The seventh season of Weeds feels fresh enough that it remains surprisingly enjoyable. With all the characters in New York, there are plenty of unexplored possibilities not hampered by whatever happened in the second season. I have concerns where the show is going, however. The plot this week consists of Nancy running around with the grenades and guns, and trying to trade them to Zoya's brother, ending with Nancy about to get drug tested. This is pretty funny, but Nancy's motivations for entering the drug world are as thin as ever. The only reason why she seems to be doing all this again is because the show is called Weeds, not good motivation in my book.
Score: 8.7/10
Showing posts with label Weeds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weeds. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Review - Weeds Season 7 Episode 1 Bags
Weeds was once a show respect by everyone--viewers, critics, award shows. It really captured the idea of the suburban mom forced into the weed business, led down a dark, dangerous path with dark humor and a good amount of drama. But then Weeds kept going and going, always playing the same games with the plot and characters and it got old after a few seasons.
After a while I stopped caring, and in its seventh season, I wasn't planning on reviewing episodes unless I liked them. Since I'm reviewing "Bags," it's safe to say that I liked it, not so much for the episode itself but for the direction this season is going in. It feels like a fresh start, after a three-year time skip. Nancy is living in a halfway house, Andy, Shane, Silas, and Doug (he's definitely a problematic character like many characters in previous seasons which should have been done away with long ago) living in Denmark, and Stevie with Nancy's sister Jill. Best of all, Esteban is dead, according to Lipschitz, so there won't be more worrying about him.
With this fresh start, Weeds has a lot to work with. How does Nancy cope with the constraints of the halfway house after being cooped up in prison for three years? What is Jill doing with Stevie? How will she react to Andy and Shane? Will she reconnect with Silas? f course, most are wondering what the hell she's doing with the guns and grenades.
Score: 8.8/10
After a while I stopped caring, and in its seventh season, I wasn't planning on reviewing episodes unless I liked them. Since I'm reviewing "Bags," it's safe to say that I liked it, not so much for the episode itself but for the direction this season is going in. It feels like a fresh start, after a three-year time skip. Nancy is living in a halfway house, Andy, Shane, Silas, and Doug (he's definitely a problematic character like many characters in previous seasons which should have been done away with long ago) living in Denmark, and Stevie with Nancy's sister Jill. Best of all, Esteban is dead, according to Lipschitz, so there won't be more worrying about him.
With this fresh start, Weeds has a lot to work with. How does Nancy cope with the constraints of the halfway house after being cooped up in prison for three years? What is Jill doing with Stevie? How will she react to Andy and Shane? Will she reconnect with Silas? f course, most are wondering what the hell she's doing with the guns and grenades.
Score: 8.8/10
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Review - Weeds Season 6 Episode 13 Theoretical Love Is Not Dead / The Big C Season 1 Episode 13 Taking The Plunge
I haven't covered Weeds or The Big C since the first few episodes of the season, but the season finales are here, so here are my thoughts of the finales and seasons.
As a whole, Weeds has been a disaster this season, breaking out of the mold set the past few seasons--and also losing any sense of reason. Every week it was crazy shit followed by more crazy shit without rhyme or reason, with unrealistic, extravagant people showing up everywhere. It's been a chore to watch the family escape from place to place. At the same time, Nancy is probably the most unlikable as she's ever been, and as her past is explored, we learn that she may been a terrible person her whole life. Nancy is almost redeemed in "Theoretical Love Is Not Dead," when she makes the choice to turn herself into the FBI while the rest of the family flies off. "Theoretical Love Is Not Dead" is great because there isn't room to run anymore (thankfully) and every character must make definite choices.
Structurally, season six represents Weeds as a whole. Characters are introduced only to be tossed away, new locations are introduced only to be left. There's lots of new things in season six, as there used to be with each new season. However, by the end of the season, they are mere afterthoughts.
For the majority of its inaugural season, The Big C floundered around without doing much. Cathy kept her cancer a secret while acting wacko, and his family did understand her. These past couple episodes leading up to the season finale, however, after Cathy finally came clean, actually have a purpose. With Marlene's suicide last week, there was no turning back. Ultimately, every character must face the harsh reality of the truth. For Cathy, it's finally going into treatment. For Sean, it's giving up his delusinal dreams to become a father.
I have to admit, that final scene with Adam was a little disingenuous for me. After acting like a douchebag for the season and episode, he comes upon a key to a storage locker containing birthday, Christmas, and other occasion presents. He breaks down and cries, and it's an emotional moment. However, it's superficial that he had to see physical presents and notes before realizing how much his mother cares for him.
The writers missed the mark for the first half of the season, trying to make more of a comedy than drama; cancer is not a funny topic, but it can generate funny moments between the poignancy and that's what the season finale gets at. Maybe when The Big C returns, the tone will stay consistent.
Weeds Score: 8.7/10
The Big C Score: 9.1/10
As a whole, Weeds has been a disaster this season, breaking out of the mold set the past few seasons--and also losing any sense of reason. Every week it was crazy shit followed by more crazy shit without rhyme or reason, with unrealistic, extravagant people showing up everywhere. It's been a chore to watch the family escape from place to place. At the same time, Nancy is probably the most unlikable as she's ever been, and as her past is explored, we learn that she may been a terrible person her whole life. Nancy is almost redeemed in "Theoretical Love Is Not Dead," when she makes the choice to turn herself into the FBI while the rest of the family flies off. "Theoretical Love Is Not Dead" is great because there isn't room to run anymore (thankfully) and every character must make definite choices.
Structurally, season six represents Weeds as a whole. Characters are introduced only to be tossed away, new locations are introduced only to be left. There's lots of new things in season six, as there used to be with each new season. However, by the end of the season, they are mere afterthoughts.
For the majority of its inaugural season, The Big C floundered around without doing much. Cathy kept her cancer a secret while acting wacko, and his family did understand her. These past couple episodes leading up to the season finale, however, after Cathy finally came clean, actually have a purpose. With Marlene's suicide last week, there was no turning back. Ultimately, every character must face the harsh reality of the truth. For Cathy, it's finally going into treatment. For Sean, it's giving up his delusinal dreams to become a father.
I have to admit, that final scene with Adam was a little disingenuous for me. After acting like a douchebag for the season and episode, he comes upon a key to a storage locker containing birthday, Christmas, and other occasion presents. He breaks down and cries, and it's an emotional moment. However, it's superficial that he had to see physical presents and notes before realizing how much his mother cares for him.
The writers missed the mark for the first half of the season, trying to make more of a comedy than drama; cancer is not a funny topic, but it can generate funny moments between the poignancy and that's what the season finale gets at. Maybe when The Big C returns, the tone will stay consistent.
Weeds Score: 8.7/10
The Big C Score: 9.1/10
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Preview of Week 11/14/10 - 11/20/10
Chuck - NBC, Monday, October 15, 8:00pm ET
The reunification of Jayne Cobb and River Tam! Do we care about anything else?
Weeds - Showtime, Monday, October 15, 10:00pm ET
The end of the awful season of Weeds is here, and with it probably the last time I watch the show. Sorry, but all the pointless running around is too much.
The Big C - Showtime, Monday, October 15, 10:30pm ET
While Weeds has gone downhill at a constant rate, The Big C has had a resurgence as of late and the season finale is actually shaping up to
NCIS - CBS, Tuesday, October 16, 8:00pm ET
Ziva's daddy is back... I don't think he'll be too happy about his daughter's current position as NCIS agent and US citizen.
Human Target - Fox, Wednesday, October 17, 8:00pm ET
Human Target hasn't aired since April (yeah, the length between seasons surprised me too). If you remember back to the season finale, Winston had been kidnapped, so we'll get a conclusion to that--most likely through a cliched rescue attempt.
Terriers - FX, Wednesday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
With only three episodes left and the ratings in the toilet, I though I'd give some promotion to Terriers. Watch it--you'll like it.
The reunification of Jayne Cobb and River Tam! Do we care about anything else?
Weeds - Showtime, Monday, October 15, 10:00pm ET
The end of the awful season of Weeds is here, and with it probably the last time I watch the show. Sorry, but all the pointless running around is too much.
The Big C - Showtime, Monday, October 15, 10:30pm ET
While Weeds has gone downhill at a constant rate, The Big C has had a resurgence as of late and the season finale is actually shaping up to
NCIS - CBS, Tuesday, October 16, 8:00pm ET
Ziva's daddy is back... I don't think he'll be too happy about his daughter's current position as NCIS agent and US citizen.
Human Target - Fox, Wednesday, October 17, 8:00pm ET
Human Target hasn't aired since April (yeah, the length between seasons surprised me too). If you remember back to the season finale, Winston had been kidnapped, so we'll get a conclusion to that--most likely through a cliched rescue attempt.
Terriers - FX, Wednesday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
With only three episodes left and the ratings in the toilet, I though I'd give some promotion to Terriers. Watch it--you'll like it.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Review - Weeds Season 6 Episode 1 Thwack
In my estimation, Weeds has decreased in quality about 10% each season, more in the later two. The show has become a mere shell of what it once was, an incomplete, soulless arena where detestable characters have their fun amidst the ruin of society. Even Nancy, once a very likable character, has become but another hideous aberration, clawing at those around her until there is nothing left. Left behind are Silas and Shane who bear the brunt of their mother's recklessness and Andy, whose chauvinism precludes any good intentions he may have. As the plot continues to spiral out of control, Weeds hangs on a thin thread which feels like it'll snap at any moment.
Continuing from last season's finale, "Thwack" ties up several threads and the Botwins move on, once again heading to a location where their past will inevitably come back to haunt them. Just like Agrestic was burned out of the storyline completely, with Conrad and Heylia and cut out, I wish the whole Mexican cartel stuff would end, but it doesn't look that way.
"Thwack" is essentially a reset episode like most season premieres. Having killed Pilar, Shane is deep trouble and Nancy decides to take the family and run, leaving behind a nice life and husband for the sake of her children. Andy, after bolting like a girl from the crazy abortion guy, goes with Nancy too, proving to Audra that his commitment isn't where it should be. On the other side of the border, Guillermo deletes the incriminating tape, but there's sure to be huge fallout.
I won't be reviewing Weeds each week since I probably be whining about one thing or another, but if there's an episode I really like, I'll make a post or make a comment on Twitter.
Score: 8.0/10
Continuing from last season's finale, "Thwack" ties up several threads and the Botwins move on, once again heading to a location where their past will inevitably come back to haunt them. Just like Agrestic was burned out of the storyline completely, with Conrad and Heylia and cut out, I wish the whole Mexican cartel stuff would end, but it doesn't look that way.
"Thwack" is essentially a reset episode like most season premieres. Having killed Pilar, Shane is deep trouble and Nancy decides to take the family and run, leaving behind a nice life and husband for the sake of her children. Andy, after bolting like a girl from the crazy abortion guy, goes with Nancy too, proving to Audra that his commitment isn't where it should be. On the other side of the border, Guillermo deletes the incriminating tape, but there's sure to be huge fallout.
I won't be reviewing Weeds each week since I probably be whining about one thing or another, but if there's an episode I really like, I'll make a post or make a comment on Twitter.
Score: 8.0/10
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Preview of Week 8/15/10 - 8/21/10
Mad Men - AMC, Sunday, August 15, 10:00pm ET
After last week's episode stayed stagnant on the advertising front, it looks like Lee Garner Jr. is back with more trouble.
Weeds - Showtime, Monday, August 16, 10:00pm ET
A little preview of my season premiere review.
In my estimation, Weeds has decreased in quality about 10% each season, more in the later two. The show has become a mere shell of what it once was, an incomplete, soulless arena where detestable characters have their fun amidst the ruin of society. Even Nancy, once a very likable character, has become but another hideous aberration, clawing at those around her until there is nothing left. Left behind are Silas and Shane who bear the brunt of their mother's recklessness and Andy, whose chauvinism precludes any good intentions he may have. As the plot continues to spiral out of control, Weeds hangs on a thin thread which feels like it'll snap at any moment. Continuing from last season's finale, this season's premiere ties up several threads and the Botwins move on, once again heading to a location where their past will inevitably come back to haunt them.
The Big C - Showtime, Monday, August 16, 10:30pm ET
Laura Linney's character, Cathy, has Cancer and her behavior changes radically as one would expect. The catch--which isn't fully explained--is that she hasn't told anyone yet, not her childish husband, annoying son, homeless brother, or fat, mean student. Looking at Showtime's newest addition, I'm still baffled why people think Showtime has overtaken HBO.
After last week's episode stayed stagnant on the advertising front, it looks like Lee Garner Jr. is back with more trouble.
Weeds - Showtime, Monday, August 16, 10:00pm ET
A little preview of my season premiere review.
In my estimation, Weeds has decreased in quality about 10% each season, more in the later two. The show has become a mere shell of what it once was, an incomplete, soulless arena where detestable characters have their fun amidst the ruin of society. Even Nancy, once a very likable character, has become but another hideous aberration, clawing at those around her until there is nothing left. Left behind are Silas and Shane who bear the brunt of their mother's recklessness and Andy, whose chauvinism precludes any good intentions he may have. As the plot continues to spiral out of control, Weeds hangs on a thin thread which feels like it'll snap at any moment. Continuing from last season's finale, this season's premiere ties up several threads and the Botwins move on, once again heading to a location where their past will inevitably come back to haunt them.
The Big C - Showtime, Monday, August 16, 10:30pm ET
Laura Linney's character, Cathy, has Cancer and her behavior changes radically as one would expect. The catch--which isn't fully explained--is that she hasn't told anyone yet, not her childish husband, annoying son, homeless brother, or fat, mean student. Looking at Showtime's newest addition, I'm still baffled why people think Showtime has overtaken HBO.
