5.07 - "And the Coming Out Party"
Directed by Michael Patrick King
Written by Liz Feldman
Reviewed by Gavin Hetherington
While I did enjoy last week's episode, I was a little disappointed thinking it was the 100th episode. It didn't feel like a 100th episode. But, fortunately, it wasn't technically the 100th - only the 100th aired by CBS' schedule - so THIS was the 100th episode! This one had more of a focus on Caroline, while Max had more of the focus in the last episode, so I guess it was good flipping between the two. I wouldn't have said this 100th episode was perfect, but it was still good, and there were moments that were very funny - with quite a few standouts. Having said that, I realise there aren't as many favourite quotes this week as there were last week.
The main storyline in this episode was that Caroline's grandmother - Astrid - has woken up after a 4-year coma, meaning she has no idea of the scandal that's left the entire family broke. I loved this kind of storyline, as it meant it was up to Caroline to sort of diffuse that secret, and the whole idea of the luncheon was gold. The entire luncheon scene was priceless, from Max a.k.a. Maria wearing the maid outfit, to Sophie coming in pretending to be British, to Caroline's heartwarming revelation that her friends are not "the help", and she is one of them. That girl may love her luxuries but she knows where her heart is. Sophie's British accent was hilarious, though sometimes I get offended when American shows make fun of the accent - we don't all sound like that, you know! But I guess it's just the stereotype, and I still loved it. She still managed to be the best laugh of the episode.
I really did not expect Astrid to die by the end of the episode, or at least not in the way she did. It's quite funny but quite shocking in the way it happened, poor Caroline. And it really was a shame that she had no money to leave her - this would have been the perfect, monumental episode to have the girls at least get something big. That was a bit of a missed opportunity there. The butler, Bernard, was quite funny too in his weird way. I liked the interactions at the diner with Oleg and Han, especially about getting the raise for his drug money for his child. Earl wasn't too involved, but I enjoyed his bits at the luncheon. It was still all about Max and Caroline, and the way Caroline would boss Max around, and Max saying that would be the only time, but then do something else for her, was funny. It was nice how she covered for Caroline, saying she tried to throw the best luncheon she could. And the actress who played Astrid was wonderful, I would have liked to have seen more of her.
EPISODE VERDICT
All in all, a good, funny episode, though still not a truly remarkable episode I pictured for the 100th. There was still plenty of good to come from this, and it was nice to explore more of the characters' families.
New Total: $140.00 (no change from $140.00, though for some reason the total started as $174.00, which was the same as last week's before it went down to 140, so that might be an error.)
FAVOURITE QUOTES
Max: Relax, you probably just sleep-watched them. And you probably also sleep-ordered 28 boxes of tampons on Amazon.
Han: You hacked into my accounts? That's illegal! And beyond what I thought you were intellectually capable of.
Caroline: There is no excuse for that!
Bernard: She's been in a coma.
Caroline: Okay there's one excuse for that.
Han: Well I've come up with a password that none of you will guess.
Max: Han-nah Montana?
Sophie: Oleg, what happened? Did you ask the little Korean girl for a raise?
Bernard: And is this your same-sex partner?
Max: I will be if it gets me in the will.
Bernard: A sort of 'coming out' party.
Max: Isn't that more your turf?
Max: Oh I just thought that's how British people fart.
Oleg: Boner Appétit!
Astrid: Maria, look alive!
Max: You're one to talk.
Sophie: Darling!
Sophie: This creme brûlée is divine. Don't mind if I don't mind.
Sophie: Excuse me, could you direct me to your.... Jonathan?
Caroline: See... I'm a waitress.
Han: That's debatable.
What did you guys think of 'And the Coming Out Party'? Let me know in the comments and be sure to watch the next new episode, January 20th on CBS!