Season 5.1: Glad to see the gang back, and they don’t waste anytime bringing the whole cast into the fold. The opening scene features practically every surviving cast member of the series, which instantly re-took my interest, when I remembered how many great actors/characters there are. I think most of all I’m just happy to see that Adam Ferrara (Needles) has a job, since we’re in a recession, and he’s awesome. Throw Lenny Clarke (Teddy Gavin) into that category too. Anyway, onto the episode itself.
I’m a little rusty on remembering where this show left off. I mean to say that I remember the final moments with Tommy and Michael “Pop” Gavin being at the baseball game, and Charles Durning’s character passing on right as the season faded to black. I just don’t recall Tommy having moved in with Gina Gershon’s character, but that may have been something that happened off-screen, anyone who can remember feel free to correct me. Tommy’s relationship with her bores me anyway. The real significant other that needs to be mentioned is Dwight, Colleen’s new b/f, who is played by Michael J. Fox! I didn’t realize exactly how much I liked M.J.F. until the moment he appeared on screen. Happy to see him working through his condition, he’s amazing.
Sheila is just as neurotic as ever, but like most of the female characters on this show, her story just doesn’t interest me at this point. Tommy has gone through a lot with these women over the past four seasons, and they’re all pretty much played out. It was crazy to Mikey (Robert John Burke) slipping back into drinking, but it didn’t seem like his character would continue after tonight. It’s a good thing Tommy decided not to be anyone’s A.A. Sponsor earlier in the episode because he handled Mikey horribly (who’d of thunk it?). The whole “Bootsy” thing was a little weak, especially with the dog getting run over in front of Mikey so soon after the initial argument, but I guess that’s just how characters are developed sometimes.
Can’t wait to see what Sean, Franco, and Mike come up with in their plan to open a firefighters bar. I imagine they’ll prosper in this endeavor, since I think it’d be funny to see these idiots actually making something out of it, and this is a comedy after all. Jerry Adler (Hesh!!!) had an interesting role in this episode, but the climax of the episode is where his true feelings were revealed, when he and Tommy got into an argument at the fire. I never expected his character to be the show’s antagonist, but he’s awesome in the role. Can’t wait to see where this feud goes.
Here’s hoping for more Michael J. next week…
