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ENTOURAGE 701 - Stunted | Review By:
Conan
Milne
Original Air Date: June 27, 2010
HBO
Rating: 3/5
Dub Quotable:
"Stunted"
was perhaps an overambitious opener, struggling to introduce as many
potential storylines as its fleeting twenty-five minute slot would allow.
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After a Season 6 that left many
fans divided on whether or not the show should continue, Entourage soldiers on.
Last year was considered underwhelming by many, with lead character Vincent
Chase relegated to the background in favour of documenting best friend Eric's
relationship woes. However, an excellent season finale left many with hope,
making up for an otherwise largely uneventful season: perennial bit-parter
Johnny Drama had finally landed a holding deal with a prestigious television
network; a triumphant Ari Gold had usurped old mentor Terrence McQuiewick and,
in doing so, become Hollywood's leading agent; and E was finally relieved of
some troubling personal melodrama when love interest Sloan accepted his
proposal. Perhaps most importantly, the closing scenes suggested that we would
finally see a reinvigorated Vince act again.
Season 7 premiere "Stunted" does indeed feature Vince on set, although not
filming the movie that we might expect. Although the parting shot of Season 6
was the effortless star leaving for Italy to shoot a biopic of Enzo Ferrari, we
are reintroduced to him some time later on the set of an apocalyptic action
flick. It's always a pleasure to be afforded these faithfully recreated sneak
peeks at the Hollywood production process, and these brief scenes proved a
highlight of this episode. Fantastic swooping camera angles captured Vince
clambering up the ladder of a dangerous, barren factory. Sparks fly nearby his
head and his immediately abandoned surroundings are suitably atmospheric.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with Entourage's season openers, there were
too many plot points to introduce to linger on Vince's captivating filming for
too long. Notorious slacker Turtle has finally turned LimHoes, his dubious
limousine business proposal, legitimate. After last seasons grumblings about the
treatment of the beloved stoner, some will be undeniably disappointed to learn
that Turtle has not reverted to his mischievous old ways. Continuing with the
development of the main players, series creator Doug Ellin writes Turtle here as
a guy surprisingly involved in his fledgling company. Ellin stops short of
radically maturing the character, however, and the once-hazy smoker still has an
eye out for any potential opportunity with the opposite sex. This time around
his attention is focused on erratic employee Alex, who he shares one
particularly awkward moment with. After last season saw Turtle in his first
serious relationship, fans could be forgiven for wanting to see at least a
glimpse of the sleazy but affable singleton of the shows early years. We might
still get that chance, although it appears that Ellin has laid the foundations
for his next love interest.
More interesting than Turtle's fumbled romance was Drama's next impending
breakdown. Kevin Dillon continues to carry the show through slightly mediocre
moments, and viewers adore his pathetic character to the point where chuckles
are emitted the minute the camera pans to him. Drama's dialogue can be the most
glaringly obvious example of the shows formulaic nature - see his My So-Called
Life reference - but Dillon's commitment to the lovable loser can never be
faulted. Here he is as desperate as ever, on the verge of losing his network
deal and willing to do anything to become a recurring figure on television
screens ("Look at Kiefer!") His exchanges with network rep Phil were great,
capturing the heartbreaking dedication Drama has to his often deluded daydreams.
It's a testament to how well developed the character is that, although it is
hilarious to watch him falter time and again, you will him to eventually
prevail.
Entertainment industry phenomenon Ari Gold was also given prolonged exposure
during this episode. It's difficult to predict where writers Doug Ellin and Ally
Musika will take Gold this season but, if Ellin's writing is any indication, he
may be setting himself up for a tumble. Ari is high off his own success here,
emphatically announcing himself the head of the biggest agency in the world to a
team of stressed employees. Under the guise of the powerhouse agent, Jeremy
Piven is as fascinating as ever. However, it's difficult to shake the uneasy
feeling that the writers have become overly reliant on his character. His
presence looms large here, even in the scenes where he is not present. Whereas
Ari always worked best when he arrived in a flurry of sporadic appearances, here
he finds time to reassure a worried Vince despite his own proclamation that he
represents everyone now. He's never been in charge of so many A-List clients,
and yet he circles the group like Vince is his lone priority.
"Stunted" was perhaps an overambitious opener, struggling to introduce as many
potential storylines as its fleeting twenty-five minute slot would allow. As a
result of this overzealous plotting, we are left with a painfully abrupt closing
scene that lacks the pay-off it deserved. Nonetheless, Ellin has created a
platform for episodes with the potential to be far more involving than last
years batch. It wasn't the most gripping start but, if things progress as
viewers are left expecting them to, Season 7 might prove to be the most eventful
season of Entourage since Vince went swimming with James Cameron in a certain
aquatic blockbuster.
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The views expressed here are those of the authors and not
necessarily
those of Dubcnn as an organisation.
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