30 ROCK “Plan B” Season 5 Episode 18 – 30 Rock has lasted for weeks without Tracy Morgan’s wacky shenanigans and, it must be said, has been motoring along stupendously without him. From “TGS Hates Women” to “Queen of Jordan” 30 Rock has been on a rich train of satire and wit which, if the latest episode is any indication, does not show any signs of slowing down.
Jack warns Liz that without Tracy TGS may have to go into a forced hiatus (AKA cancellation). It’s up to Liz to break the news to the staff and once they start fleeing the building (literally) she realizes that she’s going to have to start looking for work soon.
30 Rock is a show that knows how to use its guest stars (hello, Glee). This episode was no exception. Aaron Sorkin showed up to spoof himself in a brilliant walk and talk scene with Liz. The Studio 60 reference and second metaphor “it’s bad writing” were priceless. As was the reappearance of Liz’s agent Simon (whose other clients are dogs and who to too scared to watch Twilight and Vampire Diaries), and Liz’s previous inconvenient trip to LA back in 1992.
Jack meanwhile had his hands full trying to convince Hank of the value of his new network for gays Twinks, where you can get a man size chihuahua outfit. Jack’s storyline, despite that it brought back Will Arnett, was less engaging than it usually it. Really Hank, Jack and Devon all had their scenes stole by the chubby little “gaybies”.
Without Jack’s power wagging, the cancellation of TGS looked inevitable, but it appears that with a little ingenuity (and I mean only trace amounts) Tracy may be making a return within the next episode to save TGS from cancellation. The episode was less dependent on Jenna’s shenanigans and Kenneth’s weirdness and that left more room for Liz to explore the avenues of finding a new job should TGS be cancelled. 30 Rock is far more effective when it is satirizing social issues rather than just shooting out punchline after punchline.
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