Your Entertainment Corner

Review: United States of Tara, Season 3, Ep 310 “Train Wreck”

Airdate: Monday, June 6, 2011 10:30PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

Keir Gilchrist as Marshall Gregson

As the tides of change wash upon the shores of the Gregson house, another tragedy strikes with the untimely demise of Marshall’s (Keir Gilchrist) ex-boyfriend Lionel Trane (Michael J. Willett). I’m so sad. I secretly hoped he and Marshall would get back together. Knowing the show won’t see the light of another season, I think it’s just cruel to kill off one of the more fun characters. Poor Marshall, he isn’t taking this well at all. He’s already angry and frustrated with the situation at home — the trip to NY didn’t go as well as he hoped especially after the screening of his short film “Max Makes Good,” which paints his dad a chump for sticking with his loony wife; and now dealing with the chaos of his heavily-medicated mother is just icing on the “Train Wreck” of his existence in the wake of losing Lionel.

Tara’s (Toni Collette) new alter Bryce is doing a damn fine job of eliminating people. After trying to kill Dr. Hattaras (Eddie Izzard) via seafood in “Bryce Will Play,” while simultaneously and systematically “killing” off the weaker alters like Chicken and Gimme, Bryce is hell bent on making sure he’s the last alter standing. With Bryce regurgitating Tara’s meds, she’s reduced to snorting them but the force is strong within him – he’s bound and determined to wreak havoc and take no prisoners.

John Corbett as Max Gregson

The darkly humorous side to all this is how the writers make light of grim situations. When Tara tells Max (John Corbett) about her new alter, he understandably wigs out but still tries to poke fun. “Who is she? Good/bad alter? Loves giving back massages and knows the stock market? No? No, we’re never gonna have one of those, are we?” But Max really loses it after finding out Bryce nearly killed Hattaras, resulting in the good doc’s decision to forego further contact with Tara. Collette portrays this character with such tenacity; she convincingly demonstrates the demeanor of a maniacal adolescent boy who seems to have demonic intentions. I truly fear not only for Tara’s safety, but the safety of her family and friends as well.

The family gathers in the kitchen after Lionel's funeral only to be subjected to Bryce's despicable commentary

While everyone gets ready to attend Lionel’s funeral, Bryce takes control of Tara’s body, causing her to disappoint an already distraught Marshall. “Go put the ‘fun’ back in funeral.” Bryce’s crass remark is another display of the demented humor that makes United States of Tara so wickedly decadent. The real shocker happens when everyone returns home and Bryce reveals to Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Neil (Patton Oswalt) that he took baby Wheels for a little joy ride on the bus (in “Chicken n Corn”). As Neil lunges to strangle Bryce, you can see the horror and disgust on Charmaine’s face as Bryce waggles his eyebrows while sneering lewdly as he suggestively sings a demented rendition of “Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” — “Wheels on the bus with Wheels and Bryce, Wheels and Bryce, all through the town.”  

Brie Larson as Kate Gregson

Kate (Brie Larson) and Evan (guest star Keir O’Donnell) try to define their relationship. It’s hysterical how they compare it to clothing calling it “jorts,” a combination of “jeans” and “shorts.” They’re unable to pinpoint their relationship into a specific classification, putting them into a weird sky-high limbo. Both Kate and Marshall are torn between familial obligations they’ve unduly put upon themselves which consequently results in their repetitive behavior of making up excuses to not move forward. Kate decides she wants to have her own problems and chooses Evan and his hyperactive son instead of adopting her family’s all the time. Meanwhile, Max gives Marshall his blessing to leave the house for a while. After Bryce trashes Marshall’s room, destructively claiming it for himself, he chops off Tara’s long locks in rebellion after Max asks when Tara will return. Unfortunately, it looks like Tara won’t be back anytime soon. Does that mean Buck, Alice, T, and Shoshana are in hiding as well?

Tune in to the final two episodes of United States of Tara, Mondays at 10:30PM E/P only on Showtime.

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.