Round Two: Reboot

Reboot: Season 1, Episode 2 “New Girl” (B+)

I’m enjoying the many dynamics that exist on this show and seeing how these actors are and are not similar to their own characters. Timberly’s acting skills were reminiscent of Maria Sofia on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” though she got the job as a result of her rabid fan base from her terrible reality show rather than through blackmail. As Hannah was spinning out trying to figure out how to get rid of her, Gordon dealt with the problem much more stealthily and manipulatively, coaxing Reed into believing that he was a master thespian who could teach her to act. Bree evidently has a history of finding Reed to be too much, and so she got involved, and somehow, it worked out. Gordon writing a last-minute scene where Reed apologized to his daughter and said that he always knew about her was sweet, and I appreciated that this episode still went out on a comedic note with Hannah apologizing for her own misstep as popcorn poured out of the backseat of his car and he admitted that it was too broad. Zack’s relationship with his mother is definitely a bit clingy, and something tells me Clay is going to have a difficult time keeping his newfound sex-reward relationship a secret from his entirely oblivious costar. I’m curious to learn more about the entirely unqualified and frequently-transferred Elaine Kim and to see how her unique perspective helps or hurts the show. She’s certainly not the typical obnoxious network executive and may be able to bring something productive to the table.