08:00 Rescue 77
09:00 Keen Eddie
10:00 In Plain Sight
11:00 Perfect Strangers
11:30 Joey
Rescue 77. Episode 2. "Career Day" How much you like this episode (and - indeed - the whole series) depends on how much you like the cast. When you tune in you are basically hanging out with these people. This episode is divided evenly between work and play. Scenes of the three characters sitting around shooting the breeze (or playing pranks) are followed by scenes of activity and action as they rush to save lives (fighting aggressive patients or dodging bullets). It's a standard formula. But it really works here. Partly because the mini-stories are good: a Russian woman whose grandfather won't accept medical help and an unhinged boy who turns sniper at his high-school and - later - takes the firestation crew hostage. On paper it all sounds rather trite, on screen it all works rather well.
Keen Eddie. Episode 3. "Keeping Up Appearances" Weakest episode so far. Eddie is left an expensive car (and driver) in an old lady's will. This grants him access to a world of priviledge and snobbery that he never saw before. The problem is: the woman's estranged son keeps stealing the car and trying to sell it to pay off his debts. Some of the comedy falls flat, and the point (about riches and good looks, etc.) is a bit laboured. That said, the ending is powerful. Profound and sad and rather excellent. Makes watching the episode more than worthwhile.
In Plain Sight. Episode 5. "Who Shot Jay Arnstein?" The best Summer show that's not The Closer or Burn Notice contines to shine. When Jay was relocated six months ago he brought his wife and his mistress with him! Now he's been shot and his secrets are all out in the open. It's a good story with lots of great touches. Marshall is becoming my favourite character on the show. His wealth of useless knowledge (which proves vital to the case) and his treatment of the mistress are stand-out moments. I also love the scenes with the sister. As usual the scenes with her are kept short (the way b-plots should be) and her honest compassion for Mary's boyfriend makes her a much more likable character. Great show.
Perfect Strangers. Episode 4. "Baby, You Can Drive My Car" Some of the best physical comedy from the first season occurs on the coffee table as Larry and Balki sit there and Larry teaches Balki to drive.
Joey. Season 2, Episode 20. "Joey and the Actor's Studio" Buried late in the second season of Joey is another pretty good episode. Joey and Alex are on the verge of starting a relationship when she sees him confronted by a roomful of his ex-girlfriends while appearing on Inside The Actor's Studio. Alex is not as good a match for Joey as Sara was in Season One (or Rachel was, on Friends) but it's still nice to see the show taking the character in this direction.
Highlight? Perfect Strangers
Thur, Jul 3, 08 - Rescue 77, Keen Eddie, In Plain Sight, Perfect Strangers, Joey
