(S02E05) Hmm...something was off about this episode of Pushing Daisies for me. Maybe it was the emphasis on Emerson, a character I like, but not my favorite, but this show really only hooked me with Ned's story.
Between the Chinese dumplings and the fruit pies, I was having major munchies. I'm kicking myself for not having ordered steamed dumplings with my Happy Family combination dish earlier this evening. I also loved Ned's line in the opening narration about investing in a pie shop when "...Carbohydrates had fallen completely out of fashion." How true!
Stephen Root's appearance as Dwight Dixon, a friend of Ned's parents, opened a world of possibilities. At one point, I thought he might be the pie-maker's father, but the last scene seems to dispel that notion. What's with the pistol on the front seat?
Chuck and Olive are becoming a terrific dynamic duo. I find myself wanting to see the together more and more. When they donned the red silk Chinese dresses and befanned head gear, I had flashes of Charlie's Angels -- only with two angels, not three. The setting also reminded me of Thoroughly Modern Millie, only Olive didn't break out into any Julie Andrews' songs. How did they miss that opportunity?
Once again, the murder mystery seemed pretty perfunctory, as was the figuring out whodunit. The dim sum dishes covering a poker game was clever, if cumbersome. Did you have to eat the hands you were dealt? If so, were you rolled out the door after a couple of hands and a few dozen dumplings? I know, I know, I shouldn't get hung up on the details.
Ned's meeting with his half-brothers, twins Ralston and Maurice, made the show for me. Previews of next week reveal that Ned's going to get to know the illusionist pair, so perhaps the mystery of where Dad is should be uncovered soon, too.
I'm not sure if creator Bryan Fuller has plans to progress the story this quickly, but if I had his ear, that's what I would recommend. With the ratings being what they've been, and by that I mean they're not very good, I want more character stories from Pushing Daisies and less crimes and cases.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-30-2008 @ 8:40AM
Ryan said...
So not sure about you, but my friends and I LOVED this episode. And we all didn't watch it together so it's not like we all just copied one another's opinions.
We all just loved the episode. Loved seeing the gang work together. One of the best episodes of the season for us.
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10-30-2008 @ 9:37AM
KateGee said...
I think Ned's Dad has been on the run from the Stephen Root character. That's why he left Ned and then his other sons.
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10-30-2008 @ 5:18PM
Jennifer said...
Wow! I think you nailed it!
10-30-2008 @ 9:59AM
Adrienne said...
I LOVED this episode. You missed so many great moments. I loved the whole Ocean's 11 feel of the casino / Chinese restaurant scenes. Emerson and Ned's disguises were hilarious and awesome, and we got to meet Ned's two half brothers, which make a whole. :)
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10-30-2008 @ 10:20AM
Leah said...
I loved the scene when Ned introduced himself to his brothers and they just stepped out the door and hugged him. They obviously knew about him their whole lives.
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10-30-2008 @ 12:32PM
segsig said...
Damn, I like this show! Why can't it do well? This is so not good news (from zap2it)...
"The Obama ad, which aired on CBS, FOX and NBC at 8 p.m., drew a combined 26 million-plus viewers. FOX won the hour as the ad and the resumption of World Series Game 5 averaged 6.8/11. CBS scored a 5.3/8 with Obama and "Old Christine," finishing in a virtual tie with NBC, which followed the ad with "Deal or No Deal." ABC's "Pushing Daisies" was fourth at 4.0/6, only slightly better than its season average thus far. "
I watched the commercial online and it was great and important, but for three networks to beat Daisies with the same commercial - geesh!
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10-30-2008 @ 12:58PM
Dan Chichian said...
When Olive and Chuck were under cover I kept expecting her to sing the little maids song from the Mikado. Granted it would only be two little maids and not three.....
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10-30-2008 @ 12:58PM
Mike K. said...
I kind of loved how much Ned looked like Norm Macdonald's Burt Reynolds.
Also, the victim's name was Bao which is Chinese for "bun". Ah, those clever writers.
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10-30-2008 @ 1:11PM
Mike Doran said...
Am I the only one who's noticed that ABC isn't promoting PUSHING DAISIES? I mean, AT ALL?? Ever day , every night, every daypart, the promos for PRIVATE PRACTICE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY are like endless kudzu growth. ABC is pushing these shows as though they were the third source of Revelation. Only spots for DAISIES (approximately 1 for every 10 of each of the others) called attention to the obamamercial - always a mistake to billboard the competition. A promo freeze is just as bad as over-pre-emption or pinball timeslotting - not the way to get people to watch. I recall that 'wonderful' year 1997, when ABC subjected one of its best shows ever, NOTHING SACRED, to a similar promotional Coventry. Can you say "self-fulfillng prophecy?"
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10-30-2008 @ 1:31PM
Liz said...
Love this show... and it always makes me so hungry! Pies, honey, and now dumplings... I blame Pushing Daisies for any recent weight gain!
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10-30-2008 @ 1:48PM
Ryan said...
> I also loved Ned's line in the opening narration
Wasn't that Jim Dale's line?
I liked how the writers had fun with the comings and goings bit.
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10-30-2008 @ 2:08PM
Happy Steve said...
pissjitters
that is all
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10-30-2008 @ 3:30PM
chris said...
This was my favorite episode so far, for this season and last. Very clever show - visually beautifully done (even the CGI transitions like the "swoop in" on the front of the Pie Hole). The writing was clever and funny, and I love the dry sense of humor and timing. Great episode and great show!
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10-30-2008 @ 4:22PM
Suetu said...
I loev this show more than anything that has ever aired on television. I feel almost as concerned about the fate of this show as I do about the upcoming election.
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10-30-2008 @ 5:18PM
Jennifer said...
Amen to that.
10-30-2008 @ 5:12PM
Jessica said...
This was a rather excellent episode. My favorite line, though: piss-jitters. Also, "I have an uncomfortable fullness of the bladder."
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10-30-2008 @ 5:33PM
Ian said...
Good to see Freema Agyeman is so much in demand on TV these days.
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10-30-2008 @ 9:41PM
dsbs said...
Oh, no no no. Freema played Martha, the Doctor's companion in the 3rd season.
"Simone" played Cathica in the episode with Simon Pegg as the editor - the Long Game, I believe it was called.
And, really, they look nothing alike. Although, they are both gorgeous.
/End nerd.