2x07 Shutdown

7.3/10. Solid episode. Gary and Jonah are probably my two favorite characters on the show, just in terms of how much they make me laugh, so getting to see them paired up and having to go on a secret mission to get Selina's garbage was very amusing in a "two misfits fake it til they make it" sort of way.

I was less enamored with Dan's storyline, where, ever the climber, he starts sidling up to the private sector and Chung (who's quietly a pretty funny character himself) when he feels like his progress is stalling out at the Veep's office.

That said, I do like the idea that the Veep is kind of cracking under the pressure, between POTUS making her a scapegoat, her dating Andrew again (was the thing in the garbage another pregnancy test?), and her just general seeming out of sorts and not on top of things. That's the clear implication of the side-by-side with Chung deftly (and hilariously) comforting the bear widow while Selina flounders trying to make nice with the head of the garbage company (Landsman from The Wire!). The notion that Amy is loyal and worried about Selina going nuts and imploding, while Dan is willing to throw everyone under the bus, trying to egg on Selina's self-destruction, and angling to hop onto what appears to be Chung's rising star is an interesting one from a narrative standpoint, so I'll be curious to see where it goes.

But just in terms of sheer comedy, there was some good stuff here, including everyone snarking on the whole bear attack situation. (Selina calling the widow "Mrs. Doolittle" was particularly funny.) And Sue seeming upset but then scheduling a spa day (while Gary tries and fails at doing her job) was compact and hilarious, not to mention her and Dan awkwardly passing each other in the halls while making their alternate plans. Overall, a very solid ep.