Courtesy of ABC
Relationships are hard. Just ask me…actually don’t. Whether it’s the relationship we have with our special someone, or the relationship with our best friend or even that somewhat strained relationship we have with our parents, you’ve got to work hard at maintaining that relationship. This week’s episode plays on all of these, and it gives us by far the best episode of season three so far.
Let’s review.The Kerkovich sisters are planning a party for their father’s (Christopher McDonald) 20th anniversary in the mattress business. Of course this means Jane (Eliza Coupe) is in complete control, and obsessing about how to make her dad proud, which makes total sense – anybody who is this anal retentive has some kind of daddy issues. This year she’s trying to win him over with some good old fashion laughs, to Brad’s (Damon Wayans Jr.) dismay. Forget about the seemingly lame joke she crafts, can we talk about her full Gallagher? Now that’s comedy! Not Gallager – that guy’s not funny at all. But Jane as Gallager, using a larger than life mallet that rebounds off the table and socks her in the head, now that’s classic. And it gets her dad to laugh. Naturally Brad is his usual adorable self. Even when he steals Jane’s joke, you just can’t be mad at him (plus Jane’s dad is a scary guy. I mean, what is up with parties?)
Meanwhile, Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) are having some issues coming out of the newly renewed love closet. Especially to Alex’s parents, who paid for their non-wedding from the pilot. But I feel like this incident allows us to learn so much about them, including Dave’s love of Canadian strange and Alex’s heart attack-inducing love of all things meat. Seriously that sausage has me wincing, and I love sausage (I’m convinced that that thing could eat me). And, of course, Dave comes in at the end to declare his love for Alex, in a sweet if mildly inappropriate speech. I like how this relationship is progressing; they’re just so cute together! Not to mention how sweet the relationship between Alex and her mother (Julie Hagerty of Airplane! fame aka the funniest movie evah!!!!) is. I wish my mom gave me a buffet strategy. Instead I go in every time like a sucker.
Courtesy of ABC
And then there’s the relationship between Max (Adam Pally), Penny (Casey Wilson) and Pete (Nick Zano), her new BF from last week. Max feels left out, and takes some hard pounding (giggle) from his friends (he is definitely the Roziest, and also has a body like Bea Arthur). Everyone seems to be in a relationship but him and he feels particularly jealous of Penny, because who doesn’t have that single friend that’s always messing up their love life with their crazy antics? Wait, I don’t have a friend like that…ah crap…am I that friend? Anyways, Max decides to get a “new Penny”, Nicole, also known as “crazy ass woman”. Naturally Penny does screw things up eventually; she is Penny after all. But in a sweet twist, Max comes to the rescue and repairs the damage, or should I say, ‘nips’ it in the bud (sad attempt at a pun there). But can we have some more Nicole and Max time please? Crazy + Max = awesomely hilarious!
This is without a doubt the best episode of the season. Everything works here: the jokes, the storylines and the pacing. Throw in some tender and sweet moments and that puts it over the top. I’m not saying I’m always right, but I haven’t been wrong in my assertion that the show works best when they go for the laughs and the sweet moments. Who didn’t love it when Pete came back to Penny? And the look on Jane’s face when her father is laughing? That’s so beautiful, especially considering the huge mark on her forehead (which could probably turn out to be a slight concussion). Those are the moments that make the show great.
And also Brad.
Best lines of the night:
- Dave (referring to Penny’s ex-boyfriend): “Simon was addicted to angel dust? That’s why he was always punching cars. I just thought he was cool.”
- Jane: “Max, you are gonna help me build the perfect joke for my dad. You are my less fit, less handsome, Bruce Vilanch.”
- Mr. Kerkovich (to Jane): “There’s my girl! Looking forward to your heartfelt toast tonight. I could use a nap.”
- Alex (changing the topic when Dave announces that they are getting serious again in front of her mother): “He he..Yeah, he means like how we’re all getting serious again…you know…cause of the wars and the flash mobs and that floating garbage island. Okay, we are post-Katrina guys. In conclusion, let me walk you out my solemn chum.”
- Penny: “Wait! NO! Pete! I’m pregnant. I’m not, but I could be. We could sell it and live off the money.”
- Brad (referring to a sulking Dave): “Why the long face, Michael Phelps?”
What did you guys think? Is this the best episode so far this season? Is the full Gallagher hilarious to you? Are you happy that Penny is still lucky in love? Are you wondering how long it will actually last? Sound off below!
Happy Endings airs Tuesday nights at 9pm EST on ABC