'Weeds' Season 6, Episode 6 Recap

('Weeds' - 'A Shoe for a Shoe')

Was there a contract dispute between the producers of the show and the actor that plays Esteban on 'Weeds?' Since the plot doesn't seem to explain the extended absence of Esteban this season, there's got to be a plausible behind-the-scenes reason.

Nancy may be a lousy drug dealer but she still gets brownie points for being a dedicated mother. Quite frankly, without her family she's nothing.

Last week, Nancy was left with with crazy earlobe-deficient Latrice, naked Andy and his pee-stream tales and Child Protective Services at her motel room door. Yet within a few minutes, these storylines -- which built up over five episodes -- dissolved as quickly as they were slow to coalesce. Shane was kidnapped by Cesar and Ignacio, and with laser-focus, our favorite mother of the year was out to get her son back.

Cesar instructed Nancy to meet him to trade Shane for Stevie, "a shoe for a shoe." (What is with these crazy episode names this season? What exactly does " a shoe for a shoe" mean? Don't all shoes come in pairs? When is a situation ripe to trade one shoe for another shoe? But I digress.)

While this season may be missing one father, there is hardly a lack of father figures. Ignacio has been Shane's protector, his buddy, and oh yeah, the guy that's gonna shoot him. But every good murderer needs a mentor, and luckily for Shane, Ignacio was happy to impart murderous wisdom and swap old stories of mischief past. Shane, for his part, wanted Ignacio to know he could hold his own.

With their baggage and Stevie safely stowed (at the same diner), Andy and Silas waited for both Nancy and their breakfast, but become toast when they saw Ignacio waiting on the other side of their now un-safehouse diner. Meanwhile, Nancy and Cesar take some time out for some bonding time with Skee Ball, crossbows and conversation. Cesar took a crossbow bolt and Nancy just bolted, her mind set on escaping with both shoes in her possession.

Back at the diner, it was a battle of wills, with Ignacio pitted against the rest of the male cast. Nutrient-deprived Doug begged for food, thought of escaping but returned to eat artificial sweetener. Andy valiantly landed a punch on Ignacio's face but ended up with his tail between his legs. Silas didn't even bother and took a seat. Shane and Ignacio tried to one-up each other, slathering their food in hot sauce and cigarette ash. But the ultimate showdown came once Nancy rejoined her motley crew of men.

Just like every father in the series, this one cannot stay.

With a stern warning, Nancy told Ignacio, "I've got a gun pointed at your scrotum."

Ignacio, not one to back down, retorted, "I've got a gun pointed at your lady scrotum."

What's a "lady scrotum," you ask? Before we find out, Shane the minor made a major move and with an icy stare and a gross indifference to consequence, pointed the gun at his mentor. Ignacio surrendered to the little murderer and new man of the family.

Before Ignacio left , he seemed proud of Shane. The two embraced, and Shane wore the hug like a new badge from the Boy Scout Murderers of America. Ignacio reminded Shane to "follow your dreams" before he drove off in Silas' girlfriend's car.

Speaking of proud moments, if baby actors can win Emmys -- the baby that plays Stevie should be nominated for one. His dramatic and comedic timing were impeccable enough for him to give the Olsen twins on 'Full House' a run for their money.

And so, Nancy got both shoes in the car, with Shane riding shotgun. The Botwins were on the run again. As Shane muttered a Spanish phrase while looking obsessively and psychotically at a hunting knife, Nancy was still able to impart her motherly wisdom,

"Shane -- no more Spanish."


'Weeds' airs Mondays at 10PM ET on Showtime