Few would dare open with a shot that *immediately* tells there is an Inception spoof starting. Especially when your series doesn't have the budget to make a spoof that would be visually on the level of even the lame "spoofs" in the poor Idiot Movies. But the show-runners turn their limitations to their advantage. The spoof *is* funny.
Hard Times continues to slip some genuine seriousness among the jokes. RJ's mother provides some exemplary comments at the dinner table. RJ tells Miles the truth Miles tries to deny. RJ's dad is mourning his divorce. Amy tells RJ the truth. All of the above naturally delivered via witty dialog.
To make up for their relatively minor parts in the previous episode, Jenny and Robin have a major part in the hilarious, 100% comedy B-plot involving Miles. This episode is also notable for the first appearance of the "good guys of the round table" – RJ, Miles, Jenny, Lily and the now regular characters Amy and Hamilton all have *lunch* together. This provides a nice, plausible way for their characters to gather together in every upcoming episode. Simple, and most of all, endlessly re-usable. Also, the RJ's dad's new job provides plenty of opportunities for comedy with Coach Sinclair.
The A-plot of RJ's parents' wedding anniversary isn't as hilarious as the B-plot, but it doesn't need to be. For a show only 20 episodes young, Hard Times shows uncanny awareness of the fact that you can get *only* so far with just dirty jokes. We actually have relate-able characters and situations that will provide longevity for this series. And the surprise twists keep on coming. Since Jenny has already shown that she is attracted to what a man is like *inside*, suddenly we cannot out-rule the possibility that she *might* end up with Miles, whose character is actually evolving! So, a good 7/10 episode, with a morally deliciously dubious turn – RJ's mom and Coach Sinclair getting RJ and Amy drunk – and a surprisingly emotional ending.
Hard Times continues to slip some genuine seriousness among the jokes. RJ's mother provides some exemplary comments at the dinner table. RJ tells Miles the truth Miles tries to deny. RJ's dad is mourning his divorce. Amy tells RJ the truth. All of the above naturally delivered via witty dialog.
To make up for their relatively minor parts in the previous episode, Jenny and Robin have a major part in the hilarious, 100% comedy B-plot involving Miles. This episode is also notable for the first appearance of the "good guys of the round table" – RJ, Miles, Jenny, Lily and the now regular characters Amy and Hamilton all have *lunch* together. This provides a nice, plausible way for their characters to gather together in every upcoming episode. Simple, and most of all, endlessly re-usable. Also, the RJ's dad's new job provides plenty of opportunities for comedy with Coach Sinclair.
The A-plot of RJ's parents' wedding anniversary isn't as hilarious as the B-plot, but it doesn't need to be. For a show only 20 episodes young, Hard Times shows uncanny awareness of the fact that you can get *only* so far with just dirty jokes. We actually have relate-able characters and situations that will provide longevity for this series. And the surprise twists keep on coming. Since Jenny has already shown that she is attracted to what a man is like *inside*, suddenly we cannot out-rule the possibility that she *might* end up with Miles, whose character is actually evolving! So, a good 7/10 episode, with a morally deliciously dubious turn – RJ's mom and Coach Sinclair getting RJ and Amy drunk – and a surprisingly emotional ending.
