Round Two: House of Lies

House of Lies: Season 1, Episode 2 “Amsterdam” (B+)

I’m thrilled to report that the second installment of this show is just as good as the first, and I can tell that this is going to be another hit for Showtime. What was especially satisfying about this installment was that Marty wasn’t featured as prominently, giving the supporting characters a chance to shine, but Don Cheadle still owned all of the scenes in which Marty was the focus. His reaction to his son wearing objectionable clothing in class was particularly memorable, as was his rather vicious encounter with Monica in which they both ultimately screamed their safe word, which provides the title of this episode, after some disturbing and cruel behavior. I was very excited to see Richard Schiff in what looks to be a superb role as Skip, as well as Griffin Dunne as the Rainmaker. It’s good to see the people pulling the strings, and to see that they’re just as eccentric as their employees. Jeannie got very embarrassed after realizing that was she thought was a date was actually a headhunting meeting, and I like that she managed to walk it off, and that she almost took the job, which was cut off by Marty because he didn’t want to lose her. Doug did an amazing job of humiliating himself when Cat Deeley sat next to him and complimented his vanilla, and his team did a marvelous job of mocking him. Ben Schwartz had his chance to shine in his spectacularly-spun story of seduction, which managed to entrance both me and his team.