5x02 Nev-AD-a

[7.5/10] Quite funny episode. Anytime you can get Roger Sterling on your show, you should pretty well do it, and seeing him apply his usual charms on Selina was entertaining. The fact that he could woo her, then turn around and hobnob with the other guy, and the ensuing drama, made for some entertaining television. And the way Gary went from angry to defending Charlie Baird after he’s the only person in forever who actually shows interest in Gary was an interesting note. (Selina saying that asking whether Gary likes you is like asking whether a cat or a table likes you was a casually cruel statement.) It’s an interesting direction, and the “banking task force” euphemism shtick with Ben was nice.

Speaking of which, I loved the subtle reveal that Ben was basically the Jonah of his day! Adds interesting shading to both characters, particularly as Jonah feels sidelined here. Him and Richard going door-to-door in Nevada, with sweet, positive Richard doing well but bristling against Jonah, Amy, and Dan for his lack of political killer instinct is fun.

Speaking of which, I’ve never been much on the Dan-Amy shipping, so their missed connection doesn’t do much for me. In fact, Dan sleeping with Amy’s sister feels like a Dawson’s Creek move that makes me roll my eyes a little, but we’ll see if they go more Jim and Pam with this stuff over the rest of the season. I did enjoy the arguments over the ballot recount in Nevada, particularly the “Fuck, Selina Meyer!” debate.

And hey! Martin Mull! (“GEEEEEEEEEEEEEENE!”). I feel like this show has a great way of collecting quality comedic character actors across the spectrum, and having him as an opaque metaphor-spouting election guru who may not know anything is an interesting addition. Speaking of which, Tom James’s mini-rivalry with Selina takes a few interesting turns here, and Hugh Laurie’s a delight as always. The guesses about how old Sue actually is are a kind of amusing series of side gags here. And Mike going on a cleanse and then getting lightheaded when Catherine accidentally spills his juice and replaces it with water was a little silly, but definitely worked.

Overall, a lot of moving parts, but most of them were funny and entertaining, so there you go!