This most recent episode brought us one of the best comedic set-pieces in the history of Rescue Me.  Which is saying plenty, since however else you’d want to argue its merits, this is one of the more consistently funny shows ever. 

 

Even against those elevated standards, the episode was a standout.  Beginning with Lou and Tommy’s slapstick chair-lifting routine and continuing through Sheila’s amazing ability to give agita to even her previously-unflappable therapist, the episode was already strong on good laughs.

 

But young Mike’s concept for the boys’ new bar (following the unsuccessful “Lumberjack’s”), played out in all-time hall-of-fame style, from concept to execution.  The bar is called “Black.”  This is brilliant, because not only is it a characteristically idiotic idea from Mike, but also a cutting satire of modern-day nightlife in New York (and LA, for that matter).  Denizens of either city can absolutely imagine being invited to a party at an overly-hip, overly-themed establishment called “Black.”  Of course, even with the ridiculousness of so many modern-day clubs, you still couldn’t possibly expect it to look the way this place does…  It’s tempting, but I won’t spoil the steady sequence of jokes that happened in this episode because of that whole “black” brainstorm.

 

Now sure, the episode as a whole wasn’t an A-plus-plus.  It was another victim of who-really-cares-besides-me continuity errors [how are Franco at a doctor’s appointment and Tommy on an evening date at apparently the same time?], and it could be said that not much happens to move the season’s plots forward.  On the second claim, I would point out that something very small but hugely significant did in fact occur before episode’s end:  

 

Tommy managed to get stuck with traces of wine in his mouth, thanks to that pretentious French lady (and then got put out Fred-Flinstone-style by Gina Gershon because of it.)  It may not have been Tommy’s intention to get that tiny taste of alcohol, but it does not at all bode well for the future.  Just saying:  The episode’s official title?  “Wine.”

 

 

This is going to be my last plea for new viewers to hop onto the season, because I may not be able to watch this upcoming week’s episode in time to blog it, and whether I blog about it or not, I have a feeling that significant events are impending.  Last week’s episode, “French,” is available now on Hulu, as is the season premiere, “Baptism,” from the week before that.  Keep an eye out for “Wine” in that same space.

 

So get caught up already!

 

As for now, here are the 5.3 super-quotables:

 

 

 

_________________________

 

 

                   FRANCO

          Well, let’s put it this way: you’re a dipshit.

 

 

_________________________

 

 

 

                   GENEVIEVE

          You’re very tense.

 

                   TOMMY

              (quickly)

          It’s the guys I work with…

 

 

_________________________

 

 

 

                   LOU

          I’m fresh out of papier.

 

 

_________________________

 

 

                  

                   TOMMY

I don’t think “desert sands” and “vagina” are words you want to hear in the same sentence.

 

 

_________________________

 

 

 

                   TOMMY

I have a mild alcohol allergy – actually, mild to raging…

 

 

_________________________

 

 

 

                   FRANCO

This place is black, Mikey. Blacker than an asshole’s asshole.

 

 

_________________________