NEW SHOWS
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “The Mattress” (B+)
Also known as “Jake Grows Up.” It’s a genuine bit of maturity for Jake to put away his childish view of his role as a boyfriend and a man, but of course it’s a funny road to get there. Boyle’s mini-feud with Holt doesn’t work without Gina, though. She’s the MVP of this episode. Though Diaz doing ballet is a close second.
Fargo – “Rhinoceros” (A)
Fargo just can’t stop being great, with exciting showdowns and brilliant dialogue. Nick Offerman goes from hilarious bit player to powerful mediator in one outstanding episode for him. This is edge-of-your-seat, top-notch entertainment.
The Mindy Project – “The Departed” (B+)
In what sounds like the last episode without Danny, The Mindy Project spends a Three’s Company-esque episode with Peter (Adam Pally, who will sorely be missed again) and Mindy keeping up the lie that they’re widowed to get into parties and find a buyer for Mindy’s apartment. But I had a big smile on my face when Mindy heard “Fat Bottomed Girls” playing outside her front door, signalling Danny’s return. And Collette’s earlier line absolutely slayed me: “I have courtside tickets to the Liberty, but I guess I’ll just eat the $2.”
OLD SHOWS
The Simpsons – “Simpson Tide” (B+)
A very ’90s episode, but one I fondly remember, because it’s stuffed to the gills with jokes. And many of them still work, including digs at Starbucks and military malfeasance. The episode doesn’t have a lot of room for sentimentality, but that doesn’t matter when you’re doubled over with laughter.