[6.7/10] Not one of my favorite episodes of the show. As I’ve mentioned in my prior write-ups, the Ann-Chris business just doesn’t light my fire, so an episode where the main story is more or less centered on that isn’t my cup of tea. The gag that Chris broke up with Ann, but is so positive that he doesn’t realize it funnier in theory than in practice. Leslie is still a comedic powerhouse and the heart of the show. The fact that she’s so close to Ann that she’s both willing to snoop around Chris’s apartment to see if he’s cheating, and to give up receiving the Parks Dept.’s commendation from the state to support her friend is a nice testament to their relationship. And the rapid-fire takes on her bad break ups are one of the funniest parts of the episode. It’s just not a great story and it’s limited by being focused on Chris and Ann’s relationship.
Even Ron’s excitement for his favorite steak restaurant, despair at its closing, and quest for real meat is a bit too cartoony for me. His slowly increasing anger after he’s been fasting, and his disgust at portabello mushrooms are both amusing bits, but it turns Ron into more of a caricature and loses the comedy in that for me.
I’m warmer, albeit still come-see-come-saw on Ben-Tom story at the snakehole lounge. Getting pathos out of Tom is a hit-or-miss proposition, and the fact that his cologne doesn’t go over well with Dennis Feinstein didn’t inspire much pity from me. But I did appreciate the narrative through-line in the story, that despite Ben’s intentions not to get too close to people because he has to travel around for his job, he’s unwittingly developed friendships with these people, to where he’s there to prop Tom up, and Donna knows his favorite drink. There’s a connection there, whether he intended it or not, and that’s a great way to illustrate it, even if the Feinstein stuff falls a little flat. (That said, the gags about how bad Tom’s fragrance smells were funny.)
The most minor, but overall best part of the episode, on the other hand, was Andy and Ann’s quest to see how much free stuff they can get at The Snakehole Lounge. Their various tricks, from Andy asking for tips for doing nothing as a bathroom attendant, to the first mention of April as “Janet Snakehole” are all the ridiculous kind of fun that she show leans into with these character. And the larger narrative, that Andy is worried about being broke, but that April just wants to spend time with him, injects enough sweetness to make it more than just comic relief. The fact that they give the tips back to the waitstaff is a nice character-saving touch as well.
Overall, it’s a weaker episode in one of the show’s best season, but there’s still enough good stuff there to recommend it.
Shout by Max KBlockedParent2022-05-06T00:26:08Z
Great episode. I really enjoyed Ben and Tom’s storyline, as well as Andy and April’s. A little annoyed by Chris’. Always a pleasure to see Jason Mantzoukas. Love that guy!