TVSquad

(S01E06) Ah, so that's how they're going to do it. While the pit was still the underlying thrust of the episode, the stories were more about the characters and relationships. And realizing even more what a big dumb sap Mark is. It's really more a testament of Leslie's own insecurities and issues that she's so hung up on him because he is even more lame than Tom. At least Tom is charismatic and charming, in his own creepy way. Mark is just creepy, a lot older than he seems to think and kind of a doofus.

Speaking of doofuses, Leslie was far less doofy this episode than we've seen her in the past. She tried to keep her pit-related agenda at the forefront in her ill-advised "date" (mothers, what are you gonna do?). She was genuine in her congratulations to Mark on his having accomplished the reduction of a speed bump by two inches. And in that she was right. While he saw it as a small thing, the point was that he was able to accomplish something that benefited the community, which is what government is supposed to do.

Mark was so lame tonight, that I was disappointed when Leslie got suckered into hanging out with him more. He was clearly just going to use her so that he wouldn't have to go home feeling completely rejected. Rejected primarily by Ann because he was stupid enough to hit on her literally right in front of her boyfriend, when Andy was on stage behind her performing.

As for Andy, Chris Pratt has been a guest star all season and I was wondering how they were going to write him out if he's not intended to be a main part of the cast. Keeping his casts on for two more weeks so Ann could serve him longer is definitely one way to accomplish it. I did love how he was completely honest about it with her. Andy is a good character because he's kind of a dick, but he's not a total ass as evidenced by the episode where he cleaned up the whole apartment.

Getting a chance to see the characters significant others was a treat, too. But why did I find myself doubting all episode that that was really Tom's wife. Ultimately, I think it might have been. When he was harassing Leslie's "date" about how his wife was his age, there was something sincere about that. And how about that. Tom's wife is hot! Here's a guy who's catting around town hitting on anything with a pair of breasts and he's got a beautiful wife at home who seemed nice as well.

Hey, how about that cliffhanger ending? Now we've had three cast members fall into the pit. And Leslie can take a spill better than either of the guys. It'll be interesting to see how injured Mark is next season, and how pissed Ann is at Andy. He's certainly not helping his case. She threw him out so she could think. He pounded on the door laughing about Mark falling into the pit and then when she ran to help he bounded into the apartment and parked it in front of the tube. That'll go over real well.

The good news is that this show might just work after all. The characters are developing, the relationships make sense. Even keeping Ann around as a friend to Leslie makes sense, especially after she presumably dumps Andy. Mark was right about that. Ann and Andy aren't a good fit, despite the Raggedy connection. What do you think?