Closing the first half of season 5 (which, like season 4, is taking AD in daring new directions compared to the safer and callback-heavy season 3) Premature Independence is a highlight. With hilarious sequences and some shocking moments, Premature Independence feels a bit like a season finale in opening up possibilities while closing old storylines (notably the aborted plot of having Lindsay run against her old rival Sally Sitwell).
The episode starts off with some high points. Maeby in the old folks home is definitely one of the best directions the series has taken the character in. Hearing her underage/overage bit is risque, and her goodbye to neighbour's painkillers and Fox and Friends is perfect. We also have some classicly ADish word play- "sun is nobody's friend"-"friendless son."
Some story developments: This appears to be the end of the line for Tony Wonder. That was the most shocking moment, as he wasn't exactly deserving of a cement bath, but the character's storyline had essentially been exhausted (I always found him a bit over-the-top anyway; and Ben Stiller wasn't interested in becoming a regular in the first place). Plus, GOB became a bit too pathetic in season 5. Whether gay or straight, it would be good to have the old confidently incompetent GOB back. The use of "Free at Last" effectively sucks much of the trauma out of the scene.
In a Keystone Kops sequence with some magical moments ("Merry mixup!"), it then appears Stan Sitwell and Debrie have also been killed off, though thankfully, the "On the next" shows both characters were merely injured (Maeby dumps Stan anyway. Whoever thought they would be a couple one day?).
The second half of season 5 could be something, indeed. I still expect Lucille 2 will resurface- but the series definitely seems to be going back to its prison-oriented roots.
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