What I'm Watching: Swingtown

Swingtown: Season 1, Episode 10 "Running on Empty" (B-)

All this cabin stuff is pretty ridiculous, but I'd rather focus on the far more intriguing and juicy subplot this episode. Janet's realization that she's attracted to Tom is both amusing and dramatic at the same time, and her interaction with the therapist is classic. I'd love to see her and Roger become swingers, though I doubt that will be the case any time soon. Trina and Tom seem to be having quite a bit of trouble keeping themselves entertained while staying faithful, but their fidelity didn't last too long. Bruce's acceptance of Laurie's dalliance with the teacher is a somewhat touching moment, but having him lunge after her one second before is a bit sloppy. That's a rather speedy change of heart. In any case, I just read about a DVD release for the show's first season. That's impressive considering a lot of my favorite recent summer shows haven't gotten such a treatment (The Inside, Hidden Palms), but I can't possibly imagine they'll translate this one over to the regular TV season. It just has that summer feel - nice and relaxing, but much more of a guilty pleasure than an actual satisfying legitimate experience.