House of Lies was back on solid ground again this week, after last week's scatological juvenilia.
The Crotch-Slappers
Doug (Josh Lawson) and Clyde (Ben Schwartz) were relegated to the background this week, and they're fine there. Clyde tricks the sleeping Doug into smacking himself in the crotch. Doug tries to find someone to go see Wicked with him. Very mildly amusing. Fine. There was one shot where you could see Clyde's brain working as he tried to figure out a way to work the Greg (Greg Germann) takeover situation to his advantage. I think they are foreshadowing some kind of betrayal on Clyde's part, which I actually think would be an interesting direction to take the character. More interesting than the Entourage-like place he's at now.
I Kissed a Boy
Marty (Don Cheadle) was feeling pressure both at work and at home, and used poor judgment, probably in combining the two. Greg is still trying to get under his skin, while Marty's stripper friend April (Megalyn Echikunwoke) flew in from New York to attend USC (full ride, of course) and ended up under his desk. Roscoe (Donis Leonard, Jr.) got into trouble at school, because he either kissed, or was kissed by, another boy, Caleb (Kai Caster). Because of Roscoe's rep, and maybe because Caleb's father is a rich rock star, Principal Gita (Mo Gaffney) was ready to expel Roscoe. Wedding Bell Blues
Jeannie (Kristen Bell) is making wedding plans, and keeping them a deep, dark secret from everyone at work. I think Bell is great here, but I feel like this storyline is being played so broadly that it already feels a bit tired. She so clearly does not want to get married. Not even a little bit. So why is she, exactly? And doesn't her fiancé notice that she's sickened by the idea? There was a weird scene at the end when Gita brought up Marty's mother's suicide as a way to explain Roscoe's behavior. Marty freaks out whenever the subject comes up. He seems to need therapy more than Roscoe does. I did like Marty's little smirk to the audience as he regained his bearings.
This was a nice recovery from last week's gratuitous butt festival. I think the show is always strongest when it focuses on Marty's home life. Which is kind of odd, since it's sold as a cynical look behind the scenes of a mysterious industry.
Best Lines:
"Doug, I wish I could, but I have to clean my oven, so I can stick my head in it and kill myself. You see, that's what I'd rather do than go on a man-date to Wicked with you."
--Clyde politely declines Doug's social invitation.
"I didn't. I considered it, but I'm not that into him."
--Roscoe denies kissing Caleb to Principal Gita.
"I forgot she was just a cheap bi-curious hooker who gutted my life."
--Greg corrects himself after referring to April as Marty's wife.
"I was thinking, maybe, cake color."
--Jeannie does not enjoy making decisions about wedding cake.
"That's not really my area of expertise. There are legal consultants, but they've gotta do actual work."
--Marty responds to April's request for help with her manslaughter case.
Recommendations:
