If you would like to read my review of the first season, click here.
Synopsis: Recovering from his wounds, Gamby returns to a dramatically changed North Jackson High. (HBO)
Writers: Danny McBride, John Carcieri, and Tim Saccardo
Director: David Gordon Green
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: 31mins
The last episode ended with Gamby in a precarious situation, shot multiple times and left for dead. Being the creator and star of the series, it was pretty safe to assume that McBride’s Gamby would survive and that he did. This episode started with Gamby dealing with the aftermath. He appeared to be crippled but it wouldn’t be unlike the character to milk it a little for some sympathy. We learned that he was under the care of Ray while living with Ray, Gail, and Janelle. He was unsurprisingly wearing out his welcome so it wasn’t until a meeting with Russell that Gamby got out of the funk that he was in and was dead set on finding Dr. Brown and making sure she payed for shooting him.
When Gamby finally returned to North Jackson High School, it was definitely much different than he remembered with the biggest difference probably being the new vice principal Mrs. Deets (Jennifer Gatti). Being Gamby, he was uncomfortable with the attention he was getting by the students and the staff and just wanted to move on and find Dr. Brown. Once he did, Gamby’s tough plan for her failed and we learned that she has moved on from what he and Russell had did to her in spectacular fashion. She also denied shooting Gamby and pointed out the obvious that Russell shot him (which would have been my guess).
When confronted with the accusation, Russell vehemently denied and claimed that he was Gamby’s only friend which was kind of true. He had also claimed that he was looking for the culprit himself and that he and Gamby would work together. He couldn’t perform all the principal duties himself which was why Russell brought him back. At the end of the episode, Gamby re-assumed his position of authority.
The best part of the episode, the same as all the others, is the chemistry between McBride and Goggins. The way they simply play off of each other was still incredibly fun to watch. Seeing that this episode focused more on Gamby, McBride had some great goofy moments, especially in the scene with Dr. Brown, and continues to excel at his delivery. Goggins was fun as well as the over the top Russell. Gregory only got one scene here but it would be nice to see more of her as the season goes on.
Overall, this was a good start to the season and a funny episode, continuing where the last season left off, and setting a path for this season. This season will be the last so hopefully they don’t drag out the Gamby shooting subplot. Both characters started off despicable with Gamby starting to redeem himself so let’s see if these characters will get some sort of redemption.
Score: 8/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
