Is it just me, or did 30 Rock really ratchet up the weird on the season five finale? It’s almost as if the writers just threw all the crazy story lines out there because it was the last episode of the season. I mean, come on, in this episode we had a sheep giving orders to Victor Garber, Lutz using a diaper, Jack spooning Kenneth, and Jenna running through the park dressed as a dog while being chased by her boyfriend wearing a gimp mask. Yeah, it was a little weird.
Despite the weirdness, the laughs were still there in spades as 30 Rock ended it’s fifth season. As oddly dark as the storyline of Avery being kidnapped by Kim Jong-Il, there has been a lot of comedy coming out of it. Yes, it was very creepy watching Jack use Kenneth as an Avery replacement (because they have similarly shaped buttocks), but watching Jack McBrayer channel Avery at the end of the episode was classic.
I loved the Ina Garten cameo, if for no other reason than she is one of my favorite’s from the Food Network. Liz’s realization that she needed to “respawn” and blow herself up and start over in order to enjoy her summer was great, too. The scene with the odd judge may have been a little over the top, but the story was clever. In the end Liz got everything she wanted — time outside, gardening, and learning Spanish. All she needed was a little community service.
Jenna’s brief stint as spokeswoman for the Wool Council was definitely the most bizarre storyline, mostly because Jenna and Paul bring creepy to a whole new level with their relationship. To say that they are kinky is a gross understatement. The marriage between Jenna and the conservative Wool Council was ill-fated from the start. I did enjoy Victor Garber’s appearance. He played the role well, and all cheesy wool references (such as “woolcome”), were goofy enough to bring a smile to my face.
Also, for a Lost fanatic like myself, I can’t help but get a little giddy at all the references the writers have been dropping this season. The finale was no exception, as Kenneth begged “Jacob” to give him more time with the characters. It was a bit out of place, and I fully expect it to be dismissed as him talking to some homeless guy named Jacob, or something to that effect, but I enjoy the wink and the nod.
Some of my favorite quotes of the night:
“Sounds like you could a little R and R — Rum and Ritalin.” – Dr. Spaceman
“I don’t like to swear, sir, but no thank you!” – Kenneth
“God, are you punishing me because my hair is better than yours?” – Jack
Clacked by Bob Degon
on May 06, 2011 @ 01:00 EST5EDT
