(S02E13) This show is good again. It's been building and building with great episodes the past two weeks, and if it's possible after last week's stellar installment, this one was even better.
Way back last spring when I first reviewed the pilot episode, I had this to say about What About Brian:
"This show has got it. Whatever it is. It's got the quirkiness of Ed along with the "at the end of the day it seems like everyone just wants to get laid" mentality of Grey's. Plus it's funny. That sounds like something that should work... right?"
Well, the show lost "it" for a while and it wasn't working. Now, If you ask me, What About Brian is poised to be the hit that I always hoped it would become. Now if only ABC has the sense to move it out of the Mondays at 10:00 PM time-slot.
Once again, and I know I sound like a broken record, but the writers and producers really need to be commended for the way they've handled Brian's relationship with Briget and the return of Marjorie. This could have really been screwed up if you think about it, but the path taken still allows for plenty of tension and unanswered questions.
Without feeling corny, I think the episode taking place at "the lake house" was a good choice and it gave us an opportunity to see how everyone interacts. We never see the group together all that often and it's funny how much of a clique they really are. We all knew the sh*t was going to hit the fan between Adam and Heather, but I figured it wouldn't be for at least 2 or 3 more episodes. Not the case but I'm fine with that. The showdown between then while everyone else watched through a window was a great scene, mixing sadness with humor very well. I'm definitely finding myself attached to these characters now.
As far as Marjorie and Adam spending the night together? When it first happened, I was screaming at my TV. If those two get back together, then it's over. Again, not the case because Adam said no way the following morning. This is smart because it gives Marjorie the whole season to dwell on Adam and confide to Brian about it. Which gets us back to the relationship the whole show is based on: Brian and Marjorie. My prediction is that will play a big role near the end of the season as it did in last year's short first outing.
Elsewhere, the rest of the show is moving along well. I'm glad we finally got a decision on the surgery with Dave and Deena. It was great to finally get a full episode with Jimmy and Ivy too. Having those two around isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as it happens with some regularity. Having them pop in and out infrequently doesn't help at all.
We're approaching new territory with Brian and Briget too. Once they move in together, it'll be a side of his character we haven't seen before. Of course, this could all change now that they're both unemployed. Turns out Brian's father is wanted by the IRS and he fled the country with all the company's assets. Who knows what will happen there. I'm excited though. I think ABC may have another hit on their hands if this keeps up.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-30-2007 @ 1:04PM
JW said...
I think Marjorie is gone...she told Deena she needed to be by herself for awile, and Sarah Lancaster is no longer listed in the ABC press release as a star of the show effective with the next episode. I don't expect to see her in the opening credits next week.
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1-30-2007 @ 1:04PM
MacGuffin said...
I like the show. I never watched the first season, because it sounded like a show about a wimpy metrosexual with a jones for some girl he couldn't have.
But I caught a few episodes with Krista Allen who really steamed things up and now I am watching the show.
It's basically a big soap opera and it is a pretty good one. I'm glad that Adam went for a clean slate and dumped both girls. I also would like to see Dave hang out with the sandwich girl. I think that is an interesting story arc.
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1-30-2007 @ 1:04PM
gail said...
i am listening to it now and did i just hear "thats white man's music"?!
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1-30-2007 @ 2:05PM
gail said...
everytime is see this show i want to check and see who writes this show
i just think i heard "this is white man's music"
how juvenile are these writers?
i know they are men writing their fantasies about women
are there any women writers on this show?
maybe recently because marjorie seems to be better written lately
i used to laugh how they had her behaving before
and she was a pediatrician
i watch, but consider this show just juvenile fluff
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1-30-2007 @ 2:06PM
Hannah said...
Yeah, I'm not too confident Marjorie is going to play such a big role in this show anymore. Which is really weird considering it seemed at the outset that the brian-marjorie relationship was the crux of the whole show. Personally, I really liked the dynamic between B &M. The B&M story line showed no signs of life. Bridget and Brian's relationship is progressing. But perhaps brian hesitated a little before saying he loved her? I think the ratings for this show are pretty horrible--i think the network hopes to bolster the ratings by bringing some more eye candy on. But really, they need to improve the writing and also get some direction. I don't think they know where the story is going.
I hope B&M are still alive! It will be interesting to see how it gets played out. Hopefully it won't be too cliche or hackneyed!
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1-30-2007 @ 2:06PM
TedSez said...
Of course Adam could let go of both Marjorie and Heather in this episode, because in this show there's always another incredibly gorgeous woman right around the corner.
Of course, the beautiful women are the only reason I watch. It's not for the stories, which are all about a group of people who remain close friends despite the fact that in real life most of them would hate each other.
No? Brian broke up Adam's wedding by making a play for the bride. Dave ruined Brian's dream business by sleeping with, then dumping, their nutso supervisor, who then made sure their video game wasn't purchased by her company and never would be by anybody else. Deena and Dave still spend time together happily despite the fact that she ruined their marriage by deciding, after many years and many children, that she really wanted to sleep around. Bridget and Brian are a happy couple despite the fact that she had an affair with his father. Oh, and Marjorie, who broke Adam's heart by not showing up for their wedding, came back just in time to ruin his rebound marriage to Heather. And now she'll be leaving again just in time to not help Dave and Deena deal with their deaf daughter. D'oh!
Still, these are really hot women. So, whatever.
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1-30-2007 @ 2:06PM
Cathy said...
I really liked Marjorie from the beginning, but Heather has won me over. I wish she could stay on the show. From the preview for next week I can see that Stacy Keibler is going to be on the show. I don't think that's going to be believable. I want to see more of Heather.
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1-30-2007 @ 5:49PM
M. Reddick said...
Error! Error! Heather served to humanize Adam. I did not like him as a character until the two of them met and matched up. They had great chemistry. I never felt that he had that with Marjorie. Actually, the storyline that I find the most interesting is the Dave and Deena tale--as they are the individuals with the most to lose. The other couples face emotional risks, but lose little if they fail. Dena blew up her family for the sake of a dalliance. This is not standard television fare, and is worthy of greater exploration. Jimmy and Ivy remain an untold tale. I am waiting for their fuller participation in the show. I would also like to see more of the "Sandwich Girl." Right now she seems to be an after thought.
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1-31-2007 @ 8:51AM
GrumpyOldMan said...
Adam is leaving his wife Heather...because it doesn't feel right?
Sad commentary on how some view marriage as disposable.
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1-31-2007 @ 6:42PM
gail said...
thank you tedsez for your comments-this helps me undertand the writing and story lines on this show
thats what guys and the producers are concerned with-eye candy and strippers and they think women are interested in ??? cupcakes, and pregnancies???
i also agree with the comment about not liking adam before heather, now i like him
but am glad he slept with M and hope he gets rid of H
it was ridiculous s/l-being married to a stripper he barely (pardon the pun)knew-why not just sleep with her? why did he have to pull a brit spears and marry her in vegas
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1-31-2007 @ 6:42PM
marie said...
Does anyone know if the lake house is in Big Bear, and if so, I wonder if a place like that can be rented for a vacation. Please respond to email...Mariefla@aol.com
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1-31-2007 @ 7:42PM
Kat said...
I found the show to be very sad Monday night. The way they viewed marriage was terrible. Ivy made some comment that Heather should have called? She is his wife!!! Two weeks ago on the eposide where Heather quit her job, Adam told her this was forever. Now he made a mistake? Showing marriage as this disposable is awful. Marjorie had been a nice person torn between two people and they turned her into a tramp by having her sleep with Adam. I agree with someone's comment above that Heather made Adam likeable. I never liked him before Heather either, but they were the main reason I was coming back lately. May have to give up on this one. They should bring Heather back.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:16AM
Jamie said...
What was the old CD the group was listening to in the "What About the Lake House?" episode?
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2-01-2007 @ 2:40PM
gail said...
as for their take on marriage, don't forget these are hollywood men writing this show!
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2-03-2007 @ 10:38AM
becky said...
I was also upset how everyone viewed marriage like it didn't mean anything. I liked Adam w/ Heather and was hoping for them to make it work. I was glad went Bridget went off on the gang. I love this show though and hope that more people start watching.
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2-04-2007 @ 10:21AM
suzie said...
I don't know what the old CD you are referring to, but the song playing when Margorie went off with Adam was "Forgiven" by a singer naemd Michael Lord (http://www.michaellord.com).
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2-07-2007 @ 9:45AM
Jeanne said...
I absolutley love this show. I started watching because of Matthew Davis. I fell in love with him ii Legally Blonde. I find I can not miss this show. AND I get very pissed when it is pre-empted with something else. I think (and hope to God) this show is here to stay!! I love everthing about it!! I am not a kid...I am a 51 year old woman and this is real life that these kids are living......
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2-09-2007 @ 2:09PM
Beverly said...
I'm hooked on this show and hope it's around for a while. I don't know anyone who watches this show. Everyone I mention it to looks at me confused and says they have never heard of it so I was glad to find this website and to be able to talk to people about it. People dread Monday's...well I love them because I can't wait to watch the show! I have always liked Adam's character, but since he has been with Heather, he is more adventerous. With Marjorie he was more serious and I was ok with that too. The Brian, Adam and Marjorie saga is great. Deena and Dave are dealing with a true family situation and it shows that couples who don't get along can still make decisions together especially for their children.
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2-13-2007 @ 12:12PM
tm said...
Does anyone know if Sarah Lancaster is off the show for good? She wasn't in the opening credits last night.
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2-13-2007 @ 1:14PM
tm said...
Does anyone know if Sarah Lancaster has left the show for good? she wasn't in the opening credits last night. :(
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