Friends With Benefits--Episode 1.02--The Benefit Of The Mute Button--Review

Second episode and I am still really liking this show! Sorry this review is getting written so late. "The Benefit of the Mute Button" actually aired a week ago last Friday as the second half of the 8:00pm hour of Friends With Benefits on NBC. In this episode, Aaron (Zach Cregger) is ridiculed by Fitz (Andre Holland) for hooking up with someone in their circle of friends. Unbeknownst to Fitz, Sara (Danneel Ackles) and Ben (Ryan Hansen) are hooking up! Aaron keeps that on the DL…But seeing Ben and Sara being awkward to evade what they think of Aaron hooking of with a member of their clique is just another one of the hysterical moments on this show...

As far as Aaron’s “relationship” with Riley (Jessica Lucas) is concerned, Riley is living the life of a bartender, and makes no apologies for it. Aaron seems wants the whole deal--and it doesn't seem likely he will get that from Riley. Fitz tries to get Aaron to consider someone else, but that doesn't go as planned...Sara has decided to put the benefits portion of her friendship with Ben on hold, so that it doesn't interfere with her chances with a good looking gynecologist at the hospital. To Sara, Dr. Matt is "boyfriend material". This actually works out fine for Ben, whose “Teasemanian Devil” is coming over for a visit to the States from Australia, and he’s pretty sure that this time is THE time. Of course the trick is that each of them does in one form or another play into ruining the other person's chances...

I have to admit that the writing and the comedic timing is a lot of fun to watch on this show. I really have really enjoyed Ackles’s performance as the awkward Sara. I can really relate to her character. She’s smart, but every once in a while she will do or say something that makes one say—WHAT??? I really loved the delivery on even simple lines—“You know, I’m thinking that this is a clothing…clothing conversation.” I could see myself saying that…Hansen has a way of even making being alone in a room funny. I loved the scene where he was hurrying around his apartment preparing for Sara to come by.

For a fun half hour comedy, this show is pretty good. It is fast paced, and the characters are likeable and believable. In both episodes I have seen scenarios that I have either dealt with to some extent in my own life, or could completely see myself dealing with. I’m enjoying watching something I don’t read too much into for a change!

Last time I mentioned that the timing seemed off for Sara to have a friend with benefits. This time I would have to say the person is off. Ben and Sara seem to really care about each other. They would seem to have a brotherly/sisterly relationship if it wasn't for the sex...but since they have that, it seems like they really just already have the comfortable relationship where you can talk about anything and still have fun with the person....Which maybe isn't what we think of when we think of LOVE, but maybe it is what love has to become to work...Huh, maybe I am reading into this show...

Let me know what you thought of episode two!