The Slap Maxwell Story 1.12

Career Achievement Award. Some great scenes here: Slap’s self-created fate looms heavily over the first two-thirds of the episode. Brian Smiar, Megan Gallagher and Susan Anspach get some great scenes. 9/10

The Slap Maxwell Story 1.11

A slow-moving, but engrossing episode with a very strong finish when Slap and his ex-wife talk about their life together. Slap’s inability to crush his son’s dream is possibly the nicest side of him we have ever seen. 9/10

The Slap Maxwell Story 1.10

Reunion. First half is unremarkable, but the story soon develops in an unexpected direction and is very sad by the end. Great performances from Megan Gallagher and Dabney Coleman. 10/10

The Slap Maxwell Story 1.9

The Big Story. Even more than usual, Slap really comes off like an arrogant jerk in this one. But it is so well told and performed that we cannot help but care anyway.

Brave nonetheless, having an episode built around a character with no redeeming qualities. 9/10

The Slap Maxwell Story 1.8

Lawrence Tierney. For once, Slap has a genuine ‘bad guy’ to rail agasint. But that storyline is resolved off camera, because what’s important here is character. And there’s a wonderful melancholy in the final third that you won’t find on any other show. 9/10

The Slap Maxwell Story 1.7

Sick Dog. The highlight here is Dabney Coleman's performance in a beautifully written monologue about a dog he knew once upon a time. But, even before we get that far, this is a great episode. Full of banter between Slap and Judy, and nice character writing for both of them (with Judy really taking stock of her life). The key scene, where Slap (apparently) opens up to console Charlie is a real treat. Worth watching, and then rewinding for another watch. And when the dust has settled we still have no idea who Slap really is. 10/10