Courtesy of NBC
Would you look at that! Fiona is actually a person with real human emotions after all! Unfortunately, that may be the only worthwhile revelation during this whole episode. Let’s bitch it out… It’s worrisome that only three episodes have aired and already conflicts are being recycled. This week’s episode is about Will’s (David Walton) immaturity and selfishness. Isn’t that shocking and revelatory! Except for the fact that those are exactly the issues at play in the first two episodes. But wait, there’s more – Will has to figure out how to relate to children somehow! He even uses Post-Its to tell the kids apart and drinks beer from baby bottles! Oh the unexpected hilarity! If only. The babysitting scenes between Will and Andy’s (Al Madrigal) kids are hardly funny or remotely different from what we’ve already seen. And it’s especially frustrating that we keep seeing these same jokes and conflicts because there’s more to this character that isn’t getting explored, like his passion for music. When are we going to see something new from Will? It doesn’t help that Will’s character crosses over the line this week from charming man-child to unapologetic prick. I wonder how Will has been able to function in this world for 30-odd years without getting the crap kicked out of him – he actually asks Andy if there’s a way to shut up his crying baby! It’s already getting harder to sympathize with Will and having him appear anti-baby isn’t endearing to the audience.
Courtesy of NBC
But this episode isn’t a complete disaster (high praise, I know). For the first time, Fiona (Minnie Driver) actually behaves and speaks like a human being who is more than just a judgmental hippie. In fact, her scenes with Andy are the most enjoyable of the episode. It’s great to see these two awkward but well-meaning parents bond over their love for their kids and their impatience with a certain narcissistic neighbor. Theirs is a dynamic I wouldn’t mind seeing every week, especially if it involves gossiping over wine and painting their toenails. Other considerations:
- Am I the only one who found the bonding scene between Will and Madison in the bathroom more uncomfortable than sweet? There’s bonding with your friend’s kids, and then there’s holding your friend’s daughter’s hand while she poops.
- Poor Andy and Laurie (Annie Mumolo). They hardly get any time to themselves, and the only time they do get they have to spend on catching up on Homeland? Can’t someone warn them now so they can catch up on a better show? Orphan Black is coming back soon, and so is Mad Men!
- Speaking of Will being a jerk, why didn’t he even bother trying to help Marcus (Benjamin Stockham) learn how to bowl? Instead of just standing there and pitying yourself for not being able to hang out with your friend, teach the boy how to aim the ball at the pins and try to have fun!
- Continuing his streak, Marcus again gets the line of the night: “Well, I think Handy Andy needs to grow a set and quit bailing.” His response to when Fiona scolds him? “In my defense I don’t know what any of that means.”
And now, I turn it over to you. What do you think of Will’s attempts at becoming a godfather? Are you ready to board the Fiondy (or is it Andona) ship? And what other shows would you recommend to Andy and Laurie over Homeland? Sound off in the comments below! About a Boy airs Tuesdays at 9 EST on NBC.