Community
This was an improvement over last weeks episode. As a big Fringe fan, I really enjoyed the nod to that show with the Blue vs. red, Earth 1 and Earth 2 Model UN debate. I really enjoyed the whole plot with Annie's arch enemy, Annie Kim. I hope that she becomes a regular member of the cast of zanies that attend Greendale and makes future appearances. Martin Starr (of Freaks and Geeks and Party Down), as always, did a nice job as the professor of the week, and its always good to see him show up in something. I wasn't as big of a fan as the Britta-Chang sub-plot - there were a few humerus bits, such as Britta trying to kick over the trash can, but I felt it really didn't seem to be going anywhere - until the very end of it. Britta spitting at Chang as he carried her out of the room (one last feeble attempt at being a rebel when she knows she is washed up) made me laugh out loud and redeemed that whole story line.
Grade - B -> better than last week, but still a touch down from as good as it was last year (I have faith it will get there).
Park & Rec
I have been looking forward to this episode ever since they dropped the bombshell in the season finale that Ron's first wife, Tammy 1, was going to be making an appearance. It did not disappoint either. Patricia Clarkson did a fantastic job playing Tammy 1 as a cold, controlling ice queen who doesn't let anything shake her - even the first swig of Swanson family corn whiskey could only illicit a slight facial twitch from her. The episode also gave a little insight into the past history of Ron Swanson, not only by detailing all of the roles Tammy 1 has played in his life (candy striper at his birth, and math teacher among them), but also by having Ron's mom, Tammy 0, show up. A quick glimpse at her home life shows exactly where Ron learned everything he knows. I can't wait until the inevitable appearance of Ron's father.
In addition to the main plot, which was extremely funny - Ron devolving into a sissfied, moustache-free version of himself was hysterical, as was Leslie's drunken state after she stupidly tried to out drink the Tammys in order to save Ron - the 2 subplots were well done. Our first glimpse at the offices of Entertainment 720 showed that Jean Ralphio and Tom are being as hilariously lavish in their spending as I had hoped (the whole sequence where JR tried to come up with a new name for Ben before settling on Jello Shot was fantastic, as was Ben pushing the Party Button). The 3rd plot with Ann and Chris filming the health video was Rob Lowe at his high energy, perfectionist best.
Grade -A -> Parks continues to be the funniest show on TV.
The Office
SIGH.. As I said on Facebook at the end of this episode, I think this was the worst episode of The Office to date. Every bit of good will that the show built up last week with a surprisingly funny premiere was used up in the first 2 minutes with an incredibly stupid Kevin opening. I did not laugh once during that opening and there were not many more laughs to be had in the rest of the episode. Also, what was up with the subplot involving the appearance of Daryl's ex? They completely ignored it in the last part of the episode. I am assuming that it will pop up again in a future episode, but it would have been nice had they acknowledged it even a little.
Grade - D -> I am not going to waste any more time on this episode. Hopefully, last week's episode will turn out to be the norm for this season, and not an aberration.
(I am not going to even bother posting a clip...)
It's Always Sunny
I don't think there has ever been a show that can take so many creepy and uncomfortable subjects and turn them into comedy gold as well as this one does. In this episode alone they touched on kiddie pageants, pedophilia and necrophilia and the results were fantastic. Add in Frank being made up by his creepy-ass mortician to look like Dean Stockwell in Blue Velvet, and the creep factor was off the charts. And it was hilarious. Any time the Gang is involved in some caper that winds up with them singing or acting, you can't go wrong.
Grade - A -> Season 7 continues to be incredibly strong.
Archer
There is only one bad thing I have to say about this episode of Archer - its the last one until next year. These first 3 episodes have been great and, while they make me very optimistic about the rest of season 3, I wish that it was happening right now. Archer's brief detour to become a pirate king led to some hilarious situations and gave him new characters to interact with - David Cross' and Patrick Warburton's characters were well done and I hope they stick around.
Grade - A
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