Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E7 - "Franklin vs. Bash"

Airdate: Wednesday, July 14, 2011, 9:00 pm ET/PT on TNT

Rating: ★★★★★

When Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) go to jail to collect their pole-dancing instructor clients, Jared tells them, “Well girls, our job is no different than yours. We’re here to get you off.” And so starts another fun-filled, crazy episode of Franklin & Bash.

Amber North (Jud Tylor) and Simone Winters (Jackie Debatin) have been accused of drugging their Brentwood Estates clients and then stealing $350,000 in jewelry during a pole-dancing party/class. Of course, the ladies deny it. Hah, if they didn’t, we wouldn’t have an episode, now would we? I digress…

Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E7 - "Franklin vs. Bash" 1

Peter and Jared talking to Stanton about the Chinese Wall

From Jared and Peter’s opening argument, which is loaded with Van Halen song titles, to them bashing (pun intended) each other, it’s a real romp. Our favorite wacky duo must battle each other in court due to the Chinese Wall being imposed; thus the title “Franklin vs. Bash.” And it’s not pretty, people. I hope the writers don’t ever make Jared and Peter face off again. It’s just too traumatic thinking of Franklin without Bash, or the other way around, for that matter. But silly me, it’s all in good fun. How could it not be with such pop culture references as “Torvill and Dean,” “Kobayashi…couldn’t eat sixty hot dogs” and “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” If you don’t understand those references, ask and I’ll be happy to explain.

It’s sad, but cute, to watch them battle each other, showing their insecurities, especially that one might be better than the other. Who knew they had such fragile egos?

Peter: “Objection! The movie reference, you know, the self-deprecating joke, the whole buttoning of the jacket. Those are my moves, he’s stealing them.”

Pitting Peter against former girlfriend, prosecutor Janie Ross (Claire Coffee,) is adorable too. She knows exactly how to play these guys.

Janie to Peter: “Do what’s best for your client – reconsider the deal. Oh! Look at that. Jared just texted. I wonder what he wants.” Such a shame Peter didn’t recognize a good thing when they were together. Despite her being engaged to someone else, I’m still hoping she’ll ditch him and go back to Peter.

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Jared and Peter watching a video of the pole-dancing class

I can’t say enough about how good the sharp, witty writing in Franklin & Bash is. Things like Jared being forced to reveal what’s in his safety deposit box in court – an old Wrestlemania VHS tape where Reba sang the National Anthem (“it was angelic“), a piece of Lady Gaga’s gum (“she gave it to me, more or less”), and the program from “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” (“this is my high school production; I was the butler”) – and the questioning of one of the party-goers during prep for court really had me laughing out loud.

Bash: “How was it really any different than any other book club meeting?”
Ms. Elliott (Katie Savoy): “We don’t usually get naked and do tequila shots off each other’s breasts.”

Thankfully, Jared and Peter decide to stop this nonsense and join forces. I love the way they trick the judge into admitting a certain piece of evidence into the record when he had previously denied it.

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Hanna and Karp talking with their client

The other case in this week’s episode revolves around Alex Carlyle (Uriah Shelton), a young teenage boy who wants to be the youngest kayaker to solo the Amazon but his father has placed a preliminary injunction against him so he can’t. Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) brings in Hanna (Garcelle Beavais) and Karp (Reed Diamond) to handle the case. Oddly enough, father and son aren’t angry with one another; in fact, it’s the total opposite. What really impresses me is young Alex. Discounting Karp, who’s been treating him like a child, Alex gravitates to Hanna when she comments how “very inspiring” Alex is. Writers, be warned, this line from Hanna borders on cheesy.

Hanna (voice crackling): “It’s an honor to meet a boy as brave as you.”

Alex: “You’re very kind but it’s been a while since I was a boy.”

Wow Alex! Check you out! But it doesn’t stop there with all the coquettish advances he makes towards Hanna. Alex is quite cheeky for a 13-year-old boy.

Some favorite lines:

Pindar: “Did you know the canlendula fish can swim up your uretha and live in your penis for weeks?”

***

Jared: “Objection. Betrayal.”

***

Peter: “Let’s talk about one of my favorite topics…breasts.

Ms. McDowell (Marisa Petroro): “Excuse me?”

Peter: “Oh I’m sorry, I forgot- you like to call them your high beams.”

***

Alex: “Look, we both know the stress the long distance can put on a relationship. I can’t ask you to put your life on hold for me…Just kidding. You’re supersonic hot; can I call you in 15 years?

Hannah: “Ten.”

If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now – I. Love. This. Show! Sure, it tends to be campy and silly at times, but it’s charming and never fails to make me laugh. And if that isn’t a recipe for good entertainment, I don’t know what is.

Watch Franklin & Bash Wednesdays at 9:00 pm ET/PT on TNT.

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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!