What I’m Watching: 2 Broke Girls

2 Broke Girls: Season 1, Episode 22 “And the Big Buttercream Breakthrough” (B+)

There’s nothing like the penultimate episode of a season to finally see some growth in your characters. Max’s defense of her pride and her refusal to return to work for Peach is a monumental development, and a sign that she’s committed to seeing this cupcake business take off. It took an entire scene of sitting in a subway train that was clearly not from New York City and a courageous leap over some electrified rats for her to realize it, but Max taking her business seriously is going to mean big things, even if she and her chatty partner are sure to meet plenty of hurdles along the way. As if they’re aware that the season finale is imminent, Sophie and Oleg are realizing that it’s time to decide whether or not they want to be together, and though the former seems set on some disturbingly public sex, the latter actually appears to have feelings for her. This show isn’t about to make any grand, sweeping statement about love, but it’s nice to see two supporting characters find some happiness that may also serve to make them more bearable, though I’ve never minded the Ukrainian cook as much as many do. I loved Earl’s interactions with both Sophie and Peach in this hour, and though he’s essentially positioned at the front line to make cracks upon someone’s entrance, he’s there for a reason, and this installment proved it with a few killer quips, creating the first instance in which Max didn’t have the best punch lines.