Courtesy of CBS
This week we get treated to another “campaign of the week” as the group rallies to come up with an brilliant idea at the last minute. This is starting to feel overly familiar. Meanwhile Andrew (Hamish Linklater) and Zach (James Wolk) are both dating and Sidney (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is planning a ladies only vacation (insert a bunch of lame lesbian jokes).
Let’s bitch…
When Sidney is about to leave for a vacation, the team learns that one of their clients has decided to move up an important meeting and they need a pitch within 24hrs. The race is on. Unfortunately this is the same set-up as the past three weeks where the team needs to come up with a brilliant idea, they struggle, and finally Simon (Robin Williams) – with the help of Sidney – comes up with the save. While I don’t mind when shows recycle the same formula every week (hello every procedural/doctor show) the problem here is that unlike a crime investigation, the process is much less interesting. I enjoy seeing the creative process but three weeks in I expect more. Maybe it’s time to add in more character development, or branch out little?
Take Andrew and Zach: this week, they’re both dating women, yet we only get information on Andrew’s girlfriend and all of it through 3rd party heresay. Couldn’t afford an actress to play the part? As for Zach, well at least we get to meet his girlfriend. Of course it’s during the last 5 minutes of the show and other than the fact that she talks a lot we don’t get anything else. But then again Zach is becoming pretty one dimensional.
The good thing is – yes, there is a bright side – the dialogue has really tightened up and there is a great flow to the show. The dialogue has a great animated quality, it almost feels like watching an episode of the Gilmore Girls, minus the never ending pop culture references. Don’t get me wrong: no one is competing against Lauren Graham, but there is a wonderful energy to the show and I find myself laughing more and more. Part of this is Williams, who is getting better and better at finding a good balance between his character’s temperament and his own manic “off the top of his head” persona.
Courtesy of CBS
The most interesting thing this week is the kiss between Andrew and Sidney. While talking Andrew out of his relationship with Nancy Cardigan (I see what they did there) she tells him that he deserves someone who likes him for who he is, because he is a great guy. It’s totally a Bridget Jones moment, so naturally Andrew goes in for the kiss. Unfortunately Sidney pulls away..after a moment’s hesitation. I am not sure if they are testing the waters on these two, but I, for one, definitely think it should happen. Mostly because we need something other than these campaigns of the week to focus on. Am I right?
Other observations:
- The whole “ladies only” vacation is the weakest part of the night. Sidney is a smart woman and for her not to clue-in feels forced. But the biggest issue here is that it involves some seriously lazy comedy writing. None of the lesbian jokes are original or funny. It seems more like jokes that belong on a bad sitcom from the 90s. My opinion is that if you don’t have any gay characters on your show you probably shouldn’t make any or as many gay jokes, especially if they are recycled from 1996. Maybe this is their incentive to add more diversity to the show?
- Thus far, The Crazy Ones feels a little too insular. Can we branch out a little, maybe have more scenes outside the office? Maybe see these characters outside in their natural habitats? Maybe have some guest appearances? Just give me something.
What did you folks think? Are you enjoying the zippy dialogue? Are you getting tired of the campaign of the week formula? Are you rooting for Andrew and Sidney or is this another George and Izzy? Sound off below.
The Crazy Ones airs Thursday nights at 9pm on CBS