A Televisual Feast

With the third episode, “Ned and Stacey” finds its mix. It’s got a great scene with the quartet–Ned, Stacey, Amanda and Rico–bringing out all the possibilities of the situation. Here, it’s Amanda agreeing with Ned even though he disgusts her… not to mention Ned, annoyingly, trying to facilitate Stacey’s happiness (by urging her to date).

As fantastic as that development gets–and Debra Messing’s a lot better in this episode–the episode goes further, establishing the relationship with Amanda and Stacey’s parents. Even though the parents come off a little “Seinfeld” parents lite, it still works and it’s still great.

The dialogue’s all spot on and the particular character developments (Stacey’s neuroses, Ned’s unlikely obsession with tchotchkes) all work great.

What’s interesting about the show–and I just realized it this episode–is there are no subplots. There’s the main plot and some sundry elements in scenes, but everything plays for the main plot. In this case, Stacey’s illicit (or so the guy thinks) romance provides a lot of material for the supporting scenes. Ned worrying about whether or not the guy liked the outfit he picked out for Stacey–it’s the first time I’m not worried my regard for the show wasn’t just youthful indulgence.

3.5