Made some screencapscaps for this, another tantalizing WEEDS (SHO) Promo spot for season 8 which drops on July 1. Canada Day! I'll probably be here in the States but I had Showtime added to the new cable at the cottage on Maple Lake, too. I have no idea how long I'm staying--in total probably a good, long while, so we must have Showtime. Will have Showtime. Weeds is a very fun 30 minutes, one of the very few comedies I watch. Most/all? are on Showtime.
Weeds : Season 8: Writer's Room Tease 3-in-1 VIDEO:
(1 minute, 10 seconds)
'Dearborn Again' = SEASON 6, Episode 10 screencap of tabletop 'found' script (above) won't be a lot of help in getting an idea of whodunit. I would think season 8 episode 1 or 2 could help greatly, tho'.
MARY-LOUSIE PARKER as 'Nancy' the matriarch of the Botwin family in WEEDS on Showtime starting July 1. Perfect summertime show.
All screencaps: (SHO)
Official WEEDS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Weedsonshowtime Official WEEDS Twitter: http://twitter.com/SHO_weeds Official WEEDS Series Site: http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/
Well, look right here! It's our Ms. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) and she's looking pretty good for a lady that just took a bullet!
'Happy 4/20 from Weeds! Don't miss the premiere of the new season on Sunday, July 1st at 10PM ET/PT on Showtime.'
Kevin Nealon (SHO) WEEDS:
Q: Is Nancy really dead on Weeds?
TVGuide:
Let's take a look at the evidence, shall we?
The producers are casting for three very telling roles:
1) a paramedic who tries to keep Nancy talking while she's being rushed to the hospital;
2) a head surgeon who speaks calmly to the Botwin family; and
3) a hospital chaplain who confers with Andy. Is it time for Nancy to be read her last rites? Probably not! Come on, people; she's the star of the show!
There are still a few months left to wait for Showtime’s 30-minute dramedy series WEEDS to return for its eighth season, but in my time zone its officially 4/20 and so it seems perfect timing that a new teaser for Season 8 WEEDS was just released.
Sadly, the new WEEDs teaser does not offer any footage from Season 8, but it does give us a look at the cast dancing and smiling (with Nancy the notable exception--she looks angry then sticks her tongue out--impressively far!).
Mary-Louise Parker looks like her gorgeous self, not appearing until the almost-end, following the “Happy 4/20” message.
This is actually not the first teaser released by SHOWTIME for for WEEDS Season 8. The last promo released celebrated Nancy's "Wicked World." You can check that one out here.
'Who got it? Who-dun-it? Get the answers when Weeds returns.'
This is a cool promo in that it's a slide show of some of Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) Best Moments, many of which include her lovely family. They are presumably what led led her to 'here', whereever that is ! A gunshot/fade-to black- Nancy & family scene ended last season! Yikes, right?
So...included in this sorta pop-artsy montage are the last shot(s) of season 7 with Nancy toasting hers and her sister's now-blended families. A (male) figure was seen in the woods with a rifle and the target was squarely on Nancy, a shot rings out and...cut.
So season 8 is opening with answers it seems, to 'Following the gunshot, what happened?' Let's hope we get some good answers!
(My guess is the shot was 'the shooter' biting it. I read a plausible explanation for 'who' the shooter is and it works for me.)
A 'Nancy Botwin' scene from the final episode of season 7:
Saw an interesting opinion the other day about "Who shot Nancy Botwin?' (on Showtime's "WEEDS") if indeed she was shot.
Also, just read a really facinating interview with Showtime president David Nevins about Weeds and some other signature Showtime shows too, as well as a couple getting ready to debut like Homeland. I excerpted a couple Q's below but be sure to click through because the article is worth a read. (Scroll down below the possible SPOILER coming up...)
"Nancy Botwin" with son 'Silas', ' Guillermo,' and in back, husband 'Esteban'
Q: So was that a season or series finale of Weeds? A: Though Showtime has yet to renew the series, we hear that this isn't the last we've seen of the Botwin clan. So what does that mean for Nancy? Did 'Guillermo' finally exact revenge after all these years of abuse? Possibly! We ran into Guillermo Diaz on the Scandal set, and he revealed that:
SPOILER.
'Guillermo actually appeared in the penultimate episode (of Weeds!):
He also mentioned that the cast, including him, are expecting to be back for another season. (Time to re-watch that episode again, stat!)'
It's not often that a network executive gets to take over in a period of prosperity. Usually, the previous guy was fired, and usually because things haven't been going well. But Showtime entertainment president David Nevins took over the pay cable channel last summer not because there was a crisis, but because predecessor Robert Greenblatt was looking for new challenges (in this case, trying to resurrect NBC) after seven successful years.
Under Greenblatt's watch, Showtime went from HBO afterthought to a channel with its own clear identity, with a roster of shows that became Emmy contenders from the moment they were announced, and in the case of "Dexter," a very clear hit...
Well, speaking of that, "Dexter" is your biggest hit. It's done very, very well for you. But that is a show where it seems, no matter who is behind the wheel, it has certain things it does each and every year. Last year, we were told, "This will not be like any other year. We're not going to have a big bad who winds up strapped to Dexter's table," and that's pretty much what happened with Jonny Lee Miller's character. You said in the executive session that that's a show you'd like to see go on for many more years to come.
As a programmer, I believe in change. I'm not scared of change. I know where they're going this season and have some sense of where they could go in subsequent seasons. Just as you have to keep seeding your network with the next new thing, in long-running shows you have to make changes, and I think sometimes people get very conservative about, "Don't mess with the formula. It works." In the same way I think it's good to mess with your programming formula, I think long-running shows mess with the formula. The difference between "ER" and "Ally McBeal" is that "ER" changed a lot over the years and ran for 14 years, versus "Ally McBeal," which burned bright, didn't change and went away. I think "Jackie" and "Dexter" both are into that moment where they need to mess with what they're doing. There's going to be some things that happen over this season of "Dexter" that can change some of the DNA in the show.
...I wrote a story that mentioned in passing that "Weeds" is the one Showtime comedy that significantly evolves as it goes along...
'(And) when I actually looked at the (Weed's viewership) numbers, they've been very strong over time.'
'The numbers really hold up. I think it's (Weeds is) ballsy....a...great advantage... every year: you wipe the slate clean, start with a new story, and you can pull things forward that you want to pull forward, you can change things) or not, if you get sick of someone you can kill them, etc...'
Weeds: Season 7 Episode 6 - 'That's not true! I'm obsessed with your black ass!':
'I Missed You'
Nancy (Mary Louise Parker) tries to reconnect with Heylia (Tonye Patano)
This is the funniest--and most fun scene of Season 7 thus far. Finally, the character that Weeds fans have been clamoring to see again--has returned--and she is very much the straight talkin' not to mention straight-shootin', lady we loved.
Dig it!
Sample dialogue:
Nancy: 'Don't you even want to know why I went to jail for three years?'
Heylia: "Involuntary dumbassery? First degree steppin' in shit you can't handle?'
Heylia: 'I'll bet you haven't even thought twice about my black ass in the past 5 years.'
Nancy (flummoxed): 'That's not true! I'm obsessed with your black ass!"
Weeds Season 7 Episode 6: Object Impermanence:
Nancy confronts an old friend, leaving Silas caught in the crossfire; back at the loft, Andy comes up with a new business venture, and turns to Shane and Doug for help.
Season 7 Episode 6 Sneak Peeks Promo Screencaps:
After the jump: Uncle Andy, Doug & Shane Discuss Andy's New Invention [VIDEO]:
Laura Linney in 'The Big C' (Photo credit: Showtime)
When I grow up* I want to be able to write as well as Ileane Rudolph does in her stellar TVGuide article on Showtime's The Big C. Writer Rudolph simply nails oh, everything I like about the show. The piece echos my sentiments about The Big C's ability to strike a chord with survivors of not only life-threatening conditions such as the protagonist, Cathy Jameson with stage 4 cancer, but of the great lot of us that have survived and often thrived in the aftermath of one of the many things that smack us HARD out of left field.
The Big C and Weeds are on tonight beginning at 10:00/9:00c on Showtime.
After coming home from the real-life fireworks I'm watching both shows which always have someone or some situation heating up, blowing up or causing massive cracking up. How about you?
*Chronologically-speaking this happened a few decades ago...but I'm still coming to grips with that.
(Photo Credit: Showtime)
With a mischievous smile, Laura Linney is gleefully ruining a take. During a tense scene between her character, Cathy Jamison, who has Stage 4 melanoma, and her bipolar brother, Sean, played by John Benjamin Hickey, she makes her costar break down in giggles.
Whoever says cancer is no laughing matter hasn't seen The Big C, Showtime's irreverent comedy about a Minneapolis teacher, wife and mom who's trying not only to beat death but to live as fully as possible in whatever time she has left. The smartly written, beautifully cast show has earned a devoted fan base and critical plaudits, and three-time Emmy winner Linney has already snared a Golden Globe for her deft portrayal of the strong-willed Cathy.
The oft-repeated mantra at The Big C is "It's not a show about dying; it's a show about living." And for sure, Cathy lives large. In the first season she kept her illness a secret, booted her immature husband, Paul (Oliver Platt), and had an affair. "Cathy doesn't behave in a safe, by-the-numbers fashion," says Hickey, during a break on the set in Stamford, Connecticut. "A lot of people who are living with cancer love the funny, outrageous, sometimes controversial way that character deals." Executive producer Jenny Bicks, a survivor herself, says, "The writers take the kid gloves off when we talk about cancer, because when you've gone through it, it's not all tragic and dramatic. It can also be super strange and funny."
BRING IT ON. Mondays are hotter than ever, on SHOWTIME ®.
After explaining why in a recent post that if you enjoy award-winning, edgy comedy television why you should be tuning in to Weeds on Monday, June 27 at 10 E/ 9pm Central on Showtime, I'm going to tell you a bit about The Big C, which is also an edgy half-hour comedy starring another award-winning stage and screen actor, Laura Linney, which is premiering on Monday night, too.
The Big C directly follows Weeds on Mondays at 10:30 E/ 9:30 Central on Showtime.
Full disclosure: I started watching The Big C last year as 1. Laura Linney is amazing and 2. It followed Weeds so it was easy to just spend an hour and see two complete shows, plus 3. More and more in recent years I find myself really intrigued by Showtime's off-beat offerings.
(To put it diplomatically, I'm finding most of the television that I enjoy best on the two major premium cable channels.)
I wanted to love The Big C but after nearly half it's run, I quit watching.
I didn't dislike it exactly. There were just aspects of it that sort of struck a weird chord with me. The show after all, is a very dark comedy about a woman in her 40's who is struggling to deal with a diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. That is one heavy topic to take on in any context, never mind a comedic one.
Despite my not following through, Laura Linney struck gold--a Golden Globe to be specific, as best actress in a comedy which further validates that the show had and has huge potential. The people that make the show listened to some of the feedback--both positive & negative and they responded by segueing into season 2 with a bit of a different tone.
For one, and I think it was the primary thing that I wished was different, the character of 'Cathy' who was estranged from her husband last season will help him 'grow up' this season, as Linney puts it. I've embedded cast interviews in a Weeds /Big C mash-up video selection in this post.
Her husband is played by the very likable actor (I want to say 'lug') Oliver Platt. Cathy was just so mean to him last year and though I understood why--because he's a bit thick about certain subjects--I also felt sorry for him and I felt irritated with her.
Also, at times in season 1, Cathy's attitude seemed really over-the-top, with almost a slapstick feel to some scenes. Again, Linney addresses this in the interview that Cathy's 'relationship with her cancer' is now 'evolving'. I would like to see Kathy retain the fire in her belly but express it in a somewhat less expansive/destructive way and I'm pretty sure season 2 will move more in that direction.
Finally, Cathy's decision to not seek treatment for her cancer left me feeling really unsure about her future (and thus, the future of the show). I didn't know whether to commit to it or not plus I was a bit annoyed with her that she wouldn't even try to help herself medically. This too changes in the upcoming season 2.
It's looking like there are some really strong positives to this season. First, the excellent primary cast returns (sans of course, 'Marlene'). One of the relationships I got the most enjoyment from in The Big C, season 1, was that of Cathy and her brother Sean, a homeless manic-depressive who now lives on Marlene's front lawn, across the street from Kathy.
Actor Benjamin Hickey who plays Sean, is an especially good acting match-up with Ms. Linney so this is good news.
As I mentioned before, I really enjoy Oliver Platt in his believable denseness. Women have known, and many of us are in relationships with guys like Paul. The bottom line is that he seems like a really decent chap who is hard not to like despite his foibles and it would seem in Season 2 that Cathy comes to the same conclusion.
I stopped watching before I saw much of Cathy and Paul's teenage son, Sean (played by Oliver Basso). Tonight I watched a short fan clip from The Big C with the title 'The saddest scene in The Big C,' in which Basso was the only character. (cont.)
(Above is a bit longer version of it which gives it more context).
The scene lived up to it's title as tears were streaming down my face as Cathy's son discovers that she is so sure she's not gong to be there for him in the years to come that she's bought and wrapped a storage room full of birthday, Christmas, and graduation gifts as well as a pretty, red sports car. The kid just loses it--cue audience to do the same.
To sum up, I'm sold on taking another look at The Big C in season 2 as I like what I'm hearing about it. Also, I'm totally jazzed that guest actors include Alan Alda, Parker Posey, Cynthia Nixon & Hugh Dancy.
What do you think about watching these two show? Have you been watching them both. One? None? Would you consider giving them a shot?
Showtime describes The Big C thusly:
Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe® winning role for a new season of The Big C, the hit Showtime Original Series about living… with cancer. After spending most of season one ignoring her illness, Cathy Jamison has decided to fight back. “Bring it on,” says Cathy, as she enters an experimental clinical trial while continuing to live life to the fullest in this heartfelt and surprising comedy.
HEY!:
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
Weeds Season 7 - Let's Give 'em Something To Talk About! Nancy's Jailhouse Lesbian Scene:
With the premiere of Weed's on Showtime soon upon us, media clips from the show are sprouting up like well, weeds!
Of course, Nancy Botwin hooks up with her cellmate! In the face of the seductive power of Mary-Louise Parker, we are all helpless. Showtime's ever-excellent Weeds returns for season seven on June 27, and we learn that when Nancy went to prison to escape Esteban (Demián Bichir), she settled in just fine, thank you very much, as evidenced by her romance with Russian-born "roommate" Zoya (Olga Sosnovska).
Scroll down and press play on the E! video to see Nancy and Zoya make out, and find out why Nancy is less than overjoyed that she's being released from the big house. SOURCE: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b248483_weeds_exclusive_sneak_peek_nancys.html#ixzz1PzbGaQhw
Pot-selling single mom turned Mexican mafia princess turned escape artist:
Nancy Botwin turned herself in to the FBI rather than face certain death at the hands of her vengeful ex Esteban and his goon squad. It's now three years later and Nancy is sprung from the joint and making a fresh start in New York City. Will Nancy be able to successfully reunite her far-flung family and keep her hands clean? Don't miss a minute of Season 7 of the hit Showtime Original Series. New episodes beginning Monday June 27th at 10PM ET/PT.
Nancy's Jailhouse Lesbian Love Affair Behind the Scenes Video:
Published on Jun 20, 2011 by SHOWTIME
Weeds is back for a whole new season, get a behind the scenes look at what's to come.
BONUS: After the jump - Nancy's Jailhouse Lesbian Love Affair Behind the Scenes Screencaps:
More Answers About What's Happened in WEEDS 3-Year Time Jump to Season 7:
You already know that Season 7 (debuting June 27) picks up three years after the events of Season 6. What you don’t know is what Doug has been up to during those lost three years, other than he was in Copenhagen. And that’s where the scoop comes in.
“Doug got a job working as an accountant for IKEA — if that is in Denmark,” reveals his portrayer, Kevin Nealon.
Bring it On! Promo for Weeds & The Big C (June 07, 2011) The Big C and Weeds return for all new seasons June 27th beginning at 10PM ET/PT.
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
WEEDS : A PEEK A LIFE THREE YEARS LATER
When Weeds returns for its 7th season on June 27, there will be much for us to catch up on in the world of Nancy Botwin, who at the end of last season turned herself into police.
So, what’s waiting for her on the other side of the fence? A halfway house, for one. And also her family, which had been holding up in Copenhagen and went through some changes of their own, according to creator Jenji Kohan. Silas got into modeling, Shane kept busy doing puppet theater, Doug joined them overseas*(see 6.15.11 update above), and Andy “had a nice little thing going” with a woman. But, Kohan says, despite their new lives, Nancy’s release causes them to “quickly mobilize” and return.
“They had their relationships and their things, but there was a sense that they were always treading water because Nancy seems to be their True North. When you don’t have that star in the sky, you get a little lost,” Kohan says.
But while their dedication to Nancy has not changed, Kohan couldn’t say the same for their physical appearance.
“Shane has mutton chops and a Mohawk and he looks pretty cool, and Silas is very buff, and Andy’s a little grayer, but nothing radical.”
Unless you count Stevie.
“Oh, Stevie, yes! Stevie’s now almost 4 so he’s a little boy, and he talks. That’s a whole new ballgame — the toddler game. It’s not an infant anymore — not a little blob — it’s a person."
I think it is safe to say that Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is never going to cop to having any regrets. Or if she does, she won't contemplate them long enough to use the new-found insights to change her perpetually self-destructive behaviour. For as long as we've known this character she's seemed to operate in a permanent state of 'emergency mode' plastered over with a veneer of zen-like calmness with a not insignificant amount of 'eff it' thrown into the mix. It is a hat trick that few actresses could pull off as convincingly as Parker does. Showtime certainly picked the right gal to get the job done.
SPOILERS BELOW:
I really, really like that Nancy was arrested and served 3 years time for the bludgeoning death of 'Pilar,' Nancy's now-ex's ex, a powerful Mexican gangster. Shane actually clubbed the woman, who was making serious death threats against the Botwin kids. Though Weeds is obviously not grounded in 'reality' reality and in fact Nancy has had to endure many consequences, jail time should appease those who felt she was getting off too easily.
Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Kevin Nealon and the boys, played by Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould, are all immensely likable and really know their way around these characters after 6 seasons of playing them. It's a fun show to watch and at one-half hour running time, there's very little time investment. (You already subscribe to Showtime, don't you? Need reasons? Try Dexter, Shameless & Californication, for starters.)
Martin Short and Aidan Quinn are the latest additions to the seventh season of Showtime’s Weeds, which is now confirmed to pack the one-two punch of a time jump and a major change in location--to New York City.
Sneak Peek Photos from Weeds Season 7, Episode 7.02 "From Trauma Cometh Something" (July 4)
Pretty sure that this is a shot of Andy (Justin Kirk) and Shane (Alexander Gould) attempting to see Nancy in the half-way house. Note that 'Shane' does not have 'a mohawk' as show creator Jenji Kohan interviewed (above). Shane has a 'fauxhawk,' which combed a different way, would look like his 'normal' hair. Really can't say much about the mutton chop sideburns other than they look really fake and I doubt if they'll last more than an episode or two...
WEEDS - Showtime Season 7 Synopsis SPOILERS (after the jump):
As if Nancy's life wasn't filled with enough odd characters, the producers are looking for a slightly odd, well-off New York City attorney (they're thinking of a John Waters type) who takes on pro-bono cases in exchange for juicy prison gossip. Does he sell the gossip to the tabloids? Nope, he writes the stories down in a book — which he reads when he's sad, horny, or both...
EDIT 5.27.11/ In re: the casting description above and the Showtime Press Release from 5.26 (below): they both describe the role that of the 'eccentric attorney' that went to Martin Short (Damages).
Fortunately, on Weeds 'icky' can be turned into something quite funny. If they can make 'Uncle Andy' having his toe bitten off by a dog, funny which they did, then...
Be warned! There are both Weeds character and plot spoilers ahead!:
Thanks to the good folks that helm the Showtime site Weeds fans have a pretty good notion of what Nancy Botwin is up to and what her clan has been doing for the past three years--as she served time in prison(!) As season 7 gets underway, Nancy is on early release and if you don't want to be spoiled stop readng NOW.
Justin Kirk's character, 'Uncle" Andy Botwin, is the only adult cast member who doesn't have a spoiler-ish blurb about either what he's been doing for 3 years or what he plans to do once he reunites with Nancy in New York. Perhaps he's been busy running the University of Andy?
EDIT 5.23.11/ Oops! I should try reading my own posts! Previously, I noted along with where to see more revealing Mary-Louise shots, that the "Stevie' character was being recast!Yay! Now the question: where has little Stevie been for the past three years?/End Edit
Sadly, little Stevie Ray, Nancy's youngest son, who would be 3 or 4 years old now, is not even mentioned. I'm afraid he may be explained him away. He was so cute.
Weeds Season 7, Episode 1: 'Bags:
Synopsis: In the Season 7 premiere, after three years in prison, Nancy receives an early parole to a New York halfway house and discovers her promised witness protection services are no longer necessary; Silas, Shane, Andy and Doug have settled into their new lives in Copenhagen.
Season Premiere: Monday June 27th at 10:00pm et/pt
Warning!!!
There are spoilers aplenty in the season 7 character descriptions:
(Keep scrolling if you want to know!)
As Season 7 begins:
Pot-selling single mom turned Mexican mafia princess turned escape artist Nancy Botwin turned herself in to the FBI rather than face certain death at the hands of her vengeful ex Esteban and his goon squad. It's now three years later and Nancy is sprung from the joint and making a fresh start in New York City. Will Nancy be able to successfully reunite her far-flung family and keep her hands clean? Don't miss a minute of Season 7 of the hit Showtime Original Series WEEDS.
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin (Season 7: episode 1) - Photo: Giovanni Rufino/SHOWTIME
Nancy Botwin: Her life so far
The once naîve suburban soccer mom has certainly come a long way in six seasons. Widowed and left destitute with a family to raise, Nancy turned to drug dealing, then Mexican organized crime, then a wild ride through everyday America, all the while trying to keep her kids from becoming complete derelicts and her lovesick brother-in-law at bay. But fate finally caught up with her and she landed in the slammer. Now Nancy's trying to hit reset and make a fresh start for herself in the Big Apple, with only her wits and her wit to see her through.
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin (Season 7: episode 1) - Photo: Giovanni Rufino/SHOWTIME
Weeds - Season 7! Mary-Louise Parker is back in an all new season of Weeds:
'Well. When you put it that way I sound just awful!' - 'Nancy Botwin' to 'FBI interrogator'
So sorry about labelling my previous Weed's promo video post as 'Weeds: Season 6,' when it correctly is: Weeds: Season 7.' I got it mixed up with Doctor Who Series 6. My bad. All fixed. (Cyber-gods willing.)
(Goes to a photo album (mature) page on this site not this blog.)
"If you know me, it's like, someone sneezes and I take my clothes off. I'm naked in Esquire in August. I was naked on the set the other day. I'm always naked. I'm naked right now, in fact." - Mary Louise Parker (2009)
Learn the right way to celebrate St. Patrick's day at the University of Andy:
Justin Kirk as Weeds' (Showtime) 'Uncle Andy'. Kirk is an integral part of the stellar cast led by the ever-luminous Mary-Louise Parker. Weeds returns to Showtime in early summer, on June 27, 2011.
Weeds' Twitter @
Showtime copyright*
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SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 13 | Added: November 16, 2010
Jenji Kohan discusses the season six finale of Weeds.
Written By: Jenji Kohan
Directed By: Scott Ellis
Special Guest Star: Richard Dreyfuss, Demian Bichir Guest Stars: Eric Lange, Guillermo Diaz, Rick Ravanello
I'm glad Jenji Kohan addressed the giant pink elephant in the room: When the heck is Weeds gonna end? The answer? SPOILER ALERT!
'Probably next year,' as it is season 7 and everyone's contract is up and she'd like to go out on a 'high' note.
I've watched the whole series through season 6 and after one more season--that's about 6.5 hours--I'll be ready to let go.
I've already talked endlessly about why I've stuck with the show. I'll repeat: Excellent writing, superlative casting and compelling characters that have grown and changed. I'm not just talking Alexander Gould (Shane) and Hunter Parrish (Silas). Andy (the always spot-on Justin Kirk), has gone from an oversize boy to a full on father-figure. Notice he gave up the dope smoking a while back?
Both the boys, who were good from the start, turned in truly excellent performances this season.They hit every mark. And OMG--the finale. My heart broke for them.
Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker, who always has and always will totally rock) grew too. In the last moments of Episode 6x13, 'Theoretical Love Is Not Dead', instead of being the selfish c-word she's been known to be she turned completely unselfish and set everyone free. Such a sad ending.
Do you think Nancy is gonna be behind bars next season? I don't think so. For one thing, she didn't kill Pillar. And, more importanly she's Nancy Botwin. She always--somehow--lands on her feet. I'd like to see a satisfying resolution for this family that has been through so much for so long. Just landing somewhere, being able to begin again-- that would be OK with me. It's also OK if Jenji Kohan throws a little monkey wrench in things for Nancy and leaves us hanging--wondering if Nancy will ever get her shite together.
TVGuide.com: Showtime renewed the show for a seventh season. Has the network given any indication that it will be the final season? Kohan: In my mind, it is. Everyone's contract is up next year, [including] the actors and mine. Seven years is a good run, and I'd rather leave while on top. ...
TVGuide.com: How does it feel heading into what might be the end? Kohan: It's very strange and exciting and scary and sad in a lot of ways. We have such an extraordinary team. I would hope to take everyone over to [my] next project, including some of the actors, if possible. ... However, I think growth is an obligation of a writer and it's time to stretch my wings.
TVGuide.com: Do you have a clear picture in your mind of how you want the series to end? Kohan: I do, which I would never reveal. There are two versions of the end of the series that I've had in mind, and it would be figuring out which way to go.
...
TVGuide.com: Before then, will Andy (Justin Kirk) ever get his day with Nancy? Kohan: He's a very determined young man. I don't know. I think they're very afraid of ruining what they have. There's a very real potential to ruin what they have with sex. It would change everything. It's like toast: Once you're toast, you can never be bread again.
TVGuide.com: Is it too early to say redemption may be a theme of Season 7? Kohan: It's still too early to say, but I don't know if I believe in redemption. [Laughs] A mantra of the show all along has been that people don't change. I don't want to sell that out...
Sadly, the Newman's, assumed identities of Nancy & the Botwin clan, have not fared much better than the originals. Having traveled far, seemingly eluding the FBI, Esteban & his thugs, the season-ending Weeds episode,"Theoretical Love Is Not Dead," finds our heroes up to their necks in **it.
With Internet chatter of a mind-blowing ending on the level of last season's Shane's taking a croquet mallet to Pillar's noggin', I can't even begin to guess what may be in store for the season 6-closing episode.
Showrunner Jenji Kohan has proven herself capable of having no mercy on audience-favourite characters (Romany Malco is a great example) so we can't assume anyone is safe. Kind of scary for a half-hour comedy, no? Therein lies part of the brilliance of Weeds: the flawless execution of the element of surprise.
Weeds: Follow My Lead
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 13 | Added: November 09, 2010
Andy and Shane devise a plan to get past an airport security check.
Weeds: Mr. Freaky Shoes
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 13 | Added: November 09, 2010
Nancy makes it to the airport but finds herself in a situation with Guillermo.
Weeds - Episode 13: Theoretical Love Is Not Dead
In the season 6 finale, Nancy must free herself from the grip of Esteban in order to escape the country along with her family. At the airport, Andy attempts to calm the nerves of Shane and Warren. Meanwhile, Silas must decide whether to stay with Lars or leave with the Botwins.
I have no idea what the wonderful Richard Dreyfuss (as 'Warren Schiff,' Nancy's former high school teacher who deflowered her back in the day) is doing in this shot from this Monday, 11.08.10 episode of Weedson Showtime. (To venture a guess, he's packing/was packing to go with Nancy & Co. to where ever their next stop is to be and he's been interrupted rudely in the process by a hard truth.)
Warren clearly looks annoyed at someone (Nancy, most likely, but maybe Nancy's old 'friends'?) and the contents of the suitcase he is standing over appear to be his clothing.
My money is on the getting caught scenario, not that I wish them to be. That so-called reporter that duped Nancy is no way just a reporter. Newspapers don't have the kind of budget that allows investigative journalism on the level of chasing/surveiling someone like Nancy. Nope, I'm going with, though 'Ellis Tate/Vaughn' may indeed be a reporter, he's also being financed by someone else to find Nancy, namely her furious husband/baby daddy Esteban Reyes (Demian Bichir).
Is Nancy Finally Getting Caught?
To venture a guess, he's packing/was packing to go with Nancy & Co. to where ever their next stop is to be and he's been interrupted rudely in the process by a hard truth. What that truth is, whether it is as simple as Nancy making clear that he cannot come with her or if it is a harder truth like as indicated, by this week's guest cast, that Nancy has finally been caught-- we'll just have to watch to find out. The reason btw why Weeds keep s getting renewed. It's still good.
From Season 5 finale "Twack,' moments after Pilar went swimming ('Nancy & Shane Botwin,' Mary-Louise Parker, Alexander Gould)
At age 16, both IRL and on Weeds, Alexander Gould as ' Shane,' the youngest son of Nancy and the now-deceased-for-a number-of-years, Juda Botwin, has had some awesome opportunities in season 6 (!) to strut his strut his stuff. The last 6 years (to interviewer: "I started when I was 10 years-old,") of being surrounding by good actors and solid writing have not hurt this kid at all.
Since he committed a murder at the last moment of the last season of the last episode of Season 5, Shane has been a sort of center to the show (which Gould anyway is handling well) with all aspects of the family's life pivoting around how to best not be caught (because of what Shane did).
If you recall, Shane was shot in season 5 while his mom Nancy was in the crosshairs and the true target of an assassination because she hadn't towed every crooked line that Pilar, the initiator of the hit, ordered she do.
Once she got started, Pilar, who pulled the strings of Nancy's spouse, gangster-mayor of Tijuana, 'Esteban Reyes' (Demian Bichir), continued to verbally threaten Nancy to follow her orders--even in public places--which literally proved Pilar's downfall...into her own pool, at a nighttime cocktail-y thing she hosted.
Clonk!
Pilar was clonked once in the noggin' with a croquet mallet by Shane, in defense of himself and his brother Silas, as Pilar baitingly invoked a scenario of their deaths to Nancy as they stood away from the party crowd near the unlit/unused swimming pool. Shane, Nancy's youngest and strangest son, probably did not wanted to be shot again.
So as Justin Kirk, who plays the role of Nancy's former bro-in-law "'Uncle'" Andy Botwin," summed up, season 6 was a kind of road story.
P.S. I looked it up but I totally cannot find a reason why this episode is named 'Fran Tarkenton.'
Despite winning a lot he's lost a lot too, especially in 1975, but I'm hoping he is actually referred to in the episode like say, ' A Yippity Sippity' was, so I can have a better notion about the mystery of why this title?
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 12 | Added: November 02, 2010
Doug tries to reconnect with his wife.
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 12 | Added: November 02, 2010
Nancy continues her interview with Vaughn.
Episode 12: Fran Tarkenton
Nancy has a tense, one-on-one, sit-down interview with Vaughn. Andy, Shane and Warren to get more cash plus passports they'll need for the family to enter Europe. Silas continues to wrestle with the fact that Lars may be his father. Meanwhile, Doug returns to Agrestic to locate his passport.
Episode Cast and Crew Details
Stars : Kevin Nealon Doug Wilson - Alexander Gould Shane Botwin - Hunter Parrish Silas Botwin - Justin Kirk Andy Botwin - Mary-Louise Parker Nancy Botwin
* Guest Cast: Eric Lange Ellis Tate / Vaughn - Rick Ravanello Lars Guinard
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 11 | Added: October 26, 2010
Warren accidentally drinks some of Andy's special drink.
Weeds: Purifying Wand
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 11 | Added: October 26, 2010
Nancy gets a lead on passports.
Weeds: Richard Dreyfuss on Weeds
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 0 | Added: October 24, 2010
Richard Dreyfuss talks about his first non-showbiz job, his first line in a film and actors that have changed his life.
Weeds: Season 6, Episode 11 'Viking Pride' Synopsis
Nancy, trying to get she and her family out of the country, is continually faced with unexpected guests from her past. Andy has to get creative in order to secure passports while Doug must find his own means of obtaining one. Meanwhile, Silas deals with the possibility that Lars could be his father. Shane is left to deal with Warren who is becoming unhinged.
TV Guide network will air a six-night marathon of episodes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. ET/PT from Sunday through Friday, then air four episodes back-to-back every Sunday at 9 p.m., starting Oct. 24.
A website, www.WeedsAwareness.com, will offer a "Grow Weeds Awareness" starter kit with signs and bumper stickers, a "How to Throw Your Own 'Weeds' Party" guide, and a guide to "other" activities.
Weeds is truly a unique show with an incredibly loyal audience--that needs to grow a lot.
Why? Because Weeds is funny, real, and incredibly well-written and acted.
Up until now it has been on pay-cable but it is now FREE to you and me. In other words, they've thrown open the doors to the teeming hordes.
I like this very much because 1) I came to Weeds late in the second season and have only picked it up from the start in bits and pieces and, 2) I'm incredibly cheap frugal and prefer not to buy the DVD's as I already pay to watch the show in real time on Showtime. (I would LOVE the entire series as a gift, however.)
This has been said before but it bears repeating. "Weeds" is not about drugs. It's about a family. It is not pro-marijuana. In showing some of the potential drastic consequences of selling or possession of cannabis it could be viewed as slightly anti-marijuana (no, I'm not kidding).
Finally, above all the mom on Weeds, the completely adorable and kick-ass actress Mary Louise Parker, has never taken a toke in the almost 6 seasons Weeds has aired. She does not smoke "weed." "Nancy Botwin" has a massive coffee addiction and has been known to consume alcohol and an occasional cigarette but nope, Weeds is not a show about a Mom who smokes pot. She does however deal it and in doing so mines a great deal of humour for us the audience, to consume.
Kevin Nealon is spreading the word about National Weeds Awareness Week. TV Guide Network's week long Weeds marathon continues tonight at 9/8c.
This is 'Nancy Botwin' (Mary-Louise Parker) near the end of season 6, in episode (11?) called 'Fran Tarkenton." I have no idea why it has that title but I'm hoping to find out as it airs this coming Monday, 11.08.10 on Showtime. (showtime photo credit)
And in the interest of being fair and balanced... This is YOUR Brain on Drugs (Mmm, eggs).
I think this cemetery scene with Nancy was one of my favorites of season 6. Mary-Louise Parker did such a spectacular job conveying some of the complexities of our relationship with our parents--especially if said relatiosnhip is estranged, as Nancy Botwin's is.
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 10 | Added: October 19, 2010
"WillingTo Listen"
Nancy visits her parents' graves.
Episode 10: Dearborn-Again
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 10 | Added: October 19, 2010
"Everything's Fine"
The Botwins crash at Nancy's high school math teacher's house in Dearborn, Michigan.
Weeds: Season 6
Episode 10: Dearborn-Again
Nancy, attempting to score some big cash, returns to her hometown where she takes up residence with Warren an old acquaintance. Andy and Doug try to secure information on where to locate fake passports. Meanwhile, Silas and Shane curiously dig into Nancy's past.
Moscow: Jenji Kohan
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 4 | Added: October 19, 2010
Jenji Kohan discusses Nancy's last attempt to ensure Shane has a moral code.
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 9 | Added: October 12, 2010
Nancy and Andy wait to see a pediatrician.
No one can figure out why 'Weeds' is going into its 7th season next year. It's the great cast & dialogue/With 25 minute, 12-episode seasons, it costs almost nothing to make. People still watch it. The story lines can get a bit loopy for sure but let Justin Kirk loose to do his thing, here helping Nancy and ostensibly little Stevie Ray at the pediatrician, as R/andy he argues the logic of Nancy accepting that "(I'm) the dad."
"To Moscow And Quickly"
Written By: David Holstein and Carly Mensch
Directed By: Michael Trim
Special Guest Star: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Weeds Season 6, Episode 9
Nancy is met with yet another roadblock when baby Stevie gets sick leaving her and Andy to scramble to find a pediatrician. Meanwhile, Silas, Shane and Doug are tasked with unloading some merchandise at a kiddie concert.
More fun times, Nancy dumps Shane, Silas and Doug off at a concert, urging them to sell lots of hash (!)
"All You Can Smoke"
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 9 | Added: October 12, 2010
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 8 | Added: October 05, 2010
Nancy starts trouble in a small-town bar.
Weeds Season 6 Episode 8 "Gentle Puppies"
Synopsis:After acquiring an RV, Nancy lets Andy navigate the road and he leads them to Pioneer Town, a former western movie set now turned off-the-grid scab city. While Nancy attempts to get the lay of the land, she instructs the family to set up a mobile hash making shop inside the RV. Andy and Silas work on getting laundry machines while Doug and Shane try to obtain water.
And apparently from all the hype and the little video snippet here, Nancy goes to a "podunk bar" to get an itch scratched by actor Mark-Paul Gosselar who until now I have never heard of, nor do I recognize or think is particularly great-looking. Actually, none of the men Nancy has had intimate relationships with have been particularly good-looking. I thought "Conrad" (Romany Malco Jr.) was cute but she wouldn't give him the time of day I guess because he was actually a good guy and Nancy is both a narcissist and a masochist? I'm not knocking MLP because I love her but the more I see of Nancy the less I like her and the more I understand the need for likable, funny "good"Andy. He's the counterbalance to all the negativity and destruction she leaves in her wake. Maybe instead of tobacco she should start smoking some of her own product. Just a thought as she's never done so onscreen.
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 8 | Added: October 05, 2010
While Andy, Silas and Doug get pulled over in the RV, Shane tries to convince Nancy to keep driving.
"Foreplay" Nancy gets picked up--by her hair (and she likes it). Guess what comes next.
So, two things. First, it looks like the "Newmans" are not going to win the butter-eating contest so they can snag a Winnebago and live happily as travelling outlaws. Dang. That looked like it had a ton of comedic potential (j/k--Winnebago jokes wear thin pretty quickly).
EDIT/ Just got a postcard from Montana!
Two, at the end of this post the Ausiello spoiler is spoiled by the E! scoop (again) in that we now know that "Nancy’s second thoughts about her family’s life on the lam lead her to make what could be a fatal mistake" means that somehow she tips off Esteban about her whereabouts. Leave it to Nancy to continue never learning from her mistakes. Mary Louise sure does make her a loveable loser, though.
Sources confirm that Demián Bichir returns to Weeds this season as Tijuana mayor, jilted husband and devoted daddy Esteban Reyes for the penultimate Nov. 8 installment and the season finale on Nov. 15. We just chatted with Demián, and here's what he told us about the coming consequences of Nancy's actions...
According to Demián Bichir, it's anybody's game when his character reappears in Weeds episodes 11 and 12.
He says, "This is a first-come, first-served situation, and everyone is after Nancy and me. Because there's been a murder, and they are digging out a couple of things about Esteban that are pretty much not OK. The whole situation is time-sensitive. It's a timebomb. We'd better hurry up, because this is getting uglier as time goes by. Esteban's pretty, pretty upset about the whole thing. Because you don't run away with my boy—Esteban's not going to sit down and cross his arms and wait for his boy. That's not going to happen."
... Bichir... wouldn't mind if things got heated between Mr. and Mrs. Reyes one last time. He says of costar Mary-Louise Parker,
"There have been some really nice hot scenes with Mary-Louise, and it's really hard to do those scenes unless you have a true partner, a good friend and a generous fellow actor, but she's a great hanky-panky partner."
He continues, in answer to "Does he think that Nancy & Esteban have a future?"
"When I first started working on this show, every time I got a new script I just hoped for Esteban to be alive, but then I realized being alive or dead on this show doesn't mean anything. Even if you're alive, you can be dead, and even if you're dead, you can come back to life. These guys are wacko. That's what I love about the show, and all I can say is that I would love to come back."
Ausiello Gossip tidbit: In episode 8 (airing Oct. 11), Nancy knocks boots with guest hottie Mark-Paul Gosselaar. From what I hear, it’s the kind of scene that DVR rewind buttons were invented for. Meanwhile, in episode 9 (airing Oct. 18), Nancy’s second thoughts about her family’s life on the lam lead her to make what could be a fatal mistake. Read more: Ausiello
Weeds, Season 1 - When life seemed so much more simple.
Hard to believe but with Monday night's episode, Weeds reached it's midway point through season 6. I had been wondering just how long a show that used to be about a suddenly-widowed upper-middle class suburban mother of two school-age kids--who turned to dealing pot "temporarily" to save her house, could fare now that she is 2 seasons away from all that. (cont. below.)
Weeds: Win This
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 7 | Added: September 28, 2010
The Botwins discover that an RV is the grand prize at the carnival.
Weeds: Old Time's Sake
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 7 | Added: September 28, 2010
Nancy tries to convince her family to go to a carnival in Montana.
Weeds Spoiler via E! The crazy just keeps on coming next Monday. The family makes it to Montana, where Nancy is struck by the realization that Shane is her doppelgänger—and that's what's wrong with him. Next Monday's episode also features possibly the most vomit-inducing subplot ever seen on cable television—and that's saying something.
(cont.) "Nancy" (Mary Louise Parker) is now homeless and both she and her youngest son are fugitives. She, IIRC because her entire neighborhood was torched as part of her need to cover her cannibis-dealing tracks and her son because he killed a high-level Mexican mafia woman who was threatening to kill his whole family. I don't beleive legitimate authorites know of "Shane's" involvement but the Mexican mafia does and that is probably worse.
Just the same, Nancy keeps trucking along, getting in and out of scrapes. Except for the "Botwins" currently using the moniker "Newman," and "Doug" (Kevin Nealon), the cast keeps changing too which would seem to bode ill for a series' longevity--but not here. Weeds was renewed for a seventh season and barring a re-boot, the family is going to have to continue to be fugitives which sounds pretty depressing but then again making a living dealing copious amounts of cannibis proably was not the best long-term situation anyway.
Synopsis: After Shane's kidnapping, Nancy attempts to get her son back by going
head-to-head with Cesar in a Skee-ball "Hall of Fame" museum. Elsewhere,
Andy, Silas and baby Stevie sit at a nearby diner, formulating ideas on
how to help Nancy out. At the same diner but unbeknownst to Andy and
Silas, Ignacio, Shane, and Doug await the outcome of Nancy and Cesar's
showdown.
Silas proposes the hypothetical idea of giving Stevie to Esteban.
Interesting. Maybe it is not a brilliant solution but I thought of this, too. It's not like the narcissistic Nancy has particularly bonded with little Stevie Ray. The "Newmans" couldn't exactly "stop running" as Silas suggests, but they might not get killed which is inevitable given the trajectory they are currently on.
The reference to Dexter was a bit odd considering they've had very little opportunity to watch TV never mind pay for premium cable. Just the same, its a nice nod, timed well for the Dexter debut on Sunday.
Team Newman waits for Nancy to resolve the Shane "issue."
Synopsis Season 6, Episode 5, 'Boomerang' (Airs 9.20.10)
At the risk of being tracked to their booted minivan, Nancy and Andy decide the family must split town. Consequently, Silas must leave behind the dream of college life. Meanwhile, Shane provokes a mommy group. Elsewhere, Cesar and Ignacio are hot on Nancy's trail with their hostage, Doug, in tow.
It was nice to have Doug's (Kevin Nealon) levity back for "Bliss," Episode 4 of Weeds' Season 6. It is sort of an adjustment when they change up the cast the way they seem to do each new season. Though I was not a huge "Celia" fan I thought Elizabeth Perkins did a nice job with what she was given. Like Celia, neither her TV daughter "Isabel" nor ex-husband "Dean" are pertinent to the "road movie" that is Season 6. Their absence for me is less noticeable than hers, tho'.
I'm enjoying the season--Justin Kirk "Uncle Andy" reliably steals every scene he's in.
I'm surprised that they have not done much at all with guest star Linda Hamilton. She's sort of rough-looking and stern and ...she sells medical marijuana (if you can afford it) and "trimmings" a/k/a "shake" to Nancy.
Nancy offered to "go down" on her as barter and didn't seem to wish to take her up on it.
'I Have the Power'
Andy confronts Nancy about being together.
'Just say the words. It'll never happen.' (Andy) 'I can't. I'm afraid.' (Nancy)
'Blond Sheep'
Silas tells Shane that he wants to attend college.
'Eff the hotel. I'm goin' back to school! (Silas to Shane)'
Click official Showtime site wallpaper download link below for the wallpaper (thumbnail) above.
The hit Showtime Original Series WEEDS is back for a new season of high adventure. New episodes Mondays at 10:00pm ET/PT beginning August 16th, only on SHOWTIME.
Shane walks Stevie in the stolen Yippity stroller to the benches to hang out with the MILFS.
Hard to believe with this episode that the sixth season of Weeds is one-third over. As Justin Kirk who plays "Uncle Andy" Botwin says in the video interview (below) this season plays like a road movie with the Botwins again having picked up and moved on but this time In deeper shit than ever. I was sort of mulling just how can they end this series? Does Nancy wake up next to her "dead" husband Judah to find it was all a very bad dream? Or perhaps she never was married to Judah and she awakes next to Andy? Just how do you write yourself out of the situation that this family is now in with drug and murder charges to face? Weeds is well-written enough and certainly has quirky charm to spare that I'll continue to tune in to find out "how it all ends."
Season 6, Episode 4 - 'Bliss'
Nancy cuts a deal with the hotel's concierge to sell hash to hotel guests. Meanwhile, Silas and Andy also make unusual progress with their day jobs. Elsewhere, Shane and baby Stevie keep themselves occupied by joining a 'mommy group'. Back at Ren Mar, Doug is interrogated by Cesar and Ignacio for information on Nancy.
SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 3 | Added: August 24, 2010
Silas accepts an offer he can't refuse from an odd hotel guest.
"Let's just focus on the less." --Creepy middle-aged hotel guy to Silas, who is a bellboy.
Season 6 Ep.
Episode 3: A Yippity Sippity
In an effort to make money and stay 'under the radar', Nancy, Andy, and Silas acquire scab laborer jobs at an upscale Seattle hotel. Meanwhile, Shane is left to care for baby Stevie. Back at Ren Mar, Doug finds unexpected guests.
Sneak Peek "Trimmings"
Weeds: Season 6, Episode 3 'You Get What You Pay For' Linda Hamilton begin a story arc as a plains-spoken "personal use" weed vendor. This is a scene with Hamilton & world-class charmer Nancy.
Jenji Kohan talks about kicking off season six, the Botwin family dynamic and Andy's love for Nancy.
Season Six Weeds is off to a good start; Again Nancy and kin are fleeing--this time because youngest son Shane took a croquet mallet to "Pilar's" noggin' shortly after he'd been shot by one of her guys aiming at Nancy and after Pilar, a politically powerful, ruthless Mexican beotch who just happened to have a history with Nancy's new spouse mused how easy it would bet to take out both Shane and Silas "in an accident." Nancy barely got in a retort before Shane swung, killing Pilar by the pool with a croquet mallet (lol).
Weeds airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on Showtime.
Previously on Season 6 Weeds:
Season 6, Episode 2: 'Felling and Swamping'
After hours of aimless driving, Nancy, ignoring Shane's suggestion of hiding out in Pittsburgh, hatches a plan for the family to cross into Canada. Andy is tasked with acquiring fake IDs. Silas must decide if he's willing to live on the lam. Elsewhere, Esteban must answer to authorities regarding Pilar's murder and Nancy's whereabouts.
Season 6, Episode 1: 'Thwack' Faced with the aftermath of Shane having murdered Pilar, Nancy grabs Shane and Silas and they flee the scene. Andy is then met with the decision to split town with his family or stay and fight for Audra's affection.
Mary Louise Parker as "Nancy Botwin" on Showtime's "Weeds"
Seems it is the season of "the Croquet Mallet" on the upcoming Season 6 Weeds.
Just when you thought Nancy and the kids' lives could not be more eff'ed after Shane got winged in the arm by a bullet meant for his mother, Nancy.
It's really hard not to judge Nancy's horribly bad choices in regard to her family and her life in general (dealing, running weapons, assorted other stuff) but she certainly has tought them tenacity and self-reliance. <sigh>
Still, Mary Louise Parker is winning as the ever-losing Nancy Botwin-- widow,mother,outlaw and she has a great cast that help keep Nancy in the game, so to speak. I need to do a little pictorial of her soon.
Q:So excited for Weeds to come back! I'll give you a high five if you give me the lowdown on the season premiere.
A: The star of the first episode back is, undisputedly, the croquet mallet. Whether it's being clutched by Shane as he explains his murder style to his bro Silas or being used by Nancy in other acts of vandalism...you must remember, this is not just "a stick". It is evidence, and the final scene of the episode (starring the mallet!) eerily marks the beginning of a long road of running for the Botwins.
... SHOWTIME | Season 6 Ep. 0 | Added: July 21, 2010
Weeds Season 6! The Botwins are back for an all new season of Weeds, and this time they are leaving their past behind. New season begins August 16th.
nobodysleepsanymore—June 19, 2010
—
Short promo teaser for the launch of the new Showtime original
series "The Big C", starring Laura Linney.
I love that Laura Linney is coming to premium cable.She has some excellent company be it Edie Falco, Mary Louise Parker or even the former warrior princess, Xena, now Lucretia on Spartacus, Lucy Lawless. (There is the half-hour offering on Showtime about a woman who comedically deals with having multiple personalities but I find it hard to find humour in that particular type of dysfunction so cannot comment on "The United States of Tara."
Back to "The Big C" and what likely looks like Nancy Botwin's swan song on "Weeds," Season 6.
I'm sold on both the actress and the plot outline of the show. With a half-hour premium cabler I always think, even that if it stinks, I've only wasted 25 minute and I don't' think Linney's new show is gonna stink. Here are some of the deets on Linney and the big C viaShowtime:
Three-time Academy Award® nominee, three-time Emmy® winner, and SAG®
and Golden Globe® Award winner Laura Linney comes to series television
on SHOWTIME® as star and executive producer of the provocative new
half-hour original series, THE BIG C. Linney plays a
reserved suburban wife and mother whose recent cancer diagnosis forces
her to shake up her life and find hope, humor and the light side of a
dark situation, while managing her immature but well-meaning husband,
played by Oliver Platt. Recurring guest star Gabourey Sidibe (Oscar®
nominee for Precious) will play a precocious student. THE BIG C
will shoot 13 episodes later this spring for an August 16th premiere at
10:30pm PT/ET following Weeds.
THE BIG C is created and written by Darlene
Hunt, who will serve as executive producer, along with showrunner/writer
Jenny Bicks, Laura Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon. It is
produced by Original Film in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Acclaimed writer/director/producer Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directed the
pilot.
I came to start watching Weeds just as it was starting to peter out--about the third season--but I went back and watched Season 1 and 2 as well as 4 and 5 since then. That Weeds has been granted a sixth season just blows my mind but I'm on board as long as Mary-Louise is.Yes, she's that good.How can anyone hate Mary Louise Parker or "Uncle Andy" (Justin Kirk)? The characters, despite their deep flaws are portrayed by very capable and appealing actors. Must be part of the reason for the longevity.
Anyhoo, I read back in May that Nancy Botwins frenemy, played by Elizabeth Perkins is officially giving up her duties on the show after this season and that might be a good idea for everyone else involved, too.Six years is a looong time for a show that running on one note for way beyond it usual allotted time. Nancy has burned all her bridges but no one wants to see her reach the inevitable resolution -- either jail or death. I vote for an off-scene ending. Exit leaving us with something a bit optimistic... and maybe slightly ominous.
The clip below has Mary Louise Parker and Laura Linney--in character--interacting! It's good! Worth watching.
Weeds season 6 and The Big C season 1 - Premiere August
16 on Showtime.
Oh noes! I hadn't even realized that classes have resumed at the University of Andy!
I've posted these three because there is sort of an over-arching theme: 'V-Day' (love), 'Threesomes' (sex) and Surviving the Cold (see 'Threesomes').
You must watch the 'Valentines' video straight away because Justin Kirk's deadpan delivery of what you should know to survive V-Day will make you smile--but you will miss Uncle Andy all the more.The videos are a good sign that we'll be seeing Botwin(s) & Co. sometime this year but I have no idea when. Going to have to look into Showtime's schedule to see what's up. Leave a comment if you know, please and thank you!
University of Andy / U of Andy: Threesomes ,/p>
Andy unlocks the secrets to scoring with two girls at once.
University of Andy / U of Andy: How to Survive the Cold
Don't let winter get the best of you. Follow Andy's guide to the tundra.
As much as I've enjoyed Justin Kirk's University of Andy video series, Kevin Nealon is much funnier. He's very good at improvising--doing off-the-cuff stuff. He made these videos on the his last day filming Weeds: Season 5 and goes behind the scenes including the rehearsing and filming of the Doug and Celia at the storage facility pot showdown scene and the Celia and her crew scene that comes later. Fun stuff.
Pilar invites Nancy to a fundraiser for Esteban, but with very specific instructions.
Season 5,
Episode 13
(season finale) "All About My Mom"
Nancy learns of Esteban's fate and takes action to preserve her own. Andy makes a big change in his life. Dean, Doug and Celia find common ground. Silas helps Adelita with a disturbing medical issue.
Directed By: Scott Ellis
Written By: Jenji Kohan
Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Guillermo Diaz
Andy joins Nancy and Cesar on their search for Esteban. Dean and Doug make good on their plan to get back at Celia. Silas and Shane find themselves becoming protective of their new step-sister Adelita.
Directed By: Michael Pressman
Written By: Ron Fitzgerald
Guest Stars: Enrique Castillo, Seychelle Gabriel
Do Things Differently
On a drinking binge after Esteban’s arrest, Nancy talks with Shane.
When the Heat is On
Celia calls Nancy asking for help
It's Weeds' tradition to end their season with a "bang." Shane has already been shot--so odds are he, at least is safe.
Frankly, I would like to see Nancy become a widow for the third time as getting involved with Esteban has only brought a world of trouble to her already troubled world.
I'm glad Andy is going along for the ride to try and locate the arrested or abducted Esteban. I just hope Andy doesn't end up with much of Nancy's mess to clean up or worse, be a part of that mess.
Just when Weeds or at least the namesake of the show, Nancy (look up "weeds" if you are puzzled) was annoying me greatly, we get an Episode 9.
I do love Mary Louise Parker but the stuff they write for her and the plot just meandering all over drives me nuts sometimes.
I have to assume that Weeds S5x E10 - 'Perro Insano' which airs this weekend, will have to have taken on a more focused direction, given how the last episode ended. There is a huge spoiler regarding the cliffhanger ending of last week's episode 9 if you click through the link "Jazz Muppet," fea. Andy (Justin Kirk) and Audra (Alanis Morisette).
Protecting Our Investment
Dean helps Celia move into her new condominium.
Weeds S5x E10 - 'Perro Insano'
Nancy tries to protect Shane and Silas from new enemies. Esteban deals with a campaign problem that could put Nancy's family in more danger. Andy reconnects with Audra and makes a commitment to a new life plan. Meanwhile, Celia connects with a new pot supplier. Dean and Doug team up to take down Celia's new operation.
Directed By: Scott Ellis
Written By: David Holstein
Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Alanis Morissette
Jazz Muppet
(video link to showtime site) Andy asks Audra out for a second date.
Episode 9
Suck 'n' Spit Nancy and Andy discover new territories and new boundaries as they struggle with the realities of parenting. Especially with Shane, who now faces a new problem. Meanwhile, Celia and Dean also work together, taking advantage of a surplus in product and a new marketing scheme.
Below: Two of my favourite Uncle Andy scenes from Season 5.
Three Pillows
In desperate need of sleep, Nancy crawls into bed with Andy, only to be disturbed by his bed rules and the baby crying.
We Should Flee
Andy tells Nancy they should flee to Denmark to escape Esteban and the Mexican mafia.
"InFANity chills out with the cast and creators of WEEDS! Go behind the scenes, meet the stars and creator Kenji CohenJenji Kohan, and, spend time with Mary Louise Parker, a different type of TV mom!" tvguide
InFANity meets the cast of characters who turns WEEDS into the highest form of comedy on TV. Hang with Kevin Nealon, Justin Kirk, Elizabeth Perkins and other members of the stoner circle. Plus, the gang tests their weed IQ.
Meet the creative crew who makes WEEDS a stoners' paradise. Hang with the woman in charge of making marijuana, and go behind the scenes of the new pot club featured on the show. Plus, learn all the names associated with weed!
InFANity spends time with the Botwin kids, Hunter Parrish (Silas) and Alexander Gould (Shane) who make WEEDS a family business! Plus, a look at the greatest stoner movies of all time!
"Learn all the "names associated with weed!"?! For reals?!
I need to catch up on Weeds as I'm in Canada without teevee cable and to be honest, Nancy ticked me off so much by "enjoying" getting raped while pregnant (she frames it as "rough sex") that she is very unappealing. Justin Kirk as "Uncle Andy Botwin" keeps the show rolling because Kohan and Co. have pretty much destroyed any semblance of character that Nancy long ago may have had.
Andy, after shaving his scruffy beard, asks Nancy's gynecologist Audra if she'd like to get dinner.
Only The Good Die Young
Come out Virginia, don't let me me wait You Catholic girls start much too late But sooner or later it comes down to fate I might as well be the one They showed you a statue and told you to pray They built you a temple and locked you away But they never told you the price that you pay For things that you might have done..... Only the good die young
You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd We ain't too pretty we ain't too proud We might be laughing a bit too loud But that never hurt no one Come on Virginia show me a sign Send up a signal I'll throw you the line The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind Never lets in the sun And only the good die young
You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation You got a brand new soul And a cross of gold But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information You didn't count on me When you were counting on your rosary
They say there's a heaven for those who will wait Some say it's better but I say it ain't I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints The Sinners are much more fun... You know that only the good die young, only the good die young
You say your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation She never cared for me But did she ever say a prayer for me? Oh-oh-oh
"Plum Juice"
When Celia tries to return all of her "You're Pretty" cosmetics supply, she sees another side of the seemingly cheerful Raylene.
Episode 8 - A Distinctive Horn
The tension between Nancy and Esteban mounts as Pilar adds to the conflict. Nancy looks to Andy for help, just as hes focused on his relationship with Audra. Dean offers to help Silas and Doug get their dispensary back on track, but Celia sees an opportunity and steps in.
Directed By: Scott Ellis
Written By: Chris Offutt
Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Alanis Morissette, Kate Del Castillo
About Sunday: Episode 7 -
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Nancy learns the identity of the other woman in Esteban's life, as well as his plans for her childbirth delivery. With the help of Andy and Audra (Alanis Morissette), Nancy takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Celia discovers that getting rich quick isn't always so easy. Silas and Doug learn the hard way that Deputy C.P. Jones is more trouble than he's worth as the fate of their medical marijuana dispensary is jeopardized.
Directed By: Jeremy Podeswa Written By: Roberto Benabib & Matthew Salsberg
Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Alanis Morissette, Larry Joe Campbell
I didn't love this episode though crazy bearded Andy was engaging.
Celia was made to be annoying again not really funny--just pathetic Celia.
The pot dispensary thing is not great though it may get better now with Dean and Doug sparring again--if Doug can stay straight enough to muster up an argument. It just feels like treading water to keep "pot" still in the show since really Nancy and Andy, the principle characters, have gone off on their own--in very different directions.
You watched Weeds last night, right? At least are planning to watch it? I hope so because this season has picked up considerably from the fourth-year slump.
If you are not inclined to catch up but want to see a funny scene that Nancy was the subject of but could not understand because she's not a Spanish speaker--and there were no subtitles for Nance or us the viewer, go ahead and watch it (above) and through the powers of E! a translation by one of it's readers.
Last night on Weeds we jumped ahead 6 months (I know. Whoa.) to find Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) very pregnant and seemingly blissfully living with Esteban (Demián Bichir)in his state-side mansion.
Suddenly, amidst said bliss, a woman (Kate del Castillo) marched into the house and read Esteban, who is the bio-dad to the baby-to-be, the riot act in
non-subtitled Spanish. Like E!, I have not a clue what she said but her demeanor and tone gave her away as being powerful and ready to claw someone's eyes out. Afterward, Esteban announced to Nancy that everything was off--leaving Nancy in the familiar situation of having her jaw hanging open and her wide eyes even wider.
Above
is the clip from last night's episode, courtesy of Showtime. Do you know WTH the angry well-dressed woman said?
Answer: "Ok, in a nutshell she says, "What do you think you are doing? You've
gone a little too far, don't you think? Its one thing for you to have a
fling with a stupid Gringa, or even have a baby with her, but to marry
her? Are you crazy? In Mexico, all eyes are on you. All of my hopes, my
effort, my money, my time are riding on you. You should have killed the
stupid Gringa b!@#h ...(gets interrupted by Esteban) Esteban says, Are
you telling me I have to choose between you and her (Nancy)? She
replies, No, Esteban. I'm telling you that you have to choose between
you and the Gringa."
And that ends today's Spanish lesson of Weeds Episode 6," A Modest Proposal"
It's six months since we last saw
everyone and Nancy is in full bloom. Esteban proposes, and all seems
right with the world until Nancy discovers there's another woman in
Esteban's life. Andy, meanwhile, has gone on a spending spree and let
himself go. Now he must come to terms with the new order of things.
Celia, unhappy in her job at the mall, discovers an opportunity in the
world of cosmetics. Shane spends an eye-opening day with Ignacio. Silas
and Doug's medical marijuana dispensary is in full operation. But
Deputy C.P. Jones continues his meddling ways. Directed By: Michael Trim Written By: Vanessa Reisen Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Larry Joe Campbell, Guillermo Diaz
NEXT WEEK"Where the Sidewalk Ends"
Nancy learns the identity of the other woman in Esteban's life, as well as his plans for her childbirth delivery. With the help of Andy and Audra, Nancy takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Celia discovers that getting rich quick isn't always so easy. Silas and Doug learn the hard way that Deputy C.P. Jones is more trouble than he's worth as the fate of their medical marijuana dispensary is jeopardized.
Directed By: Jeremy Podeswa
Written By: Roberto Benabib & Matthew Salsberg
Guest Stars: Demian Bichir, Alanis Morissette, Larry Joe Campbell
Comic-Con
Dean comes to visit Silas at the pot club.
Free SampleCelia's first attempt at a You're Pretty Cosmetics sales pitch doesn't lead to any sales.
S5X5
"Threw Away My Tooth"
Celia, who has been secretly living in the garage, is finally discovered by Nancy.
S5X5
"Stud-Muffin"
Andy has a blast-from-the-past experience when he goes on a date pretending to be his brother Judah in the 1980s.
The premise of Weeds, a Showtime series now in its fifth season, was the story of a upper-middle class MILF suddenly becoming a widow and finding that her deceased spouse Judah, left the family nearly destitute. So in order to maintain her remaining family's lifestyle, Nancy Botwin began selling cannabis.
It's not that she didn't try to get other substantive work; it just happened that she has no job skills that are in demand and that can support her family.
It seemed that the character of Nancy Botwin (the wonderful Mary Louise Parker) had the best intentions of getting out of the pot-selling business just as soon as a better opportunity presented itself but five years in, she has not. Now, here in season 5, we find her having fled Agrestic ("Little Boxes") to live on the Mexico - California border, unemployed and now out of the weed-dealing business having ratted out her supplier. Oh yeah, at the age of forty-something she's pregnant with the drug-kingpin's "boy" (yes, that makes a HUGE difference).
Nancy is back to having no job, she has corrupted both her sons into growing and selling pot or in the case of the younger teenager, simply selling pot.
Her boyfriend Esteban, such as he is, is a ruthless sociopathic killer who has his henchmen do his dirty work with the exception of raping Nancy after she's gotten drunk in defiance of his telling her how to behave.
Nancy appears to harbour no ill-will toward him other than after finding herself spotting and visiting the south-of the border gyno that her boyfriend demanded she see, cracking a joke about rough sex (!)
Weeds was never a show that cried out for respect. It carried no societal messages meant to cause one to ponder the absurdities of the American relationship with marijuana--on any level--though it did make fun of almost every aspect of this. Weeds didn't even glorify pot usage.
It really came down to "weed" being a prop to hold the story up.
Now that Nancy is out of the weed-selling business and her older teenage son is trying to start up his own medical dispensary for marijuana the whole weeds thing has gotten incredibly strained and unfunny.
Even more unfunny is the younger teenager dealing large quantities of pot. If "Weeds" were not a comedy, it would be quite horrifying.
I'm not sure that the show has any redeeming qualities except that there are a good handful of very good actors on it. But does that make a show?
As a viewer, as a woman, I'm extremely angry that "Esteban" raped the pregnant Nancy but now that he knows that she is indeed pregnant with his "boy," he has done a 180 and is treating her like a piece of fine china instead of just a piece--and she's allowing him.
As a viewer I've put years of time into the show and the characters (granted, in 30 minute increments) and it's a little late to stop watching it now.
However, the fact that that Esteban raped Nancy knowing she was pregnant makes him more despicable and the only way I'm going to be able to justify watching Weeds is if he is coming to a very bad end, preferably at Nancy's hand. But therein lies the rub.
As we've been shown time and again Nancy is an eff-up. In last week's eppy when Nancy had a brief intense discussion with her slightly older sister ("bitchface") Nancy herself admitted to always having been an irresponsible eff-up.
One could say that there's always hope for the character to be redeemed but unless she undergoes a personality transplant I don't see it how that is possible. I see her continuing to eff up, dragging the people she "loves" into harm's way, never taking much more than fleeting responsibility for her actions.
Despite the appeal of Mary Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, and Elizabeth Perkins, the show itself really has no reason for being. It's as if the characters are just constantly lurching around--never progressing--never changing or growing. If anything, they are spiralling further down into their own crap.
Since I became an adult I've felt strongly that I don't wish to waste my time and lets face it, money (for cable) on a crap show. Sadly, Weeds is now a crap show with almost nothing to redeem it. Showtime should tear up the contract which takes the show through a sixth season (!) and weed out Weeds from its stash of offerings.
The best: Andy (Justin Kirk) and 'bitchface" Jill's, Nancy's sister that were are hearing about for the very first time, wine-fueled encounter.
The good: Silas (Hunter Parrish)and Doug (Kevin Nealon) hiking "6 hours" into a National Park, finding the perfect spot to grow weed only to moments later find that the spot was already found by rifle-bearing pot-growers.
The not-so-good: Nancy's alcohol, cigarette and sushi binge (for the mercury) as a way of rebelling against Esteban's (Demián Bichir) "goon" Cesar (Enrique Castillo) dogging her everywhere including inside her home.
The awful: Esteban's rape of the drunk and pregnant Nancy to drive home the point that she will do as he tells her.
I hated this scene not because it was shocking that Esteban would do this to Nancy as at this point he's in the deciding process of whether to kill her or not. I just hated it period. I felt as a viewer manipulated. We already know that he is a brutal, vicious man. I hated that Kohan and company and I include Mary Louise Parker in this group felt it necessary to make this part of the episode. I would have much rather he punched her in the face if we needed to see what a bastard he is. It left a really bad feeling in my stomach.
From here on in if Nancy continues to 'love" Esteban, as actress Parker has indicated she will, all hope in my opinion to for her to get her shit together--even a little bit--fades to black.
Guillermo was so good in the Weeds premiere. Will we see more of him this season? Yes, indeed. While he is currently incarcerated, the Weeds baddie will be back in some capacity and leading lady Mary-Louise Parker could not be more thrilled about it. MLP tells us, "Guillermo [Diaz]is truly one of the best actors I've ever worked with. There are two bigger scenes that we have coming up, and when he works, I just want to stay all night." Let's just hope he stays behind that plate-glass window for the safety of Nancy and baby-to-be.
Any scoop onWeeds? Remember Sucio from last season of Weeds, the grungy guy who guarded the infamous drug tunnel? He's back in Nancy's life under the pretext of keeping an eye on her for Esteban. He begrudgingly becomes somewhat part of the family. However, don't get too attached to him. Sniff. Someone else is out to get Nancy, and Sucio falls victim to the first attack.
Below: Thanks to The Futon Critic for some greats comments by Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan.
Regardless of the sometimes-bad things that Nancy does, we still root for her. How do you strike that balance so the audience stays invested in that character?
Jenji Kohan: Well, I think first of all it's Mary-Louise and just how fucking great she is. Just those big brown eyes. [laughs] That's a huge part of it.
EDIT/ This is precisely why I watch it. Mary-Louise is simply great in this role. --Cyn
Jenji continues: But I think people identify with deeply flawed characters because we all are; it's universal. So when you're able to identify with the fuck-ups and the messes I think you feel sympathy because she's trying. She's trying. And she's trying to do the right thing. She didn't set out to do bad things. And I think, in a way, it's a relief to see real repercussions for her bad behavior as well as her good behavior. The black and white of protagonists on televisions - I think it's a little weary. Nobody is completely a villain and nobody is completely a hero and, in general, we all try to do the best we can and I think people buy into it because it's a universal experience.
In the first few episodes of this new season, you touch on the one-sided love that Andy (Kirk) has for Nancy. Is that story going to progress?
JK: I don't think so. I'm sure Nancy has a lot of feelings but she's invested in her baby-daddy and, as she's demonstrated over and over, she's a danger junkie and she likes the excitement and she doesn't take Andy seriously. She loves Andy but not, as he says in one episode, not in the good way and I think that's sort of his cross to bear and his journey this season and how to deal with feelings that aren't reciprocated in the way he had hoped.
EDIT/ Though I sympathize with both the Nancy and Andy characters, to use an old expression, "He's too good for her." --Cyn
JH: Do you miss the "Little Boxes" theme song since you stopped using it after the third season?
JK: I miss the covers of the theme song. I miss all the different versions of it and getting really excited about the musicians who are doing it. But I kind of like our little openings now and it gives us much more time for the show. It's more relevant, I think, for what we're doing now and I mourn the passing of "Little Boxes" but I think we've found a good alternative.
EDIT/ Every episode opens so cleverly with pot leaves creatively worked into the last glimpse of the opening credits. In episode one, among other places, a pot leaf -shape was in the middle of sushi pieces. And they all tie in to the show.
I do miss the "Little Boxes" theme but it wouldn't work now that there's no Agrestic--the setting for the "little boxes."--Cyn
It appears that Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Andy (Justin Kirk) get a bit more than tipsy--more like wasted (and horny)!
I had no idea that JJL was to be on the show so early in season 5! But still as far as we know for only two episodes. She's great and I don't see her often enough. Would love for her to become a bigger part of the clan on Weeds!
Weeds Nancy's older sister Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh) gets tipsy with Andy.
Nancy encourages her unwelcome guardian to get an unusual pedicure
Did you watch the premiere eppy of Weeds last Monday night? If not, you have no excuse as it is airing for free online.
It was great to see the gang back--even the shocking transition of Nancy's younger son Shane (Alexander Gould) from a chubby-cheeked barely adolescent to a much taller, streamlined young man fully into that stage we all look back on so fondly.
To the naysayers who are miffed that Nancy is no longer dealing, that she was responsible for that chapter in her life literally going up in smoke, and that she somehow got herself involved with a Mexican drug lord, I say lighten up--Weeds is as enjoyable as ever. It is much like True Bloodin that even though things get very dramatic and life-threatening, at the end of the day this is escapist fare with an excellent cast, certainly an entertaining 30 minutes in which you could do a lot worse by changing the station.
I think that it is imperative that to dig Weeds, you like actress Mary-Louise Parker, she of the great acting chops and gorgeous brown eyes that you could get lost in. I like her lots--as well as much of the cast so it's easy for me to forgive some of the "didn't quite work" moments in the show.
So let's get onto the the Spoilers, shall we?
I was pretty certain that Nancy was pregnant by the end of Episode 1 of this new season. I decided during the scene with Nancy and Andy (Justin Kirk) where he is urging her to consider "fleeing" as a remedy for what ails them to which she responds bluntly she could not do that as she is pregnant. She and ex-bro in-law Andy have the kind of relationship that, though they might withhold information from one another, outright lying is not how they roll.
So:
Nancy is in fact with child, but she spends her first few days back for season five deeply (and destructively) in denial, especially after being outed by Esteban as the rat. "I think she has a lot of inherently male characteristics, like when a man's wife gets pregnant, and they go out and do crazy stuff in denial," Mary-Louise says of Nancy's whiskey, sushi and cigarette binge. "I wanted it to go further, like have her do a line of cocaine," says MLP in her E! interview this week past.
Not only is Nancy pregnant, she was correct in stating that she's carrying a male child. (How she could have know that, having only carried boys previously? I do not know, but I quibble.)
It felt like a boy because it is a boy! Mary-Louise made casual mention of what we'd all hoped to be true, for Nancy's sake: She's giving Esteban a male child. But don't think that means smooth sailing between Nancy and her baby daddy. The first few episodes have Esteban asserting control over the situation, but "Nancy takes back her power at a certain point. We're on [episode] nine right now, and it's a power struggle, back and forth," explains MLP. "In some ways she has this thing over his head—she's carrying his son, which is just about the only thing she could have that would [save] her.
Given that he death was all but a done deal after Esteban found out that she ratted him out to the narcos, could there be any way this relatiosnhip can be salvaged? We know that Esteban stopped short of killing nancy when she blurted out that she's pregnant but where do they go form here? mary Louise explains thusly:
"Nancy spends much of this season negotiating that relationship, because right now she has two kids [of her own] and [she and Esteban] don't live together. It couldn't be more complicated, right? Their moments together are really fraught with all of that."
Despite the complications, Mary-Louise goes on, "There are a couple of nice moments, and I think in those moments we see that they actually care for each other. He's the first person she's really cared about since her husband died." But ... "It's just like everything else she does—it turns into a mess. That's who she is as a person. Even if she was given something uncomplicated, she would probably mess it up."
When asked specifically her opinion of the Estaban-Nancy relationship being "love,' her reply was "I think so, yeah."
With Nancy being so wrapped up in well, Nancy, is there any chance that she'll wake up to the fact that Andy is a pretty damn great guy?
"Some of the best moments for me so far have been with Andy (Justin Kirk), because that relationship is more defined. With Esteban, it's so messy and all over the place, partly because they do care for each other," says MLP. "Andy is just so bittersweet because she loves him, but maybe not in the way he loves her, but maybe a little bit."
Even so, Mary-Louise teases,
"What Justin does that is so amazing is be hilariously funny and heartbreaking at the same time. You really see that this season more than ever. He has a scene in episode four that made me cry." Ahhh, what happens?! "Their relationship comes more into the forefront. It really goes somewhere, and they're a big part of each other's lives, but I'm not supposed to tell why. He takes on a really big role."
And, in episode nine:
"There's a scene that Justin said, if we do it right, it's going to make TV history. That's a pretty good tease, right? There's a kind of inadvertent, intimate moment that hopefully will be funny and a little bit perverse."
Everyone, even Estaban must answer to a "higher power." In Estaban's case it's his boss, played by Kate del Castillo, who will be present for much of this season, hating on Nancy of course, and making sure that both Nancy and Esteban are aware that she "has a lot of power to destroy both of them—everyone really."
University of AndyBecause you never know when you're going to be called upon to make nice with the bottle: how to boot and rally, properly mix, and more! Enroll today at WWW.UNIVERSITYOFANDY.COM and earn your degree!
WEEDS : SEASON 5 : EPISODE 1 "Wonderful, Wonderful" FULL Video
Previously on my Twitterfeed:
Heavy t-strms last nite killed tv cable. No Nurse Jackie/Weeds b4 Weds! Am peeved at shoddy Comcast connection. Switch to AT&T imminent.about 5 hours agofrom web
EDIT/ They are showing it for free in HD on YOU Tube--and it's embeddable. Joy!
I shall watch it tomorrow!
Below: A good article from a viewer of Weeds Season 5, E1
Click link above for full article. I agree almost wholly with the author--plus I think this person said it better than me. After I view Wonderful, Wonderful,after Comcast Wednesday afternoon, fingers crossed,hopefully I will have more to add. Meanwhile, if you've watched the episode let me know what you think in the comments. Cheers!
The episode ended with Nancy sitting at an outdoor mall, sipping away at her drink, when she suddenly stumbled into one of those T-Mobile viral Web videos (OK, Drew from Everybody Hates Chris said it was a flash mob, but we all know the truth, right?). It was a sequence that was sort of quintessentially Weeds, in that it seemed like it was pointing toward some higher purpose or some obscure symbolism that seemed just out of reach (though, yeah, this series really likes its musical interludes, so I could be trying too hard). And then it all ended with a nice bit of menace, as Nancy realized that she wasn’t as safe as she’d like to be, baby or no baby. Still, I’d just like to know what the hell it all means. Which sort of describes the series as a whole.
Ever wonder what to do in the all too likely scenario of a bear attack? Uncle Andy's got you covered! Enroll today at WWW.UNIVERSITYOFANDY.COM and earn your degree!
Justin Kirk is very cute n' funny and this vid reminds me of why
I like him a lot on Weeds.
Whatever the reason for U of Andy, It's fun to watch. :)
Update: WEEDS’s resident funnyman and fan favorite Andy Botwin (Justin Kirk) will be teaching a how-to course on everything from “Starting a Band” to “Surviving a Bear Attack” in the hilarious new webisode series, “UNIVERSITY OF ANDY.” WEEDS, SHOWTIME’s top-rated comedy series, returns for a fifth season tonight and will air Mondays at 10p PT/ET. Throughout the season, fans will follow along online with Andy’s lessons in life videos on topics as wide ranging as “How to Survive the Apocalypse” to “How to Hold Your Liquor,” to name but a few of the hot topics Professor Andy will take on. More courses will rollout each week for at least 8 more weeks. For each class, there’s a quiz at the end that fans need to pass in order to eventually get a degree! Golden Globe®-nominee Justin Kirk channels his alter-ego’s, zany and unique take on life lessons for the webisodes. On the show, when Nancy’s (Mary-Louise Parker) husband dies unexpectedly, Andy steps in to fill the void and act as de facto dad to his nephews. His sometimes pot-influenced advice ranges from loopy to downright dangerous, but his good intentions always shine through. To enroll, visit www.universityofandy.com
Though I'm really looking forward to the series premiere of Nurse Jackie and the season 5 premiere of Weeds, on Showtime Monday night (June 8), not everyone has good taste in television shares my opinion. That's OK, as what a dull world it would be if they did right?
Here's a recent question that was posed to Ausiello with his (actually his intern's) answer:
Q: Weeds hasn't been good since Nancy torched Agrestic. Any chance that this season will be worth watching?
Ausiello: I handed your question off EW to intern/Weeds addict Jeremy Medina, who just watched the first three episodes of the new season (premiering June 8). Here's what he said: "... I agree, last season was easily the series' worst -- up until the finale shocker that revealed Nancy's pregnancy. Season 5 starts off with the fallout from that announcement.
Her family is (angry). Even Andy, who loves her. Nancy basically acknowledges she's a terrible human being, but then proceeds to act like even more of one. She dumps Shane off to live with her volatile sister (Jennifer Jason Leigh) because he isn't safe at home. She even purposely gets drunk to antagonize her Mexican drug lord boyfriend, simply because it’s the last card she can play in her epic power struggle. What will continue to make the season worth watching is to see if Nancy can win back a shred of dignity. She needs to have some sort of redemptive arc to make the show compelling again. Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen."
That's a pretty pessimistic prognostication but I'm wondering if the show may be shifting to more of the spotlight toward Andy Botwin, Nancy's brother-in-law (ex bro-in-law, actually as Nancy is widowed)? His recent series of "The University of Andy" has brought Justin Kirk front and center where he seems quite comfortable. One more U of Andy vid. Watch the 30 min. Weeds and 30 min. Nurse Jackie back-to back staring at 9 pm. Monday night on SHOWTIME. I am.
After the jump:U of Andy - How to Satisfy a Woman video
Learn how to satisfy a woman's physical, spiritual and emotional needs using anticipation, care and patience. Enroll today at WWW.UNIVERSITYOFANDY.COM and earn your degree!
Q: Can you give me any scoop on Weeds?Jennifer Jason Leigh is perfect as Nancy's sister Jill Price-Gray (aka "bitchface"). If JJL is looking for a regular summer job, we hope she'll consider doing more seasons ofWeeds, as she fits into the cast perfectly and has great chemistry with Mary-Louise Parker. There's one moment where they switch without signal from "I hate you, evil slag" to "Cute necklace" and it encapsulates everything you need to know about the relationship between these two sisters.
Q: How is Nancy going to get out of her current pregnancy predicament?
Since her pregnancy is the only thing keeping her alive, Nancy's more than happy to keep the baby for now! That said, if Nancy is going to save herself from one of Esteban's hitmen before season's end, it looks like it will probably be thanks to some combination of DEA guy, Guillermo and the well-armed Mexican rebel leader(Kevin Alejandro) with whom Celia becomes close frienemies.
Source: E!
Season 4 of Weeds recapped in the time it takes to take one very long bong hit. Don't miss a new season of Weeds, Mondays at 10PM ET/PT starting June 8th
As Season 4 played out, beginning with the Botwins fleeing to the Mexican border, things seemed like they couldn't go any more "bad" to "worse." And yet, somehow they did.
University of Andy
Practical solutions to life's biggest challenges. Reach your climax by enrolling today! Find your inner winner at UniversityofAndy.com.
Looks like Andy has cooked up yet another way to work--without really working.
Andy tells Nancy they should flee to Denmark to escape Esteban and the Mexican mafia.
Justin Kirk as "Andy Botwin" is one of the best things about Weeds. Whether he's getting his toe bitten off by a very mad dog, subtly hitting on his former sister-in-law Nancy, or scheming with Doug about their next great plan, he never fails to entertain. Here he explains to Nancy that he and she are "nothing more than cat toys" to the Mexican Mafia "who are cats, Mexican cats--gatos."
Esteban takes Nancy to a doctor to see if she's pregnant with his child.
As Andy delicately put it, Nancy "finked" on drug lord Esteban after she realized that he was responsible for teenage girls being shuttled through an underground drug tunnel, across the US border to work as prostitutes--for Esteban's gain. Will her conscience be her undoing?
A Brief History of Weed
From 2727 B.C. to the present, Weeds presents a brief history of cannabis. New episodes Monday at 10PM ET/PT beginning June 8th only on Showtime.
Behind the Scenes Season 5
Behind the Scenes Season 5
Expect the unexpected on the new season of Weeds. New episodes Monday at 10PM ET/PT beginning June 8th.
As Kevin Nealon, who plays Nancy's former account Doug Wilson says of the show, "Each year it seems we're just spiraling further and further into that black hole that eventually, I don't know how we're ever going ot get out of."
As much as I enjoy the show I was deeply shocked that it was renewed for a 5th season. Like Nealon, I wonder where can the show possibly go. They've painted Nancy and Co. so far into a corner that it seems that they would have to really stretch plausibility ( like that has stopped them before) to have her resume any kind of normal life. Guess we'll just tune and and see.
