Louie leads off its third season with an average episode for the show, but is a nice little assembly of three slices of Louie’s life; women, New York, and his own stupidity.
Louie’s stupidity affects every element of the episode and C.K. plays it up nicely for some solid comedic effect. Whether he is just not capable of saying what he should, buying a motor cycle, dating an obnoxious woman, or trying to figure out NYC street signs (well maybe that one isn’t his fault) Louie’s dim nature gets him into a heap of trouble.
These mistakes reared their head the ugliest when he buys a motorcycle and promptly crashes it into the back of a truck. It’s a brash decision that feels like C.K. is playing out some fantasies so he can rationalize to himself how stupid it would be for him to purchase a motorcycle, and he quickly proves himself right by sacrificing Louie to the back of a truck. The resulting scene at the hospital was a pretty flat conclusion to the scenic joy ride he takes around the city, but it did introduce one very odd revelation; how is Louie’s ex black? Oh well, lack of continuity is something C.K. doesn’t concern himself with on the show, but it will be interesting to see if that actress reprises the role later this season. I just hope the same actors are playing his daughters this season, as they are fantastic.
The bike accident is sandwiched by a pair of extended scenes where his current lady friend doesn’t really let him talk and I have to imagine this character was influenced by someone in C.K.’s life. Gaby Hoffmann is wonderful as she gives these long winded speeches laying out every angle of her and Louie’s future life and I am right there with Louie as he lets out those sighs of relief at the end of each of her rants. I mean, really, Louie, what are you doing with this girl? It is fun to see Louie so sadly desperate to invite this woman back into his life yet be equally as scared to act when she calls him out on his bullshit. Louie going for that ice cream was probably the best bit of the episode and C.K. does some really great work without a word spoken throughout most of these two scenes.
The episodes little shout outs to New York are both beautiful, on Louie’s ride, and hilarious, as he deals with the puzzling street signs and a destructive construction crew. Both of the gags are completely absurd in their delivery, but C.K. grounds them just enough that even the over the top nature of that car getting crushed was an easy pill to swallow. Not the greatest episode Louie by any means, but I am ecstatic to have the show back in my life. Since it was last on the air, Girls, has emerged as a strong contender for this shows title of best comedy on TV and I look forward to see where C.K. takes us this year; I think he will hold his crown.
A Couple Notes:
-“Some dead kid’s dick on your body,” quite the start to the season.
-Love the sigh of relief from Louie when his lady left; was that for the girl leaving or because he gets to eat his ice cream?
-Love biker Louie.
-Like the political commentary with the crazy old woman’s babbling in the hospital.
