After Walden sings some breakfast jingles in the kitchen, Alan starts to realize how much he really misses Charlie. He first reacts by getting sentimental, but then takes it a step further by completely transforming into his late brother.
Everybody knows the show doesn't work without Charlie. The chemistry is just off and the replacement they went with couldn't have possibly been less interesting. I was still curious about this episode however since I wondered if they'd be able to pay more respect to the character than the premiere did.
And you know what? This actually isn't too bad for the Kutcher era. It absolutely still has flaws, but for once I didn't cringe and feel like turning off the television. Jon Cryer portrays Alan's grief with believability and heart. His chemistry with Charlie was the most defining aspect of the show, so it's very important that they get it right. You feel so bad for him when he has his piano taken away from him by the decorators, and afterwards sits alone in the dark depressed over how things have changed. His conversation with Jake is hit-and-miss in terms of jokes, and considered how much Charlie cared for him I expected Jake to sympathize with his father more. Listing off the advice his uncle told him got a chuckle out of me though. Of course they all have to do with sex.
Where the story really kicks in though is when Alan becomes jealous of Walden's luck with women and decides to act like Charlie. He becomes so dedicated to this play he forgets that he's Alan entirely and starts to worry the people around him. The dialogue also imitates very well how Charlie talked, and once again my praise goes to Cryer for how well he captures his spirit. It really goes to show how the show would've been even more doomed if he left at the same time. The highlight is when he talks with Jake and his tutor Megan, reappearing after Springtime On A Stick. This is also the only point Alan shows himself again as he gives them only a dollar for a night out.
I would've liked some more shenanigans from Alan as Charlie since when it ends I was kinda surprised it was over already. Still, the exclamation of "Winning!" is an amusing and satisfying final gag.
Berta has a couple solid lines too.
With that being said, the flaws you would expect are still there. Some of the jokes are kinda annoying and drawn out, like Walden singing Charlie's jingles (Let's face it, his voice is nowhere near as good). And Walden in general remains a boring and overly self-righteous character. He calls himself a good person, yet without Alan's permission he donates Charlie's old piano to an orphanage? No matter how much you try to justify it as a decent act, it's incredibly disrespectful. You haven't even *met* the guy, and you are trying to dictate how someone is allowed to remember his brother. Shame on you, Walden.
And although Jake still had his moments, it's noticeable how much they dumbed him down. He was already not the smartest kid anymore by the end of Charlie's run, but now he's practically braindead. Still, Angus T. Jones does the best with what he's got and this is not his worst appearance by any means.
Maybe not a classic, but far better than most from season 9-12.
Everybody knows the show doesn't work without Charlie. The chemistry is just off and the replacement they went with couldn't have possibly been less interesting. I was still curious about this episode however since I wondered if they'd be able to pay more respect to the character than the premiere did.
And you know what? This actually isn't too bad for the Kutcher era. It absolutely still has flaws, but for once I didn't cringe and feel like turning off the television. Jon Cryer portrays Alan's grief with believability and heart. His chemistry with Charlie was the most defining aspect of the show, so it's very important that they get it right. You feel so bad for him when he has his piano taken away from him by the decorators, and afterwards sits alone in the dark depressed over how things have changed. His conversation with Jake is hit-and-miss in terms of jokes, and considered how much Charlie cared for him I expected Jake to sympathize with his father more. Listing off the advice his uncle told him got a chuckle out of me though. Of course they all have to do with sex.
Where the story really kicks in though is when Alan becomes jealous of Walden's luck with women and decides to act like Charlie. He becomes so dedicated to this play he forgets that he's Alan entirely and starts to worry the people around him. The dialogue also imitates very well how Charlie talked, and once again my praise goes to Cryer for how well he captures his spirit. It really goes to show how the show would've been even more doomed if he left at the same time. The highlight is when he talks with Jake and his tutor Megan, reappearing after Springtime On A Stick. This is also the only point Alan shows himself again as he gives them only a dollar for a night out.
I would've liked some more shenanigans from Alan as Charlie since when it ends I was kinda surprised it was over already. Still, the exclamation of "Winning!" is an amusing and satisfying final gag.
Berta has a couple solid lines too.
With that being said, the flaws you would expect are still there. Some of the jokes are kinda annoying and drawn out, like Walden singing Charlie's jingles (Let's face it, his voice is nowhere near as good). And Walden in general remains a boring and overly self-righteous character. He calls himself a good person, yet without Alan's permission he donates Charlie's old piano to an orphanage? No matter how much you try to justify it as a decent act, it's incredibly disrespectful. You haven't even *met* the guy, and you are trying to dictate how someone is allowed to remember his brother. Shame on you, Walden.
And although Jake still had his moments, it's noticeable how much they dumbed him down. He was already not the smartest kid anymore by the end of Charlie's run, but now he's practically braindead. Still, Angus T. Jones does the best with what he's got and this is not his worst appearance by any means.
Maybe not a classic, but far better than most from season 9-12.
