TV Series Lounge

Seriously Weeds? Is this the way you really want to end season 7? Let’s see what happened on the season 7 finale titled “Do Her/Don’t Do Her.”

TV Fanatic: Weeds is yet to be picked up for an eighth season, and I really wish creator Jenji Kohan had made this decision for Showtime. That way, she could have penned a build-up to a finale that gave Nancy and her family a true send-off.

The series has been an enormous success, but if it was wobbling off the tracks last year, it crashed and exploded off of them this season. Every episode felt like a complete mess. There was no continuity, no pacing. Take this half hour as an example: the banter between Nancy and Jill was hilarious at times, but did anyone feel a connection to these sisters? Or to the custody storyline in general?

It was completely dropped for weeks and, even more importantly, I can’t imagine why anyone would have wanted Nancy to end up with Stevie. She is a horrific mother. Really, the only character who made any sense here was Shane’s detective friend when he blasted Nancy for being selfish and dangerous and using the NYPD to further her own drug empire. I was nodding along with every word out of his mouth.

It’s one thing to portray a morally grey central character, as many other shows do very well. But that character must be interesting and viewers must feel some sympathy for him or her at times. Sadly, Nancy Botwin never once held my interest this season. She sleeps around and she’ll do anything to sell marijuana. That just about covers her.

Can she be redeemed? Is there an angle there for season eight? Maybe. Mary-Louise Parker is still terrific in the role. But it’s always frustrating when a show doesn’t know when to say goodbye. I’ve often defended Weeds because it takes chances. But at some point those chances stop feeling brave and start feeling desperate. It’s too bad. For a show about drugs, Weeds has ruined any chance of going out on a high note.

What are your thoughts?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

What happened on the episode 12 of Weeds? Well, have a glimpse below.

TV Fanatic: The penultimate episode of this season concluded with storylines converging and the stage seemingly set for finale fireworks. Will Nancy be denied Stevie? Will Detective What’s His Name heed Emma’s warning? Will Silas really screw over his brother? And is Andy serious about actually, finally, walking out of his selfish family?

I don’t know, and the influx of characters about whom I know little leaves me not caring very much, either.

If Demtri were meant to play this key of a role throughout the season, I wish he had been introduced a bit better. Does anyone feel like they know a thing about this horny drug dealer? He just seems to be around to serve whatever storyline purpose is needed at the moment; which, in this case, meant calling his army buddies to tap into Silas’ phone and then stage a car jacking of Heylia and Dean. (Ummm… okay.)
What did Nancy think was going to happen when she told her occasional lover that she wanted to teach her son a lesson?

But at least we did return to the issue of Stevie’s custody. It’s been on the back burner so long that I can smell smoke through my TV screen.

The only problem is that I don’t want Nancy to end up with him. Sure, her sister seems isn’t a likable character, but compared to Nancy Botwin? Stevie is residing with Mother Theresa. It’s perfectly fine to feature a main character that lives in a grey area, or even a black one (you’re reading a review by someone who swears by The Shield), but we need to at least understand that individual’s motivations.

Can anyone say that’s the case with Nancy? She’s not after money, or family, or love, or …. anything. It’s just, gosh, I don’t even know at this point. The thrill of the drug game?

How do you think this season of Weeds will pick up next week?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

I don’t know what they did on this episode of Weeds but most critics saw a non-impressive episode.

TV Fanatic: I get that the world’s worst mother stopped dealing drugs merely for monetary purposes a long time ago, but she cleared well into the five figures on “Une M’re Que J’aimerias B****r,” didn’t she? At some point, it would be great if Nancy simply called it a day and at least attempted to be an actual mother, wouldn’t it?

Speaking of which, I must ask again: what happened to the Stevie custody storyline?!?

I actually wish this had been the arc for the season: Nancy dressing up MILF as some high class drug, getting herself inundated in Doug’s world, Weeds sort of going all Royal Pains on us. It has far more potential, and feels a bit more organic, then the random inclusion of Zoya and her brother and that giant bag of guns from the premiere.

So, yes, I’m curious to see where this goes, although there’s not much time remaining on the season for it to go very far.

Elsewhere, it was pretty much the same old, same old. Andy has thrown in bitter comments toward Nancy and his unrequited love for this “heartless” woman many times before, only to continue to serve as her lap dog. Can’t see much changing in that regard here, no matter how many Long Island Iced Teas Andy downs or how many identities he takes on.

Silas, meanwhile, may have taken a true step out the door to conclude the episode, but he’s been his own man all season now anyway. Now it’s official, I guess, but a drug-dealing showdown between mother and son doesn’t appeal to me. Nancy is beyond redemption. She might as well hire a hitman and take Silas out.

Did you like it? Do you agree with the critics?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

I was really not sure what went wrong on episode 9 of Weeds season 7 titled “Cats! Cats! Cats!” but it failed to meet my expectations.

TV Fanatic: Do I believe that Shane would be so ignorant as to think he could break into an officer’s computer and simply print out key records? Or that Silas would be so trustworthy of a rival drug dealer that he’d reveal all his secrets? No and no.

But I’ll take what I can get on Weeds these days and, following this episode, we at least have raised stakes now.

Not for Nancy, of course. She may look pained in the photo above, but everything works out perfectly for this non-mother of the year. Over and over, she just stumbles into good fortune.

Hey, the CEO you admitted to tapping? Not only did he invite you away with him after one day, he gave you his townhouse! The possibility you might return to jail? Nah, no worries! You happen to work for a company with ties to the government.

It’s getting more and more irritating to watch Nancy get away with everything each week, mostly because her constant reprieves are never the result of her planning or wit or intelligence. They are truly just dumb luck, which is a lazy way to write a TV series.

What happened to Martin Short? Her sister? Stevie? The possibility of losing her son appeared to be the one way in which Nancy was still a vulnerable human being, but we haven’t heard a peep about that case in weeks. There are only a few episodes remaining. Let’s hope we return to it soon.

Then we have Zoya. Wow. What a pointless, random character. We never really learned anything about her, except that she was an insane arsonist with a temper… and then she just up and left. Did any viewer feel invested in this individual? Find her interesting? Worthy of any screen time? I hate to constantly complain about this season of Weeds, but there’s very little coherence to it and Zoya was a prime example.

What can you say about this episode of Weeds?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Until now, we are still waiting for that episode-with-a-bang from Weeds.

TV Fanatic: The concluding scene of “Synthetics” teased how everything will be coming together over the next few weeks, in a most unsettling way for Nancy.

While Zoya and her family rattled on, it was a hoot to simply see Nancy at a loss of words for a change. The same could be said for Aidan Quinn’s… Foster? Chuck? Whatever he wants us to call him, I’m guessing he didn’t expect to walk into this world after finally snagging a date with Doug’s hot secretary, a woman who apparently bruises easily from the sucking of one’s lips.

Seriously, what grown woman gets a hickey?

One that sleeps with a pair of siblings in a matter of hours, I guess.

I really wanna say the best scene of the episode took place when the Nancy was put in her place by the halfway house woman (“You’re a lifer.”), but does anyone believe it will change Nancy’s behavior in any way? This drug-dealing, irresponsible mother knows who she is and doesn’t care. That’s fine and all, but it can make for a frustrating TV series. Nancy hasn’t evolved in any way since we first met her.

And that’s unfortunate because the Weeds I want to watch deals with Nancy’s past, it doesn’t give us yet another example of Nancy getting herself in way too deep. (Seriously, why are all these people in her apartment? Talking so openly about their trade with each other and in front of a stranger in a suit? It felt like a forced way to bring everyone in Nancy’s life together.)

Meanwhile, Shane is a murderer now, but he’s still in touch with his sensitive side. Solid advice he offered his random detective pal, and you just know the writers were high-fiving one another after using the “suburbs” line.

Outside of Andy lamenting his use of the word “Silly-opolis,” not many laughs this week. Just a lot of Mary-Louise Parker naked and I truly never thought I’d complain about that. But it’s the same thing we’ve seen a hundred times – Nancy using sex to further her shady ambitions – and, even if Nancy is not, I’m ready for change. Let’s hope that concluding scene, of worlds hilariously colliding, delivers it.

What are your expectations for Weeds season 7?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Another so-so episode for Weeds season 7. Episode 7 titled “Playing With Fire!” gave us some quality moments, but I hate the fact that some issues emerged in the said episode.

TV Fanatic: Isn’t it convenient that Nancy’s boss likes pot? That the SEC is investigating the firm at which she works and can release her from that halfway house? That Shane has run into a cop who tosses out internships like candy? That Silas has a connection to the underground male modeling boxing world?

I don’t want to file the same complaints each week – that there’s no real storytelling logic; happenstance is more to thank than anything else for one development after another – so I’ll focus on two positives instead.

1. I’m intrigued by Andy’s desire to run a clean business. I’m less encouraged that this will go anywhere, considering his seeming willingness to let Silas’ team operate out of the back room, along with his constant acquiescing to Nancy. But let’s hope there’s actual conflict to come between Andy’s plans and those of his relatives

2. Might Nancy finally realize what she’s created in Silas? Yes, it’s nice to be insulated from the front lines, but it’s also a much bigger deal to run a major drug-dealing operation. Raise your role in any company and raise the risk. Nancy’s new boss friend (Aidan Quinn) might find this out if/when his new pal turns him in… and Nancy’s son might also make the same discovery.

In closing, a question: does anyone care about the return of Zoya? We saw her making out with Nancy for about three seconds on the season premiere. She clearly has dangerous connections, but that ending didn’t exactly leave me hanging from a cliff.

It’s really good to see new faces in a TV show. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed episode 4 of Weeds season 7 titled “A Hole in Her Niqab.”

TV Fanatic: But it also highlighted a problem I have with the series: the storytelling is anything but organic. Yes, there are humorous lines and, yes, the characters are entertaining. There’s just no slow, and most of the arcs are predicated on random, dumb luck.

Nancy happens to see a drug dealer on the street? And it’s the same drug dealer who supplies the building at which she works? And the CEO just happens to crush on Nancy and be into marijuana?

It’s all very convenient.

The same goes for Andy. That guy cracks me up, but it’s a bit of a stretch for him to constantly get involved in utterly unrealistic, ridiculous romantic entanglements. Still, I laughed pretty hard when he found that husband’s sock.

I’m also happy to see Aidan Quinn and, especially, Martin Short on board. Both are strong, fun actors. This is the second consecutive guest-starring role for Short as an attorney, following his Emmy-nominated work on Damages, but I have a feeling his character here will be a bit quirkier than his straight-laced lawyer on that Glenn Close-anchored drama.

Look for Short to get involved in Nancy’s custody battle with Jill and for me to crack up every time he wants to hear gory details as payment.

Seven seasons in, Weeds is what it is – and that’s still an entertaining series with great performances all around. I can accept some easy, lazy storytelling as long as it makes me laugh. It does take away from Nancy as a character a bit, though, doesn’t it?

More issues coming now on Weeds season 7. In last night’s episode titled “Game-Played,” a certain question was asked by critics – How far has Nancy Botwin fallen as a mother? Two of her kids now call her by her first name.

TV Fanatic: Indeed, things got real for this gorgeous dealer on Weeds throughout “Game-Played,” starting with the revelation that her sister wants custody of her youngest son and concluding with being thrown out of a loft by her oldest son.

That’s one non-existent reunion and one short-lived, business-based reunion for Nancy in less than 24 hours. Rough.

It would help if Nancy showed an ounce of remorse for past actions or a hint of affection toward her loved ones. Yes, we see this as an audience during a few down moments – but her relatives never do. She picks up the banter with Andy as soon as she sees him. She has him running (humorous), drug-related errands within minutes.

The guy is either so whipped, so in love or both that he tells an empty apartment he’s “glad you gout of prison.” But, at some point, even Andy will bail. Then again, if it hasn’t happened already, it’s hard to imagine when it might.

At least Andy always gets some while pining away for his former sister-in-law. Somehow, Silas gets naked and Andy still gets the girl. No wonder this guy is so calm in every situation. Good fortunate is always on his side.

I can’t begin to imagine what Doug is in for at his new job, but let’s hope it involves a new jacket every week. This week’s outfit would make Craig Sager jealous (hopefully at least one reader is familiar with this TNT sideline reporter).

On a serious note, though, it’s clear Nancy is truly realizing the consequences of her actions. She got into the drug-dealing game to save her family, and now she won’t get out of it even when it’s costing her that same family. Or perhaps she can’t get out of it. Nancy has never really been a user, but an addiction to action can be just as dangerous as one to any narcotic.

Just think: the only child not to refer to her as “Nancy” is the one who has committed murder. Can’t really blame Jill for scoffing at how Nancy has raised her kids, can you? It’s just a question now or whether or not Nancy has the capacity to do anything about it.

So what do you think about this episode? Did you like it?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Weeds season 7 has really brought to us some interesting developments, especially on episode 2 titled “From Trauma Cometh Something.”

What happened? The family is in Agrestic, wait, now it’s Mexico! Nancy is married to a politician/drug-dealer… oh, no, now she’s a maid selling hash!

TV Fanatic: But, through it all, the characters have remained as enjoyable and entertaining as almost any on television. All of their unique quirks were on display in “From Trauma Cometh Something.”

I’ve gotta start with Doug simply because he was still wearing his neck pillow when the gang strolled into that halfway house. I laughed out loud at the look.

I’m not sure what he’s up to with that friend, but it will likely involve getting high. I’m also pretty sure his friend let Doug win at racquetball and Doug didn’t realize it.

Then there’s Andy. The poor sap will hop on a plane on a moment’s notice for the woman who has led him on for years. He’ll somehow manage to take relatively good care of her children, while remaining a culinary expert (he may really have those cookbook recipes memorized) who remains calm in the presence of all obstacles, even threatening roommates with strange phone sex habits.

Silas and Shane, meanwhile, both want to believe they are their own men. Shane sure talked a good game after he clubbed Pilar with that mallet.

But even the longest sideburns on the planet can’t hide the fact that Shane still wants his mother’s love, and he was visibly shaken when learning Nancy ditched her family. Silas also thought he could conquer New York with his smooth talk and smooth face – but he was reduced to practically begging when the model rep turned him down, making the sort of earnest, heartfelt plea that may land him a job.

Finally, of course, we have Nancy. The entire ZOYA/grenades storyline feels contrived and inorganic, but I tried to focus on the woman herself this week. Once high, she let loose with all the mistakes she had made and her true feelings on seeing her family again. She’s clearly ashamed about it all. But this sort of says everything about Nancy, doesn’t it?

She only opened up while talking to a stranger and being on drugs. She also didn’t change her behavior in any way.

I’m fine with these characters however I’m really more concern on the storylines. What do you expect for episode 3?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

A troublemaker on Gossip Girl is coming on Weeds season 7.

Showtime has confirmed that the actress who brought Georgina Sparks to life will appear on two season seven episodes. She’ll portray Emma, a low-level pot dealer who feuds with Nancy and flirts with Silas.

On the small screen, Trachtenberg has appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Six Feet Under, Mercy, Robot Chicken and Love Bites.

What do you think of her character?

You can check other Weeds Season 7 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.