Another good episode, really. The way the story was set in motion was rather feeble -- Bret (Bret McKenzie) dissing famous rappers during a library gig, scaring himself about retaliatory attacks and assembling a protective "gang" -- but the jokes were funnier than usual and the storyline more original. It's a shame the songs were underwhelming once again, although the cast reprise of "I've Got Hurt Feelings" was oddly hypnotic in its solemn delivery..."The Tough Brets" was the kind of episode that didn't have a strong narrative; Bret assembles a ragtag gang that includes their friend Dave (Arj Barker), an old man, and a Chinese couple -- and the mob inconvenience and irritate Jemaine (Jemaine Clement). Jemaine's own storyline involved being given a hideous portrait of himself by obsessed superfan Mel (Kristen Schaal) and trying to dipose of it without hurting her feelings, then accompanying Murray (Rhys Darby) to a consulate function -- where's the hapless Kiwi's are teased by boisterous Aussie diplomats, including guest-star Alan Dale (Lost, Ugly Betty) as the Australian Ambassador. In fact, I'd gladly watch a Murray spin-off series over FoTC, as his rivalry with the bullying Aussies was far more entertaining and enriching than the silliness with Jemaine and Bret.
However, the rather humdrum plots are filled with jokes that hit their target with greater regularity: Dave's dire warning ("here in the United States, rivalries between rappers usually end in death. Or worse"), a typo that renamed Murray as "Mu Ray", Dave's deadly utensil glove, a Chinese man hiding in a cupboard, the semantics of having your body chopped off from your penis, etc. Interesting to note that supporting player Dave actually nabbed the majority of throwaway highlights; indeed, the cast that surround Jemaine and Bret are being given more to do in season 2, thankfully. I've never been very keen on human-chipmunk Mel, but even she was quite amusing.
While I didn't particularly enjoy the songs this week, I must confess to liking the dance choreography of the West Side Story-esque "Stay Cool, Bret" -- with Bret, his motley gang, Murray and Jemaine, snapping fingers and bounding around streets in a mini-musical extravaganza. If the song had been lyrically and musically better, this would have been a prime highlight of the series for me, but it dipped below greatness.
Overall, there are still problems with FotC, but this third episode offered more indication that it's making a few necessary changes (snappier gags, crazier stories, more for the supporting players to do). I've yet to see an episode bring story, character, comedy and music together into one cohesive, riotously entertaining whole, but they took a step closer here.
1 February 2009
HBO, 10pm
Writers: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie & James Bobin
Director: James Bobin
Cast: Jemaine Clement (Jemaine), Rhys Darby (Murray), Bret McKenzie (Bret), Arj Barker (Dave), Kristen Schaal (Mel), David Costabile (Doug) & Alan Dale (Australian Ambassador)
