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The Shit Hits the Fan, in More Ways Than One. Review: Episodes – “Episode 208”

  • By

  • August 19, 2012

  • 7 mins to read

Air Date: Sunday, August 19, 2012, 10:30 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Problems abound for everyone in “Episode 208.” The network discovers Merc (John Pankow) is the one who developed the show about the talking dog but then sold it to ABC in favor of Pucks!. Sean (Stephen Mangan) isn’t happy about Beverly’s (Tamsin Greig) date with Morning’s (Mircea Monroe) brother, Rob (James Purefoy); and, when Matt (Matt LeBlanc, playing himself) wakes up from his drunken booty call with Labia (Sophie Rundle), all he can say is, “Fuck!” On top of that, Carol (Kathleen Rose Perkins) gets some startling news from the head of the network.

Who better to play Matt LeBlanc than LeBlanc himself?!

What do bosses do when they realize their job is on the line? They take it out on their staff. So not fair, I know. But it happens all the time, all over the country, not just in Hollywood. You know the expression, “Shit flows downhill?” Well, it’s true, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen if Merc’s staff, including Carol, Myra (Daisy Haggard), and Andy (Joseph May), doesn’t quickly come up with a good idea for a new hit show. Since Merc wants a hot button topic, like vampires or zombies—“AMC has their zombies!”—everyone tries to come up with something similar.  “Leprechauns, mummies, dragons, goblins, ogres, trolls, pixies,” and “succubi” are just some of the outlandish ideas that roll off their tongues. On top of that, Merc doesn’t know the head of the network, Elliot Salad (Michael Brandon), has called Carol and asked to meet her—not Merc—for a drink. Uh oh, a big red flag went up for me. I don’t think this get together is purely social.

Even though Sean is the one who said they couldn’t “go backwards,” the poor guy practically has a stroke when he finds out Beverly’s been on a date. And now that he realizes she’s going to continue dating Rob, he’s having a very hard time handling it. I can’t say I know what Sean is going through since I’m the one who divorced my husband and couldn’t care less what he’s doing or who he’s seeing, but I know how hard it can be on some people. The look on Sean’s face when Beverly leaves the office early for her date is heartbreaking. As is the look on Beverly’s face when, later, she gives Sean the opportunity to call off her date, and he doesn’t take her up on it. It’s obvious Sean still loves Beverly, and vice versa, so I wish they’d realize how good they are for each other and make up already! I know Sean was hurt by Beverly’s one-night stand with Matt but come on; does he have to throw away their whole lives for one mistake? If ever two people should be together, it’s these two.

Labia explains she’ll always be there for Matt no matter what

Speaking of Beverly and Sean, they are absolutely horrified that Matt has brought Labia to work with him. What Beverly says is so true: “Your shrink was right. You really do have an inability to recognize the consequences of your actions.” I know men like that. They think they can do no wrong and usually get away with everything they do. What Matt doesn’t realize is if his ex-wife Diane (Fiona Glascott) finds out about Labia, he can kiss his kids goodbye, as Beverly and Sean so aptly point out.

Can you blame Matt for his reaction when Labia answers the phone and his ex-wife Diane is on the other end of the line?

I have to give props to Rundle for her portrayal of Matt’s stalker. She’s not what you’d expect. She plays Labia with a certain amount of innocence one doesn’t normally see in a stalker. Plus, she’s just plain adorable. Watching her face when Matt tells her “it’s over,” I knew there was no way in hell this was the end for her. Too bad she can’t help herself when Matt’s phone rings and Diane is on the other end. All you hear from Matt is a long, drawn out “Fuucckkk!”

Favorite lines:

Carol, talking about Salad: “How do you not know Elliot Salad?”

Beverly: “I feel like I’ve ordered one at some point, but if you’re saying it’s the name of a person…”

***

Rob, about the owners of the house he’s painting: “My crew and I call them the Bullshits, Todd and Ollie Bullshit.”

Beverly: “So, their children are the Little Shits.”

***

Carol finally gets that drink with Salad who confirms she developed the show about “the beagle who won’t shut up” and Merc didn’t run with it. This is bad news for Merc and as much as Carol tries to defend him, Salad doesn’t want to hear it. I love the way Perkins plays this scene. Her loyalty knows no bounds and she actually looks physically ill throughout. Although, a certain amount of shock makes its way to the forefront when Salad tells Carol her name is at the top of the short list to replace Merc.

“Episode 208” hits the mark. The dialogue is witty and sharp as usual, and the acting by each and every actor is spot on, especially Greig and Mangan. I adore them together. They actually make you think they’re married in real life. Let’s face it, I’m totally invested in these characters, and each week, I can’t wait to find out what happens next. With this being the penultimate episode of the second season of Episodes, I’m anxious to see what Carol does with the news of Merc’s ouster; what Merc will do when he finds out; what happens next with Beverly and Sean; and where her relationship with Rob is going. Weren’t their kisses sweet?

Tune in to Episodes Sundays at 10:30 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

Check out the show’s homepage at http://www.sho.com/sho/episodes/home. Like Episodes on Facebook, and follow the show on Twitter using hashtag #Episodes. Tweet star Stephen Mangan @StephenMangan.

All photos © 2012 Showtime Networks/CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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!

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!