ENTOURAGE 702 - Buzzed | Review By: Conan Milne

Original Air Date: July 11, 2010

HBO

Rating: 4/5

Dub Quotable: A notable improvement on a considered season opener, “Buzzed” is a well-written, funny, and occasionally suspenseful entry in the shows canon.

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After a two-week hiatus resulting from the recent Independence Day weekend, Entourage made a triumphant return last night. The season premiere might have caused some viewers to doubt the potential of a couple of slowly developing plotlines, but “Buzzed” insisted that loyalists are in for an exciting and surprisingly unpredictable season.

The episode follows in the aftermath of the literally explosive car stunt that Vince filmed in the season’s opening instalment. There is an impressive juxtaposition between the largely typical Vince of season six, and the newly spontaneous, thrill-seeking Vince found here. Adrian Grenier tackles Vince’s current adrenaline rush with gusto, and thankfully the character is the focal point of “Buzzed.” From his shocking candour during a press junket interview, to his extreme actions during the episodes climax, Vince was compulsively watchable this week. More so than Drama and Ari, who were as reliable as ever, you are left wondering what uninhibited behaviour he will exhibit next.

Speaking of Ari, it was fantastic to see his appearances revealed far more naturally this week. With his screen-time split between handling Vince’s sudden publicity crisis and securing a deal with greater potential than most brokered last season, Ari was essential here. While “Stunted” made subtle hints at an eventual fall from grace, “Buzzed” sees him on the verge of owning his own NFL franchise. Jeremy Piven continues to revel in playing the exuberant agent, who gleefully announces, “I’d blow myself if I were more flexible.” Nonetheless, writer Ally Musika teases us with further suggestions that Ari’s entertainment behemoth is strained. As one agent pleads with his frantic boss to survey the work of the accounting department, Gold dismissively quips, “That’s not a King’s job.”

Although Vince and Ari dominated proceedings, the rest of the guys were not burdened with lesser material. With his “baby bro” embracing independence, Drama became the dubious priority of stretched manager Eric. Kevin Connolly and Kevin Dillon shared a great scene which made E’s management of the belligerent Johnny official, and hopefully we will see more of this business union soon. Turtle’s business and personal life, meanwhile, continues to be jeopardized by former employee Alex. Jerry Ferrara excels in his role as perhaps the most likable character on the show. This was best exemplified as he sought the forgiveness of his disgruntled ex-worker, delivering the heartfelt admission, “I love to be loved and hate to be hated.” Unfortunately, you still yearn for the hapless bachelor of prior seasons, and it remains to be seen if his unfurling storyline will deliver definitive Entourage.

A notable improvement on a considered season opener, “Buzzed” is a well-written, funny, and occasionally suspenseful entry in the shows canon. Several plot points remain in their infancy, but this show makes it more apparent than ever that sizable developments are coming. With Vince becoming increasingly difficult to manage, Eric saddled with more responsibility than ever, Drama tirelessly scouring the town for his next project, and Turtle harnessing his own destiny, Entourage appears committed to real progression this time around. Viewers don’t know where the writers will take the boys next, and “Buzzed” is strong enough to leave them speculating.

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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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