What I’m Watching: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 8, Episode 2 “The Safe House” (B)

This show has a tendency to let itself get more than a little carried away sometimes, and that most often occurs when Larry crudely inserts himself into a truly awful situation. I suppose I’d give Larry some credit for knowing what a battered women’s shelter was and not being as insensitive to the populace as he could have been, but of course he’d just have to pick on the more butch-looking member among them. Having Leon be confused for an abusive boyfriend crosses a line that this show somehow miraculously doesn’t cross on an entirely regular basis, and while it’s not as awful as it could be, it’s still a stretch. I did like the opening scene with Larry trying to get to the ice cream, and I love how the same thing happens again with Richard Lewis later in the episode, reminiscent of “Vehicular Fellatio,” where Jeff shows up at Larry’s door to tell him that he has to say that they were in a car accident together, and other installments. In some way or another, Larry’s friends always seem to be connected to his mishaps. I wasn’t as thrilled with the plot of Richard’s girlfriend and Larry’s close observation of her breasts, but it was worth it to see that image of the two of them in the bed with Richard holding up his casts in frustration. The principle of Larry having to stay and watch someone’s computer is perfect fodder for this show, and I’m surprised it wasn’t featured sooner.