Season 3, Episode 7-9
The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that
this is the most serialized seasons of Cougar
Town so far in the show’s run. Granted, for a show that’s so purposefully
low-key and relaxed, that probably doesn’t mean a whole lot. However, he were
are halfway through the season (remember, there’s only 15 episodes total,
thanks to ABC short-ordering) and it’s clear that everything we see relates to
Jules and Grayson’s wedding, which will serve as the season finale. Using a
wedding as the way to cap off a season is far from the most original idea in t
world, as just about every mainstream comedy manages to do it, provided they
live long enough. However, Cougar Town
is using the tight-knit nature of the Cul De Sac Crew to make the build-up to
the wedding mean something to more than just Jules and Grayson.
In “You Can Still Change Your Mind,” we saw it with
Travis, who is continuing to develop his interest in photography. The show has
sort of played fast and loose with Travis’ interest over the years, especially
considering that the show is more interested in him as Jules’ son than as a
character in his own right. While that’s possibly meant to be a commentary on
their relationship, in practice it doesn’t always work out so well for the
characterization. In that respect, seeing the show stick with a recurring
element for the character is a nice touch. Of course it doesn’t help that as it
was presented in this episode, he was just another douche art student who
doesn’t know what true artistic quality is, and isn’t that funny, har har har,
but at least it’s something.
By contrast, in last week’s episode, “Ways to Be Wicked,”
we finally(?) learn that Laurie is a master cake chef, and has been making them
on the side as something of a hobby. Since this was a heretofore-unknown
talent, this of course means that the show is going to exploit it for a new
plotline, as we saw at the end of “Money Becomes King”. I don’t begrudge the
show for giving Busy Phillips stronger material to play with, nor with telling
a story of a woman’s self-actualization – both are positives that I think will
play out in the long run. However, I think it might have meant more if the show
could have found used a talent that was a little less out of left field for
Laurie, because it would have made the overall journey to this point make more
sense.
Of course, while it’s a positive that these other
characters are getting some play, let’s not forget that weddings are always
about the bride and groom first – because certainly the show sure hasn’t.
However, seeing Jules come to terms with Grayson’s child in “Mind”, and the
both of them struggling over whether to share their money in “Wicked” seems to
indicate that the show is interested in ignoring most of the wedding story clichés
that plague other shows that do a wedding plotline. While so many jokes and
stories have been made out of wedding planning, Cougar Town zags in the other
direction by having the wedding represent the next (and I guess final) step in
Jules and Grayson’s relationship, one that will once again test their compatibility.
I don’t doubt that they’re going to make it through all right, but I respect
the show for using the opportunity to analyze their relationship as a
still-evolving entity, and to do so in a way that’s low-key and histrionics-free.
With Jules and Grayson getting ready to get married,
Travis serving as the photography, and Laurie no doubt to provide the wedding
cake, this of still leaves the other three members of the group – Ellie, Andy,
and Bobby – left without out anything wedding-centric to do – at least so far.
It’s quite possible (in fact, I’m banking on it) that these characters will
have their own little tangential journeys that relate to the wedding in the
next seven episodes, but even if they don’t, the show has done a good job of servicing
them elsewhere. Bobby’s brief dalliance with Angie was a great step forward in
his emotional maturity, and Ellie’s mom visiting provided a great look into why
she’s such an outwardly mean person, even though we know she’s capable of
caring for others. And Andy…well, Andy continues to not have much to do, but
that seems to be something that the show’s not really interested in fixing, so
going on about that would just be an exercise futility.
As the season, and possibly the series, draws to a close
over the next month and a half, it’s interesting to note that there is a
perfect three season arc here about how Jules and Grayson found each other,
fell in love, and got married, despite their similar losses in their forties.
IF the show were to be cancelled in May – and the numbers and ABC’s treatment
of the show suggest that’s a strong possibility – there would at least be
emotional closure in that respect. But the show has also left itself avenues to
explore the other characters further. Laurie and Travis are still in the
process of discovering themselves, and with Bobby maturing and Ellie possibly
gaining more compassion, there are still opportunities galore for the show. So
don’t cancel the show, ABC, because there are some great characters that I am looking
forward to hanging out with and learning more about for years to come.
Quotes and Other Thoughts:
These past three weeks in title cards:
- “Seriously, we spend more time coming up with these title cards than we do writing the show.”
- “Pay attention. The title ‘Cougar Town’ almost makes sense this week!
- “She’s marrying a man her own age, so why is it called Cougar Town?”
“When I get married, I hope I’m just as pregnant as you.”
“Poor little fella was tossed into a second story window.
Never saw him again.”
“It’s the best picture of a severed toe that I have ever
seen. Yeah, can’t stop looking at it.”
“You know, Fleetwood Mac married Stevie Knicks.” “I don’t
think so.” “Well, it’s true.”
“Lady Bellychain, Lord Nosestrip.”
“Why do your lips need your fingers to make them talk?”
“Is it the waitress part that makes it different?”
“When I came in, I found a bum making a sandwich.”
“That’s Gary. Or Dennis. Did he have a bead? Or a huge beard?”
“Simon and airport baggage carriers. Everybody takes
their luggage so easy, and I just end up running laps.”
*******************
“G-Mail, beer me!”
“You’re a thunder stealer.” “That’s my Indian
name.”
“What if I call her a ‘whoopsie’?”
“If you weren’t my therapist, we would so be going
to therapy.”
“That’s a pretty shade. Is it so people on the
moon will know you’re tacky?”
“And I would like to buy this cheeseburger. Oh my
god, now I understand how the economy works.”
“I wish they’re more than one of me – and not just
for the sex stuff.”
“Don’t you laugh at him! Don’t you do it! He’s a
beautiful person!”
“Is this real?” “ As real as the Easter Bunny.”
“I use to get magic and science mixed up. Now I
realize they’re just one and the same.”
“You have a point. You did just buy a catamaran,
and I don’t even know how to sail.”
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