What I’m Watching: Bored to Death

Bored to Death: Season 2, Episode 7 “Escape from the Castle” (B+)

One of the things I love most about this show is the fluidity with which all of its characters accept their various predicaments, whether it’s the peculiarity of their assignments or the bizarre situations in which they seem to continually find themselves. I particularly loved the way that Jonathan chose to inform the dermatologist of his partner’s birth gender, so subtly and seemingly professional. The fact that Vikrum was able to get in on all of the excitement and become a part of the team, at least for this episode, was nice, especially since this show’s core cast of only three characters is a bit small (the similarly testerone-filled trio of “Human Target,” returning to the air next week, is actually expanding its cast and adding two female characters). This show managed pretty well this week by having a male character that also happens to be the central female character of the show. Ray’s birthday was a fun subplot that wasn’t much delved into, since Jonathan’s side job and George’s affinity for hallucinogens seem to always take precedence. It did have the benefit of delivering my favorite line, from Ray to George: “are you sure you’re the editor of a magazine?” Nina’s speedy progression of her dalliance with Jonathan was somewhat alarming but rather entertaining, mostly for Jonathan’s reaction to the whole thing. Sadly, next week is this show’s finale, but it’s been a fun, fleeting, all-too-brief run, and fortunately we’ll have our three silly characters back next year for season three!