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'Downton Abbey' Starts to Unravel, 'We Built This Schmidty,' and the Return of 'Justified' in the Week's 10 Best TV Episodes

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (29)

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10. Downton Abbey — Last week, after barreling through the first season, I didn’t think it would be possible to say anything negative about this show. But then everyone started airing their grievances with season two, the Brits started dissing America’s love for it, and all of a sudden, I began to see cracks in the facade. And this week’s episode was not that great. In fact, “Up All Night” should probably be in this spot.

9. Shameless — The second season is still spinning its wheels a bit, and should put more focus on Lip, but I really do like it when they allow Frank a shred of humanity, as they did this week after he literally f*cked a woman to death.

8. New Girl — They brought back the douchebag jar! Plus, Lizzy Caplan. And “We Built This Schmidt-y.” The show is right to highlight Schmidt as often as possible, but it still hasn’t found anything good to do with Winston yet. But really, it’s an easy show to like, even if it’s mostly frivolous.

7. Parks and Recreation — Great episode, even if I didn’t love what they’re doing with Paul Rudd’s character. That’s a perfectly good waste of Rudd, especially when there could be so much potential for a smart Rudd character and Ann.

6. Parenthood — Peter Krause is killing it this season. His inability to tell his daughter no to Cornell may have long-lasting repercussions, but it was totally worth it just for that look on his face when he broke. Also, she’ll do something to screw up and end up at Berkeley, anyway. Oh, and Amber saying no to dinner with her boss was the smartest thing that character has ever done. Good for you, Amber. As for Jasmine? Turnabout is fair play.

5. 30 Rock — A bounce-back episode from a subpar season opener with James Marsden and Idiot protesters. Literally.

4. Archer — “Archer” erased all memory of that mediocre three-episode arc last fall with three words: Burt F*cking Reynolds. Also, do not watch “Unsupervised.” It’s horrible.

3. Happy Endings — One of my favorite episodes in a while, as it hit on all three subplots: Old Brad vs. Old Jane, the V-Neck intervention, and Penny’s unsuccessful successful attempt to change Ryan Hanson.

2. Southland — The best two shows of the week were on at the same damn time on different channels. I hope you DVR’d “Southland.” It’s a fantastic slice of police life that blends a naturalism with amazing character development. I think this week’s episode featured Ben McKenzie smiling for the first time all series.

1. Justified — It’s back, and if there was any doubt this is the best drama on television right now, the third season premiere should dispel it. Here’s JoRo’s review.









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Comments

That wasn't Kat Dennings on New Girl, it was Lizzy Caplan.

Noted. Corrected. My bad. Thanks! --DR

Posted by: camila at January 23, 2012 2:06 PM

Do you mean Lizzy Caplan? Not Kat Dennings?

Posted by: Luke at January 23, 2012 2:06 PM

More outrage at the Lizzy Caplan diss

Posted by: PyD at January 23, 2012 2:12 PM

I officially gave up on Downton Abbey last night. I can look at pretty clothes online and I can read Beeton's Book of Household Management to learn about running a great house, or PG Wodehouse to know all I need about the upper class twits who live in them. I cannot sit idly by (in an Arts and Crafts style recliner) and watch that dreck anymore. Seriously, is Julian Fellowes angry with us? I think he must be. Kind of like when Larry McMurtry got mad after Lonesome Dove and killed everyone we loved.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 23, 2012 2:16 PM

How do you even tell Zooey Deschanel and Lizzy Kaplan apart? Or was that the point of the episode?

Posted by: Craig at January 23, 2012 2:28 PM

And that’s why I didn’t watch “Downton Abbey” in the first place. Fuck the British, but oh no, some of you just had to brag about it when you weren’t sucking on its teats. I knew when I was watching the Globes and they were winning all the awards and the people from Downton Abbey were on stage with those shitty British expressions on their faces like they smelt rotten cheese. And now they get back home and start talking shit about America, all you guys around here want to go all around the world and want to see some culture and shit. Stay home and go to Disney World in Orlando or go to Six Flags over Georgia or somewhere.

Posted by: Pookie at January 23, 2012 2:35 PM

Yes, yes, a million times yes to the amazingness that was and is Southland (Justified was also amazing, but it gets a lot of love around these parts). The season premiere kicked me in the gut, but in a good way.

I think TNT should use that shot of Ben McKenzie smiling with the shotgun in all of its Southland promos. Unf. And it's yet another sign that Godtopus hates us because in a just world Regina King would be nominated for all the awards.

Posted by: Lipton at January 23, 2012 2:52 PM

I would have abandoned Downton Abbey last night, and I was contemplating turning it off before the end, but my god, Maggie Smith's expression when she turned around and saw that not only were the plebs singing along with the song, but her son the earl also was: That. Was pure gold.

Posted by: PaddyDog at January 23, 2012 2:54 PM

I kept looking at the clock while watching Downton Abbey last night, and only 15 minutes had gone by and I'd thought it had been at least 45. Then I looked again and only 30 minutes had gone by and I'd thought it had been an hour already. It dragged and nothing happened. Somebody needs to die naked, and soon.

Posted by: BWeaves at January 23, 2012 2:54 PM

Three episodes in, and I'm still enjoying Downton Abbey. I think the key is not to take it too seriously. It's still better than most of what's on TV ('Justified' notwithstanding) and all the criticisms I hear smack of backlash for the sake of backlash. Have fun with it people, you don't need to write a freaking thesis on it or anything (sorry Mrs. Julien, but we'll have to agree to disagree).

Posted by: birdgal at January 23, 2012 2:58 PM

I thought it was Old Brad vs. "Previous" Jane.

Posted by: westcott at January 23, 2012 3:08 PM

Justified was all kinds of awesome.

Posted by: Mel C. at January 23, 2012 3:14 PM

I don't want to write a thesis, birdgal, I want to stop feeling the urge to throw my lorngette at the TV screen. I want decent dialogue. I want to point out that William looks like the elongated universe version of John Krasinksi. I want some consistency in the characters' behaviour. I want logic in the plotting. I want lovers not to be kept separated because they're waiting for the next series/season to be greenlit. I want them to actually evolve (not you Dowager Countess, never you). I read a Jackie Collins book once. The writing was best characterized as a plot synopsis with clothing descriptions. Downton Abbey used to be a delicious, quaint and pretty soap opera. Now it's plot points with period touches. Did I mention the desire for decent dialogue?

Honestly, last week I was so annoyed I went and read all the plot synopses for series 2 and the Christmas special. My main reaction was, "No, no he/she would not do that," and, if I may, "Bitch, please".

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 23, 2012 3:25 PM

That Southland ep kicked ass, I think I actually enjoy it more than Justified. I do wish Regina King's storyline had been more interesting, because she needs to be in all the scenes. In all the shows. And become my personal trainer. Also, and this feels slightly shameful, but I think I have a crush on Shawn Hatosy. Locker room scene? Helllooooo, sir.

Posted by: PrincessPiglet at January 23, 2012 3:34 PM

Yay for Frank, but a big WTF goes out to Fiona, and the writers who wussed out with that purse-stealing bit, making it okay for her to steal the dough since the girl she took it from was a douchecanoe. Too fucking easy. Is San 2 just going to be "Fiona Fucks Up?"

Posted by: nat at January 23, 2012 3:38 PM

A-fuckin'-men, Mrs. Julien.

1. I am so over Bates and Anna. I see no spark between them. It's almost as if they have to be in love just because they're not O'Brien and Thomas. They are such a bland couple, I can't imagine them even kissing passionately let alone actually doing the business. However, I grew up with and never really liked the actress who plays Mrs. Bates so I'm kind of into that casting.

2. As I mentioned last week, I really hate that the sole gay character is the irredeemably evil one.

3. William appears to be the only trench soldier in WWI who gained weight while serving.

4. I find it hilarious that the servants are always standing around on smoking breaks, or cuddle breaks or tea breaks. Servants worked their asses off in those houses and were usually too exhausted to plot and scheme and run off to the village whenever they felt like it.

5. It's a soap. I know that, but surely it has to cater to our sense of logic just a little.

Posted by: PaddyDog at January 23, 2012 4:37 PM

Anyone have any idea why Champion was absent from this week's Parks and Rec? I...I miss him already.

Posted by: ChristianH at January 23, 2012 4:38 PM

Whatever happened to Griz and Dot Com?

Posted by: The Mutt at January 23, 2012 5:27 PM

I hate to confess that "New Girl" has completely won me over. It's completely frivolous, but it usually manages to make me laugh. I also think Winston at least fits into the group now, even if he doesn't have much to do.

Posted by: kelsy at January 23, 2012 5:53 PM

@ChristianH. I'm pretty sure Champion was in that ep. He was laying on the couch at some point. I remember seeing him.

Posted by: swellcat at January 23, 2012 6:03 PM

I enjoyed "Justified" and "Southland" equally. Both excellent.

I kinda have a girl crush on Regina King. She's awesome. But everyone on that show is excellent.

Haven't seen "Downton Abbey" yet this season. I've been watching "Desperate Housewives." Whatever, I still like it. And it's the last season, so after May or whenever, those skanky bitches are gone forever (well, in prime time, I assume they'll live on in syndication).

Posted by: Slash at January 23, 2012 6:26 PM

ChristianH, I missed him too, but there were no scenes at the April/Andy/Ben apartment, right? I'm sure he's trucking along. I bet he's not digging, though. He's really bad at digging.

Posted by: dsbs at January 23, 2012 6:47 PM

I normally love 30 Rock but I just don't think this season has been the best. I feel like it's getting a pass just because it's 30 Rock.

Posted by: Ashley at January 23, 2012 6:58 PM

Wait - British people are criticizing Americans for liking a show that was so popular in the UK they made a second series and a Christmas episode? Did ITV extend the show for all that sweet, sweet PBS money?

By the way, Lizzie Caplan is awesome and Zooey Deschanel is incredibly, INCREDIBLY annoying (at least in this series).

Posted by: Three-nineteen at January 23, 2012 8:29 PM

Another by the way, I still prefer "We built chip city on all your dough!"

Posted by: Three-nineteen at January 23, 2012 8:30 PM

Oh, Pajibans. What fair weather friends you are. Have you really abandoned Downton already??? Sure, some parts are stronger than others (Really, O'Brien? You kill a baby and it's still scheming and cigarettes for breakfast? Matthew, are you at war or camp?), but damn it if it isn't better television than most of what comes out of America these days.

I thought this week's episode was still quite good. Yes, they should have dragged out the missing in action plot line at least until next week, but if you didn't get a lump in your throat when Matthew shows up looking sexy and sings with Mary, well then you should probably just look elsewhere, you soulless monster.

Seriously. Dan Stevens. Call me.

Also, Mosley is totally the Jerry of Downton.

Posted by: lyssie at January 23, 2012 8:43 PM

I'm so glad I watched through all of Downton Abbey before the internet tried to ruin my sweet, costumey indulgence. This episode was a little fanfic-y, if that makes sense, but I still teared up at the end.

Also, Schmidt is a delight and I'm completely missing the appeal of Nick. He's kind of a lazy grump.

Posted by: blorft at January 23, 2012 11:11 PM

I am feeling oversexed today, feel free to go to my profile http://www.localfunsex.com!

Posted by: Jean at January 24, 2012 12:30 AM

Mosley is the Jerry of Downton. That's the best comment I've read in weeks! I think my neighbours may have heard me laughing.

Don't think about it too much. It's just TV.

Posted by: J-Bobber at January 24, 2012 12:36 AM