Cougar Town ‘Money Becomes King’: Change Isn’t Easy

‘Money Becomes King’ was definitely one of the weaker episodes in what’s been a really entertaining and heartfelt season of Cougar Town. It’s nearly saved by a strong C-plot with Laurie, but its A and B counterparts aren’t up to the task, bringing out Jules’s worst traits, and a Bobby/Andy story line that just felt like filler.

My biggest issues obviously come from this week’s Grayson and Jules argument, over money and housing once they get married. Jules, of course, wants everything her way, unwilling to compromise at any point, leaving Grayson no choice but to mirror her behaviors, essentially leaving the tension unresolved at the end of the episode – a common practice this season, and a clear sign things are all going to come to a head going into the final third of Cougar Town‘s third season.

Granted, some of her personality traits are supposed to be grating and a little off-putting, but when they’re all front and center, crammed into a single plot line, it makes her a nearly unwatchable character. The way she uses her therapist to attack her friends is Jules at her craziest and most manipulative – it’s like watching a late-season Sopranos Melfi/Tony session. On top of it, her seflish-ness is compounded by her absolute inability to compromise with Grayson(something that is happening more and more often during this third season).

It’s really just a whole plot line of Jules forcing herself into being the center of attention, instead of sitting down and dealing with her issues like an adult – compare this episode to her acceptance of Grayson’s baby mama, and it really just makes for a very annoying and contradictory character (though I’ll admit, I’ve never really liked Jules as a character).

Here’s another thought: if Jules can’t afford to pay Laurie or her office rent, how is she making her therapist rich? And why does she think she can just take Grayson’s hard-earned money and blow it on her mistakes? … Really just a regrettable episode all-around for Jules this week.

Bobby and Andy’s plot line – unlike Jules – had its funny moments, but was largely a re-hash of Ellie pushing Andy into torturing Bobby for her benefit. I don’t expect Ellie to turn into a warm, empathetic human being at any point, but letting her husband’s BFF dehydrate on a super-long rural hiking trail? It’s a little cruel, even for Ellie, and just leads to a lot of “hahah, Bobby is clueless!” jokes that I find more endearing as throw away jokes than entire plot lines.

All hating aside, Laurie’s finally getting into the cake business, something the show’s been hinting at for a few weeks (though I do wonder how she can afford the rent of half that office as a under-paid start-up?). Travis’s slight regression disturbed me earlier on this season, but the way he’s inspired and pushed Laurie as the season’s progressed is a fantastic evolution of their relationship: I’m totally on the Laurie/Travis train, and it’s pretty clear this is bound to go somewhere in the two-part season finale.

There’s only six episodes left in Cougar Town‘s third season – which could very likely be its last. Ratings aren’t great, and on top of the episode cut last fall, have me worried for the cul-de-sac crew (although syndication rights can always play into this, which might save it for a fourth season). Let’s hope the next six episodes are a lot more memorable than this week’s dud.

Grade: C

Other thoughts/observations:

– I freaking love Stan. Quickly becoming one of my favorite characters on the show.

– the opening joke was ripped right out of the first season of Cheers, when Carla answers her phone, and Sam, Coach, and the gang join in on singing a lullaby.

– love Nicole Sullivan, but I hate her character on this show. The ‘I’m just as weird as my patients’ therapist is SOOOOO played out, and on top of it, therapists bring out some of Jules’s worst traits. Not a fan.

What did you think of ‘Money Becomes King’? Feel free to leave your thoughts/comments below!!!