Weeds 6x13

Nancy and her family have been on the road, off the grid, on the run from Esteban – not to mention the FBI – for the death of his PR manager Pilar. Now Esteban, with the help of Guillermo, has finally caught up. All Esteban seems to care about is his son and he will do whatever it takes to get him back. We all know Nancy will do all and everything to keep him from hurting her children. With Doug still in Regrestic, Andy is in charge to take Silas and Shane to the airport and board for Europe, Warren in tow. Silas, however, prefers to stay with his newfound bio dad, his sperm father – as he calls it. Shane keeps up his I’m-so-cool-I don’t-care attitude. “I’m going to Europe, you’re sitting here in Dearshit, Michigan, in a garage” he replies when Silas asks if he’s going to miss him. “Please, please, choose to not be a dick,” are Silas’ parting words. when Esteban and Guillermo arrive with Nancy at the airport Andy, Shane, Stevie and Warren have already checked in. She is able to get away from them, when airport security asks Esteban a few questions. She signals Andy by cell phone it’s time for Plan C. She meets them in the waiting area, takes little Stevie, and says goodbye as they board the plane. Silas had a change of heart and shows up at the airport. Esteban and Guillermo trade him for Nancy and Stevie. While Silas boards, too, Warren gets arrested for robbing the post office, but he leaves his pillow with Shane – which is filled with wads of the stolen cash! And then, as the plane takes off, Nancy walks out of the terminal – with Esteban and Guillermo watching her every move – straight into Plan C: the FBI is all over the place. She is arrested for the murder of Pilar! What a turn of events – this whole season actually! It has been at times touching, at times bizarre, but most of all it has been a fun ride. The tone was lighter than the previous season, even if the driving factor has been Pilar’s death, and Nancy was finally trying to get a grasp of her life, even if ultimately she failed to escape from her estranged husband’s clutches. It’s a nice little show. I wonder what will happen next season.

Weeds 6x12

This season the twists and turns on Weeds, as Nancy and family meander on and off the road, have been hilariously entertaining. Now the season is drawing to a close already. Last week we were left to wonder why on earth Nancy would tell her side of the story to this nebbish journalist guy Vaughn. When we pick up the story, we find Nancy murmuring about swing parties until he breaks her off and gets to the point: who killed Pilar? He seems to know a lot, and runs the theory be her that Shane killed Pilar. She doesn’t reply. Andy has shot a fake video to convince Daoud Mahmud he’s killed Hooman Jaka. But the video is not enough. Before Mahmud will give them their passports, he wants Jaka’s dick. Andy and Hooman walk into a morgue and ask, well, for a dick! The attendant cuts it off, hands it to Andy with the wise words, “enjoy that cock.” A scene ensues when Mahmud still doesn’t believe Andy. Out of spite Mahmud’s wife is willing to give him the passports for $5,000.

Meanwhile, Doug has returned to Agrestic (renamed Regrestic) to collect his passport so he can join the gang to Copenhagen. The scene in the living room when he discovers his wife has remarried is funny beyond description. (Kevin Nealon is such a comedic talent!) His wife’s new husband is good-looking for his age, an architect, a great cook, a jazz pianist, he used to know Jack Kerouac a little and he’s friends with Sidney Poitier. Hilarious! For his part, Sileas learns who his real father is and decides to stay in Dearborn, rather than join his family abroad, while Shane and Warren plunder the storage room filled with undelivered mail for Christmas cards money. Will Nancy leave for Copenhagen without Silas? Well, there was that cliffhanger in the last minute...

Weeds 6x11

Silas, pretending to be called Mike, stops by Lars Guinard’s house again – the man who used to date Nancy in high school. They wind up talking and Silas mention’s his mom’s name. “You don’t look anything like her.” They talk some more over beer, and suddenly Silas blurts out, “I think you’re my dad.” And after dropping that on him, he takes off. Meanwhile Nancy has delivered the first load of their fierce concoction, and she asks the club owner, Hooman Jaka, if he knows where she can get fake passports. He gives her a name and address, “for her man.” She asks him what it is with all the oppression of women. “You guys scare the shit out of us,” he says honestly. Then Andy goes to the office of this fancy businessman, Daoud Mahmed. “That fucking piece of shit cocksucker, I spit on Hooman!” Later, at his home, it transpires that Mahmed’s daughter is actually about to marry Hooman. Since Andy doesn’t have enough money for all the passports, Mahmed proposes that Andy makes sure the marriage isn’t going to happen. Briefly pondering if that means sleeping with his gorgeous daughter, Andy says, “Okaaaay, you mean break them up!” “Not good enough,” Mahmed wants Hooman dead.

For his part, Shane lets it slip that Nancy isn’t going to stay for much longer with Warren, who freaks out, unwittingly drinks Andy’s magic potion, starts bouncing and acting all zany. (Richard Dreyfuss may actually be having even more fun than the audience!) But what I really want to know is who this “Ellis Tate” is, the guy who approached Nancy in the cemetery. Warren isn’t much of a help, “the big black guy? No! Oh, no, fat girl. Yeah, I’m pretty sure.” She stops by the school library to check the year books, meanwhile getting scolded for calling a classmate a prude, and finds that Ellis was in fact a fat girl – and not a nebbish looking guy. Curious, as always, and no doubt worried, she can’t help but call fake Ellis. She lures him out of his motel room, breaks in, finds loads of news paper clippings, photos, discs and files – about herself and her family. Then he barges back in. He’s a journalist, Vaughn Coleman, wanting to write her story – and he’s offering to help her expose the criminals, before they get to her. If he can find her, they will, too, soon. She agrees – I must say, a tad surprisingly – and starts telling her side of the story.

Weeds 6x10

This roaming around is doing Weeds a lot of good! Every episode offers entirely new possibilities for comedy and emotional development. This week, Nancy takes her family to her hometown, Dearborn, in Michigan. They crash at the home of her old high school math teacher, Warren Schiff (special guest star Richard Dreyfus), but she persistently denies she lost her virginity to him. Of course, Shane and Silas are curious about their mother’s past. And Warren is eager to share. There’s even a suggestion that Silas isn’t the son of the man he always thought was his father. Some delightful moments ensue, in which the boys ring a man’s door who may be Silas’ real dad. He really is a grown-up version of Silas.

Meanwhile, Nancy is trying to sell some hash for one more big score, but she’s told kids don’t want to get mellow, the want to get fucked up. Thus, Andy concocts a fierce drink that gives you a rich experience all night. They’re hoping it will become a hit. Yet, if they wish to flee the country, they will also need passports. So, while demurring the discriminatory implications, Andy visits a local mosque whispering “passport” in hopes of catching bait. Outside he’s approached by a Muslim who gives them an address and tells him to ask for his uncle Sam. Do you see it coming? It’s the U.S. Federal Passport Registration Office – Uncle Sam, get it? At the cemetery paying respect to her parents, Nancy is approached by an old classmate, who later phones someone (Esteban? the FBI?) that he has finally found them...

Weeds 6x09

“What happened to your arm?” Shane asks Doug. “I dropped my keys in the portopotty.” Dough responds deadpan while texting. “Tried to get ‘em out. It’s a raccoon in there. Punched him out.” Oh, man, hilarious! While off the grid in Colorado, on the run from Esteban and his goons, not to mention the FBI, Nancy notices that little Stevie’s poop is green. She’s worried he might be sick. So she must take him to a pediatrician, no matter the risk. Meanwhile, Shane and Silas need to make gas money selling hash at a kiddie concert. In the waiting room with Andy, Nancy talks about the future. It’s clear she’s not including him. He’s invested in her family. But before he can get really upset, Nancy notices an amber alert on TV. She’s officially become a missing person. Then she’s called inside. Little Stevie is fine, but the doctor advises her to give him a more stable upbringing. So, on the way back they talk about Andy’s dream to move to Denmark. Some funny moments – and with just a few episodes left, I’m wondering where all of this is going to take them.

Weeds 6x08

Weeds is too hilarious for words! If I would try to describe the opening scene of this episode even a full transcript of the dialog would fail to capture all the incredible details: the Winnebago, the dildos, the Jewish gay porn, the speeding ticket narrowly evaded by referencing the good lord, and gentle puppies – and that doesn’t even include Shane’s chutzpah suggesting he and Nancy take off with little Stevie in Ignacio’s car without Andy, Silas and Doug. But they’re off the grid – so much so, Andy takes them to some “deep outlaw” scab city called Pioneer Town that used to be a western movie set. Once again, the comedic entertainment is beyond description: Doug and Shane steal water from Grandma Sugar Pops, Silas and Andy buy a washer to produce more hash, Nancy gets laid by saloon owner Jack, Andy does his best Evangelical performing a baptism with Doug as his assistant, they make wads of cash, but have to run off when it transpires that Jack’s married ... with children. So, on the move they go, on the road again. Doug doesn’t have many lines, but he doesn’t need them to be funny, just the looks on his face makes you laugh out loud. It was nice to see Dean again, another hilariously sweaty scene, but it means the FBI is still investigating Pilar’s death. How long can they keep this up? When will the FBI catch up with them? Or will Esteban get to them first?

Weeds 6x07

After leaving Esteban an emotional voice mail message, Nancy drives off with her family. She gives the reigns to Andy, the guru of off-the-grid, Randy Newman, you can keep the hat on, Sly and the Family Stone. But once they hit Montana, Nancy wants to spend the day at a fair, guilty as she feels about the never-ending shit she drags her children into, a trip to the carnival, pinwheels and whirligigs. Apparently, Nancy’s deceased husband Judah was a roller-coasters designer. They spot a Winnebago, the grand price in a butter sculpture competition. Obviously, Andy and Silas sign up, only to find out that the contest is to eat the sculpture! And even after Silas wins, they can’t take their new home on wheels on the road, because they are required to fill out tax forms and take pictures. Nancy leaves baby Stevie with Doug, certainly a poor choice for a babysitter, but he sure enjoys the carnival fun. Meanwhile, Shane bonds with his mother, practically bleeding for approval, for affection, for attention. For her part, Nancy is worried sick Shane will turn into a psychopath. After all the light-hearted recreation, they return to the road. Will someone find Cesar’s wallet, Nancy left in a trash bin? Will the FBI get to them before Esteban’s goons?

Weeds 6x06

The Botwins are on the run for Esteban’s goons. Alas, they already got Shane – in addition to Doug, who has been pleading for his life for several episodes now. Cesar demands an exchange, Shane for little Stevie. Nancy is still knee deep in shit. She makes it at the meeting place in time, but instead of a baby, she is carrying a crossbow underneath the blankey. She shoot Cesar in the leg, but he refuses to tell her where Shane is. Meanwhile, Andy and Silas are having a bite in a diner, weighing their options, until they happen upon Ignacio, Shane and Doug. Andy’s heroic effort fails hopelessly. Having traced them, she points a gun at Ignacio under the table, but he responds in kind – a Mexican standoff. Then Shane takes over the gun from Nancy, and that show of cojones convinces the goon to let them go. So, off the Botwins go starting over their lives for the umpteenth time. It was a nice episode, though a bit of a mid-season dip. It is always funny watching Doug – even when he isn’t doing anything else than his usual, looking frightened like a puppy. Silas is a charmer, and I really wonder how long he is going to go along with his mother’s crazy shit. Shane has become quit a character, a psychopathic serial killer in the making. And Andy is just Andy as always, a lovable, good-for-nothing dork.

Weeds 6x05

What is Karma Boomerang? That’s when shit hits the fan for all the bad things you’ve done before. Nancy and Andy were walking out of the alternative medicine supplier’s house when two cops stop them. Their minivan is registered to a license plate with $6,000 worth of parking violations. They lie that the car isn’t theirs – and eventually get away with it. But now they don’t have a car – plus, what’s worse, Andy had unthinkingly registered the car under Shane’s name. The Botwins need to pack up and leave again. “Goodbye Seattle,” Nancy sighs, “It never even rained. What a rip-off.” Meanwhile Doug is literally digging his own grave pleading to god for a miracle – one of those hilarious and deeply troubling moments. “This sucks so much,” Doug cries. Then Andy’s cell phone rings (to inform Mr. Botwin that his car’s is experiencing loss of tire pressure), “remind me where I lost my car,” Cesar replies. The comedic scenes that ensue are too good to summarize without ruining the fun: Nancy has to plea Andy to stay with them, even though she has nothing to offer him; Silas has to leave college and steal his date’s car; Shane’s mommy group inform the authorities to check on little Stevie’s living conditions; Nancy’s co-worker Latrice steals all her drug money; Cesar and Ignacio duct-tape Doug in their car; and that doesn’t even cover half of it. So, what is going to happen next? Will Nancy keep running from Esteban or will she confront him? How long will she be able to keep bringing Andy and Silas in tow? Terrific show!

Weeds 6x04

Things are on a roll on Weeds! The Botwins, in their new identity as the Newmans are getting settled in Seattle. Nancy is starting to make some money selling hash at the hotel with the help of the concierge. As was to be expected, the patronizing French chef eventually has to admit that Randy Andy can bake some mean duck liver croquettes. He gets promoted to sous chef, but not before undergoing a spanking rite. Then we have Silas, who starts hanging out on campus to score some chicks. He’s such a charmer, he’s having the time of his life – and before we know it we’re treated on some lovely titties! For his part, Shane is seeking comfort in a mommy group, doing aerobics in the park, and cooking up some sorry story that his baby momma died in Iraq. Things go south for Nancy, Nathalie, Nance, Nat, when her filter bag break open in the washing machine as she was making ice hash – her colleague believing she was cleaning up some perv’s defecation-sex mess. With no money, she needs to barter vegetable oil from the kitchen in exchange for new trimmings. But her luck runs out when they get caught by two cops with bags in hand! Meanwhile, funny guy Doug is questioned by Esteban’s goons, Caesar and Ignacio, but he has no idea where the Botwins are. They follow a lead which only brings them to a bum who found Andy’s cell phone and Doug all the while pleads with them not to kill him.

Weeds 6x03

With this week’s episode, Weeds is finally going back on track! Now called the Newman family, they cross a picket line and lands scab jobs at an upscale hotel in Seattle. Nancy, as Nathalie, is doing the dirty work as a cleaning maid; Andy, as Randy, is working in the kitchen as a dishwasher; Silas, as Mike, is a bellhop, working on the side reading in his underwear for an older man; and Shane, well he just babysits his baby brother Stevie Ray and steals a fancy stroller. After their first day of work, they learn that the local drug dealer is on strike, too. Nancy gets her hands on cannabis clippings from the alternative medical supplier, and cooks her own hash in the hotel’s laundry machine. The Newmans are back in business! There are some nice guest performances, too, for instance, by Peter Stormare (who also played in Entourage, and countless films) as the pretentious French chef who patronizes his dishwasher. When Andy asks where he learned to cook, the chef deadpans, “In your mother’s vagina.” Meanwhile, Esteban’s goons, Caesar and Ignacio, are looking for Nancy, or rather, little Stevie, but haven’t gotten any farther than her old house in Ren Mar where they bump into Doug! I missed that guy, he’s so funny! So, yes, the laughs are back. We’re on a roll. New beginnings!

Weeds 6x02

So, Nancy, Andy, Silas, Shane and little Stevie are on the run for Esteban Reyes – not to mention the FBI – for the death of Esteban’s public relations manager Pilar. They are driving north, making one more purchase on their credit card, with $80 of money back on every single item to withdraw as much money as they can get for the road that lies ahead. They get fake IDs and take on the family name Newman, a metaphor for their rebirth. Nancy becomes Nathalie, Shane becomes Sean, Silas become Mike, and Andy, well, he becomes Randy Newman, the “short people”! Though the story is serious, the scenes are kicking and screaming hilarious! Andy, as always, is a hoot, with tales of the road and living off the grid, which, clearly, he has done many times before. Alaska’s out of the question, Andy says, because of a knife fight in a salmon smoke house, “If I ever catch you in this state again,” he intones in a deep voice, but doesn’t finish the story. “Gosh, it’s not worth talking about.” Shane is actually proud of what he did, but Silas is freaking out and upset how his family keeps dragging him into their mess. And Nancy, well, at least she’s talking control of the situation. She’s guilt-ridden, but still doesn’t have a plan. How are the Newmans ever going to have a normal life? And how are they going to survive with their money running out soon? Well, check back in same time next week!

Weeds 6x01

The premiere of Weeds’ sixth season was leaked on the internet early this month, probably to generate some hype about the upcoming season. Unfortunately, the premiere doesn’t have much promise of what’s to come. The episode is more properly the end of last season. It closes the door on that chapter and throws the door wide open for the next. Over the past five years we’ve witnessed the show transform from a light-hearted comedy with a pinch of human drama to a dark tragedy with a pitch-black sense of humor. It started with recently-widowed mother of two, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker), selling pot to keep her family afloat. Gradually increasing her distribution, she also became increasingly involved with criminals, until she was surrounded by money launderers, cocaine and arms dealers, and human traffickers. She married the Mayor of Tijuana, Esteban Reyes, who also happens to be a big crime lord south of the border. They have a child together, but his public relation manager, Pilar, orders Nancy’s death when Esteban is running for governor. The hit goes awry, but in retaliation, Nancy’s son Shane kills Pilar with a croquet mallet. That’s where we left of last season, and the new season begins with Nancy packing up and leaving together with her sons Silas and Shane, and her brother-in-law Andy. Anything can happen from here. Let’s hope the new beginning will also see Nancy getting a grip of herself, because it was getting bothersome seeing her slide into apathy while shit seriously hit the fan.