Thursday, October 4, 2018

REVIEW: 'Will & Grace' - Grace Pushes to Make a Point to a New Friend in 'The West Side Curmudgeon'

NBC's Will & Grace - Episode 10.01 "The West Side Curmudgeon"

Grace's accidental run-in with Noah, a curmudgeonly man she follows on Twitter, hints at a possible new love interest. Jack wants to look younger before meeting Estefan's family on Skype but makes a terrible first impression after overdoing the numbing cream before his facial procedure. Will helps Karen protect the intellectual property rights of her most prized possession.


In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of NBC's Will & Grace.

"The West Side Curmudgeon" was written by John Quaintance and directed by James Burrows

The first revival season of Will & Grace highlighted how the four main characters are just the same as ever before just a little older now. In fact, age was a strong theme throughout the stories because their view of the world is slightly different now than it was when the original series run was airing. It was a comfort to see all of these characters again. That's what made it so shocking at the end of the season when many of them were making quick and rash decisions because they didn't want to end up like Will and Grace. The people around them see their relationship as too codependent. As such, it has kept them stuck in their lives. Of course, Will and Grace cherish this bond because they still love and appreciate each other. However, they now feel like they must take a good, hard lock at their choices in life. Perhaps they were spending too much time together. Them working out of the same office for the same business was never really a story that went somewhere. But it was still defining to their lives. That means it's important for this new season to get them out of their comfort zones and into new situations. It's already clear that Grace is stepping up and making changes to her life. She is running for office. However, it's just a position in the field she is already working in. So, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Moreover, it's much more important that she makes a new romantic connection here. David Schwimmer's guest appearance is the most noteworthy aspect of this premiere. Noah comes across as a guy who is always angry at the world and the many ways in which it is changing. Of course, his ideal environment is pretty horrific. That makes it important for Grace to try to enlighten his views and get him to take risks in his life once more. That may not make a healthy relationship. But it will create a fascinating story. One that seems destined to push them to really put themselves out there in a way that may make them too vulnerable. Meanwhile, the other stories on display here are mostly just broad hijinks. For Jack, it's a lot of over-the-top physical comedy. It's just ridiculous to watch him rub this numbing cream all over his face to the point where he can't talk. That's what makes it so special when Estefan is able to understand him perfectly. That may hint that this is actually a perfect relationship for both of them. It may not have been impulsive to get engaged just moments after meeting each other. However, time will still determine whether or not they can go the distance. And finally, it's always just so amusing to get a Will-Karen story. They are such an odd but massively funny pairing. Even though he is no longer practicing law, she still expects him to act as her lawyer. This story forces her to be aware that she is no longer as special as she once was. It's just a story told through her realizing her boobs are being replicated by a plastic surgeon for profit. It's a conflict mostly resolved off camera. But it does allow for some genuine bonding between the two as well. They will still be friends even as age continues to ravish both of them. That's terrifying but sweet at the same time too.