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Review: United States of Tara, Season 3, Ep 309 “Bryce Will Play”

Airdate: Monday, May 23, 2011 10:30PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

When do you realize enough is enough and check yourself into the mental ward? Tara’s (Toni Collette) terrifying new alter is her half-brother Bryce when he was a teenager and he wants to kill Tara and the other alters until he’s the last one standing. Bryce also tells Dr. Hattaras (Eddie Izzard) and KSOP (Kansas State – Overland Park) Psychology co-chair, Dr. Smolow (Robert Picardo), he doesn’t believe in D.I.D. Does Bryce really think he’s a real teenage boy trapped inside a thirty-something woman’s body? He’s able to take over before Tara is able to swallow her “happy pills” — Tara may not be as in control as she thinks she is.

Kate (Brie Larson) calls 911

This new alter is definitely keeping things taut on United States of Tara. Not only is Bryce malicious towards Tara and her alters, he’s also gunning for anyone who stands in his way. Dr. Hattaras, who is deathly allergic to crab, is on Bryce’s list of people to terminate. After the chicken in the stew is replaced with canned crab, Dr. Hattaras realizes he may be out of his league on this one as he desperately gasps for air telling Kate (Brie Larson) to call 911. When Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt) confronts Tara thinking it might be Buck, Bryce reveals himself with a menacing leer that would make anyone’s skin crawl. “It’s your big brother and let me say, you have filled out nicely sis.”

Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) and Max (John Corbett) talk after the film screening

Meanwhile, Max (John Corbett) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) are in New York for the film festival debut of Marshall and Noah’s (Aaron Christian Howles) short film. Max is in for a big surprise when he watches the film, titled “Max Makes Good,” for the first time. Instead of being a short film on the family, Marshall hones in on his father’s side of the story, making Max seem like a chump for sticking around with a loon. Marshall is just trying to make sense of it all as he’s too young to realize what real love is all about. When you truly love someone, you love them, flaws and all. Max loves Tara so much but I think he’s deluding himself into thinking Tara will actually get better one day. If Bryce keeps up his antics, ie. metaphorically killing Chicken, going ballistic with a carved pumpkin on his head (which is frighteningly creepy) while stabbing at Gimme’s rain coat, then Tara is in a world of hurt.

It’s so unnerving to see Collette portray this most disturbing character since most of her alters are benign. Although, Buck may be a bit combative, Bryce is completely off the hinges. He’s trying to kill people, and not just the imaginary ones; he’s rocking out to Judas Priest’s “Deceiver” while humping the carved-out pumpkin. The conversation Bryce has with Hattaras is darkly humorous. You want to laugh while at the same time run for your life. Collette’s performance is chilling.

Hattaras: “Where’s Tara!?”

Bryce (exasperated): “She’s at the zoo; she’s watching porn; she’s stuck in a Pringle’s can. Do you want to f**k the pumpkin? It’s fun.”

Hattaras: “Hang on, why the ritualized killin’? You know their phone, why do you do it?”

Bryce (angrily smashes pumpkin): “I’m a growing boy and there’s only so much room in the upstairs. The little girl, the Jew, the poncho – three down, three to go.”

As an aside, the news that Showtime is cancelling United States of Tara apparently due to low ratings is sad. I’m beyond bummed. I feel like I’m in pre-mourning for the impending death of a loved one. I can only hope Toni Collette wins another Emmy® or Globe Globe® for her performance this season.

Tune in to the final three episodes* of United States of Tara, Mondays at 10:30PM E/P only on Showtime.*Showtime has not released an official statement at the time this review was published (Mon 5/24/11, 12:45PM PST).

Photos © Showtime, All Rights Reserved

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.