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Review: United States of Tara, Season 3, Ep 308 “Chicken ‘n’ Corn”

Airdate: Monday, May 16, 2011 10:30PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

Tara, Max, and Charmaine & Wheels take walk through the corn fields

“Chicken ‘n’ Corn” sounds delicious, but it’s not that kind of chicken. While at a local fair in a corn field, one of the scarecrows jumps out towards Tara (Toni Collette), startling her so badly she transitions into Chicken, her childlike alter. Chicken takes off running and everyone splits up to find her. I like that it’s Noah (Aaron Christian Howles) who finds her and not one of the family. Noah doesn’t seem to be phased by Tara’s disorder. I think he’s very grounded which is great for Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), who seems to be losing ground as each day passes.

L-R: Keir Gilchrist as Marshall and Aaron Christian Howles as Noah

It’s time to fly the friendly skies, Max (John Corbett). Marshall and Noah’s film gets accepted into the New York High School Film Festival so Marshall needs an escort to New York. Max is deathly afraid of flying. What makes this even more interesting is Kate (Brie Larson) using the layover time between St. Louis and New York to introduce her new beau Evan (Keir O’Donnell) to her dad and brother. I love Kate but she’s moving way too fast. I think after having to deal with Evan’s deplorable bratty son, she may stop to think twice about their future.

Toni Collette as Bryce and Eddie Izzard as Dr. Hattaras

Without the guidance of Dr. Hattaras (guest star Eddie Izzard), it seems Tara is beginning to transition more frequently. Or could it be something else causing her alters to stir? After Alice visits Dr. Hattaras, he decides to help Tara again and just in the nick of time. The new scary alter, a teenage boy named Bryce, reveals himself to the good doctor after taking Charmaine’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) baby for a ride on a bus. My heart was in my throat when Bryce took the baby. I didn’t know what he was going to do. He’s already drawn blood with Tara so who’s to say he wouldn’t be even more sadistic.  Collette is simply marvelous. It amazes me how she effortlessly shifts from one character to the next. Each of the alters has their own unique voice, style, mannerisms, and ideals. Collette convincingly plays all of them to the hilt. She’s one of the main reasons I love this show!

Charmaine tries to relax at the spa on her first ‘mommy day’ away from the baby but it seems she is more attached than she realizes. Despite forgetting the baby in last week’s episode, “The Electrifying and Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp,” you can clearly see the anxiety as she tries to cope with the separation. But a voice of experience, another mommy named Abby (guest star Gillian Vigman), convinces Charlaine to just sit back and enjoy the time away. I guess sipping a few martinis might help too. She’ll need it when she finds out about the baby’s joy ride with Bryce.

Tune into United States of Tara, Mondays at 10:30PM E/P only on Showtime.

Photos © Showtime, All Rights Reserved.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.