The 10 Best Episodes of the Week: Who Is the Best "Parks and Rec" Character?
By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (42)
There were a lot of reruns this week, per usual for the networks leading into a sweeps month. But the episodes that did air this week were, for the most part, phenomenal.
10. Shameless: I’m not giving anything away when I tell you that Justin Chatwin’s name still appears in the credits. He will undoubtedly return. They passed up a great opportunity for a heartwarming and unexpected return during Debbie’s sleepover, but I’m hoping that they’re saving that reveal for something even bigger. Also, don’t make the mistake off turning the show off after the credits start: There was a huge (and hilarious) plot development in last night’s episode during the end credits that will save Frank’s relationship with Sheila. For now.
9. 30 Rock: For the Martin Luther King Movie spoof alone.
8, Archer: For story and sweetness, “Parks and Rec” is the best show on Thursday. For one liners and zany batshittery, “Archer” wins. Hands down.
7. Downton Abbey: I thought they had a bit of a bounce back this week, but I do miss the smaller scale universe of the first season. The show is overreaching this year. Part of the appeal of the first season was that so much could drama could be extracted from these small developments. As someone else suggested, they’ve really Ryan Murphy’d this season of “Downton.” I still dig it to China, though.
6. Chuck: I wrote about the finale earlier today. I thought it was very well done, and in keeping with the showrunners need to dick us around all series long.
5. Parks and Recreation: I think Andy’s my favorite character on “P&R” now. Not because of anything he did in this episode, but because I want to be the guy that likes Andy the best. You guys take your Ron Swanson and your Hedgehog and your Jean Ralphio. I’m just going to sit over here in the corner and collect Andy Dwyer gifs.
4. Luck: We haven’t reviewed this yet, but we will. Right now, I don’t know what the f*ck is going, but I kind of love that about it. I feel like it’s going to be one of those shows where it doesn’t crystallize until around the third episode and then it’s going to blow our mindholes. Either that, or it’ll be another “John in Cincinnati.” I am in, though.
3. Southland: Did you guys catch that Marla Gibbs/Regina King “227” reunion on this week’s episode? How is that for awesome? Also, here’s something that I never thought I’d write: I love Lucy Liu in this show.
2. Justified: This was the season’s Art episode, and he killed it. There’s so many great actors in this show that Nick Searcy doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. He’s a wily old coot. The episode wasn’t set up for a multi-episode arc, but I do hope we see more Carla Gugino. Here’s Joanna’s recap.
1. Good Wife: Now that was a brilliant episode, perfectly played by Will Gardner and Kalinda Sharma. There was so much going on in last night’s show, from Peter’s confrontation of Alicia about her relationship with Will to Cary’s small but game-changing effort to thwart the indictment. But nothing topped Alicia walking out of grand jury after Wendy Scott Carr asked her about her sexual relationship. Wendy Scott Carr is baskets, y’all. She is out of her fucking head, and really, really fun to watch. You need a good villain like that in every TV show so that the comeuppance is that much sweeter.
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Comments
Posted by: atoz15 at January 30, 2012 2:10 PM
andy has realllly been doing it for me this season. his awkward whistle was prbly the funniest part of this week's episode. but as amazing and hilarious as everyone is i think leslie is just the best.