What About Brian: What About Angelo's Ashes

(S02E05) Going into this episode, I wasn't too excited about it. Funeral for Angelo? I figured it would just be sort of cheesy as the writers officially wrapped up his story. Turns out though, this was a great episode. Probably the best one of the season so far.

Wasn't it weird to not have Marjorie there for any of this though? If there was a logical time for her to make an unannounced return, this certainly would have made sense. Despite everything that happened, she really should have been there for a friend's funeral. But at the same time, if she did come back, with everything else that's going on? Things would have gotten messy. Her absence really stood out during the end of the episode, especially when the whole group went to spread Angelo's ashes at the pier. At this rate, everyone is probably going to be a little ticked off at her when she finally comes back.

The overall theme for the episode was all about growing up. Everyone had to make some choices that moved them forward in life and to me, it was really the first time that all the different storylines started to mesh for me. The cast is really starting to work as a cohesive unit. There's another reason that Marjorie's return will be weird.

Brian and Dave finally put Zap Monkey to bed. Dave took a job with a larger video game publisher and Brian finally sucked it up and took his Dad's offer to work for the family realty business. Dave made the most progress in the episode though. Beyond his new job, he and Deena still seem to be headed towards divorce. Custody issues are already becoming apparent and they keep complicating things because they're still sleeping together. This is the only story I'm sort of tired of right now. I wish they would just make a decision. Get a divorce or don't because the whole "will they or won't they" thing is getting a bit old for me.

As I said, everyone had to grow up a little -- except Adam. He went in the opposite direction. Look at him. He lost his fiancee, didn't get the firm's partnership (Jimmy did... ouch), and now one of his best friends has died. If he ever had a reason to live life to the fullest, there's three good ones. So rather than taking responsibility and trying to grow up a little, he's embracing all his high school goals at Heather's suggestion. He's going to run a marathon, go rock climbing, and do all the other fun things that he always wanted. I like how they're developing his story. It makes sense, doesn't feel forced, and his general attitude is far better than it was four episodes ago. He's less of an ass now, more humbled I suppose.

I'm glad Brian broke it off with Lisa B. (again) too. She bugged me, but I suppose that's what her character was supposed to do. Brian's character works a lot better when he's single (that's the point of the show to some extent) and I like it when he's managing two or three pointless relationships. It's funnier. It'll be interesting to see how his working relationship with his Dad pans out though. They clearly don't get along at all.

I like the direction the show is taking though. It's great that it got the full season order so that we can see how the whole story turns out. Anyone have some theories on what's to come?