Does the crew at Saving Grace take their practical jokes too far?

(Season Three, Episode Eight)

We’ve talked about some of the elaborate pranks that the squad has pulled on each other in past episodes. I’m actually a big fan of the more simple stuff they do, but when they put their minds to it, they can really design some crazy stuff. Tonight’s episode may have just taken the cake (which, in my mind, was previously baked on the awesomeness of this season’s premier). But did they go too far tonight?

In a word? No.  In two?  Hell no. It was about as lengthy of a “long con” as you’ll see on TV. Even involving Henry to get the body, and the two women playing the parts of the victim’s wife and supposed lover, it was good work all the way around. The only weak link in the team was Rhetta, and her ridiculously poor performance with the acid burn. The whole scene just felt off, with Bobby running around, and a lack of a soundtrack making it stand out.

I did feel a little guilty for Butch’s fiance, young Ms. Kendra Burke. She was pulled into the mess, actually using her professional drive against her. She is still trying to fit into the crew, and still getting completely comfortable with Butch. Then I remembered that Kendra played a pivotal role in the prank pulled on Ham and Grace in the first episode of the season. All’s fair in love and prank.

Other Stuff:

• After the way the story went this week, I’m actually beginning to wonder if Rhetta’s husband didn’t cheat any further than the kiss Grace saw.
• And a polygraph? I wish I had a friend that could just bust out their polygraph machine for me at any given time.
• Thought the storyline with Earl and Grace’s brother was blah, until Earl’s final comment.
• I’m actually well passed being interested in the sexual stylings of Grace and Ham.  Seriously.
• The real case they tried to shoehorn into the rest of the episode was a bit creepy, though familiar creepy. And by familiar I mean played out. But still, creepy played out.
• Why I love Earl is apparent in the final scene, when he enjoys Grace’s joy much more so than he finds the video funny.
• Another thing I loved: Popcorn. Who doesn’t love safe words?
• OK, I think I lied: Using the John Doe body may have been over the line. Funny, but over the line.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Aug 05, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT