TV Recap: Louie Season 3 Retrospective (Part 2)

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In the previous installment, we looked at the season as a whole. In part two, we are going to be looking at the episodes in order of best to worst and what made each episode memorable. For loyal fans, there will be few surprises in the order. Overall, it was a tough call putting majority of these episodes in any order. However, you'll notice a trend quickly that may also be reminiscent of it featuring some of my favorite guest stars this season. More after the jump.
As I have stated, these are the episodes in order of favorite to least. I tried to be fair, but somehow I am left with many thoughts on why the episodes are this significant. If anything, we should be proud that this season has managed to continue to show the growing strength of the series as a whole and deserves some merit for realizing that this could be an hour long sitcom in the form of incremented segments.

Left to right: Louis C.K. and Parker Posey

Between "the Late Show" arc and "Daddy's Girlfriend" arc, it was a tough call for what would eventually take my top slot. However, after much consideration, I decided to give it to my first five star review of the season. It may be one of the more artistic episodes of Louie, but it still manages to pack a punch of existentialism and what it means to be loved. We may get bizarre fantasies set to swooning love songs, but when we get to the character of Liz (Parker Posey), we finally get something bigger, deeper, and hopefully long lasting. This is the perfect girl and with this episode began a season-long story that made me believe that this was the best TV couple this summer. If anything, this deserves the golf cheer that Louis C.K. talks about at the end of the episode.


David Lynch

This was the episode where I began wondering if Louie should just turn into a six episode series of hour long episodes. While "the Late Show (Part 1)" set up everything perfectly, it was the introduction of Jack Dall (David Lynch) that provided a nice surprise. Besides becoming a nice backstage look at how a late show is put together, the cynical professionalism of Dall was an endearing factor that managed to seem intimidating, but always funny. Dall is the kind of character you wish was in more episodes. It may be a self-defeating middle to the journey, but that mystery provides a nice feel to the rest of the episode. Also, the cue card gag is one of wonders, if just for Dall's comment that C.K. is not ready for hip and fresh jokes.




It is sad to think that while the entire season had Liz burrowing somewhere in the back of C.K.'s mind, this was the last that we saw them together for an extensive period of time. It is a simple episode without too many perks, but it is just a testament to how endearing they are as a couple. They are weird and messed up and are not afraid to help a homeless man who sees snakes surrounding him. It is a profound look at a relationship that sadly came to a close by the end of the season. Most of all, it presents one of the more profound moments in the series when Liz tells C.K. that she isn't afraid of falling. We immediately question her logic, but simultaneously are won over by her fearless nature.


Left to right: Garry Marshall and C.K.

At this point in the season, we already were introduced to the fantastic "Daddy's Girlfriend" arc and it seemed impossible for it to be topped. However, with this episode, it did just that. With C.K. quickly arising to stardom thanks to a spot on the Tonight Show by replacing Tom Cruise, it made us wonder if C.K. could really take over a hosting gig from David Letterman. While the guest stars piled up immensely in these episodes, none were able to top Garry Marshall as Lars Tardigan, a very straightforward executive who cuts C.K. down to size in what is easily the greatest scene in the show's history. The final eight minutes of this episode are among the show's darkest, most intense, and self-reflective. It makes the road ahead look dark, and it earns Marshall an unexpected bravado as an actor. Like Dall after, it is a shame that we may never see these characters again.




Here are the people that were in "the Late Show" arc: Chris Rock, Jay Leno, David Lynch, Jerry Seinfeld, Susan Sarandon, Paul Rudd, and Garry Marshall. The only thing missing was David Letterman, though after this episode, you can see why. This is the triumphant conclusion to the arc and it sees C.K. becoming a hero and doing everything right. He has come a long way since "Something Is Wrong," and the victory felt as he cusses out the Ed Sullivan Theater at the end is sweet. Still, there is nothing as endearing as watching Dall upstage C.K. on almost every occasion. Too bad Liz wasn't there to celebrate it with him. It may have almost re-imagined the show, but I would have been happy if the results were half as good as this episode.




With "the Late Show" gig eventually landing him without the position, how does he wrap up the season? He introduces his sister (Amy Poehler) and kills off Liz with cancer. It is a heartbreaking episode that just gets sadder and sadder as C.K. tries to not kill himself. There is a lot of time reflecting on dying alone in this episode, and it makes for one the more mature, somber stories this season. The show has gone bolder than it has, and by taking C.K. to China, it manages to make for an ending abstract enough that it almost feels like a happy ending. I may never forgive him for killing off Liz, but at least we can end this season assured that C.K. doesn't settle for the obvious ending.




This episode's title may be an understatement for the season to come, but it sees the show go through a day in the life of a man in a midlife crisis. His girlfriend broke up with him without C.K. saying a word. He manages to lose his car, buy a motorcycle, and end up in the hospital. A lot happens in the course of one day and it is all really funny. We even get one of the most profound yet simple gags of all time in a parking sign that asks us to believe that there is no parking and two hour parking in the same place. C.K. manages to riff on that over the closing credits to great effect and introduces us to another great season of TV.



#8: Miami

At the time, I called this Louis C.K.'s Stardust Memories, and I stand by it. This episode embodies a fish out of water story that sees the persona of C.K. dealing with a crowd that is a surrogate for modern America: vapid and unaware of his humor. While he manages to befriend people and see a funner side of Miami, the episode is essentially one great look at what makes the C.K. character great without the trappings of New York. It almost feels like the first time he has stepped into the real world, and it doesn't treat the balding, chubby man with much respect. It may be very one note and have a vacation feel to it, but at the end of the day, who doesn't want to spend some time with C.K. chasing chickens and attending block parties?


Left to right: Maria Dizzia and C.K.

This was the episode where I wondered if there was a possibility of too many guest stars and if it ruined the quality of the narrative. While the first tale sees the return of Delores from "Bummer/Blueberries," it goes horribly wrong when C.K. proves that he isn't all that interested in what color rug Delores wants to get from IKEA. It creates an inspired rant about how C.K. is attracted to rugs and eventually leaves them on an awkward ride home. The other segment sees the return of frequent guests Maria Bamford and Sarah Silverman sharing some news that causes C.K. to reevaluate his life and talk to Marc Maron. Things don't go well for different reasons, but if anything, it is a nice chance to look back on their lives and notice that they looked kind of funny in the 80's. This episode has its moments, but makes me wonder if the show has outgrown the segmented style that it was formed on.


Left to right: Melissa Leo and C.K.

A sign that the guest star quotient was already going to be higher this season, C.K. managed to land Oscar winning actress Melissa Leo in a role that almost qualifies as male rape. While the first segment is a pretty nice moment with the kids, it is the second that manages to be all over the place and eventually go for shock value. This is mostly drawn from Leo trying to force sex with C.K. during a blind date and things go bad. It is more uncomfortable than funny and that may be the reason that the segment falls flat, even though everyone is giving it their all. I just wish that they managed to use Leo in a role that was substantial than this.



Left to right: C.K. and Chloe Sevigny

Finally, the return of Liz, kind of. While we only see her in flashbacks, the episode manages to bring life to the concept of the one who got away. While Chloe Sevigny is not as interesting as Parker Posey was, she gives it her all and makes it almost feel hopeful that things will work out. Her cliche dialogue of never giving up provides some endearing moments that almost seem like a satirical bend on the romantic comedies. However, if we can't have Liz back, I would like to see Sevigny's Jeanie to make a small appearance. Her character is a very promising alternative. Also, there is a segment about Lilly running away that kind of starts off sad, but gets ridiculous until it reaches the anticlimax of the story. It is kind of a whimpering of a finale, but it is a nice ending to an episode about not finding people you want to see.



#11: Dad

After getting advice from Uncle Excelsior (F. Murray Abraham), C.K. decides to try and visit his father, despite harsh feelings. There is nothing wrong with the episode, even though it is mostly going on about stress and being sick. When the episode ends with C.K. floating in the middle of the ocean, we kind of feel like we need the same. C.K. is almost through with season 3 and it already feels like he gave us a laundry list of neurosis. Some funny moments abound, but at most, the sickness at his friends' card game can be seen as foreshadowing for Liz's death in the finale. Otherwise, a perfectly passable episode, though one that lacks the energy of the rest of the season.


Left to right: C.K. and Robin Williams

Oh boy. Talk about the shift in quality and why the show should move out of segments. The first one with Robin Williams attending a funeral is great. Williams is in top shape and the scene where they are in the strip club is fantastic. It is the second one in which Never (Jeremy Shiner) is introduced is problematic. It is the worst because he is a repulsive character and by nature drags the show down. Everything he does is annoying and it may be on purpose, but it doesn't justify the segment's existence. It drags the show down and eventually makes a story about dealing with people you don't like into a reason that you should be able to hit back. Still, it is worth it for the Williams bit, though stop immediately afterwards. It is god awful.


There you have it. This has been a fun time covering Louie season 3. Make sure to check back next summer when I shall be covering the (hopefully Emmy winning) next season. Until then, make sure to check out my other columns, including Parts of Rec (about Parks and Recreation), 30 Words (about 30 Rock), TV Rewind of Freakazoid, TV recap of Bob's Burgers, and my back catalog that includes reviews for the HBO show Girls and AMC's Breaking Bad.


Also check out more of my work at http://nerdseyeviewpodcast.blogspot.com/ where I have a podcast called Nerd's Eye View.

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