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Two Pilots, a Carousel and a Gun-Wielding Blonde. Review: Bored to Death – “Gumball”

  • By

  • October 18, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

Season 3, Episode 2 – “Gumball”

Air Date: Monday, October 17, 2011, 9:00 pm ET/PT on HBO

Rating: ★★★★★

Ray (Zach Galifiankis) and Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) in spy mode

As “Gumball” opens, we pick up right where we left off in “The Blonde in the Woods,” with Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) hanging from the hands of the clock outside his new apartment building, waiting for Ray (Zach Galifiankis) to rescue him. Jonathan is on the lam from the cops who think he killed a Jewish jockey. He maintains his innocence, swearing he was set up when he was sent to tail the blonde woman in the season premiere. “Gumball” continues with the film noir detective show air of the 1950s as Jonathan, Ray and George (Ted Danson) set out to find the real killer.

The way Ray saves Jonathan from falling to his death is classic comedy, from the minute he talks his way into a couple’s apartment claiming to be the building inspector, until he flings money at them when he leaves. “Here’s 11 dollars for your trouble; sorry.” Did you laugh as much as I did when Jonathan tumbles on top of Ray kissing him all over to thank him for pulling him in from the ledge? I must say, although I’m not a fan of physical comedy, Galifiankis is a master of the pratfall. He gives just enough, without overdoing it, to make me like it. His missteps happen naturally, flowing right into the scene as if it’s an everyday occurrence that could happen to anyone, even me.

George (Ted Danson), Ray (Zach Galifiankis) and Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) playing a game of high-low.

Jonathan and Ray spend the night at George’s place and again I find myself laughing heartily. From the matching pajamas to the game of “high, low” they play in bed together (yes, all three of them), it’s just good clean fun. But the real fun begins when the cops show up the next morning looking for Jonathan. In order to evade the cops, George stuffs Jonathan—along with Ray—into the dumb waiter. They head over to Howard’s (recurring guest star Patton Oswalt) shop where he disguises them with pilots’ uniforms. In the meantime, George ‘borrows’ Bernard’s (David Rasche) bike to catch up with the guys. As usual, George is stoned and paranoid, thinking everyone he sees, from street worker to mailman to jogger, is a law enforcement officer and out to get him.

Funny lines:

Ray explains to Jonathan why it took so long for him to come to Jonathan’s rescue: “Sorry, I was getting some action from Leah. You know what I’m up against – she has the sex drive of a cicada; I couldn’t turn it down…it was great. I got her to soak her nipples in whiskey and nurse me.”

***

Jonathan and Ray head over to George’s to seek out his counsel. He advises them to sleep on it before making any rash decisions.

Jonathan: “Sleep? I’ve just shattered my life!”

George: “Alright, I’ll put on the vaporizer. I also have some Valium. It’s a mixture I’ve been playing around with lately. Also, it’s not too bad if you top it off with just a sip of Prosecco.”

Ray: “Sounds like a pothead’s BLT…I like it.”

Highlights:

Jonathan pulling out a high tech battery operated lock pick instead of a gun at the house where the anonymous cell phone call originated. How funny is that? I totally expected a gun!

Ray getting tangled up in the phone cord while Jonathan acts like he knows what he’s doing. Who makes phone cords like that anymore?

Our three heroes running in between the horses on the carousel, bobbing and weaving to avoid the bullets coming fast and furious. (I’m still laughing as I read this line!)

The promise to help find Jonathan’s biological father as the three skip (and I do mean skip) down the street after the real killer is found. I can just imagine where this is going to lead our trio of heroes.

Schwartzman plays a wonderful Peter Gunn—perfectly imitating the style of Craig Stevens, the actor who portrayed the famous detective in the Blake Edwards series of the same name, Peter Gunn, from 1958-1961. Schwartzman can play cool, suave and sophisticated with the best of them. And like Peter Gunn, “Gumball” is the perfect whodunit with its dialogue, twists and turns, and music. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun watching a show.

Did you enjoy “Gumball” as much as I did? Let’s discuss!

Tune in to Bored to Death, Mondays at 9:00 pm ET/PT on HBO.

All photos © 2011 HBO Entertainment. 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!
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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!