Entourage: The Show I Know and Love

Now THIS is the show I know and love. Sunday's episode felt effortless and exactly like a day in the life of a superstar and his buddies. One thing I appreciate about Entourage is that it's the little things that make it seem authentic. Yes, Vince is a movie star, but everything he does doesn't have to be larger-than-life to be cool. The episode resolved two conflicts, added a new wrinkle to a present conflict, and introduced a new dilemma in classic Entourage style: end the episode with a small bomb and then boom: perfect song over the closing credits. Yes, the closing song matters; it cues you in on how to interpret what you just saw and puts a figurative bow on top of the episode. Since the show ended with Jamie-Lynn telling Turtle that she would be shooting a new TV show in New Zealand (probably signaling the end of their relationship), it was fitting that Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are" rang out loud and clear after we saw Turtle's stunned face.

I was quite pleased with the episode because the writers have ended Eric's farcical relationship with Single White Female, Ashley a,fter she asks E to check his email. That is beyond crazy but the crazier thing is that Eric actually considered going along with it! After remembering his initial impression and getting sound advice from Vince to call it quits, Eric gives her the old heave-ho. Vince is a great friend; he's always loyal and supportive and never pushy. Although the decision to dump Ashley should have been a no-brainer, he let E make the choice on his own. While Eric tries to disengage himself from a personal mess, Drama tries to free himself from a professional one. He has a shot at the new Melrose Place, but only if Dan Coakley lets him out of his Five Towns contract. Coakley has been making Drama's life a living hell and his character isn't faring much better. The chances of Coakley releasing him from his contract are slim to none. Lloyd represents Drama and is now working for Adam Davies. He tries in vain to get him released, but Lloyd is a guppy in a big pond. Enter Ari to save the day, not because he gives a shit about Drama, but to spite Lloyd, who he has vengefully blackballed. When Drama sees that Lloyd can’t pull the strings that Ari can, he accepts Ari's offer for representation. You know as well as I do that the only reason Ari even tolerates Drama is because he is Vince's brother. He only wants to rep Drama in order to punish Lloyd. Despite this thoroughly mean act, Ari later mercifully releases Drama back to Lloyd after Johnny asks him to admit whether or not he thinks he has any real talent. Lloyd believes in Drama; Ari could care less.

I'm like a spurned girlfriend and Entourage is my lost love that returned home. I won't ask any questions, and I don't care where you've been – I'm just glad you're back.