The newest ep has Thomas Jane delivering his best acting on the show compared to the previous eps.

I'm glad Ray and Molly did it. I thought the show would cop out when Molly eventually told him no after Ray bailed on her the first time. Jane displayed a smoothness, tenderness and vulnerability as Ray made Molly feel comfortable enough in this new situation. It was definitely an Emmy writing moment and Jane delivered. He was excellent and maybe even Emmy worthy. The actress that played Molly was also just as excellent, playing comedy, frustration, meekness, vulnerability and awe. I loved the little touches in the ep, with Ray removing the price tag at the end, and Lenore giving her calling card to Heche's char sets up how Heche'll probably discover Ray's a gigolo. Lenore's a riot, and they need to keep her. And Jane was so sexy in the bathroom, towelling off and gigolo scenes! His cute face, biceps, pecs, abs, chest hair, belly button hair, armpits, armpit hair, legs, feet and most especially butt: WOW!

Ep wasn't perfect, with the teen issues, but I guess it's to show Ray's different roles. And they cut the kiss between Molly and Ray too quickly, which was a disappointment. Tanya's conversation with Ray while he toweled off was acted so naturally by both Adams and Jane. But this was Thomas Jane's ep, and Ray's moment with Molly was perfectly calibrated acting from both actors.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bottomchef,

I loved that episode (The Pickle Jar). It was definitely the best one yet, and I think this is where Ray finally begins to accept that there really is something good that can come of his "gift". The scenes with Molly were the best ones, especially the last one. I loved when she said "I changed my mind."

Thomas Jane was definitely at his best in this ep and this show is getting better and better the farther along it gets.

I'm also beginning to love the character of Tanya too. She's so bland but lovable. But the kids are kinda weirding me out. The confrontation between Damon and Hammer was odd because Damon got a little TOO upset about this guy dumping his sister. But the part where Ray broke them up was hilarious, especially when he told Hammer, "You're about to hit my son and you're twice as fat as him."

LOL!

Where are the fans of this show? Newest ep: I think the title is "Do it, monkey" or "Monkey Do it".

All the filler was pretty boring: Ray's kids wanting the car, the dog being put to sleep, Heche's char and her issues with her hubby, Heche's char's snooty mother, even Tanya's tiff with Flloyd would've been better had they build Flloyd more. Although the blow up was great since Flloyd was a total psycho pretending that Tanya's really into him and letting her down "gently".

Was that Natalie Zea of Passions and Dirty Sexy Money as Ray's newest customer? Her char was very neurotic, but some customers probably want the whole "love fantasy" aspect thrown in there instead of it being all physical. It's part of the fantasy I guess, but it was a new situation for the writers to make Ray figure out, and it was hilarious when she called Tanya during their beach picnic when Ray didn't say "i love you" back. Zea's char has a lot of potential so they need to bring her back, maybe as one of Ray's very regular customers.

I like how the show is utilizing Ray rebuilding his house as a metaphor for Ray rebuilding his life and identity. But the ep needs to be tighter, and the teen children, Heche's char and her husband are not working.

I'm enjoying this show a lot. Thomas Jane is great, and I really like how Ray is embracing his job. I also think Jane Adams is phenomenal. I would absolutely love to see her get award recognition for this.

I'm not a huge fan of the whole ex-wife/children aspect of the show, but I guess it's necessary to show why Ray is doing what he's doing.

And yes, please bring back Natalie Zea's character.

EPISODE 1.6: "Doris is Dead, or Are We Rich or Are We Poor?"

SYNOPSIS: Tanya reaffirms her status as Ray's pimp to Jemma, who inspires Ray to give his basketball team a rousing speech; Jessica gets to the bottom of her family's financial situation with Ronnie.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Turtle,

This was the strongest episode yet, I think. Great ending, although the preceding five episodes certainly prepared me for a different outcome...

This whole thing with Jemma is not gonna end well. I think poor Ray's in for another whole load of sh*t.

I have only seen the pilot, but I have the rest of the episodes downloaded and I will eventually catch up.

On another note, I was looking at the episode list for the season and I noticed that the creators wrote the first six episodes and the finale, while the middle episodes were written by random writers—the same thing that happened to Flight of the Conchords in its first season. Is this some kind of HBO new comedy policy or just a strange coincidence?

I really wish Tanya would take on Lenore as a partner because she needs a stronger pimp hand with Ray. I kept waiting for Tanya to explode and get it together with that Jemma woman who was being so nasty to her.

quote:

Originally posted by Turtle:
This was the strongest episode yet, I think. Great ending, although the preceding five episodes certainly prepared me for a different outcome...

This whole thing with Jemma is not gonna end well. I think poor Ray's in for another whole load of sh*t.

Well I think the ep with Molly was/is the strongest one. But this one was certainly good in terms of the trajectory of the storyline. For a cynic like me, this was an extrememly romantic ep, but I was sold on its unconventional love. Yeah Jemma's a basket case, but then again who isn't? And she and Ray have an understanding, and their chemistry is smoldering. And it's completely realistic for Tanya to want Ray, but for Ray to want Jemma. I'm glad they cast Zea, who is underrated and has been excellent since her days on a terrible Daytime soap known as Passions. To make a delusional char like Jemma into someone actually likeable and sympathetic is no small feat. How this Ray/Jemma pairing will play out is very interesting, esp if they delve into Jemma's backstory. Their dinner table conversation was so erotic, and the inspirational speech was not poetic but verging on hackneyed, however, since the pay off was the electric kiss, it was necessary. She and Ray want to let each other into their lives, so for that, this ep was good.

This ep though should've happened after a few more eps to establish Ray and Jemma building a connection more. This is rushed bec Jemma was introduced 1 ep ago, but Zea and Jane's perfs sold the rushed story. Still it would have benefited the show had this happened a few eps later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bottomchef,

The Ray/Jemma relationship will not end well. And I can't wait to see it happen.

I really, sincerely hope that Jane Adams is recognized for her work on the show. She is absolutely brilliant.

EPISODE 1.7: "The Rita Flower, or the Indelible Stench"

SYNOPSIS: "Ray starts to fall for Jemma, which clouds their professional relationship; Tanya receives unexpected help with her writer's block; Jessica invites Ray to a family dinner."

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This ep has a couple of huge laughs (for me), both brilliantly pulled off by Jane Adams.

The first was her delivery of the line about how her "Proust" tattoo should be "Sylvia Plath," and the other was her perfect deadpan when she spoke the line "brown skin" in her poem and looked right at the African woman, who nodded politely; pitch-perfect editing, too.

Nicely subtle writing (by Emily Kapnek) with undercurrents of emotion and humor. It's taken awhile for "Hung" to grow on me, but I'm really enjoying it. It's quite an unusual flower.

EPISODE 1.8: " 'Thith Ith a Prothetic' or 'You C. Just Right'"

SYNOPSIS: "Ray needs relationship advice from Tanya; Lenore offers Tanya some unsolicited marketing tips; a barbecue at Jessica and Ronnie's puts Ray in an awkward place."

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I liked the last scene between Tanya and Ray. It shows that they're developing a very strong friendship, and I really hope the writers stay away from putting them together romantically. They work wonderfully as friends.

Is it me or Jane Adams is one of the best actresses on TV now? I adore Thomas Jane as Ray. He absolutely deserves at leas a Globe nom. But Jane Adams is simply brilliant. She's a definition of Emmy-worthy. She would make a threat for a win next year, but I have a problem with her category placement. Thomas Jane is without a question lead, Anne Heche is clearly supporting, but what about poor Jane? She has almost the same amount of screentime as Jane, but she seems supporting to his character. I don't know wheter I should put her leading or supporting. For now, they should campaign her supporting because she has a better chance of getting in there. Oh, and as for Nathalie Zea she nailed her part and should be a contender next year for Guest Actress. If any producer is reading this: give Nathalie a show! She deserves it!

I'll be damned if Jane Adams doesn't get nominated next year - and I think she could in fact win. She's that good.

I'm glad we get more Lenore next week, she needs to be Tanya's partner...so great in that part.

quote:

Originally posted by charliechan:
I'll be damned if Jane Adams doesn't get nominated next year - and I think she could in fact win. She's that good.

Agreed. I do think category placement for her is going to be tough. She has enough screentime for lead, but it does feel like she's supporting Thomas Jane's character. I guess I would put her in supporting. She would probably have the best chance of a win there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MissyGal,

At least they wrapped up Gemma's arc nicely, which explained why they had an insta-romance. Gemma is one issue-laden cookie, and the explanation of why she wanted to hurt Ray was rather realistic.

Previous ep was particularly boring with the Pierce/Tanya insta-romance. The only good things were Ray's steamy scenes with Mrs. Koontz and Gemma not showing up for Ray.

Newest ep had Lenore back (Yay!) but its usual flaws: anything to do with Ray's ex, the kids, the ex mother in law and her new hubby. Write them out! Who cares about this former baseball rival of Ray's anyway? Thomas Jane's drunken portrayal of Ray was funny and endearing, and it's great that Tanya showed restraint. Their friendship is one of the best things on the show. The ep would've been stronger if they had dispensed with the extraneous and focused on Ray and Patty, who was perfection!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bottomchef,

EPISODE 1.9: " 'This is America' or 'Fifty Bucks'"

SYNOPSIS: "Tanya tests the market for her business' services among her colleagues; Damon's devotion to a friend in detention puzzles his father; Jessica gets advice from Lenore."

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