Episodes s01e02 review

I watched episodes last night (10pm, BBC2). The shows still looking good to me.

After the tone setting episode of Episodes last week, Matt LeBlanc finally becomes the main part of the show... and he's actually brilliant. I realised how good he actually was on his first scene while he's talking to Sean and Beverly's for the first time and he swears. It sounded weird to my eyes, and its because I don't ever think I've heard him swear before. The moment he first says 'fuck' shows how different this character is from Joey, which is all I know him from.

Matt's character seems quite interesting. When he first meets Sean and Beverly, he has no idea who they are and why he's meeting them, he seems disinterested in the show and dismissive of any involvement. After talking too his agent who promises him a truck full of cash (aka-the dream) Matt becomes interested and decides to do the show. When we catch up with Matt later at a party, he's watched Sean and Beverly's show and looks to be a actual fan of the show, discussing the writing and casting in a way no other Americans have so far. He seems smart and seems to really get the feel of the show, knowing deep down he's wrong for the part he's cast in. He bonds with Beverly and things look like they're looking up... until Beverly disagrees with him, then he turns on her. I'm unsure whether he was manipulating her from the start or if it was because of the disagreement, but Matt's shown himself to be a master manipulator and a man not to be trusted.

The main chuck of the show focused around a party at Merc's house. Merc is the money behind the network and makes all the decisions. He and his lackeys say anything to get you where they want you and represent everything wrong in Hollywood. Merc, as a character, is brilliant. His wife went blind a few years ago and he's such a bastard about it. Making faces when she's telling a story, saying 'at least she doesn't shop anymore!' and generally being a dick about his wife's disability.

Theres not too much to say about this episode, its just pushing the plot forward until all the players are in place, but I'm liking the show so far and I think Matt LeBlanc is going to be brilliant.

SIX THUMBS UP.

See old Matt LeBlanc with Friends: The Complete Series Collection or Joey - The Complete First Season.