Review: Ben and Kate ‘Guitar Face’ – Tag Me In

After the pain of Monday night television, I’m always looking forward to Tuesday programming – and so far, Ben and Kate‘s been the most consistent comedy of the bunch this fall, a surprise for a show nine episodes old. ‘Guitar Face’ is definitely one of the lighter episodes when it comes to jokes and plot lines – but even when it’s coasting, its a ball to watch, thanks to the great cast and writer’s ability to write three-dimensional, human relationships for its characters.

The core of tonight’s episode is a plot we’ve seen many times before: girl gets a new boyfriend, finds an odd way to try and sabotage it because of terrible past experiences. As usual, its over an overblown moment: Kate sees Will’s guitar face (which is also his sex face), offending him when she laughs about it later that night. But even in a super familiar arc, this kind of story line always rings true: young relationships are filled with moments of surprise, some that aren’t always so good. Thankfully, it doesn’t become an issue until halfway through the episode, and is largely resolved a scene or two later.

What makes the plot work, however, is in the resolution (and the key to the episode): that of course, is BJ. If ‘Guitar Face’ is remembered for anything, it will be Lucy Punch’s performance in the episode. How the show flips her narcissistic ways into something that’s actually constructive for herself and the group. Looking to get involved in Kate’s relationship for selfish reasons (her own entertainment), she winds up in a divorce support group for women, and uses it to her advantage to work out her issues with Kate paying less attention to her than her boyfriend. And instead of making a mockery of the situation, she embraces it in her own snarky way, both filling her need to be the center of attention, and allowing her to quickly resolve the stalwart Kate plot line with a few things “that Nan said… she’s in my support group”.

Ben and Tommy are off on their own adventure in ‘Guitar Face’, trying to sell RailMall (a SkyMall for trains) to rich people at the country club. Although this is another “Ben messes things up because he doesn’t think before he acts” story line, I continue to enjoy the show’s exploration of men embracing their softer sides, showing emotional vulnerability most TV shows wouldn’t want to show from their manly men. After Ben gets Tommy fired when he gets caught poaching golf balls from the course pond, they try to solve their problems in a masculine-laced “eye for an eye” punishment: he allows Tommy to hit a golf ball off a tee into his body… when it leads to pain, he admits “we should’ve talked this out like girls… it makes sense, to explain our feelings and stuff.”

Now how many shows on television are willing to admit that? It’s an important pillar of the show: there’s a value in honesty, a value that keeps friendships and relationships healthy. Kate shares her rock face on stage with Will – which doesn’t really make Tommy happy (“Will can-NOT play the guitar”), but Ben reminds him, “Let’s focus on the positive.” The show is sincere: and that alone elevates what would be an otherwise average episode on most other shows.

Grade: B

Other thoughts/observations:

– the perfect description for a fanny pack: a scrotal carry-all.

– another great example of how gender (and gender roles) is dealt with on the show: when Ben gets hired as a snack girl, he could care less. “It makes me feel like I’m supporting breast cancer,” he says. It’s a small thing, yes, but with the unrelenting masculinity shoved up the ass of broadcast television, it’s nice to see some characters who aren’t so self-conscious and

– the opening tags on this show are consistently great: milk pong is awesome.

–  not enough Maddie in the episode the last two weeks: the small moment between her and Kate was nice, but I’d like her to be a little more involved in the plot next week.

– “This is Ben Fox, calling from the future…”

what did you think of tonight’s episode? feel free to leave your thought/comments below!