What I’m Watching: Party Down (Series Return)

Party Down: Season 3, Episode 1 “Kyle Bradway Is Nitromancer” (B+)

With all the shows being rebooted and revived these days, I’m happy to have this one back because I always found it entertaining and I’ve gotten to know some of the performers better in the time since it went off the air after just two seasons. I liked that this episode really was a reunion, and I’m genuinely curious about what happens next given that a handful of the characters theoretically won’t be involved in regular Party Down operations but easily could be given how their circumstances may change. It was fun to see both Jane Lynch and Megan Mullally together since the latter replaced the former when she left to star in a small show called “Glee,” and I wonder whether we will ultimately get to see Lizzy Caplan again since she’s very busy these days. Kyle experienced a very rapid fall from grace when that “My Struggle” video came back out just as he was finally hitting it big, and I enjoyed the appearance from Quinta Brunson, who assured him they would be fine but didn’t actually mean him. From the other guest stars, I was happy to see Jennifer Garner in a role that doesn’t feel like the kind she usually plays, and I’m intrigued to see whether she’ll continue to appear and if a romance with Henry might be possible. He seems to be the most stable of the group, with a steady job and a family, but I have a feeling that he won’t be able to resist helping Ron through his latest tough time. I’m excited for the rest of the season.

What I’m Watching: In Treatment (Series Return)

In Treatment: Season 4, Episode 1 “Eladio – Week 1” (B)

I’m not sure I even knew that this show was coming back, and only realized that it was premiering again so soon when I started my Emmy coverage for The Film Experience and indicated it as a possible contender given its history of acting nominations. Looking back at my reviews of the show, it looks like I really wasn’t into season one at the time when I began it, though I remember checking in later and being much more impressed, I didn’t review season two at all since it aired during my semester abroad, and I appreciated season three as I reviewed four episodes at a time. It’s crazy to think about some of the tremendous young talent working today who started on this show, like Mia Wasikowska, Alison Pill, and Dane DeHaan, as well as the presence of some now-deceased actors like John Mahoney and Irrfan Khan. Whatever its history, this show is back now with two episodes at a time, twice a week, following four patients. It’s interesting that Brooke is linked to Paul since this show didn’t have to be about Gabriel Byrne’s character, and I’m not sure whether he’s planning to return at some point. I do like Uzo Aduba, an Emmy winner for “Orange is the New Black” and “Mrs. America,” though I don’t think I would have thought to cast her for this role. Anthony Ramos, who plays Eladio, is probably best known for “Hamilton” and the upcoming “In the Heights,” but I also remember seeing him as a not-terrible part of the Liam Neeson movie “Honest Thief.” I would like to get to know him better, and this episode served as more of an introduction to both characters. I was intrigued that we only saw Brooke’s surroundings while she watched Eladio on screen, but things flipped towards the end, which was an effective way to remind viewers that there is a real world on both sides. Let’s see what episode two and the other patients are like – I’m on board to explore with this show.