Has Matt Become A Has-Been? Review: Episodes - "Episode 4"

Episodes, S2 E4 – “Episode 4”

Air Date: Sunday, July 22, 2012, 10:30 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

The ludicrousness of Carole (Kathleen Rose Perkins) comforting Merc (John Pankow) while he sits on the toilet stressing over the latest ratings for his network sets the tone of this brilliantly written episode of Episodes, especially when the scene ends with the sound of a single, solitary dump. Way to start the funny from the get go! But what’s a network producer to do when the show he was counting on for big ratings is a failure?

Thoughts and Observations:

“Episode 4” wastes no time mocking and poking fun at almost everything that is holy in Hollywood these days, starting with Facebook fever. Beverly (Tamsin Greig) is stunned by the recent changes in Sean’s (Stephen Mangan) personality and behavior. He has joined Facebook and is online friends with Beverly’s mother. Beverly’s statement, “You and my mother? You’re not real-life friends,” points out just how phony people can be. Facebook allows you to be all things to all kinds of people, even though you don’t like them, or actually know them. Why is it that people feel so comfortable talking to people online who they would never talk to in real life? Is it a way to compensate for what’s lacking in your life – or is it a way to live out one’s fantasies?

Has Matt Become A Has-Been? Review: Episodes - "Episode 4" 1

Carol, Andy and Myra give Beverly and Sean suggestions on how to rewrite the show. I still don’t like the expression on Myra’s face.

Episodes also mocks the processes a network goes through to ensure a hit series. First with Carol, Myra (Daisy Haggard) and Andy (John May) laying out what they want when Beverly and Sean rewrite the show, and then bowing to the almighty gods of ratings and research. I particularly love it when we learn research is responsible for the focus of the show shifting to Stoke (Sam Palladio) because of his hair. Hmm, mock Justin Bieber much, writers? Matt’s (Matt LeBlanc playing himself) response is telling: “Research said ‘Joey’ was going to be a hit.” We all know that didn’t happen, so kudos to Matt for having a sense of humor and allowing his former show to take such a low blow.

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During the table read, both Morning and Matt realize they have practically no lines in the upcoming episode.

Matt and Morning (Mircea Monroe) thumb through the script and realize they have very few lines. Matt gets the shock of his life when he questions Beverly and Sean about it and Beverly blurts out the truth about who’s behind his now smaller role. It’s quite an eye opener for Matt because he thought Merc was his friend. I know how he feels and truly empathize with him. It hurts when the people who you think are friends prove they’re not. They’re only in it for their benefit.

I really like Matt in this role, especially during the scene where he acts outraged at this news. But I don’t think the temper tantrum, if you will, at the end was necessary. It seemed a bit over-acted to me. Perhaps it was kicking the chair and then straightening it that didn’t ring true. It’s a shame because the beginning of Matt’s monologue was definitely on point for a man who’s being cast out in favor of a younger, unknown actor.

I love the girls’ nights Carol and Beverly have each week. They’re usually pretty funny although this one isn’t, for the most part. Carol shows Beverly Sean’s Facebook page and she learns Sean’s relationship status is listed as “It’s complicated.” What a punch to the gut, although it makes Beverly realize that’s exactly what their marriage is—complicated. Although they manage to appear married on set, Beverly better do something fast before she loses Sean altogether. He’s changing right before her eyes.

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Morning explains the inscription on the pen she’s given Sean as a belated birthday present.

While Matt decides to confront Merc about the direction Pucks! is headed, Morning takes a more inventive approach to ensuring her presence in the next episode by presenting Sean with a gift. I’m not sure whether it’s a genius idea or just stupid but either way, it sure did get a chuckle out of me.

Merc doesn’t pull any punches when he asks Matt the simple question, “Do you want to be one of the actors on a show that’s on the air, or the star of something that gets cancelled?” That’s a pretty heavy question and one I suppose many stars have to face in real life as younger stars start moving up. Merc usually handles things by lying but in this instance, I guess he realizes there’s no getting around the truth; sometimes, you just have to face the facts no matter how much they hurt. I don’t think he expects Matt to quit the show but that’s exactly what Matt threatens to do in a drunken phone call to Sean later that night. I love the rip off of Merc’s last name, Lapidus. My drink came snorting out of my nose!

The ridiculousness of Hollywood is again brought to light when Sean and Beverly learn from their former assistant, Andrew (Oliver Kieran-Jones), that he is now writing a screenplay and has the option of directing his next movie. The speed of Andrew’s ascension up the Hollywood ladder is the perfect contrast to how quickly a household name can fall when their current show isn’t succeeding. I feel bad for Matt when he comes to this realization.

Memorable lines:

Sean, reading the inscription on the pen Morning gave him: “Y C O M T?”

Beverly: “You came on my tits!”

Merc, about a colleague’s wife: “I guess I never looked at her face.”

Matt: “That’s because it didn’t have a nipple on it.”

A drunken Matt calls Sean: “I’m quitting the show. I’m calling Merc Lapenis now…La Penis!”

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Sean helps Beverly on the ice skating rink Matt rented for the evening for the cast and crews of Pucks!

Finally! It looks like Sean and Beverly are on their way to reconciling thanks to Matt. He’s a good friend in more ways than one. Let’s just hope nothing gets in their way so they can happily live together forever after.

Tune in to Episodes Sundays at 10:30 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

Check out the show’s homepage at http://www.sho.com/sho/episodes/home. Like Episodes on Facebook, and follow the show on Twitter using hashtag #Episodes. Tweet star Stephen Mangan @StephenMangan.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!