It was guest stars galore as some of Charlie’s exes (played by Tricia Helfer, Jenny McCarthy, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Jeri Ryan, Liz Vassey, and Emmanuelle Vaugier) attended his funeral, and a few people (John Stamos, and Dharma and Greg‘s Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson) visited the beach house as potential buyers. These cameos offered us some good laughs: the exes complained about what Charlie gave them (like STDs) or unsual stuff he did (like using panties to make tea), John Stamos — who was rumored as a potential replacement for Charlie Sheen — commented on a dream he had of a threesome with Charlie in the beach house, and Elfman and Gibson offered us a walk down memory lane by bringing Dharma and Greg back to life. Elfman did appear on TaaHM before: she played Frankie in two episodes.
In the first half of the episode, we learned that Rose was with Charlie at the end. He supposedly asked Rose to marry him. She later found him taking a shower with another woman but she forgave him. The next day, he slipped off of a metro platform and was hit by a train. “His body exploded like a balloon full of meat,” described Rose. This explains why Charlie’s body was not seen in the episode.
Ashton Kutcher’s character, Walden Schmidt, came into play in the second half of the episode. His character, in a depression after a break up, tried to commit suicide by going into the ocean hoping to drown. However, the water was too cold for him. Walden ended up at the beach house where Alan tried to cheer him up. After stripping down so that Alan could put his (Walden’s) clothes in the dryer, both men ended up at the bar.
At the bar, Alan suggested to Walden that he try to hook up with a woman. It is clear that Walden is romantically challenged as his ways with the ladies are almost worse than Alan’s! However, Walden’s faux pas ended up working! Not only did the lady he flirted with end up coming back to the beach house with him, but her friend, whom Alan thought had warmed up to his (Alan’s) charm, ended up with Walden and her lady friend in bed! The next morning, Walden announced that he was buying the house! To be continued next week …
Kutcher’s acting was not bad but it wasn’t stellar either. Maybe it’s because the second half of the episode, aka Walden meeting Alan and going out, was not that funny. It will be interesting to watch the following episodes to see how Kutcher and his character will settle in and if TaaHM will remain one of the most watched comedies.
What did you think of the season premiere and Kutcher’s addition? Will you keep watching? Chime in in the poll below. As a fan of the show, I’m willing to give it a few weeks before deciding if I’ll stick to it or not now that Kutcher as joined the cast.
Clacked by Isabelle Carreau 
on Sep 19, 2011 @ 23:25 EST5EDT
. . . . .
In my opinion, your above sentence should read like this: “The next day, he ‘slipped’ off of a metro platform and was hit by a train.”
My jaw was on the floor for the first segment of the premiere. Incredibly crass and uncalled for. Is this what we (*cough, cough*) expected, through all the Hollywood Reporter pieces, rumors and ET updates? No … I don’t think so.
Kutcher was dorkified. It’s got to get better. He’s got to get better. He’s what I thought Zooey Deschanel was going to turn out to be on New Girl. Fortunately – for one episode, at least – she redeemed herself. I’m curious to see how things play out with him … the jury’s out.
Best part of the evening? Alan’s (mostly) heartfelt “discussion” with Charlie when he arrived in the urn. Nice touch.
I didn’t think it was as bad as everyone is saying. Yes there is some transition but I liked the geeky, goof/dork Kutcher played and it all depends on the episodes to come later. A billion dollars can make for some really funny TV.
Plus I suspect the death was left open for a reason. Being TV I wouldn’t put it past Charlie Hopper to come back. Rose isn’t know for telling the truth after all and I can even think of some ways to bring him back.
Overall not bad; outlook hopeful.
The entire show was dead set on damming the name charlie harper. everyone who had any kind of pure realtionship (jake) simply turned thier back on him even at his funeral. I am shocked that anyone could believe all of his family, freinds, and ex-lovers would damn his name even at his own funeral. A billionaire tries to kill himself in the ocean and ends up on the back porch of somebody’s house to use the phone? Than has a threesome in recently dead Charlie’s room which inspires him to purchase the house? I am dissapointed in the writing after so many great seasons. I will no longer be watching Two and a Half Men
Kuther was alright but im hoping he grows a pair, Jake is the big question mark what kind of relationship will he have with Walden (by the way worst name ever Walden Schmitt should have gone with something more manly)as i think those who enjoyed the series may have to wait for relationships to be formed it may take a whole season for Walden to settle in in this environment or mabye they might go in a different direction but i dont c this happening.
Cheers Da_Big_Mull
I’ll try it a few more times but I don’t think it resonates with me. I like Ashton but that character seems iffy. I’m sure it will get better.
I found it about as funny as any other Two and a Half Men episode, ie not really funny.
I thought it was pretty funny. I like that addition of Ashton Kutcher. Too bad it wasn’t on HBO though ;)