Perhaps they should change the name of 'Two and a Half Men' to 'Death Wish for Charlie,' because after tonight's episode, that looks like the direction the show is going in when it comes to Charlie Harper, Charlie Sheen's character.
For all the funny business involving guest Jenny McCarthy, who was back as Courtney the con artist who ripped him off three years ago, the take-away emotion from the episode was that Charlie is hurtling into a disastrous, self-destructive relationship. It's sort of the antithesis of last year's "healthy" romance with Chelsea.
Last season's Charlie was all gung-ho about being a better man, doing right by Chelsea and actually getting married. He was very un-Charlie like and not fun. The fact that he didn't marry Chelsea was a relief because a domesticated Charlie just doesn't play.
But do we really enjoy seeing Charlie throw caution to the wind and live life completely on the edge? The way he's been drinking and screwing this year has been over the top. In some ways, it's hilarious. In other ways, it's sad. But for much of this show, with Charlie gorging on Courtney's crazy antics, most of them were sexual, it was funny.
There was something about Japanese rain goggles ... a Google search reveals that it's just something Chuck Lorre and company made up. Still, just the imagination of what it might mean is pretty amusing.
And the Courtney situation was worrisome to Alan (Jon Cryer). But, as Evelyn (Holland Taylor) pointed out, was Alan really concerned for his brother or just concerned about losing his meal ticket? I mean, it makes sense for him to be nervous. If Courtney sucks Charlie dry, metaphorically, Alan might be forced to fend for himself. Evelyn sure doesn't want to take Alan in.
The episode took a weird turn, however, with the building physical ailments Charlie collected. A black eye, a dead arm, a broken toe ... all that was harmless and silly. Charlie walking through a plate glass window, on the other hand, was different. The sight gag of Charlie's face covered in blood just wasn't a ha-ha moment, nor was Alan barfing in the piano. It was a dark turn on a show that rarely goes in that direction.
While the episode had that strange tone at the end, it also had a really good performance by McCarthy. Courtney may be a gold digger, but she was goofy and off the wall and really liked flashing her boobs. McCarthy went for every joke with gusto and energy. I liked her a lot.
On the other hand, this is the second year in a row that 'Two and a Half Men' wasted Carl Reiner as Marty Pepper, a geriatric letch who's boffing Evelyn. Carl is too good to be doing dick jokes in a wheelchair. Maybe he doesn't mind, but I do.
Quotes We Liked
Charlie: The good news is that we're both really clean.
Courtney: Inside and out. Shall we go upstairs and get dirty again?
Charlie: I'm right behind you.
Courtney: What else is new?
Alan: What's wrong with him?
Berta: Classic case of va-jay-jay fever.
Alan: Colorfully put. I'm just surprised to see Charlie fall for it.
Berta: Sooner or later all men fall for it. How do you think I got my condo in Palm Springs?
Alan: You have a condo in Palm Springs?
Berta: No, figure of speech. Don't try to stop by.
Courtney: Are my boobs even?
Alan: Even what?
Courtney: I just want to make sure one's not popping out more than the other one.
Alan: No, no. They're both just popping ... fine.
'Two and a Half Men' airs Mondays at 9PM ET on CBS.
For all the funny business involving guest Jenny McCarthy, who was back as Courtney the con artist who ripped him off three years ago, the take-away emotion from the episode was that Charlie is hurtling into a disastrous, self-destructive relationship. It's sort of the antithesis of last year's "healthy" romance with Chelsea.
Last season's Charlie was all gung-ho about being a better man, doing right by Chelsea and actually getting married. He was very un-Charlie like and not fun. The fact that he didn't marry Chelsea was a relief because a domesticated Charlie just doesn't play.
But do we really enjoy seeing Charlie throw caution to the wind and live life completely on the edge? The way he's been drinking and screwing this year has been over the top. In some ways, it's hilarious. In other ways, it's sad. But for much of this show, with Charlie gorging on Courtney's crazy antics, most of them were sexual, it was funny.
There was something about Japanese rain goggles ... a Google search reveals that it's just something Chuck Lorre and company made up. Still, just the imagination of what it might mean is pretty amusing.
And the Courtney situation was worrisome to Alan (Jon Cryer). But, as Evelyn (Holland Taylor) pointed out, was Alan really concerned for his brother or just concerned about losing his meal ticket? I mean, it makes sense for him to be nervous. If Courtney sucks Charlie dry, metaphorically, Alan might be forced to fend for himself. Evelyn sure doesn't want to take Alan in.
The episode took a weird turn, however, with the building physical ailments Charlie collected. A black eye, a dead arm, a broken toe ... all that was harmless and silly. Charlie walking through a plate glass window, on the other hand, was different. The sight gag of Charlie's face covered in blood just wasn't a ha-ha moment, nor was Alan barfing in the piano. It was a dark turn on a show that rarely goes in that direction.
While the episode had that strange tone at the end, it also had a really good performance by McCarthy. Courtney may be a gold digger, but she was goofy and off the wall and really liked flashing her boobs. McCarthy went for every joke with gusto and energy. I liked her a lot.
On the other hand, this is the second year in a row that 'Two and a Half Men' wasted Carl Reiner as Marty Pepper, a geriatric letch who's boffing Evelyn. Carl is too good to be doing dick jokes in a wheelchair. Maybe he doesn't mind, but I do.
Quotes We Liked
Charlie: The good news is that we're both really clean.
Courtney: Inside and out. Shall we go upstairs and get dirty again?
Charlie: I'm right behind you.
Courtney: What else is new?
Alan: What's wrong with him?
Berta: Classic case of va-jay-jay fever.
Alan: Colorfully put. I'm just surprised to see Charlie fall for it.
Berta: Sooner or later all men fall for it. How do you think I got my condo in Palm Springs?
Alan: You have a condo in Palm Springs?
Berta: No, figure of speech. Don't try to stop by.
Courtney: Are my boobs even?
Alan: Even what?
Courtney: I just want to make sure one's not popping out more than the other one.
Alan: No, no. They're both just popping ... fine.
'Two and a Half Men' airs Mondays at 9PM ET on CBS.
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