Another disappointing episode from Entourage leaves me wondering where, if anywhere, Mark Wahlberg and Doug Ellin are trying to get us to. It’s one thing when shows have the luxury of meandering. But with all of 10-15 episodes of the series left, if ever there was a time to get it together….
Real life porn star Sasha Grey guest starred last night, kicking off an episode whose subplot was well beneath even this show. That scene between Eric and Sloan was uncomfortable for more than just them. And Sasha looks to be another in a long line of Vince’s “friends” positioned to be bad influences on him and his career. Remember Fiona and the Sherpa in season one?
In what I believe was the first (and hopefully last) occurrence, we were witness to Ari and Mrs. Ari having sex. Yes, we’ve seen them in the warm-up stage before, and we’ve seen her that scantily clad as well, but “actually” having sex? Did we have to?
Even the return of Bob Saget fell flat, possibly because he wasn’t as offensive as he usually is, which is what makes him all the more lovable. In what universe would he be apologizing to Drama for Drama’s project suddenly becoming Stamos’ project?
Turtle is turning into an extreme drag on the show. I’ve always liked him, and have enjoyed watching Vince carry him from interest to interest. But his stalker-ish infatuation with Alex is leading him to press Vince into becoming the face of some crappy tequila. And he’s being really annoying about it. Enough!
Ari’s work problems are embarrassing, for him and for us. Lizzie is nothing, and no, it isn’t within the realm of possibilities that she’d be even an annoying flea buzzing in Ari’s ear after he let her walk out the door. Even if she did team up with Amanda Daniels (Carla Gugino), who’s proven herself more than once to be an insignificant player in this game … and wholly unprofessional, after sleeping with her client. Ari should be challenged at work, but by someone like Jerry Buss, co-owner of the Lakers, who could contend with Ari to be the savior of the NFL in Los Angeles. Not someone who has Jessica Simpson’s phone number. Or a journal with some oddball nonsense in it.
But I did love the parade of big names last night, a possible full gun salute from the show as it nears its conclusion. Mike Tyson with little people who may, or may not, have been his kids, talking about doing a Brady Bunch reboot starring him and Jessica Simpson; Stan Lee, who must have been an exciting sight for many a comic book fan (I loved the implication that he recognized Sasha from her work); Aaron Sorkin, whose second appearance on the show was greatly appreciated by this fan of his. I love how much he loathes Ari. And how he was making fun of Simpson. Nice.
But this show was never about big gets, even as it has piled on the big gets. So unless Aaron Sorkin is about to become a major player in bringing the NFL to LA, while it’s nice to see him he’s not what I want to see. And with only a few weeks left in the season, I’m beginning to wonder just what it is that we’re meant to be looking forward to.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Aug 02, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
. . . . .
Ooooooooooooooooooooooo … I beg to differ. Here’s what I see:
I believe we’re being set up for a humongoid downfall with Vince. Events are being set up right before our very eyes. He’s diggin’ the chicks a bit too much of late. He’s diggin’ the tequila (and it’s not “crappy” tequila – it’s Avion, a pretty spiffy concoction we’re led to understand!) a bit too much of late. He’s making too many decisions of his own accord without E. His back is causing him problems from the accident during filming. Lots of drama! Something’s coming. Something’s coming … and it’s big.
And, speaking of drama … how ‘bout Drama his ownself? His situation should is up and down all over the place. And I’m loving it! It brings me unadulterated joy to see Johnny Drama squirm and squeal and when things don’t go his way. It makes the whining and self-absorbedness he portrays right with the world in context of what’s going down over there with the Entourage! Wouldn’t you agree?
Of Note: The Stan Lee segment was goofy. I’dn’t any idea who Sasha Grey was, so her appearance flew right over my head. (If it was mentioned during dialog in last evening’s or a proceeding episode, I missed it.) I enjoyed Mike Tyson’s appearance and dialog, but the pandering he did with the Brady Bunch hoopla and groveling with Jessica Simpson was completely and totally un-Ari-like.
Lastly, I’m on board your train with all the uncomfortable sex shown in this offering. The Gold’s exploits didn’t make me squirm anywhere near what transpired with E and Sloan, however. Was that really necessary? I guffawed out loud when Sloan called E concerning her discovery on the computer – that was funny. But the bedroom scene?
Pass me some eye and ear bleach, please …
*POST AUTHOR*
It could be that Vince is due some big fall, but why again? Whereas I can see the logic, I think Entourage would be better served by his ending on a high.
You can tell just by looking at the bottle that that’s crappy tequila. And the cap practically comes off in your hands fresh from the case. I took the back thing as a lie, though. I think Vince was covering for being drunk, but I could be wrong.
You just hate Drama. Me? He’s boring me. This was too soon for his show to fall apart. The writers showed their hand prematurely.
Remember the first scene of last night’s episode, in the club? Scott, Drama, Eric, and Turtle were having a conversation about the fact that Sasha was a porn star. Hard to hear I’ll grant you, but also hard to miss. ;)
Mrs. Ari in Lingerie is always appreciated by me but why again is she not supporting Ari with his work problem. It’s pretty clear that Lizzie didn’t get the promotion because Ari didn’t want to explain to his wife why he did it.
When is this show scheduled to finish? Is it this season or next? The only character that I have a complaint about is Turtle. He doesn’t deserve a single thing he gets except failure, yet he just keeps taking. It sorta sad, really, how much of a loser he is.
*POST AUTHOR*
The last I heard it was undecided as to whether to call it season 7 part 2, or season 8, but there will be a bunch of episodes that will air separately from this run, probably in 2011.
Was the Seth Rogen thing what kicked off your Turtle hate, or does it stem from before that?
I’m not sure where my Turtle hate started, but I personally can’t stand leeches. The other three guys have shown they work hard and have skills, and all Turtle’s managed to do is smoke weed and take handouts. The Lim-hos business was a true shot at redemption for him, and he not only failed at that but he went ahead and took advantage of Vince AGAIN.
It would be different if it was funny, but it’s just not. It’s pathetic and it’s really hard to feel bad for him. This guy gets to live in a mansion, smoke weed, eat gourmet breakfasts, fly on private jets, sit on movie sets and manage to have hot girls find him attractive … and he hasn’t shown once why he deserves it.
*POST AUTHOR*
Funny, because that’s how I saw Dom. I feel like Turtle’s at least been part of the support system that helped Vince get to where he is. Dom just showed up with his hand out.
I agree with Keith, Turtle has been the biggest downer this year for me. He used to at least be Vince’s driver/errand boy, now he doesn’t do any of that. His company failed, and when E nixed the tequila partnership, Turtle ran to Vince like I used to run to my mom when my dad wouldn’t let me do something I wanted to do. All so Turtle could hook up with an attractive idiot that can’t use GPS.
And I thought the E and Sloan scene was hilarious, even though it was a little uncomfortable to watch. I could have done w/o the Ari/Mrs. Ari sex scene, but at least it led to Perrey Reeves’ later outfit.
. . . . . .
Keith: That’s what ‘hangers on’ do best. It’s a rare gift.
I can’t do it. You can’t do it. Most of us can’t do it.
Turtle: He’s good at it. Give him that much.
And no more …