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DVR Cleaning: 30 Minds, Pushing Earl

By fred | October 21, 2007

My Name is Earl: Creative Writing

(S03E05) I’m sure every one has different opinions about the fact that this season, for now at least, Earl is in jail. I was never a real fan of this, and I’ve even expressed a few complaints over time. Last week, it appeared as if writers had been aware of those exact same “problems” the show had within this new setup, and as such reacted in a pretty cool way.

After the episode, I suspected that (unfortunately) this week we would go back the the daily life behind bars. And we kinda did, but as Earl went to Creative Writing Class, this episode quickly moved to something else, as every character wrote his own story. This was yet another way not to suffer from the limit due to the prison environment.

And it was nice, for a few stories. Obviously Randy story was pretty cool, coming from Randy’s mind and all, and Darnell’s song was absolutely brilliant - and that’s coming from a guy who usually do not like such musical part. But while Joy’s story had that nice simple childish way to link things together, a little like it happens during dreams, and Earl’s simplicity was a realistic touching thing, it wasn’t really that funny in the end.

I forgot to mention Catalina’s story, well this one pretty much sucked. I’m pretty sure they already played on the whole telenovela aspect before, even if only on DVD extras, and beside a cool “Tears for Fears” joke there wasn’t really anything to enjoy in this mess.

Actually, while last week’s episode felt like writers knew they had to bring back the old bad Earl as well as Catalina, Crabman and all the others, this week I felt more like they were starting to realize how the constraints of a prison are affecting the show, and tried to escape such limitations through the way of creative writing, and imagination.

But we’re no where near Imaginationland (although Randy was on the right tracks), and I think we all want Earl to get out and get back to his list. Because while it’s called My Name Is Earl, it’s really about Earl fixing things, crossing bad things he did in the past and making up for them, because that’s the way Karma works.

Pushing Daisies

For some unexplainable reason I have never mentioned this new series yet. Shame on me. After all the praise it received during the summer, I was pretty anxious to watch the pilot as I feared this “forensic fairy tale” might be quite pretentious. Some critics had such ways to talk about it and described it that I easily pictured a show way too much aware of its alleged greatness.

Luckily, watching the pilot was a real pleasure as the show was nothing near that, quite the opposite. It was fresh, and while playing on the whole tale card it actually wasn’t too self-involved and even showed some very nice humor. A very different, pleasing and refreshing hour, that’s what the show had to offer.

Of course I was curious as to whether or not it would be able to keep such a thing up episode after episode. The second episode was very good, and if it wasn’t for that singing part that was really wrong, and way too long, it was pretty much excellent.

After the third episode, though, I’m starting to question things a bit. I still enjoy watching the show and will keep doing so for a while I’m pretty sure, but the voice over is starting to get annoying at times. We know what Ned’s power is and how it works, being reminded of it every time is really annoying. Just as much as is to see over & over again the same interview bits during Life.

But my main concern was the whole “prince charming” bit. I understand, it’s a forensic fairy tale and all, and I have no problem with that or the idea of the two seeing each other for the first time since they were little kids and being in love at first sight. I have no problem with Chuck seeing him as her prince charming, but to have him stand down there wrapped in the red drape was really too much.

And the sword fight right before was also way too long to keep being good. I liked the Jedi remark, and it would have been just fine, if it lasted at least half what it did.

I’m personally not a fan of the aunts, and wished we could do without them, as theirs as well as other stories really feel like filler to me. But the show still has a great feeling to it, and I like that Ned was confronted to the consequences of his action, I like that Chuck was made aware of it, though the reason her father died is still unknown to her, and every week there are some very good moments to enjoy.

The kiss through plastic wrap was very cute, as well as risky for so many reasons. But after all they never really seem that worried about touching each others, they even walk side by side while putting Emerson in between would guarantee some prevention.
In other funny bits, I actually laughed out loud when the casket got closed and Emerson just ran away!

This is still one of the best new series this year, and I am still very enthusiastic about it so far. Highly recommended.

Posted in Reviews
Shows: 30 Rock, Criminal Minds, My Name Is Earl, Pushing Daisies