Episode 11 - St Valentines Day
25 March 2012
Synopsis: Jack wants to take Elisa to a fancy restaurant for Valentines Day so that they can eat a really expensive desert. But she insists they go to church and that Jack go to confession. Once in there Jack upsets the priest and Elisa breaks things off. But their mutual love of McFlurry’s bring them back together. Meanwhile Liz’ first date with Dr Baird goes from bad to worse as he suffers multiple family crises after Liz suffers multiple embarrassments. Finally Kenneth falls for a new blind employee but can’t speak to her so Tracy steps in to do the talking for him.
The Good: Valentines Day is a good linking theme to bring some cohesion to the three stories. And in their unique ways they are all good to watch.
Jack feels like the only sane, well defined character on this show at times and here he stands out as such. He worships at the altar of capitalism, believes only in what he can see and is honest about the things he wants in life. That transparency makes him a more plausible and likeable character than the rest of the mishmash of 30 Rock regulars. Elisa dragging him to church is a nice idea and religion provides a fertile ground for good jokes. “Don’t tell me you are one of those convenient Catholics that only goes to church every Sunday” she asks leading to a terrific choke-back-the-laughter-before-realising-she-is-serious reactions. Once at church Jack manages to make the Lords prayer and confession pretty funny. With both he doesn’t act crazy or implausible he just treats them as the inconveniences that they are to him. So when he freaks out the priest with his lack of remorse or comes out with “Our Jonathan, who art in the office, hallowed be my reservation” you laugh because you can believe that he would do that. In the end he gets Elisa back and chalks it up to McDonalds, “the most successful capitalist enterprise of the last hundred years.” He hasn’t changed at all and he still gets the girl, now there’s reality for you.
Over at Liz’ we have some amusing embarrassments as her boob falls out (“it’s not the good one either” she complains) and then Drew sees her on the toilet. Of course this being Liz you know it’s going to start going wrong and Drew’s family of course turn out to be horrific and drags Liz where she doesn’t want to go. Liz is more true to her character and funny playing off of Jack. She tries to counter his desert description by asking “You ever put a doughnut in the microwave?” And on Elisa’s faith her only comment is “If I had those knockers I’d be thanking God too.”
With Kenneth we get the oldest story in the book as Tracy plays Cyrano de Bergerac for Kenneth and his blind date. Tracy is an ideal foil, pouring water on the floor to trip the poor girl up and then doing his best hokey impression of Kenneth. Grizz and Dot Com are pretty underrated sidekicks as they simulate the noise of a busy restaurant and carry off jokes about Grizz’ fiancé. Jenna even pops in to do an impression of Michael McDonald at Tracy’s typically foolish suggestion. Despite the cruelness of the punch line, Jennifer feeling Kenneth’s face and leaving seems like an appropriate end to such a silly storyline and Tracy makes it even better (see Comic Highlight).
I suppose it’s worth saying that the product placement for McDonalds is beyond shameless. It’s practically like a sponsored sporting event. I can’t say it bothers me too much as it aided the plot pretty well.
The Bad: The writers just can not resist shoving in lines that have no basis in reality such as Kenneth having a mouth on his back or the patron saint of judgmental statues.
Dr Baird’s horrible family are not fun to watch. Liz’ life is one relentless mess so seeing his bitter daughter, angry sister and dying mother aren’t much fun. The big revelation that his sister is actually his mother is just pure crap. Why is it fun to laugh at Liz? She isn’t a horrible person and she didn’t bring any of it on herself (this episode anyway) so seeing it all go wrong just feels annoying.
Comic Highlight: Having rejected Kenneth because of the way he looks Tracy leaps to his defence.
T: “That was cold blind lady and you’re not so attractive yourself.”
J: “No, I’m pretty sure I’m hot.”
T: “Yes you are. (To Kenneth) I tried.”
The Bottom Line: A well structured, fast paced and pretty amusing episode of 30 Rock. Much better than usual.
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