Who Names Their Kid "Labia?" Review, Episodes - "Episode 205"

Episodes, S2 E5 – “Episode 205”

Air Date: Sunday, July 29, 2012, 10:30 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

When I read the description for this week’s installment of Episodes, I was happily anticipating a real laugh fest. I’m so glad I wasn’t disappointed. “Episode 205” is not only uproariously funny, it’s as farcical as any other series out there, if not better. Simply put, I absolutely loved “Episode 205!”

Thoughts and Observations:

Who Names Their Kid "Labia?" Review, Episodes - "Episode 205" 1

Beverly gives Carol advice on how to handle Merc

Remember last week when Matt (Matt LeBlanc as himself) told Beverly (Tamsin Greig) and Sean (Stephen Mangan) about his stalker, Labia (Sophie Rundle)? I’m sorry, but every time one of them mentions her name, I crack up! Who the hell names their kid “Labia?” I’ve heard some strange names in my time but seriously…Labia? What were those parents thinking!? Thankfully, Labia is a “sweet, pretty, young, tech savvy” chick, according to Sean. And thank goodness! Can you imagine having a name like that and being homely?

Matt recounts how he met Labia 15 years ago, and why he felt it necessary to get a restraining order against her. While initially I found myself siding with Matt, by the time the story was over I totally agreed with Sean’s statement, “I believe you will burn in Hell.” It’s amazing how every time Matt does something nice, he always ends up ruining it by what he says or does.

Who Names Their Kid "Labia?" Review, Episodes - "Episode 205" 2

Beverly tells Carol she doesn’t want to continue because she’s not used to the hills. In England, “everything’s flat.”

It’s Carol (Kathleen Rose Perkins) and Merc’s (John Pankow) fifth anniversary and Carol’s explanation to Beverly of what happened the day she met Merc is funny, to be sure. Of course, being high makes everything funny. As a matter of fact, I wish I had been high watching this scene because I know I would have thought it was hysterically funny based on Carol’s answer to Merc at the time. That’s what pot does to you…not that I’m admitting anything, mind you.

I don’t understand why Carol complains to Beverly, “I always come second. “ Hello!? The man is married! How can Carol ever expect to come first? She knew what she was getting into when she decided to have an affair with Merc. I don’t think it’s ever going to be “her turn,” as she notes to Beverly. It is what it is and the sooner she accepts that, the better off she’ll be. If she wants to be put on a pedestal, I suggest she finds someone of her own. Yes, Carol, you are “pathetic.”

Taking Beverly’s advice, Carol asks Merc if he knows what this weekend is. Now, who didn’t know Merc wouldn’t remember about their anniversary. To be honest, though, what guy would? Remembering the first time you met and calling that day your “anniversary” is a total female thing to do. Even though Carol demanded that Merc “make it happen,” I’m surprised at her willingness to settle for a weekend tryst in Cabo. Hell! She doesn’t even know where Cabo is! She’s selling herself short. When Merc calls his wife Jamie (Genevieve O’Reilly) to tell her he’ll be out of town on business for the weekend, and then she turns around and calls Matt to tell him she’s free for the weekend, I knew immediately something untoward was going to happen—especially because they use the same travel agent. It’s amazing how easily they all lie to one another, and a credit to their acting skills how well they each come off as a very disappointed spouse. We also get a look at Matt’s wife Diane (Fiona Glascott) when he calls to ask her if they can switch weekends with their boys. Matt may be a jerk but what a bitch she is!

Who Names Their Kid "Labia?" Review, Episodes - "Episode 205" 3

Sean and Beverly watch as Matt and Morning do take after take, trying to hide Morning’s face

Morning (Mircea Monroe) calls in sick—for the week! I ask you, who knows they’re going to be sick for an entire week ahead of time? She’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you get my drift. Of course Beverly thinks this is Morning’s way of protesting her pared-down role on Pucks! but Sean gets quite a surprise (in more ways than one) when he goes to check on her. Despite his reassurances to Morning that everything will be ok, I don’t quite believe him. I know the makeup department can do wonders but really? With a face like that? My most favorite part of “Episode 205” is when Morning wants to kiss Sean and takes things a little further. I almost peed my pants at Mangan’s facial expressions!

Short takes:

I love the little dance Carol and Merc do when he tells her they’re going to Cabo for the weekend.

Beverly and Sean’s assistant Wendy (Scarlett Rose Patterson) is so ridiculous that her mere presence on the screen cracks me up.

What a serious case of road rage Diane has—especially with her kids in the car! Just saying…

Memorable lines:

Sean to Matt: “I told you ‘nonchalant.’ That’s totally chalant!”

Matt: “You play golf? How do you know where the hole is?”

Jamie: “Hey! I never asked you that!”

Matt to Diane about their kids: “Are they in the car with you?”

Diane: “They’re watching SpongeBob Fuckface…they can’t hear.”

Matt, when he sees Morning’s face: “Holy crap! What? Is she storing nuts for the winter?”

I thought Episodes was being extremely insensitive with Jamie playing golf. Come on, she’s blind! But apparently, it’s completely possible for the visually impaired to play golf. As a matter of fact, there’s even a United States Blind Golf Association, as well as a national nonprofit golfing organization that promotes golfing for the blind, American Blind Golf. Check them out at www.americanblindgolf.com. My mother was right—you’re never too old to learn something new.

I’m sure you all know the expressions “the best laid plans…” and “Murphy’s Law.” Unfortunately, they come into play at the end of “Episode 205” and Carol is forced to face a reality she doesn’t want to. I’m not sure whether it will last, though. What do you think?

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.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

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!