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May 26, 2012

What About Brian: What About True Confessions

by Jonathan Toomey, posted Dec 19th 2006 12:14PM

Deena, TK, and his limo.(S02E09) I've gotten to the point where I'm overly critical of this show because it used to be really good. So I'm trying to make an effort to like it again. The five season one episodes were just such a welcome surprise last spring and I even speculated that this show could become the next Grey's Anatomy if ABC handled it right. Well guess what? They didn't handle it right.

For the longest time I've been lobbying for the return of Marjorie. After last night's episode, I realized something. I don't think Marjorie's return will make a difference at all. Adam is too proud to take her back and Brian is too smart at this point to throw it all away on her again. Besides, I'm starting to enjoy their respective new storylines and Bridget and Heather make nice additions to the show.

Adam and Brian seem to be the only ones that are advancing though. Dave and Deena are still going in circles despite Deena's decision to stop talking to Dave for a while. I did like the juxtaposition of their dates though. Deena's was fancy and boring while Dave's was lively and fun. It was all made even more amusing since Deena gave Dave advice for the evening. Does anyone else find it weird that Dave's date (with a 20 year old girl!) was the one set up for us to feel positive about? That's odd to me but at least the word "cupcake" wasn't used once.

The entire story of Brian and his mother's illness was touching but did it really serve any purpose? Have we gained anything by knowing this? It just seemed like filler and the only purpose it served (as far as I could tell) was to give Brian something heartfelt and personal to talk to Bridget about. As far as she goes? I like her and I'm warming to the idea that there may be some fireworks between her and Brian, but they need to stop mentioning that she was sleeping with his old man. The sooner we forget about that, the better.

Anyone else think that Adam was going to pull a Sandy Cohen and go join the public defender's office? I was surprised he stuck around but at least he appears to be serious about trying to help out the little guy. I'm sure Jimmy will keep his mouth shut but what if the other partners find out that despite Adam coming in at less than their offer, he still got the client almost three times what they initially asked for? For the time being though, they seem to think he's a "shark."

Other random thoughts...

  • Nic and her baby? Have it. Don't have it. I don't care. She has officially become the first character on the show that I don't care about. Honestly, try and picture an episode without her. Would it be that much different?
  • I loved the guy at the homeless shelter and how he referred to all court appointed volunteers by their crime. It was hilarious. "Hey, Bar Fight # 1, serve that soup!" "Hey Shoplifter, get to work!"

So as I said, I'm making the effort to stick with this show because I know it can be better. I still like it for the most part, but a lot needs to change. Hopefully ABC is listening because I think they still have the potential for a big hit here.

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jason

i wanted brian and majorie to be together at the time in season 1 but that changed when she started causing trouble between adam and brian.now we dont need her.briget is the hot chick i want with brian and man look at her she is so sexy

December 22 2006 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
What About Brian - Still a fan

Adam will be telling her next episode - you could see that scene in the "sneak peek" at the end of Monday's show. Also, I disagree with everyone - good riddance to Marjorie! Yes, I loved her last season, but she was making everything way too complicated with Adam and Brian, and she was only on the show because she was hot. Now we have a smokin' 20 year old, Ivy, and Brian's newest love interest - why do we need Marjorie anymore?

As for Lisa - you hit the nail on the head. It's called "What About Brian" - so why do we care as much about Dave, Deena, Adam, Heather... we want everyone to be perfect EXCEPT BRIAN! What about him?? Why are things going poorly for everyone else? Maybe the sequel can be "What About Brian's Friends", but for now, stick to "What About Brian!"

December 19 2006 at 4:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Forrest

I agree on most of what you said...but I think that the scene with Brian and her mother wasn't just fuller. Instead, I think it was put in to provide us a different look at Nicole and her strained (more likely non-existent) relationship with their mom.

I also think that Deena's date seemed just a bit over the top and that it took away a little bit of the genuine humbleness that had been given to TK...what kind of name TK btw???

Dave's date...totally not buying that she is 20 yrs old. She doesn't look it, she doesn't act it, and I'm not buying it. I think there is something there though and you could see it when Dave came home acting quite "giddy" at the end of the night. Then again...we saw the same things from him over the girl that lead to the end of their marriage. Maybe things come full circle???

One other thought...when do you think Adam will tell Heather that he doesn't like his wife being a stripper? They hinted at it strongly a few weeks ago but then got away from it.

December 19 2006 at 2:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JW

I agree with you completely Jonathan. The very short season 1 we got last year was fantastic. It was both touching and often hillarious. But when showrunners Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (formerly of Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, and Life as We Know It) departed, they took the funny with it, and I don't think the show will ever be as good as it once was.

I know she gets some major hate, but I agree-BRING BACK MARJORIE! Of all the female charcters, she was the least annoying, and I'd love to see her back.

December 19 2006 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lisa

I agree - Season One started with a premise built into the title - the last single male among all his married friends. THAT WAS THE SHOW I WANTED TO WATCH. Now, all their marriages have been assailed, and they're a bunch of single nightmares.

I love the lead actor. In fact, I like all the actors on the show. The only woman I liked was Marjorie, and the love between Brian and her was the only reason I was watching the show. No more Brian-Marjorie? No more What about Brian in my household. Too bad. I too had high hopes.

December 19 2006 at 2:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
What About Brian - Still a fan

Jonathan, I 100% agree with you. I think there was a lot of opportunity to make this a great show this season, especially after the shortened season 1. I still have tons of hope for this show, and assuming ABC picks it up for another season, you can count me in for watching it. My roommates and I won't miss an episode, and it's TiVo'd right next to South Park and the Colbert Report (who says we can't like an eclectic mix?) I love the addition of the stripper, but at the same time I'm glad she hasn't become a major role - too much of her and I can see myself hating her fast.

Here's to hoping Marjorie never returns,
~WAB fan

December 19 2006 at 12:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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