NEW SHOWS
Curb Your Enthusiasm – “Namaste” (B)
Properly calls Larry out on his B.S., though like many episodes this season would have been even better had it been, say, 27 minutes instead of 35. This episode also ends up on the wrong side of the offensive line, with Larry claiming to be autistic to excuse his douchey behavior.
The Mindy Project – “It Had to Be You” (B+) / series finale
A satisfying finale for a very uneven series, one that lived up to its original title: It’s Messy. But it was a big deal for representation, as the show celebrated ethnicities and body types that often aren’t seen on TV, and did so unapologetically.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “The Venue” (A-)
The Vulture (Dean Winters) returns to wreak havoc on Jake and Amy, as he books their perfect venue just to spite them, and they in turn break up his impending marriage to a saintly heiress (Maria Thayer). A relentlessly funny episode that also features Boyle getting dragged by a horse and Terry accidentally sexually harassing another officer named Terri.
This Is Us – “Number One” (A-)
Certainly Justin Hartley’s strongest performance to date as Kevin. He’s often the most frustrating character, but this episode reveals a lot of the pain underneath the arrogance, never taking time to appreciate what he has, and the desire to brush off any adversity and keep going, never taking time to grieve what he’s lost.
OLD SHOWS
Seinfeld (Season 4) – “The Contest” (A)
It’s been 25 years, and this once taboo episode hasn’t lost a single step. It’s as sharp and dirty as ever.