Cougar Town (TV Series) Something Big (2012) User Reviews

The One With Grayson's Daughter...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 7 July 2015]

I really love this episode. I love the addition of Grayson's previous one night stand. She's hilarious.

In this episode, Grayson tries to convince Jules that he wasn't that big of a player, but then a previous one night stand shows up, with their daughter, Tampa. At first, no one believes that this is Grayson's daughter, but after a DNA test, it is confirmed that this is, in fact, Grayson's daughter. This frustrates, intimidates, and worries Jules. Meanwhile, Bobby tries to teach Ellie to surf, and Travis finally musters up the courage to say no to Laurie.

Title Card: You know what would be cooler than this title card bit? A new title.

Best part of the episode: When Jules and Grayson are in counselling, and Jules manipulates even the therapist.

Worst part of the episode: The fact that Grayson's daughters name is Tampa.

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Awesome.

A gem of an episode, more please!

[ukyoga · 31 March 2012]

I am in a committed relationship with Cougar Town, for better or for worse. Over the years have endured some fairly naff fodder, testing my loyalty and endurance.

Occasionally I am repaid with a gem of an episode.such as this. Which I just watched a second time as episode seven, due to be aired this week, did not materialise.

Jules and Grayson (who seems to have had his name irrevocably corrupted to Graymond), both get what they want in a script manoeuvre that is a little easy and obvious, but I guess we all want to believe it. Reforming playboy is presented with illegitimately fathered child.

I love that the child is named called Tampa and that she is a cute toddler. Maybe the cheek glitter was a touch too much, indicating white trashiness to follow, underlined by the fact that Laurie is already the child's godmother.

Jules reacted to the revelation with foreseeable narcissistic rage, but got over herself pretty quickly. Jules' character, is after all, a sketch of a post-modern matriarch, and she likes to see herself as a loveably flawed super-mom and super-friend.

I wonder whether the writers might have gone further still. In his early-mid forties, Grayson is old enough to have fathered an adult daughter with a child, or better still, a playboy son in his own image with a child, this would have been karmically neat, transformed Jules overnight into a grandmother and yielded two fresh characters.

One of the reasons I rate this as a stand out episode is that the main narrative was enriched by some satisfying subplots, with good action outside of the cul-de-sac. Travis and his frat bros dancing and chanting, coached by Laurie, as colourful and effervescent as ever, in a particularly fab green denim and flouncy top combo. I live for her outfits! I love her hair! And I find her relationship with Travis very watchable and heart warming.

Similarly, Bobby teaches Ellie to surf and we get to see more of his new girlfriend, although she is still very much a minor character at this point, waiting in the wings. And we are introduced to yet another quirky therapist, who is insightful but maybe also a little crazy, I hope we see more of her.

I have a minor quibble with regard to the ladies' hairstyles; it struck me that the female characters (Jules, Ellie, Laurie, Angie, Tampa's birth mother and therapist) are all wearing their hair the same; centre part with loose flowing waves. I'd like to see some variety, of course Laurie came good with an awesome pony tail and swept fringe in one of her scenes.

So while the quality of this show is variable, I am sticking by Cougar Town, hoping that there is more good stuff to come....