RAISING HOPE “Happy Halloween” and “Family Secrets” Season 1 Episodes 5 and 6 – We get a double helping of RAISING HOPE tonight and I really couldn’t be happier.
There are tricks and treats galore in the “Happy Halloween” episode where Jimmy shows he’s a much better Batman for Sabrina’s adorable Robin than Wyatt is, Maw Maw regresses to childhood, and Burt wants a hug.
I love that even though I guessed right off that Burt was the scary man, the reason surprised me. “I did it for the hugs!” I knew Burt was behind Hope’s disappearance as soon as he said, “Daddy’s going to make it all better,” and is it wrong that his torturing Jimmy like that totally warmed my heart even before Jimmy’s sweet voice-over? The Leverage-like reenactments of Burt’s cons are an excellent touch and the small Burt moments throughout, like his hunting and releasing a fly, maniacal giggle after he eggs Jimmy, and kissing the wolf puppet, make me laugh surprisingly hard.
Candy-regressed, chocolate-slathered “transvestite ninja” Maw Maw is fun. “I like nine year old Maw Maw. We play jacks.” Hee. Virginia is a surprisingly patient “mom” to her even when she’s exhausted. “It’s feet soaking and Jolly Rancher martini time for Mommy.” How many times will that be said across the country this Halloween? One thing that probably won’t be said is my favorite line of the episode: “You bet your batty nine year old ass we can!”
Jimmy and Sabrina’s terrific slow burn continues, and in case there was any doubt that Sabrina and Jimmy would eventually end up together (there really wasn’t), we see Jimmy come through for her when she needs him with an awesome homemade Batman costume (sweet crooked bat detail) even though he hates Halloween and he keeps her company when she’s passed out (Wyatt’s a tool for leaving her), protecting her from skeevy foot-smelling guy. Anyway, better kissers almost always win. I love this relationship.
We switch gears in the “Family Secrets” episode to take a closer look at Virginia, who has been lying to Jimmy for years about everything from an eel growing in his bum to his being allergic to fruit (the continuity fairy strikes again-sweet!). The internet tubes don’t reach this side of town–”Stupid, lying mom!” Funny as both a mom lie and a Ted Stevens joke. Bonus!
This is really Garret Dillahunt’s night to shine because Burt is awesome in this episode. From “I don’t practice deceitery” and “It’s my own private hell–private hell!” to his slightly creepy over-attention to Lucy’s sexy dance and “Roker bugs me, too” mini-rant, he is full of win. Well, except for calling Hope chunky–oh, that poor badly made- up baby! “I’m stuck in the middle like a third nipple” is one of those lines I need to find a way to use in life.
Not to be outdone, Martha Plimpton’s “We come from idiot stock. Are you happy?” still has me laughing and I love her I told you so reaction to Jimmy’s star fruit allergy. Not get him to a doctor or get him some Benadryl, but “see, I protected you.” Awesome. What a terrific twist that Maw Maw told her the bee hive/plastic bag/duck Reader’s Digest story to protect her, and I have to wonder if/when swinger Grandma Louise will make a reappearance. “I have a whole new understanding of why grandmothers cover their furniture in plastic.” Ha!
Lucy’s execution really is a tough nut to crack. “Mommy’s not here because the government had her barbecued” is definitely better than saying she was put down, but “electric bye-bye chair” is the funniest. How amazing are those prison videos? Bijou Phillips absolutely rocks them, going from insane to sweet in the blink of an eye. “Your mom is bananas–which, by the way, are delicious!” Love fruit-devouring Jimmy and his chugging antihistamine so he can still eat star fruit. “See why I lied–you hog all the damn fruit!”
Jimmy waking up Maw Maw, putting her back to sleep (foot-rubbing-hee), and waking her up again to have lucid moments is hilarious. Photoshopped bin Laden and Sabrina’s “Yeah, I was worried” as she chomps an apple are great, and the babies who play Hope have the best expressions ever.
As always, I’m impressed by the balance of heartwarming and hilarious. Not many shows can go from a sweet hug scene to an ending shot of someone vomiting on the rug, but it’s perfect in the “Happy Halloween” episode and equally fun is the family viewing of Lucy’s video (“When you take out the violence, cursing, and graphic lesbian sex, she’s actually kind of sweet.”) followed by the “I can’t believe you hit that, Jimmy;” “Thanks, Dad” exchange. I really can’t think of a better Halloween treat than this hour of Raising Hope.
What did you think of the Raising Hope double feature? What were your favorite moments? Please share them below.
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