11.09.2006

Weeds burns with bright wit and rich, flavorful plots
(without lowering your sperm count)


Shows like Weeds are the reason God created Netflix. All too often a television series will settle into a monster of the week (X-Files) or crime of the week (CSI:Miami) storyline that begins and ends in a convenient yet unfulfilling one-hour package. Weeds takes a refreshing break from that stuffy mold while following the never-ending and often hilarious trials of a pot-dealing single mother.

As a recently widowed mother of two, the ends just won’t meet for Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) and dealing offers the only respite. And dealing in suburban America offers its own set of difficulties, as relentless gossip and PTA intrigue can wreak havoc on a growing drug empire. Nancy must wrestle with the pain of her husband’s tragic death, the difficulties of raising two growing boys, and the unending pressure to survive the law and her drug dealing competition. It’s fun, hilarious, dark, and tragic. It’s also great television.

Light 'er up baby

The secret ingredient of Weeds is its truly amazing cast of characters. Talents like Mary Louise Parker (Boys on the Side), Elizabeth Perkins (He Said, She Said), and Romany Malco (The 40 Year Old Virgin) lay on the drama, energy, and sarcasm so well it’s got to be unhealthy. And the final proof of Weeds’ comedic chops is how even Kevin Nealon (SNL) manages to shine as a supremely mellow PTA President/pothead.

Mary Louise Parker alone could carry this show as the multi-layered, eponymous pot dealing mom. Vulnerable and frightened or tough and capable, Mary dances through her roles with grace, aplomb, and a sarcastic jibe waiting to dart from her lips. And every bit of Mary Louise Parker’s considerable acting ability is necessary because her character, Nancy Botwin, is on one hell of a rollercoaster ride.

In one memorable scene, Nancy confronts a competing dealer who has pushed some product onto a ten year old. Clearly enraged, Nancy seems just as surprised as the dealer when she physically threatens him to stop dealing to children. I won’t spoil how this altercation ends, but the surprise and intensity of the scene remains just as believable and captivating as the humorous banter between Nancy and her queen-bitch neighbor played by Elizabeth Perkins.

Be warned however that Weeds is not fun for the whole family. Teenaged sex, adultery, not to mention drug dealing and drug use are constantly on screen and in your face. And at times the series can drop into the realm of tragedy with a bluntness that isn’t appropriate for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend watching Weeds in front of your impressionable children or religious mother-in-law with the Jesus tattoo on her back.

As much as I want to go on with my glowing and fantastically written review, I’m afraid I’ll spoil the plotlines and ruin the mellow you’ll get from this sure-fire hit. With any luck, you’ve already taken my advice and ordered the first season’s DVD, but second season is off-limits because it’s not out yet and I have first dibs.

7 comments:

Emma said...

Want to see this so much, but the cable package I have in England doesn't have it. DAMN!!!

I do, however, have the OST. And I like the song "Ticky Tacky little Boxes".

Steven said...

I haven't really seen weeds.

I recently used Netflix to check out Curb Your Enthuasim, which I had also never seen.

Steve~

slaghammer said...

It’s a pretty good series, but a little uncomfortable to watch. There are too many similarities to my world in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I keep expecting the show to end with everybody in jail.

Me said...

I will start downloading Weeds eventually. I've heard nothing but good things about the show.

Ian said...

I've not seen any of Weeds, but I've heard it's quite good (and your review makes it even more intriguing). The Sci-Fi Channel just finished rerunning both seasons of Dead Like Me, which I've just added into my queue so I can see them all uncut. That was another brilliant show cut down in its prime.

Also, I wanted to let you know I added you to my blogroll. Thanks for visiting!

Ian

Matt said...

emma - Don't worry, it's worth the wait. And if I had to give my opinion on the theme song, I'd say it's... quaint.

steve - I haven't seen as much of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Some of my friends love that show though, so I'll probably give it a whirl sometime.

slaghamer - You must've had an interesting time in the 70s/80s. Maybe you can get a tv deal out of it too.

Orhan - Good move.

Ian - Thanks! I always love me a good pimping. And I've only seen a little of Dead Like Me so I'll probably try to check that one out too.

Anonymous said...

喝花酒
酒店喝酒
暑假打工
寒假打工
酒店小姐
酒店兼職
禮服店
酒店經紀
酒店兼差
酒店
酒店經紀人
酒店現領
酒店經紀爆米花
酒店經紀
酒店打工
酒店上班
假日打工
台北酒店經紀
酒店pt
酒店pt
酒店應酬
粉味
酒店經紀PRETTY GIRL
酒店經濟
酒店經濟
晚上兼差