(S06E09) "New Larry is keeping the minty breath." - Larry
That was definitely not what I expected from this episode. I was really hoping that Larry and Cheryl would get back together almost immediately and then we were going to get to see Larry "forcing" himself to change in order to please Cheryl. In a way, we sort of did. I loved how whenever he was with Cheryl he was all dressed up. When he wasn't, his usual attire of sneakers and a ratty sweater came back into play. And obviously, his tone and decision making were drastically out of character whenever he was with Cheryl. But the thing I love most about Larry is that as mischievous and conniving as he is -- he's still trying to win back Cheryl because he loves and misses her. I think it's hilarious that the idea of being honest and open with her never enters his mind. Everything has to be a grand gesture backed by an equally self-centered and idiotic plan.
Sway the opinion of your wife's therapist, and win her back. Great plan! Unless the therapist falls for you. I loved when she compared Larry's act of "selfless heroism" to Clint Eastwood and then Larry exited the restaurant to some "walking off into the sunset" Western tune. Hilarious.
So he got his therapist to mug Cheryl's therapist. OK... don't ever see that guy again. What kind of clinically certified doctor would ever agree to help out in that way? Here's what I loved about him though. When Larry's therapist finally got out of jail and felt guilty, he needed to see someone too. Now if his plan was full disclosure from the beginning, why would he go to the one person that he mugged? He took the mask off, so he would have recognized her and she would have recognized him... right?
That's the one thing I didn't like. I'm willing to buy into all the other ridiculous things that Larry's therapist did, but that final decision was hurt by that fact that its only purpose was to aid in the pay-off at the end of the episode. It would have been equally funny, and made much more sense, for Cheryl's therapist t figure it out on her own. When Larry met with her a second time, Funkhauser could have shown up again to debunk Larry's Alzheimer's claim. Same result. She would have doubted Larry, looked into it, and still called at the the worst moment possible -- the ferris wheel ride. The whole thing just didn't feel natural and that's been my complaint with a lot of things this season. Too much stuff hasn't just happened organically as it has in seasons past.
OK, that was my only gripe with this episode. Everything else was great.
-
I loved how Jeff actually had his head shaved! Last week, I really thought he just had one of those bald head wigs on. He actually buzzed it all though.
-
Funkhauser sitting during the walk-a-thon was great too. Why even bother showing up?
-
When Larry saw his therapist in jail and said you should always have cards, I was really hoping he'd pull a deck out of his pocket and then refuse to give them to the therapist on the grounds that he might need them later.
-
Leon is still the best thing about this season. Every scene he's in is hilarious. ("For this to be legit, somebody gotta get f*cked up Larry.")
So in next week's season finale ("The Bat Mitzvah"), it all comes together. Will Cheryl actually forgive Larry and come back home? I'm thinking yes. The show never really ends a season with a true "I can't wait to find out" cliffhanger and Larry and Cheryl not together would definitely qualify as one. At the same time, I still think it'd be hilarious if she did end up with someone else. Leon, anyone?
Five other TV shows where Sarah Palin should appear
Brought To You By ... - VIDEOS
Giveaway Monday: How I Met Your Mother season three DVD
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-05-2007 @ 10:11AM
Mel said...
What a strange and inscrutable episode this was. It didn't have much of the build the series had previously.
Its hijinks seemed like something out of a traditional sitcom rather than something so essentially meta like CYE. I almost expected a laugh track.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 10:17AM
Derek said...
@jonathan - I think you might be over-analyzing the show a bit too much. I know you're meant to be reviewing it, but dude..... you gotta sit back and chill and enjoy the show for what it is - probably the best comedy show on TV at the moment. At the end of every episode I just take a metaphorical step back and wonder how he can come up with these storylines that are just amazing. With every episode that I see, I can't help feeling sad that it's one less in the season to go. I know he can't churn out 24 episodes a year like they did on Seinfeld, and what he said was the thing he didn't like about his Seinfeld times. Plus, if he did churn out 24, they wouldn't be to this standard.
What I loved most about this episode was that it was so different to the others. For a lot of it, things were really coming together for him. All his little lies and schemes were all working out and it really seemed like he'd pulled it all off. It was only until you heard (but didn't initially see) Steve Coogan clearly talking to a therapist that you knew what was coming.
A masterpiece as usual. It amazes me this show doesn't win the Golden Globe and Emmy every year. The only thing that makes the downtime (when the show isn't on) more bearable is having all the Seinfeld and Curb episodes available for an "LD" fix :)
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 10:27AM
MacGuffin said...
Good episode. I loved how the "new" Larry was forced to not be the usual jerk he really is when he was out with Cheryl being the "new" Larry. You could see how painful it really is for "Larry.
The season finale should be great, as they always are with a great payoff for the season's arc of the Blacks and Cheryl leaving Larry.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 10:46AM
Benoa said...
Ok, so I think this is in my season top 3 so far. What Larry did felt like what Georges Costanza (it's ok, I know the connection between LD&GC) would have done in a good Seinfeld episode. I loved the idea of Cherryl's therapist falling in love with Larry. Too bad next week is the finale.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 10:49AM
Jackie said...
Larry fighting the mugger was sooooo funny. He barely tackled Bright and then they just flopped around. His therapist was right. He does have a high pussy quotient. Leon was only too enthusiastic to go along with the idea and beat Larry's ass. Even Jeff got on board with the plan. I can't believe 4 smart people though this was a good idea. I guess that's why it was so funny. Larry lying about having Alzheimers was inspired. He got the therapist off his back and Bright out of jail. Genius!
The whole bit with Marty Funkhauser interrupting Larry and Cheryl's meal was priceless. What kind of douche hits someone one for charity money by interrupting a reconciliation dinner? Then he has the nerve to not walk. Amazing stuff!.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 11:53AM
Bob Andelman said...
You might enjoy this audio interview with Cheryl Hines: http://www.mrmedia.com/2007/10/cheryl-hines-001-curb-your-enthusiasm.html .
Thanks! Bob
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 12:31PM
SJ said...
The NY Post is reporting that Larry is ready for 2 more seasons. Given how good this season has been, I say bring it on!
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 12:40PM
Ken said...
You didn't mention the funniest thing in the episode...the way Larry's therapist was walking when he emerged from prison.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 2:54PM
Jonathan Morrell said...
I don't think they'll be getting back together, personally. I mean Larry and his wife are split in real life now, that's why he chose to do this whole story arc. I mean it's possible he gets back with her in the show as the show isn't a truthful retelling of his daily events, but I personally think that's not going to happen.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 3:52PM
John Howard said...
I thought the episode was good, but I really don't buy Cheryl being the kind of person who would do exactly what her therapist says without any thought of her own. I don't really see Larry doing it either, but in that particular situation, I can allow for it since he was trying not to be himself.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 4:03PM
Willy said...
Loved the show. Leon's insistence at fucking Larry up was priceless.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 9:22PM
Tele-Toby said...
Maybe Bright never realized Dr. Slavin was his "mugging" victim because he wasn't wearing glasses when he attacked her. He did seem clumsy and having trouble focusing in the lead-up to the attack.
Reply
11-05-2007 @ 9:23PM
Brian Boru said...
Series 6 has been great & it is not possible to have classics every week. Hope to see a few more series - Single Larry has lots of potential.
Trivia: The therapist was played by Steve Coogan one of the top British comic actors. He is most famous for creating characters for tv shows particularly his spoof chat show host Alan Partridge.
Reply
11-06-2007 @ 10:07AM
Cody said...
I don't think Cheryl and Larry will end up together. It would be too strange to have a storyline that imitates his real life split with his wife, only to have them get back together again. I think the whole story line is incredible, how she just kinda decided to leave him out of nowhere and started dating other people and stealing all his friends. Larry David is truly a comedic genius.
Reply
11-06-2007 @ 4:55PM
stephen said...
Another gem! only larry could think this shit up , leon steals every scene actually the whole black family is great. i was thinking that larry was going to tell funkhauser that he wanted his pledge back since he didt walk and most of all they choose cheryl!! the old larry is dead!!! gotta love the old larry
Reply
11-06-2007 @ 9:41PM
wanda said...
i just watched the episode when Larry was trying to describe a conversation he over heard in the bathroom and repeat it to anybody that would listen: about someone else using the 'n' word. Everytime he tried to relay the overheard conversation, an African American would walk in the room when he got to the 'n' word and it would get started!!! I'm African American and it was so funny. i could see how the script was done to show how people can come in on the 'tail end" of things and take them out of context. I laughed until my sides hurt!
Larry David reminds me show much of Woody Allen and i love WOODY ALLEN in his own movies. I love this show, the man is a nut! I hope the writers don't get stuck and boring. I also liked the show about Broadway, that was hilarious!
Please keep up the good work, the diversity in the show is just great!!!!!
Reply
11-08-2007 @ 2:36PM
Verbal said...
I'm looking at this differently. I'm thinking that Larry's therapist was pissed at Larry since Larry was the reason he was in jail and he didn't seem to overly help him get out. Only when it was convenient for him. I think the therapist, to get back at Larry, went to Cheryl's therapist and told her everything. I don't think it was coincidental. I think it was deliberate.
But as in any great comedy, it has to be ambiguous.
Reply
11-11-2007 @ 11:25PM
sal said...
i'd like to see the seinfeld cast on CYE. (Jerry,George,Kramer Elaine ,and Newman. (yeah)
Reply
11-12-2007 @ 7:47AM
DeDe said...
I love Larry and CYE and as a African American woman I am loving CYE even more this season. Larry will u marry me!?
Reply
11-28-2007 @ 1:54PM
P. Glasper said...
I thought the last two episodes were way too funny. I must admit I look at them over and over again. The Therapist and his expressions were so comical, especially when he tried to explain how 'you get the face you deserve.' And Larry wiggling his behind because of the itch in the last episode. But he and Loretta ending up together was a total surprise to me. If they do another season it would be interesting to see Cheryl try to get her husband back, which we all know he'd go back, but with Loretta cussing Susie out and the look on her face..because Cheryl never defended Larry. It would be very interesting and funny.
Reply