Entourage: Return to Queens Blvd. (season finale)

(S05E12) "She's treating me like she usually treats Johnny." - Vince
Things certainly weren't looking good for Vince. But in true Entourage style, something always works out. Despite the fact that this was one of the strongest episodes of the season, I really wish it had ended differently.
Season one ended with Vinny heading off to make Queens Boulevard. Season two? Aquaman. Season 3.1 ended with with Vince canning Ari and 3.2 ended with the boys heading down to Colombia to shoot Medellin. Then season four ended with the mess at Cannes. So in my mind, to even things out, we were due for another disaster ending for Vince and instead we arguably got his best outcome yet.
He's in Martin Scorsese's next pic - a re-imagining of The Great Gatsby and Vinny is playing Nick Carraway. Not bad for a guy who's last two efforts ended in a firing and severely bad reviews.
I think I would have preferred the cliffhanger though. Eric stays fired and Vinny stays in Queens - jobless. There was such a big deal made in this episode about Vince going back to basics (auditioning, etc.) and I was really hoping that was what we'd see; Vince having to rebuild himself in season six. Plus, (and I loved when this happened with Anna Faris) I wanted to see Eric in action with other clients. Look how hard he was busting his ass for Charlie in the one week(?) period that he wasn't Vinny's manager. I'd like to see Eric succeed without Vince for once.
Instead, Vinny's career is getting a re-boot and there's honestly no reason to think that Scorsese's next pic is going to tank. Vince's star is going to do nothing but rise in season six. We saw him fail... I guess I just wanted to see him fail a little more.
More thoughts on "Return to Queens Blvd.:"
- I'm glad that the Jamie-Lynn Sigler story continued. It's about time Turtle had something go his way. I loved when she flat out told Drama they were sleeping together. His face was priceless. However, the highlight was when Turtle's mom listened to her son and Jamie-Lynn having phone sex.
- I'm not glad that we heard nothing from L.B. and Nick. Eric is still representing them, right? How come they haven't called him wondering why the movie they wrote got shut down?
- Think we'll see any more of Cara, Vinny's old flame? I would think so since he'll be shooting in NYC.
- Even though Drama's history with Cousin Ronnie isn't very good, I think buying the bar was a smart choice. Plus it makes sense if you think about it - that was the ultimate clue that Vince would be working again by the end of the episode. Why? Because it's going to be the gang's new hang out and Johnny wouldn't have bought a bar if the writers planned on sending everyone back to LA right away.
- Despite everything, you do have to hand it to E. His perseverance with Gus Van Sant made the Scorsese pic possible. However, is that really a sign of good management? He had no idea Gus was going to talk with Marty. It was dumb luck!
- Vince finally showing emotion after Gus said "no thanks" was a great moment. He's been so stoic through all of this and he finally exploded.
- How pointless was that Michael Phelps cameo?
Now we wait, but I'm honestly not all that excited right. We know what it's like to see Vince on top and if my prediction is right, and his star does continue to rise, then there's only one more logical step - an Oscar. I don't know though... does Vinny strike anyone else as a potential Oscar nominee? We've got until summer '09 to think about it.

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