Once again, I've let myself get way behind on posts. Parks and Rec took a week off for a new comedy, 1600 Penn, so I'm stuffing two weeks together.
30 Rock
"Game Over"
Guest stars galore! The return of Will Arnett, Chloe Moretz, Steve Buscemi, and Megan Mullally with new guest star Oscar winner Octavia Spencer. I love whenever Moretz is on the show because she's a great actress, but even more so I love the idea of Jack's nemesis being a 15 year old girl. This being the final season, we need resolution, so Jack is finally able to beat her and become the new CEO of Kabletown. He even got to take down his old nemesis again in the process. On other fronts, Tracey has to try to handle a Tracey personality, and Octavia Spencer plays the hell out of that. Liz and Criss are getting closer and closer to adopting a child, and I think it's great that a show that plays loose with continuity can bring back a plot from season three and make it work. Just another sign of things coming to a close, if Liz adopted a baby in season three, it would upset the balance of the show, but now that things are ending, things can change.
"Florida"
Jack's mom as a fun-loving lesbian in her older age is just classic 30 Rock. The trip to Florida led to some great stuff between Liz and Jack which had been missing the past few episodes. The addressing of the why they never got together was aptly handled, especially in the way it reflected Liz's concern that she had lived her life too safe. Hooking up with Jack would have been a mistake, but was it the kind of mistake she should have been making to live life to the fullest. Jack realizing his mother's final words may not have been sarcastic was simultaneously a blow to everything he knows and yet still heartwarming, very well played by Alec Baldwin. Meanwhile, back at the office Jenna and Tracey are in charge and all the hilarity that you would think would ensue, does. The montage of people slapping Kenneth was particularly hilarious. Also, Tim Meadows needs to do more stuff.
The Office
"Lice"
A sub-par episode of The Office. Not bad like last season, just not nearly up to snuff with what they've been doing lately. The only part that really made me laugh was Kevin putting the bubble wrap in the crushing machine and his ability to quickly get back to his seat to not get caught. The whole lice thing could have gone down much better if it wasn't some secret Pam was keeping. Pam's kid had Lice, she accidentally brought it into the office and they had to deal with it sounds like a solid plot, no need to add the Meredith takes the fall part. At least not past an initial joke about how unclean she is. I also feel it past the point of ridiculousness when Dwight bug bombed himself. Jim's great day with Dr. J was a nice juxtaposition, but ultimately slight.
"Suit Warehouse"
An up and down episode. I liked all of the pieces in part, but only one in the whole, the Darryl, Jim, and Pam story. Jim and Darryl are moving forward with their lives, finally doing something that they enjoy. Now Pam isn't being stagnate, but it's starting to dawn on her that Jim start up may be going to real places and that they may be moving to Philadelphia soon. I was enjoying the espresso plot until they started ripping up the carpet. It was a nice way to get the full ensemble involved and to give the actors fun things to play. The Dwight and Clark team up didn't work out so well. The way Dwight kept changing his story makes the customer look like a total idiot for going along with it all. Things were saved in the end when Clark had to step in to make the sale, a nice role reversal.
Parks and Recreation
"Two Parties"
Simply one of the best episodes that one of the best comedies on TV has ever done. Truly spectacular. Everything that had to do with the bachelor party and the various forms it took for each man was pitch perfect. THe nerdy board games for Ben, the weird alcohol for Tom, the laid back fun for Jerry, the pure joy of playing with the Colts for Andy, and, of course, a steak dinner for Ron Effing Swanson. Even a Newt Gingrich cameo is handled with aplomb. Andy rambling on about April and Chris' fake relationship had me in stitches the entire time. The Leslie side of the episode was not as amazing, but still great. Ken Hotate's ability to evoke white guilt knows no equal, and is always fun to watch. Leslie's idea to save the park was a bad one, and I'm glad they had her realized that right away. The visual gag of the blurred penis hats being used to dig for the artifacts was a nice touch. In the end they still bested Jamm so the hope for the park moves forward.
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