What I’m Watching: Bel-Air

Bel-Air: Season 2, Episode 7 “Under Pressure” (B+)

I find it much less stressful when Will and Carlton are getting along, and the notion of friendly competition is never a good way to keep things cool. The reason that Will is a wild card choice is that he’s not the typical Bel-Air kid, and he doesn’t care about the history of the award because that’s not relevant to what he can do with his life. Things didn’t look good for Carlton when that video of him and his teammates came out, and he’s headed down an unfortunate road, recording yet another vulnerable confession and then indulging in drugs after that. Drew is easily the most detestable new focus of this season, just eager to get with Lisa and to do whatever he can to cut Will and Carlton down in the process. Doc at least seems to have some interest in shaping Will into a successful athlete, even if he knows that he’ll benefit as a result. Phil’s outrageously appealing job offer certainly seems great, but his history with Erika will likely be a problem. I was excited to recognize Joivan Wade from “Doom Patrol” as Frederick, who was relatively open to meeting his father but understandably hurt by the fact that everyone raved about how he was like family when he hadn’t gotten to experience that with him. Phil talking to him was an important moment that showed just how much he likes to reward loyalty with that very same loyalty to those closest and dearest to him.

What I’m Watching: Modern Family

Modern Family: Season 5, Episode 12 “Under Pressure” (B-)

As has been the case recently, this episode was relatively funny but so staged in its construction. The school night setup was on par with this show’s usual plotlines, but so much of it felt rehearsed and extremely purposeful in an irritating way. Claire realizing that she’s just like Alex and getting up on the board to do the math of how much homework she had was the worst of the lot. Jay passing a flask to Phil and then bullying him into breaking into the teacher’s lounge to watch the game was saved only by the fact that it was bonding time for the two of them, which is a rare and welcome thing. Alex self-diagnosing herself and going to see a psychologist was an awfully one-sided plotline, but I did enjoy seeing John Benjamin Hickey from “The Big C” as her doctor, even though the role didn’t exactly give him much to do. There were two other notable guest stars in this episode, one of whom was Jane Krakowski, fresh off “30 Rock,” as Gloria’s nemesis who wanted to get her son the one spot to Washington, D.C. I was surprised to see Jesse Eisenberg appear on this show, let alone in such a small role, but he did manage to nail every one of his lines, particularly the one about remembering when Lily was in disposable diapers. Pairing odd couple Mitchell and Haley up is always a recipe for success, and their attempt to out-environmentalize Mitchell’s neighbor truly bombed.