on TNT

Rating: ★★★★★

Ah, the beautiful people. Or should I say the not-so-beautiful people? That’s exactly what this week’s case is all about. But isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder anyway? There’s a minor case this week too, but more about that later.

Franklin & Bash isn’t really about the cases though. None of them are serious; instead, they deal with wacky, off-the-wall, fun topics. More, it’s all about best buds: the kind who live together, hunt girls together and practice law together. This week, however, is a little different as the guys try to win a case with more serious undertones that revolves around the definition of beauty. Jennifer Putnam (Jillian Bell) is a woman who knows she’s beautiful; so beautiful, in fact, she believes she was fired for it.

Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E3 - "Jennifer of Troy" 1

Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) listening to an unseen Katherine ((Rebecca McFarland)

We get our first chuckle when Damien Karp (Reed Diamond) bets Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) (“F&B”) they won’t win the case Jennifer is bringing against Stirred, a men’s luxury and lifestyle magazine. The magazine is owned by Big Mack (Robin Thomas), a Hugh Hefner-type guy, and run by his daughter Katherine ((Rebecca McFarland), a pretty girl who, despite outward appearances, lacks self-esteem. Karp obviously knows something about the case so he allows himself to be goaded into betting his prized Gretsch White Falcon guitar for F&B’s “ginormous” double wide office. Expecting Jennifer to be a real hottie, F&B are shocked when they finally meet her. Bash, in total disbelief, asks “You’re claiming Stirred Magazine fired you for being too hot?” You see, she’s not exactly what one would call one of the “beautiful people.”

“If you walk through this world knowing you’re beautiful, other people will know it too.” A truer statement was never uttered, especially as it concerns this lawsuit. Everyone Jennifer meets and spends time with is attracted by her beauty…inner beauty that is. Of course she doesn’t realize that. Working in a place filled with beautiful, model-type women, she knows she’s not what you would call traditionally attractive. “I’m more of an exotic bird at Stirred.” One can hardly blame her for thinking she’s more beautiful than the others though, given all the attention she commands. But she doesn’t want to settle, as F&B suggest. “I want my day in court. This isn’t just about my job. This is big. I’m the Norma Rae of beautiful women.” Bell does a wonderful job of conveying how beautiful her character is. She has a 1,000 watt smile that totally reaches her eyes, a genuine way of caring about everyone around her, and is more self-aware and confident than some of the most beautiful women I know. Kudos to Bell for bringing this wonderful character to life the way she does.

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Carmen (Dana Davis), Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) watching the bikini-clad girls tossing a beach ball in the pool at Stirred's charity event

It surprises me that F&B don’t see this case for what it’s worth. It’s discrimination, otherwise known as wrongful termination, guys! Even Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais) points out the obvious. “She wasn’t fired for being too beautiful. She was fired for not being pretty enough.” Although, maybe that’s not what happened after all.

Speaking of Hanna, she drops by the Man Cave to fill the guys in on what she thinks their legal strategy should be. “It’s not enough to tell jurors that your client is a babe. You have to show them that beauty drives people to do irrational things.” I love the way she gets her point across, seducing everyone in the room. I swear she is purring like a cat as she speaks. F&B’s reaction is just comical as she goes from buttoned-up lawyer— wearing glasses, hair in a bun—to dropping her stilettos, losing the eyeglasses, letting her hair down by whipping it all around. And when she puts a bottle of beer to her lips… well, even I get turned on and I’m totally straight! The woman exudes sex.

In court, Bash pulls a very unexpected stunt which shocks everyone, me included. You would never see something like that in reality. While it’s hilarious, it’s also unrealistic and pulls me from the story for a minute. But then I realize this is tv, not real life, so I should just enjoy it for what it’s worth. I suppose this speaks to the quality of Franklin & Bash that I could become so wrapped up in the story, I think it’s true.

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Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) and Damian Karp (Reed Diamond) listening to market owner, Mr. Han (François Chau)

The minor case revolves around F&B’s friend/network repairman Gene (Leonardo Nam), who’s been accused of stealing a frozen rabbit from a Chinese market. He is banished from Chinatown and the only reason F&B decide to help is because their grid at home is down. Talk about helping a guy out because he’s your friend! Due to their lack of knowledge of the Chinese culture, F&B end up pissing off Mr. Han (François Chau), the market’s owner. Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell), an Asian aficionado, decides to step in to help which leads to a few laughs. Unfortunately, this case isn’t needed and serves no purpose for me other than to see the wonderful Malcolm McDowell shine.

Favorite lines of this episode:

Hanna: “Ever hear of beer Jenga?”

Karp: “Is it a beer import?”

Tune in to Franklin & Bash, Wednesdays at 10 pm ET/PT only on TNT – We Know Drama.

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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!