Round Two: Married

Married: Season 1, Episode 2 “The Shower” (B+)

I’m pleased to report that episode two of this show didn’t disappoint, creatively following up on the promise of the pilot and delivering an equally awkward but endearing installment that didn’t actually have anything to do with Russ’ quest for a mistress. Instead, he was all about trying to romance his wife, jumping into the shower when she was in there and then failing to lock the gate, resulting in a $5,000 surgery bill for that damn dog. His subsequent obsession with the four showerheads and his suggestion for a spontaneous shower session almost worked, but there was plenty to distract them from that actually happening. A.J. clearly has some issues, thinking it would be a good idea to attend an engagement party for his ex-wife that he sold to Russ as a housewarming. Ordering two prostitutes for a bizarre workout session wasn’t exactly an inspired idea, but it was unexpectedly entertaining. I was very pleased to see some interaction between Jess and Lina (and fantastic actresses Jenny Slate and Judy Greer), which I hadn’t anticipated being featured until well into the show’s run. Jess springing a meeting with her work crush and his friend at the bar wasn’t cool, but neither was Lina referring to Jess as her husband’s friends, which prompted a terrific reaction from Jess. Ultimately, it’s nice to have this show’s antics brought home by the kids, who Lina reluctantly admitted are not that cool and who Russ was happy to talk with about whether everything gets easier when you’re a grownup.