SkimIt
In this funny yet poignant episode, Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) teach us that we shouldn't let other people's expectations get in the way of our relationship. Also, Max (Adam Pally) learns the valuable lesson that it's never good to be so jealous of a friend's new relationship that you take pleasure in its demise.
Happy Endings starring Casey Wilson and Adam Pally airs on ABC Tuesdays at 9:00 pm ET.
A Nickel is Not Always Worth Five Times More Than a Penny
The gang is having lunch and Jane (Eliza Coupe) and Brad (Damon Wayans, Jr.) commend Dave and Alex for staying together and staying strong. They do a fearsome foursome chant and Max looks on, forlorn, feeling like the fifth wheel.
Max admits he's missing Penny since she's been busy in her relationship with Pete and he can't wait to hear her 10-day-old break up story.
When Penny arrives, the gang expects she has broken up with her boyfriend and they all take turns teasing her about the breakup. She surprises the gang by saying she and Pete are still together. Max is fit to be tied, and when Pete arrives and squeezes into the booth, Max is pushed off the edge to the floor.
Adam Pally has a knack for conveying Max's whiny, possessive side and his pouting reminded us how lonely it can feel when your BFF starts out in a new relationship. Pally's face clearly says Max doesn't like to share and we ultimately have to laugh at his immature behavior.
To make matters worse, he tries to make Penny jealous with a new BFF named Nicole, who he calls Nickel. He tells Penny, "A nickel is worth five times more than a Penny," and our beloved, na"ive Penny doesn't get it.
Instead, she tries to give Nicole relationship advice (because she's an expert after 10 days and counting with Pete). She even sets Nicole up with Pete's brother and Max is shut out again.
It's obvious the only one jealous is Max and he's making a big mistake.
What's Puffed Up, Must Come Down
Suddenly, Penny is busy doling out relationship advice and complimenting herself in the mirror for her dating prowess. The Dating Queen can't be stopped - until she almost destroys everything she's been bragging about.
Pete finds a list Penny has made called "Pete's Faults." He's stunned and hurt and stalks out, upset. Penny spills the story to Max and he couldn't be happier - until Penny starts to cry. He realizes she really likes this guy and he quickly goes from smiling to sheepish.
We have to admit we feel really bad for Penny, because with all of her quirks, she's such a fun, hopeless romantic and everyone deserves love, don't they?
Fortunately, Max finds Pete and shows him a list of his own faults that Penny wrote years ago. Pete tells Penny she's a little weird, but he likes that she's a little weird.
Say it with me: Awww ... maybe Penny is finally going to get her "ahmazing" boyfriend and a real happy ending.
Meeting the Parents' Expectations (Redux)
Jane and Alex throw their parents a 20th Anniversary party for their mattress business. They labor over making everything perfect: Serbian menu, Serbian music and Jane delivering the perfect "funny" toast.
Jane obsesses over wanting to make her father laugh in her toast, by telling the perfect joke that relates to his five main interests: World War II, Chicago Bears, bass fishing, Chevy Chase and slide projectors.
Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) looks at her dubiously as she rambles on. When she finally comes up with a joke involving Mike Ditka and a Sherman tank, Brad steals her thunder and tells her dad when they're alone. Jane's dad roars with laughter and Jane is furious.
It's hilarious watching Coupe and Wayans facially spar in this scene. We'd swear they’ve been married for decades ...
Meanwhile, Dave discovers Alex never told her parents they're back together. He's stunned and goes outside to think. Brad finds Dave and assures him it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks as long as he and Alex are happy. Dave is inspired and interrupts Jane's toast and her attempt at a Gallagher-style, watermelon-smashing joke to announce he and Alex are dating again and he's all in, regardless of anyone else's opinion. Bravo, Dave, well done!
Jane proceeds with her skit and knocks herself out with the mallet. She wakes up to her dad roaring with laughter. The smile on her woozy face says, “Mission accomplished.”
Lesson learned: Knocking ourselves out to meet other people's expectations often does more harm than good.
Best Lines
"No you guys, STD, sorry to disappoint also still together dummies, double STDs." – Penny
"Comedy's all about research babe, that's why Dave Chapelle has two Lexus Nexus accounts." – Brad
"My aunt's nickname for Jane has been cocaine; skinny, white and a scourge to the black community." – Brad
