Trophy Wife 1.12 Review: Learning How to Parent

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘The Punisher’, now would be the perfect time to do that before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I have to say that this episode may be my favourite episode of the series thus far. That was just fantastic. I loved watching Kate squirm as she tried to figure out how to punish Warren and Hillary, and mostly figuring things out by the end, at least getting the hang of it. Also, it was fantastic to see Diane and her actually agreeing and working together with each other on something for once.

Basically, this episode was all about Kate learning her parenting role when it comes to punishment, with a side note of Pete and Jackie co-parenting Bert. Not being a parent myself, I can only imagine how difficult the punishment part is, especially when you’re the stepparent, so I commend Kate for actually figuring things out for the most part. She lost her way in the middle there, but she came around in the end. I’m actually surprised she didn’t back down from the punishment, but then she does have some other parents to fall back on.

All in all, this episode was pretty great. Some very realistic issues were brought up and worked through in very exaggerated, fun kind of ways. That’s the kind of thing I like to see in this type of sitcom. As long as it keeps me laughing, I’ll definitely stick around. Especially since it’s ripe with stories, and there’s very little chance it will become convoluted and ridiculous a la New Girl.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

No memorable lines.

Okay, I think I’m off to take a brief break, and then watch Supernatural or The Originals; I’m not sure which yet. Stay tuned.

Trophy Wife 1.11 Review: A Mid-Life Crisis

For all those that have yet to watch last Tuesday’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘The Big 5-0’, then now would be the perfect time to do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This episode revolved around Pete’s belief that celebrating his birthday, on his birthday, is cursed, and Kate goes to try and set that straight. A lot of crazy stuff happens, including some lobsters needing to be caught, and all in the name of good, sitcom-y fun.

This series is definitely an enjoyable show to watch. It’s all very exaggerated humour that would be unbelievable if it were to happen to anyone, but it’s all in the name of good fun. While I do find shows like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and even The Crazy Ones have their moments where they step back, pull the curtain back, and give you a sense of genuine comedy, this is not one of those shows. Like I said, it’s all very exaggerated fun that shouldn’t be taken seriously. That makes this an easy show to sit through and laugh, and that’s definitely something I can use from time to time.

All in all, this episode fit right along the rest of this series outrageous sitcom circumstances. Probably my favourite parts to this episode involved the kids and having to catch the lobsters. I also liked when Hillary and Warren had to break it to Bert that he’s eaten everything he’s ever worn on pajamas. Basically, this show is just good fun.

My rating 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Ah, you’re almost out of eggs. You’re out of eggs.” – Meg says to Kate as she goes shopping in her kitchen.

“You’ve gotta think like a lobster. (Pause) Bingo.” – Warren explains, as he waddles along on the floor.

“Don’t you know that old expression: that you catch more flies with honey than by being a bitch?” – Jackie gives her take on the expression to Diane.

“Are you having my mid-life crisis?” – Pete asks Kate.

Okay, now I really am going to go review last week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Stay tuned.

Trophy Wife 1.10 Review: A Christmas Fiasco

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Trophy Wife, titled ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas… Or Twas It?’, then now would definitely be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, I have to say that this was most assuredly the funniest, best episode this series has done to date. This isn’t the most realistic sitcom out there, but they were really able to come together this week and make a hilarious Christmas episode that I’m actually saving on my DVR to rewatch.

From the opening, this episode was fantastic. It began with a perfectly fitting Christmas tune playing over the one-shot of a still-burning Christmas tree in the pool, and the continuous shot kept going to encompass all the incredible disarray the previous night had brought. That was definitely the best way to open this chaos-filled episode.

What was really great about this episode was the way really got to see the break down of the completely wasted four adults of this series. It was refreshing to see, for once, all of them more or less cooperate and just have fun with each other. Sometimes the mess that alcohol brings can be hilariously fantastic, and this was one of those instances.

One thing that was also perfect with regards to this series, was the way they were so easily able to address the issue of consumerism, and how Christmas really shouldn’t be all about the presents. Sure, it was done in a very off-the-cuff sort of way, but in the end it didn’t matter so extremely to the kids that their gifts had basically melted. I loved the fact that it was more about family being together, in all its chaotic glory, and that is one thing this show is great with, managing to keep the entire mess of family revolving around each others lives.

Probably my favourite thing about this episode was that song! That was the most hilarious moment in this entire episode, and there were a fair amount at that. Not only did we get to see them all interact in a fantastic way, we were able to see a comical dance done to it at the very end of the episode. All of them being able to sing a song, and one as hilarious as that, was something that will likely not happen again.

All in all, this was the best episode this series has done to date. I loved how very Christmasy it felt, despite it airing two weeks before, and how it was able to incorporate my favourite wild animal, just randomly in the episode (that would be a wolf for all of you not paying attention). Also, when Jackie was stealing the Mary’s, the brilliant way in which that house was brightly decorated was phenomenal and honestly makes me wish I saw that more often, although probably not with three nativity scenes. About the only issue with this episode would probably be with the kids, and how much they didn’t quite fit in during some scenes, and that it didn’t quite click with the overall episode. Otherwise, this was fantastic.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Good idea. Smart. I remember I had eyebrows.” – Jackie remarks.

“One Christmas we only had a picture of a Christmas tree. It was this big. It was really, really small.” – Kate recalls a past Christmas memory.

“And Black people being awesome.” – Bert finishes his list of what the different holidays taught him.

“I remember when I learned to walk, it was instant.” – Diane states.

“Hey Dough, it’s 1:48. Why didn’t you call me back?” – Pete calls his boss, one minute after the first call.

Okay, that’s all for tonight. Check in tomorrow for my review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as Nashville and American Horror Story: Coven. Goodnight.

Trophy Wife 1.09 Review: Payback, Set-ups, and Relationships

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘Russ Bradley Morrison’, now would be a good time to go and do that. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

So this series seems to be shaping up to becoming a nice, light, family friendly sitcom. This episode was not exception. Kate ended up having to chaperone Warren’s museum trip – alongside Diane. This caused her to try and set Diane up to “get some”, which revealed that she was actually dating the man, and had been for two years. Honestly, if it were me, I would want to be able to tell people I was dating someone, if it had been that long. But Diane’s neurotic and dislikes failure, so there’s some trouble there for her.

Elsewhere, to get back at Pete, who had become sick, for knowingly letting Kate take over chaperoning duties with none other than Diane, Kate sicked Jackie on Pete. Now, as someone who normally enjoys Jackie’s character and all her ridiculousness, and for most of the episode I did, it became a little repetitive towards the end of the episode. I’m finding that her lack of desire to work is becoming a bit bothersome, and her character annoying. Hopefully this is just a one-time occurrence because I find this show nice and comical.

The third storyline of the episode was between Hillary, Bert, and Bert’s teacher. I have to say that I really enjoyed getting to see Hillary and Bert interact one on one because I don’t think we’ve seen much of that before. And I definitely enjoyed Hillary standing up for herself as being a go-getter, not a suck up. That being said, these characters have become a little too perfect in their problems. They’re seeming a little too superficial for my liking, and I’d really like to see just a bit of drama and depth to them. I realize this is a sitcom, but I believe that could be balanced in well.

All in all, this is a very easy sitcom. There’s not too much brainpower needed, but it’s not dumb funny – which I hate – either. There also isn’t a whole lot of preparation needed to watch this series, or much that needs remembering on a week-to-week basis. This is definitely an easy series for me to watch each week, and with my bad memory sometimes not needing to recall every little detail is a good thing.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Nobody cares about sophomores.” – Pete states, regarding the fact that he could still chaperone, despite being sick.

“I see your Diane and I raise you a Jackie.” – Kate mutters to Pete.

“She called me a suck up?” – Hillary mutters to herself, insulted.

“I want you.” – Diane whispers. “Take me.” – Russ whispers back. “Ew.” – Kate retorts.

Okay, I’m going to go review Supernatural now, and don’t expect a happy review of that. Stay tuned.

Trophy Wife 1.08 Review: Taking Control of the Matter

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘Lice and Beary White’, now would be a good time to go do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

I really liked this week’s episode. Aside from the school nurse, who was annoyingly bland and not funny at all, this whole lice situation made for an interesting episode. We were able to see everyone interact with each other, and see a struggle of power and wills between Diane and Kate. I’m finally starting to see this series comedy grow into its own, and the ensemble is definitely beginning to work well with each other.

So, basically, this episode was all about Bert being found with lice, and everyone having to be round up to wash their hair of the bugs. Kate had things under control, but then Diane swoops in and takes over, not believing Kate can handle this better than her. Diane’s jabs at Kate were definitely funny, and Kate’s trying to get back at Diane by switching out the lice shampoo made for a hilarious circumstance. Of course Hillary’s play was Hair, under these circumstances. I totally loved Diane and Kate at least agreeing to back away and let another kid take the wrap for spreading lice. At least they managed to agree on one thing.

Elsewhere in the episode, Bert and Warren struggled over who would get to keep Beary White, a well worn teddy bear. I love every time Pete gets to use his job at home; it just brings a certain realistic hilarity to things. The way he also tried to settle who would get to keep the bear, by telling them the story of Solomon was perfect. Neither of these kids are very smart upon hearing the story and being okay with the bear being cut in half, but then Bert’s a kid and Warren obviously gave all his smarts to Hillary.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable episode. The Crazy Ones is still my favourite new sitcom of the year, but this series definitely takes second place. I’m not as big on sitcoms as I am dramas, so the fact that I’m still watching this series definitely says something good about it. The lice circumstance to this episode definitely gave it a lot of material, although I doubt the bear will be remembered or mentioned again, with the fact it had lice in it. Also, the fact that Jackie can’t drive was just hilarious. I’ll be sad to not have this series on my Tuesday nights until December 3^rd.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Bert’s got lice. We’ve got lice.” – Kate says into the phone. “Round up the others.” – Pete whispers back. “I’m on it.” – Kate replies.

Jackie referring to herself as, “The Jackal.”

All right, I’m off to watch The Originals now. I may or may not watch both it and Supernatural before reviewing either, I’m not sure yet. But stay tuned.