For a long time, it seems like "Louie" has been focused on navigating a world and trying to find love in a landscape that isn't open to you. However, with this episode, as well as with the premiere of this season, it could look like the show is going in a bit of a different direction, this time trying to put the focus on finding love, despite the fact that you are aging and life is blowing by you every second and there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop it, but you also don't want to embrace it and accept it as a fact. At the same time, the world is rapidly changing, and the opportunities that are there for you are shrinking with every new day. In this episode, Louie is once again dealing with the perception that he's alone and that he needs someone in his life - now, the only reason why that perception is there is because it's true. Louie does desperately need someone, but he doesn't know how or where to find them because he doesn't know where to look. What follows here is a very funny scenario that sees him paired with someone who may actually be the one he needs, but who may also be a bit much for her, which sets the stage for a hilarious episode of the show that doesn't necessarily hit all the emotional or deep points that the show usually does, but is just a masterpiece of its own because it's so funny.
In fact, the whole episode starts off with focus on jokes, almost as if to say that this is going to be some of the funniest stuff that you've seen in a while. The little scene around the dinner table at the beginning is one of the sweetest scenes the show has ever produced, but it also shows why this is at its core a comedy. And also such a unique comedy, because it presents something that's not really that clever on the surface, and then twists and turns it until it's so stupid that it's actually very funny again.
We're then thrown into a scenario where Louie is going to some friends' with dinner, but arrives to find out that he has been set up. And this goes right into the age aspect of this season, as the friend he's visited previously performed a stand-up routine where he'd talk about being married in his 50s, which almost serves as a warning that something is going to happen and that there's hope in the air for Louie to still find someone. However, a set-up is never the best way to get people to like each other. You can't force chemistry.
Luckily, though, these two do have chemistry, mostly because they find so much in common with each other and because they both know that they don't wanna get married no matter what happens. This is a beautiful moment for Louie, but it's also a sad statement about these characters because they're clearly very lonely. That becomes very apparent in the final scene where they go down on each other, which is one of the funniest moments in television history, but also a genuine reminder that they're both desperately searching for a connection, despite them arguing the contrary the entire episode.
The episode lives and dies on Melissa Leo's incredible guest performance, which did earn her an Emmy. She matches C. K.'s incredible pace with her fierce performance that's not afraid to go that extra mile to get the biggest laugh possible. They play so well off each other, but Leo also clearly adds some gravitas to C. K. and his performance, just making their entire dynamic so much better. This episode wouldn't have worked without that intensity, which makes it clear that this episode would not have worked had it not been for Leo's incredible presence and commanding performance.
"Telling Jokes/Set Up" still uses the show's brilliant mix of drama and comedy, but definitely leans more on the comedy to a great result. It does comment on the fact that Louie is getting more time to experience this sort of fire, and then it brings it home with a brilliantly funny final scene.
In fact, the whole episode starts off with focus on jokes, almost as if to say that this is going to be some of the funniest stuff that you've seen in a while. The little scene around the dinner table at the beginning is one of the sweetest scenes the show has ever produced, but it also shows why this is at its core a comedy. And also such a unique comedy, because it presents something that's not really that clever on the surface, and then twists and turns it until it's so stupid that it's actually very funny again.
We're then thrown into a scenario where Louie is going to some friends' with dinner, but arrives to find out that he has been set up. And this goes right into the age aspect of this season, as the friend he's visited previously performed a stand-up routine where he'd talk about being married in his 50s, which almost serves as a warning that something is going to happen and that there's hope in the air for Louie to still find someone. However, a set-up is never the best way to get people to like each other. You can't force chemistry.
Luckily, though, these two do have chemistry, mostly because they find so much in common with each other and because they both know that they don't wanna get married no matter what happens. This is a beautiful moment for Louie, but it's also a sad statement about these characters because they're clearly very lonely. That becomes very apparent in the final scene where they go down on each other, which is one of the funniest moments in television history, but also a genuine reminder that they're both desperately searching for a connection, despite them arguing the contrary the entire episode.
The episode lives and dies on Melissa Leo's incredible guest performance, which did earn her an Emmy. She matches C. K.'s incredible pace with her fierce performance that's not afraid to go that extra mile to get the biggest laugh possible. They play so well off each other, but Leo also clearly adds some gravitas to C. K. and his performance, just making their entire dynamic so much better. This episode wouldn't have worked without that intensity, which makes it clear that this episode would not have worked had it not been for Leo's incredible presence and commanding performance.
"Telling Jokes/Set Up" still uses the show's brilliant mix of drama and comedy, but definitely leans more on the comedy to a great result. It does comment on the fact that Louie is getting more time to experience this sort of fire, and then it brings it home with a brilliantly funny final scene.
