December 12, 2006: She's All Grown Up
Welcome to the majors. Hellooo, Hank. Who just drops a line about a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Florence and then says he'll take you there during your first date? I'd never want to leave the majors, either.
And Andy doesn't want to leave the city. Meredith is dragging him to the suburbs - which I have nothing against - but I feel bad for PJ's losing constant visits from her brother. "Remember me as I am. Young and perky," he says without cracking a smile. Love it.
Out goes one pal, and in comes another. Brendan's talking in circles to try to cover his sorry butt again, and PJ's jaw dropped so low, she probably tasted the eggshells her secretive roomie was tip-toeing on. "I think it's the worst thing that happened in the history of the land." I'm still laughing, and she said that a while ago. Brando, Brando, Brando. What are you thinking? OK, granted, I don't know Wendy (Lindsey Stoddart) and all that she has to offer. But in previous episodes, it was pretty obvious she was taking Brendan on a nauseating roller-coaster ride. And now he's going to propose to her?
Something's in the air, says PJ, and I'm pretty sure she's right. Brando is getting into a tricky situation, while PJ is dating a "fancy plans" guy and wearing little black dresses and noticeable lipstick. But one thing hasn't changed - the boys are giving them both a hard time. Time out - I'm laughing so hard, I can't even type. Andy's cell phone ringtone: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"! That's brilliant.
There's definitely some sarcastic-but-a-little-too-real tension lingering between PJ and the boys, who are feeling stung by her new dating life - which pretty much means poker and beer have been replaced by the opera and cocktails. Even Stephanie's jealous, wanting a Mr. Perfect all her own (who wouldn't?), but I have a soft spot for PJ in this episode. She deserves a relationship just like anyone else, so lighten up, guys! Or at least lighten up, Brando. Is he waiting for PJ to talk him out of this engagement? Because she's pretty much holding her peace, surprisingly.
Can we talk about Mike's apartment? Ten years, and he's basically got a barcalounger and a TV. But at least Kenny's isn't as pathetic. Mike: "How many shirts do you have, man?" Kenny: "I don't know. I like shirts." These little conversations make this show worth watching. This Thursday, next Thursday. We, too. Us, too. The shirts. Kettle corn. I could keep going, but you all know what I'm talking about.
"We're all busy."
He moon walks. That's his major fault? I smell a keeper. But Hank's gotta get to know the boys if he's going to be a part of PJ's life. We all know this is true. This episode's (in the second half-hour) opening game night - Monopoly for a change - is definitely a good one. Good thing Andy's leaving to rest up for his American Girl Café daddy-daughter-dolly breakfast, because Trouty "The Hugger" (Johnny Galecki) has blown in like a tornado. Wait, is that David from
Roseanne? Little curly-haired David who loved Darlene so much that it pissed her off? Figures he'd be Kenny's friend. I mean, we all know Kenny's kind of weird. I think Hank watching football with the guys was weirder, though. Or maybe Stephanie trying on wigs. I haven't decided.
I can't believe PJ asked Wendy who's getting married right to her face. Talk about awkward. But Wendy gets right to the point and pretty much says what I'm constantly thinking - that she always secretly thought there was something between PJ and Brendan. I still think there is.
I did like how, in the end, PJ and Brando bonded with each other's significant other. But Hank doesn't seem thrilled about doing it all over again. There had to be something off about Mr. Perfect, right? This definitely upsets the balance of the team, as PJ said in her monologue. But these characters wedging in between the cracks are making for very entertaining story lines - sort of like a game gone into extra innings. You can't leave now it's getting
really good.
