06.00 My Boys
09.30 The Listener
My Boys. Season 3, Episode 3. "The Boyfriend Hat" PJ gets her own column, but is it because she is hot? Andy advises Bobby on being a good boyfriend. Mike and Kenny realise that they are treated better in a new club, when they are with Brendan.
Lots of funny scenes, and a typically enjoyable episode, but it lacks focus. It lacks a central engine to drive the episode. The did-PJ-get-the-job-because-she's-hot? storyline is surprisingly awkward and lacking in insight. Doing pretty much the same story with Brendan is a stroke of genius, however, and leads to some very funny (and oddly surreal) moments.
Andy, as ever, steals the episode with his one-liners and advice to Bobby. Advice which, as anyone who has read "Men Are From Mars..." will tell you, is actually pretty damn good. Way to go, Andy!!!
However, since the episode is called "The Boyfriend Hat" I was expecting more of this Andy/Bobby stuff, than two/three scenes. Almost as if this was two or three scripts combined into one episode. Too many strong ideas, not enough time to develop them all.
The Listener. Episode 9. "Inside the Man" Did a teenage boy murder his own parents, or was it the home invaders he let into the house?
Not quite as superb as Episode 8, but not flawed like the early episodes, this is a solid and very enjoyable outing. The twist that the kid has more than one personality is predictable, but well handled.
For the second week in a row, the show excels in giving all four regulars an abundance of good scenes and Olivia gets a really good subplot for the second week in a row.
Even better, the show seems to have gotten a complete handle on Toby's powers and has figured out a way to show/use them that is interesting, cool and logical.
Detective Marks has completely changed her views on Toby and uses him like a valued partner in this one. Their mutual trust/reliance is a key element in the enjoyment of this episode.
I really like Olivia, too. And her sister. And that whole storyline (which had nothing to do with Toby or his powers) was good fun. The show seems to be evolving into something that has four great regular characters and a way of telling low-key, ordinary stories in an honest, amusing way that avoids cliché and false conflict. Not bad.
Highlight? The Listener (great ensemble)
Yet Another TV Review Podcast
Yet Another TV Review Book
Yet Another Film Review Blog
A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
Fri, May 1, 09 - My Boys, The Listener
