New Season, New Format

We're changing up our episode recaps and remarks for the new television season, mainly to shift our focus to covering new series and specials before they air rather than after. We believe this will help you make more fitting choices as to what to watch, and it will also help out our subscribers not to receive as many articles about shows they potentially have no interest in, as our current lineup is very broad.

But, we're not dropping recaps with remarks completely. We will still cover pilots we deem promising, and we'll be writing about holiday episodes of those and of our returning favorites. Plus, we are continuing to cover some series in their entirety, particularly cable shows that are tougher for you to catch up on elsewhere. What does this mean for your favorite show? For all of the series we were currently recapping, here are their fates:

                                                      16 & Pregnant: regular posting
                                                      19 Kids & Counting: regular posting
                                                      2 Broke Girls: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Bob's Burgers: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Buddy's Bakery Rescue: discontinued
                                                      Cake Boss: regular posting
                                                      Cake Boss: Next Great Baker: fate to be determined if series is renewed
                                                      Falling Skies: discontinued
                                                      Girl Meets World: regular posting
                                                      Hot in Cleveland: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Instant Mom: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Last Man Standing: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Little People, Big World: regular posting
                                                      Melissa & Joey: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Mistresses: fate to be determined if series is renewed
                                                      South Park: regular posting
                                                      Switched at Birth: regular posting
                                                      Teen Mom 2: regular posting
                                                      The Big Bang Theory: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      The Exes: regular posting
                                                      The Goldbergs: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      The Middle: holidays and special episodes only
                                                      Under the Dome: fate to be determined if series is renewed
                                                      White Collar: holidays and special episodes only

what do you think of the posting schedule? sad to be losing regular updates? excited for more new program coverage? 

The Exes: Being Honest with Yourself

I can't imagine anyone but Kristin Johnston pulling off Holly for this episode, for some reason. She just made it believable that she would quickly fall prey to acting like she belonged in a care facility. It was a bit odd for a season finale, but it would have been even more peculiar for a series finale, so let's be glad that there will be at least 12 more episodes down the line for this year. Of course, they will probably continue to include Nikki, a character that I could really do without... couldn't you?

The Exes "The Old Man and the Holly" (S03E20): Holly sees one of her old professors at the bar, and he not only remembers her, but they hit it off. [I can't think of any professor I've ever had whom I'd consider dating...] She even goes to his Assisted Living Facility for the night, though she doesn't realize that's where they are. [it was a funny shock, though!]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Holly makes her peace with the situation, though Eden encourages her to end the relationship. But, when Holly tries to get out and do things with the man, they end up in the opposite situation - Holly begins acting old while James is full of life again. In fact, he winds up dumping her because she's "slowing him down." [kinda humiliating, no?]

Haskell still isn't honest with Nikki, and Holly and Eden are the only ones in-the-know. [I'm kinda sick of his hesitation.] Meanwhile, Nikki wants some action and turns to Phil, who is concerned about Stuart's feelings. [impressive for Phil.] However, he agrees and tells Haskell about it, who, in turn, tells Stuart. Stuart isn't as bothered as everyone expected, but Haskell still tries to go over there to stop them. Of course, they weren't able to achieve intimacy anyway, so Haskell just winds up being awkward. [as per his usual, really.] 

The Exes: Being Enough

Leah Remini was a fun addition, but as I've mentioned before, she's really pulling the female character focus away from Holly (who was sidelined with the B-plot this episode) and Eden (who was all but absent this time). Now that she's getting back on her feet, you'd think she'd be around less... except the writers have her working in the frequented favorite watering hole of the main cast, so she'll have to keep popping up. With the season finale next week, something big could happen, but I'd go ahead and plan on having Nicki around next season, about which I (and obviously many others) have mixed feelings.

facebook.com/TheExesTV

The Exes "My Fair Stuart" (S03E19): Stuart is about to made a partner in a large dental firm, but first he needs to attend a dinner with the partners and their wives. He arranges for a French date, but she has to go to Paris for business at the last minute, so he's left floundering around. Nicki offers to accompany him, but he asks Holly... only she can't go, having represented one of the partner's ex-wives in a divorce settlement. [ha!] He then considers Eden, but she's currently wearing an eyepatch, so back to Nicki he goes. [catch a champagne cork in your mouth?? I'd be afraid of knocking out my teeth! those things fly off with such brute force!] He even picks her up a kate spade dress, tells her to go by Nicole, and wants her to pretend she's a sommelier. [wow! that's a fancy job to wing!] Then, he wants her to speak without her native accent, so she starts to become frustrated. [haha, remember when Carrie tried to ditch the accent on King of Queens?] At the party, she offers to teach the hosts' son how to dance, but when it goes well and Stuart is still terrified that she'll mess things up for him, she dumps him, but not before the truth comes out that they are siblings. [learn to dance with a crowd watching?? unbelievable. tho, clearly the boy knew how to dance, so the whole thing was ridiculous.]

Phil finds out that he may have impregnated a woman, and decides that a vasectomy may be for him. Haskell thinks it'll help him sleep around more, so they decide to do it together. [I feel like this story has been done before, too, I just can't place it...] Holly makes it her mission to convince the guys that they might eventually want children, but it turns out that neither really goes through with it anyway. [that was a random Sonic product placement!] 

The Exes: Is Nicki Replacing Holly?

I thought that Eden getting a larger role in the show was a positive. I didn't think that the comedy needed ANOTHER new character, but I was willing to give Nicki a shot. The absence of Holly lately, however, really tips the scales and makes the show less enjoyable. If Holly and Nicki can't both enjoy screentime (or we ditch the newbie), I may have to reconsider my commitment to this show... which is sad because they just renewed it for another season. Another downside to Nicki's presence is that Stuart has also been neglected lately, in both quantity of storylines and the quality of them. Two episodes left in this season, however, so we'll see what happens!

The Exes "Starting Over" (S03E15): Phil had a one-night stand with a woman named Carol, but winds up repeatedly hanging out with the woman due to a series of unfortunate events. [kinda funny!] He even gets stuck talking to her dying grandmother and promising to take care of Carol and her son, Austin. Fortunately, this scares off Carol so he's off the hook. [while that worked, the wrap-up was not the greatest.]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Nicki is staying with Stuart and the guys as she gets back on her feet. [as much as I like Leah Remini, I'm not hugely loving her on this series.] Stuart's receptionist is put on bedrest, so Phil suggests he ask Nicki to fill in, though the siblings never worked well together growing up. Problems soon arise when she bears cleavage at work, doesn't want to listen to how he does things, gets t-shirts made, has Stuart's face plastered onto a bus, and puts up a Groupon deal, all in one morning. [yeah, I'd hate her, too.] Stuart winds up with an asthma attack, and it doesn't look like they'll be able to work together for long. [haha, "Coney Island Baby" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."]

The new bartender downstairs invites Eden and Haskell to a play he's in: Twelve Angry Men, played in the nude. It's not a pretty sight, so Eden and Haskell decide to get him out of the bar and out of NYC. [seriously??] Haskell talks him into going for his dream, hoping to get Nicki his job and apartment, but winds up losing the opportunity to save her, as the bartender winds up breaking the news. On the bright side, Nicki is off Stuart's couch AND out of his office!

The Exes "Friends Without Benefits" (S03E16): Eden tells Haskell to go for Nicki, but he keeps chickening out, then pretends a "Pete" likes her. [Remember when Niles pretended he liked "Phyllis" on Frasier?] Haskell winds up setting up Nicki with "Pete," and is hoping to swoop in and comfort her when she's "stood up." [remember Chandler doing this on Friends?] But, when an old pal of Haskell's, Pete, just happens to show up, the guy extorts Haskell because he likes Nicki, though he leaves when offered $78. [random!] Haskell tries to salvage Nicki's evening, but she feels blown off. He tries hard to tell her that he's into her, but she thinks they're talking in hypotheticals. [awwww. :(]

Stuart runs into an old neighbor and learns that Lorna has sold the house without letting him know. [that is rough.] When she won't even let him say goodbye to the house, Phil suggests he break in. [ha! Lorna changed the alarm code from their wedding date to the day she kicked Stuart out of the house!] Stuart spends a lot of time there, and he and Phil get trapped in a closet when Lorna shows up to be intimate there one last time. [gross! Phil constantly being paranoid about getting arrested after thinking his jaywalking ticket was racial profiling was funny, too.] 

The Exes "Nun Like it Hot" (S03E17): Nicki's old friend, Vanessa, is becoming a nun, but sleeps with Phil. It throws her for a loop, but after a period of doubt, she decides to go through with her vows. Nicki realizes it was Phil who caused this crisis for her friend, so she makes him admit to everyone in the bar that he's a dog. [I didn't really buy into this storyline.] 

Holly slips on bath beads in the tub and is injured, so Eden and Haskell get stuck waiting on her hand and foot. They fight over having to perform menial tasks for the woman, and eventually decide to put sleeping pills in her pudding. [holy cow! seriously not a bad idea, though.] But, when Holly won't chow down, Haskell ends up eating a little by accident, and Eden gobbles some too just to get out of working for Holly. [okay this was ten kinds of messed up!]

The Exes "When Haskell Met Sammy" (S03E18): Holly meets a pilot whose brother hits on Haskell. The four double-date the following evening, and Holly keeps the truth from her friend, though he eventually figures it out. [of course.] Unfortunately, he still likes the attention, so he rolls with it for a couple more days... until he winds up being able to play the victim when the guy decides to get back with his boyfriend! [I thought this was pretty funny. if nothing else, it was original!]  

Phil's old high school coach dies, and he's asked to speak at the funeral... only he hates funerals. [I feel like Stuart was written a bit out-of-character for the sake of the laughs here... no a fan.] Stuart convinces him to go, but Phil thinks that he needs some Valium to handle the experience... only he takes Viagra instead! [really? you thought "V" was enough of a label??] Stuart has to deliver the eulogy, but when it's obviously written by a black man, Phil is forced to get up and hold flowers in front of himself to speak... though of course he winds up revealing his "situation." [we al knew he would, though, so it wasn't very amusing.] 

Nicki wants to party with Eden, and they wake up the next morning in sailors' clothes. Turns out, they didn't have a wild night, they were soaking wet outside South Pacific, and the costume mistress lent them some costumes! [does anyone believe this could have occurred??]

RETURNING: The Exes: Phil and Eden's Relationship

I understand why characters within ensembles wind up becoming "involved" with one another, as it's been happening since my earliest television viewing - Who's the Boss and Saved by the Bell being examples. But, I still don't have to like it. Why not bring in new characters for this purpose, like Mike for Phoebe on Friends? Or Amy and Bernadette on The Big Bang Theory? Back to The Exes, Phil and Eden's relationship didn't last too terribly long, but because of each person's close relationship with Holly, their paths will inevitably have to cross, forcing awkward moments and sexual tension. I'm hoping for some hilarity out of this, but I also think that there will be complications that aren't so great. Still, let's look at the various issues that frustrated the couple while they were together...

The Exes "True Lies" (S03E11): Haskell simply congratulates Phil for being intimate with Eden, but Stuart wants to talk about it. [of course he does.] Holly is upset with Eden until she apologizes, but the girls start chatting it up, and Eden admits to faking orgasms to keep Phil feeling good about himself. Holly soon blabs this to Stuart and Haskell, the latter of whom has been faking food orgasms over the former's meals. [that was weird.] Stuart, in a huff, tells Phil, who immediately confronts Eden, who, in turn, lies, saying that she had to make up something to get things right with Holly. This placates Phil, but Holly de-friends Eden over it, thinking Eden is lying to her. Meanwhile, Haskell tries to apologize to Stuart, then breaks out a lie detector to get to the bottom of everything. But, Eden won't take it. [can't blame her. I wouldn't volunteer for one of those, either!] She admits to "faking it," meaning that she lies to Phil, not Holly. Eden dumps Phil because dating him is like dating the whole group, but they make up shortly thereafter. [seeing her tiny place was kinda interesting.]  

The Exes "How the Grinch Spent Xmas" (S03E12): It's Christmas Eve and Phil is worried about what to get Eden to send the "right" message, so he plans to find out what she got him, then match it. [like Sheldon with Penny! and haha at Stuart's Listerine under the mistletoe!] Phil puts Haskell in charge of figuring it out, and he learns it's a hot, sexy video, sop Phil decides to follow suit with a striptease.

Holly is traveling from London and meets a great guy on the plane and invites him to join the party. However, he can't get through Customs and Border Protection because his passport has been flagged, so she wants to spend Christmas in the airport, upsetting the gang. [uh, yeah!] This causes a chain reaction, as Eden and Phil wanted to spend the holiday in a cabin in Vermont, and Haskell wanted to go home to his mother. The trio decides to placate Stuart a bit before taking off, but rushing through his planned activities means they quickly learn that Holly gave awesome gifts this year. [awwww!] They decide to pack up the seven-course meal and head to the airport to support Holly in her search for love. [that's really sweet!] Meanwhile, at the airport, the guy finds out that he'll be allowed in the country of Costa Rica, so he asks Holly to accompany him. The gang shows up at the airport and can't find her, but continue giving gifts - Eden gave Phil workout clothes, not a sex tape, and that offends him. [haha!] Phil winds up sending everyone the sexy video he made, not just Eden. [haha, his Nana!]

The Exes "Nothing in Common" (S03E13): A woman named Donna hits on Phil at the bar, and it turns out that she wants a three-some with Phil and Eden. [how random!] Eden says that she'll consider it, but only after having a drink, getting to know the woman, etc. The night starts off on the right foot, but the woman soon starts bawling, and Phil makes things awkward. [I can't handle people who are that attached to pets. I just roll my eyes and walk away.] 

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Stuart's sister, Nicki, shows up, upset that her husband of 17 years has cheated on her, though she doesn't know the details. Haskell is interested in the woman, stuttering in her presence. Stuart heads to Staten Island to talk to his brother-in-law, Tommy, but discovers that the cop is cheating on Nicki with a man, which is why he won't try counseling. [ooooh...] When Stuart tells Nicki, she's overly surprised, but does decide to return home to talk to her husband.

The Exes "Bachelor Party" (S03E14): Phil has been named among the top ten most eligible bachelors in NYC, but Eden doesn't consider him "eligible," causing a rift. [why is he that "wanted" ? he JUST started his own business, so it can't be that successful yet!] The gang is excited to attend, and Holly gets her eyebrows done... only to have them completely removed! [omg!] Eden puts some on her, but they're not steady, causing Holly's flirting at the party to go just as awry. [too much for me, though.] Eden decides to go to the party after all, to be supportive (but really to spy on Phil). But, she has to act like she's not with Phil, so she decides to hang out with her friends for the night. Later, when the two talk about their relationship, they realize that Phil is committed, but Eden is not, so they decide to just be friends. [an anti-climactic ending to their relationship!]

Stuart thinks he sees Sabrina at the bar, but it turns out to be her twin sister, Julie. Haskell wonders if it's really Sabrina, playing a fast one on Stuart, so the dentist decides to check for a tattoo to make sure. However, he is caught using a dental mirror to look up her skirt during the tango, so that ends. [what are the odds she'd know how to tango? he does find out that she really was a twin, though!]

Also, Haskell tries "height helpers" at the party, but he falls over and quickly loses his chances with the woman he was wooing.

The Exes: At a Wedding

Didn't Paul JUST start dating this woman? He was with Holly when the season started... and it was a short season! Nobody seems to be questioning how quickly the relationship moved along, but for Paul and Holly to have not been together very long, it seems odd that she would be invited. Paul also wasn't a big fan of Haskell, Phil, and Stuart when he met them, so their invitations are even stranger. This leads to a very contrived episode where the B-plot is significantly more interesting... and that's just the rest of the characters finding out that Eden and Phil have become an item. In fact, the entire episode seemed very "Friends," and left a season cliffhanger just like that series did multiple times.

The Exes "My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding" (S03E10) [Season Finale]: The guys head off to Paul's wedding, though Holly decides to stay home, not wanting to cause a scene. Eden is also there, and she has a date, instantly instilling jealousy in Phil. [hated her hair!] Stuart also had a planned date, but she cancels at the last minute, so he's left alone as Phil trolls for a woman as quickly as he can. [I bet he could have done better!] Haskell was hoping to hit on desperate women, but when he gets a bridesmaid interested in him, his cheap suit is so itchy that he ruins it in a scratching fit. [hahaha! it was a little over-the-top, though.] Phil and Eden are both caught in lies over not having dates (Eden was posing with a valet!), and wind up bed at the hotel where the wedding is being held, so it's not surprising that the whole gang walks in on them.

Before that, though, Holly shows up, deciding it was selfish of her not to come. [hideous dress!] However, she gets jealous pretty quickly and takes a picture of herself with a portrait of Paul. [so crazy!]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Then, she goes poking around for the bride, to explain that she's there without RSVPing. But, she finds the bouquet and veil so she puts them on. [WHY would you DO that??!?] Paul finds her and kisses her, but it means nothing to either, so no big deal when the bride finds out. However, because of this, Stuart mentions that Holly should stay home if he ever remarries. [haha!]

The Exes: More than Friends

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Sometimes, Holly doesn't care from whom the attention is coming. So, when a 1L (first-year law student) hits on her at a bar, she jumps at the chance to rob a cradle instead of a grave. She doesn't necessarily act like a woman in her mid-to-late forties, but she certainly isn't in her twenties! Of course, juxtaposing a senior citizen with a fresh-out-of-the-frat boy makes the scandal seem all the more incriminating. The fact that he arrives with a skateboard only makes him seem more immature, but things soon fall apart and he will not be making return appearances anyway. However, the whole experience really shows that Holly doesn't really have "a type." She'll work with most anyone...

The Exes "The Hand that Robs the Cradle" (S03E09): At the bar, an older man hits on Holly, and she quickly turns him down. But, when a first-year law student, Eric, drop an Introduction to Constitutional Law book, she talks to him. He soon invites himself to her place the following night for tutoring, so she panics that she's twice his age. [Eden imagining the kid to be a toad was amusing.] When Eric comes over, he and Holly are soon making out, and the next day he buys her a broach. [kinda sweet but still weird.] They make plans to go out, but when his mother shows up to join and is wearing the same outfit (down to the scarf and broach) as Holly, the attorney decides to call it off. After all, Eric's mother's hair, laugh, and name are also similar to Holly's, illustrating his clear mommy issues. [so awful.]

Haskell dines on his balcony while using binoculars to admire Jenny, who lives in a nearby building. [creepy already.] Stuart thinks that the two should meet, so he sends Haskell off with flowers and a card to put at her doorstep. But, the door was slightly open and her cat runs out, so Haskell grabs it. So, Stuart tries to play up the "hero" angle by putting up flyers about a "found cat," but just as Jenny comes to pick it up, it jumps off the balcony. [so random!] Haskell tries to tell Jenny the truth, but "stalking from afar" fails. [no surprise!]

Eden and Phil are awkward around one another, but decide to become friends with benefits after both think the other one would be the one who will be hurt eventually. [loved that both see themselves as the more desirable person.]

The Exes: Holly and Phil...

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Given the first few minutes of the episode, one might expect Stuart's storyline to get more than a total of three minutes. Stuart is exactly the type of person who would obsess over figuring why a single person left a less-than-stellar Yelp review, yet all the viewers see are the dentist getting upset about reading the comment, freaking out that he can't seem to track down who wrote it, and paying $100 to the extortionist in the end. A shame that it wasn't fleshed out, though the split between Eden working for Phil and Haskell working for Holly was a great use of the time, too. Eden's performance as an assistant was a bit impressive, actually, as her work for Holly generally seems just-enough-to-get-by. Regardless, it is apparent that more hijinks are to come, even if the season is ending soon.

The Exes "Prelude to a Kiss" (S03E08): Phil is starting his new business, but his hottie assistant, Arianna, is terrible. [yeah, I pretty much instantly hated her!] When Eden is delivering a gift from Holly, she confronts the girl about her poor work skills, causing her to quit. To make up for it, Eden takes over, leaving Holly in a jam, as nobody else at the office will work for her. [hilarious that she has no idea why!] Haskell volunteers to fill in, and quickly becomes intensely focused on injuring himself, as he inadvertently finds out that the firm has a great disability policy. His attempts all fail, and one even injures Holly instead. [of course.]

Back over at Phil's, he comes close to losing a potential client when he doesn't get Eden's message about a meeting time change. [I understand about not realizing that your phone is off, but on your way into the office, wouldn't you check your email and such?] He even blames it on her even though it was his fault, so she quits. Unfortunately, he must hire her back immediately because the client reconsiders but wants Eden at the meeting. [figures.] As a good person, Eden goes to help out Phil, even suggesting what he needs to say to land the client. It works, and Phil and Holly kiss in celebration. [this can't actually go anywhere.. . right?]

The Exes: The French & Fighting

This particular episode of The Exes was not great. It actually only had a couple of moments that were genuinely good television, and that's a shame. Part of the problem could have been the distinction between the storylines, as there was no crossover between the girls and the guys. Clearly, Holly could have given Stuart some more advice about fighting, and surely the men would have had something to say about Tristan and Jean-Luc, to potentially save Holly and Eden some embarrassment on the jet. Or perhaps the bigger issue was that none of the guys seem like fighters, so their combined experience was laughable, while any educated viewer knew that the situation with the French men was too good to be true. At least the girls kept the jewelry! 

The Exes "Pretty Women" (S03E07): Eden meets a French guy who treats her very well, though Holly fears that he's treating her friend like a prostitute. [yikes!] Holly goes along with Eden to see Tristan, who brings along Jean-Luc, who promptly whisks Holly off her feet. The next morning, he leaves Holly a fancy necklace, and both men soon invite the girls a trip to St. Barths. [wow!] But, when they get to the private plane, they realize they're not the only "special ladies" the guys are seeing, so they don't go.

facebook.com/TheExesTV

The group is having burgers at the bar and Stuart accidentally squeezes a woman's breast, not looking when he reaches for a ketchup bottle. [that might be the least believable thing that he has ever done...] Her dinner companion asks Stuart to leave, and that makes him fear going back. Unfortunately, Stuart can't stay away fro the new cook's burgers and places a to-go order, only to bump into the bully anyway. Phil and Haskell don't help him out when he's pushed around, but they later offer some fighting tips. [the two approaches were so vastly different!] So, when the trio returns to the bar, Stuart confronts his attacker. But, the guy starts choking, Stuarts saves him... then punches him in the face. [I was shocked that Stuart still slugged him! I thought they could have called it even after a life-save!]

The Exes: Online Dating, Haskell's Ex, Holly and Phil at Work

note: Recaps and Remarks are going up later than usual due to Comic-Con and TCA.

While this sitcom probably would have never made it on network television, it is a great cable show. The premise was catchy and remains at the heart of the series, the characters are likeable and well-developed at this point, the conflicts aren't overly generic but are still relatable. Sure, gimmicky things like Eden being a "taste maker" (a person paid to create buzz about new products) happen, but they're small jokes within episodes and not the entirety of episodes. I point out these things because the latest three installments of The Exes really depict how charming the show can be. Each character gets the spotlight, the stories intersect in different ways, and the status quo isn't always reset at the end of an arc. This is why the third season will go for twenty episodes, and why I hope that this series is picked up once more. It's a fun show paired well with Hot in Cleveland in a nice time slot, just not competitive enough to exist on the Big Four. Though maybe more people are starting to realize the eccentricities about this series, as the numbers are up!

The Exes "Zero Dark Forties" (S03E04): Eden tells Holly that Paul is dating someone, because she's a skinny orthopedic surgeon, Holly is upset that he moved on first. ["two times in a row" was a great save by Phil. and is that headband-ponytail combination still happening??] Stuart suggests Holly try online dating, but she thinks that's below her, so the guys stage a profile for her and then vet the candidates. [I thought it was funny how Haskell and Phil change Stuart's info for Holly from "tall" to "statuesque" and not "fortyish" but "thirtysomething" (even if she's 43).] After discounting an old man, a mama's boy, a creeper with a box, they meet Alex, who wins them over. He plays along and acts like it's a chance encounter when Holly comes down to the bar, and they go out for dinner, a jazz club, and then back to her place. She assumes he won't ever call, as he left at 3am.

This makes things worse, and Holly comforts herself with two stuffed puppies. Holly comes around, however, when she has a chance to work on her own project... Eden tells Holly about the dating profile, so Holly creates a man's profile to psych out the guys. [that sucks that everyone at work saw it!] After some chatting, Holly types that he's coming over NOW, then pants on the phone, scaring the guys enough for Haskell to take a golf club to the laptop. [holy cow! Office Space, much?]

The Exes "Defending Your Wife" (S03E05): Haskell is celebrating because his ex-wife, Margot, is remarrying, which will free him from alimony. [haha, I remember when Alan celebrated this on Two and a Half Men.]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

He's a little paranoid about something going wrong at the last minute, and, sure enough, he gets a call that Margot got into a car accident and experienced enough memory loss to not even know that they're divorced. [yikes!] The doctor tells him to play along for a while, so he tells her that Phil is his agent (he's a still a pro bowler in this scenario) and Stuart is his dentist, though they have to stay with Holly to keep up appearances. [I wonder how difficult acting would be for Haskell here...] However, things are going well between Haskell and Margot, so when her fiance calls, he denies knowing where she is. [jaw drop!] Holly, Stuart, and Phil confront him, and Margot quickly learns that Haskell is no longer a professional bowler, forcing him to come clean about their divorce, and even recall that she gave up on him after his career ended. [that must have been rough.] This triggers Margot's memory, and she points out that Haskell wallowed in self pity and gave up on himself, which is why she left him. She then calls her fiance, though she does express happiness over getting to be married to Haskell for one more day. [that was cute.]

The Exes "Take This Job and Shove It" (S03E06): Stuart has been chatting online with a girl named Charlotte, whom he meets at the bar. [I like that the show doesn't have to make the meetings "happen," the dates just occur because of online encounters.] Her crooked teeth bother him, but he doesn't know what to do about it. Haskell acts like a drunkard to insult her, offering Stuart a chance to comfort her and suggest fixing them for her. But, Stuart is left telling her she's beautiful and kissing her instead. However, the situation did convince her to fix her teeth, and she even thanks Stuart for seeing beyond the deformity. Unfortunately, they bump into Haskell and the truth comes out, ruining the relationship. [why would he admit to anything? stupid Haskell!] 

Both Phil and Holly are overlooked for promotions so they both decide to ask for the recognition they deserve. [I get really sad for people who aren't treated fairly in the workplace.] But Holly chickens out when another attorney gets fired for speaking his mind, and Phil goes through with it, losing his job in the process. Holly feels really bad, so she tries to help Phil, only to become his boss's divorce lawyer. [hahaha!] Phil is pissed, but when Holly gets named senior partner because she reeled in such a great client, he has to try to get his job back on his own. Only, when he's still treated like dirt, he decides to start his own agency. [oooh! this looks like a great adventure for the series!] 

The Exes: Not What They Wanted

I enjoy when the title of an episode applies to both the A- and B-plots. In this case, Phil and Stuart are "trading places" with being "successful" at bringing home a lady after a single night. This is clearly the more obvious instance, as Haskell calls it "upside-down day" when he learns that Stuart was "luckier" than Phil. On the other hand, Haskell and Holly are at one another's throats, trading places to be the one with whom their new pal, Julia, wants to spend time. In the first case, the "trading" is not necessarily voluntary, but in the latter, neither Holly nor Haskell had any desire to give up their shot at making a new friend, and that cut-throat attitude destroyed that for them both. Oh, and, Eden now has a Great Dane... this should be interesting.

The Exes "Trading Places" (S03E03): Stuart and Phil both pick up girls, but Phil's turns out to be a "recommitted virgin," so he decides to borrow Stuart's clothes and act like is also avoiding the bedroom. [I remember reading about the Clueless reunion when Stacey Dash was cast, but when I saw them together on the couch, I said aloud, "oh my God, it's Murray and Dionne!"] He plays the part well and gets her into bed, but then his conscience ruins it.

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Stuart's date, Sabrina, turns out to be more physical than Stuart was hoping for, and when he finally gets her to open up emotionally, he's not happy with what he learns... she loves being a collection agent and has pawned off her three children on her mother. [yikes!] He continues to be intimate with her anyway, as he "can't quit her." [but it won't last... right?]

Holly is desperate to vent about breaking up with Paul, but Eden is out of town for a funeral and the guys don't want to hear it. She forces Haskell to listen to her, but when a stranger needs a chair at their bar, they invite her to sit. Haskell wants Julia romantically, while Holly is looking for a BFF, so things quickly turn competitive, with both playing any card it takes to win. Of course, it seems that both lose in the end.

RETURNING: The Exes: Toys and Friends

So the only real story of the season premiere was a bit touchy for a first-timer, plus you didn't really get any of the characters' personalities. Still, I'm still glad this comedy is back. Of course, I could have done without Eden's jokes about her struggle to lose the final half-pound of baby weight, but she's only a small part of the series anyway. (yeah, I know. I'm punny.) The second episode got the relationships between the characters back on target, but it just wasn't funny. It could be that we've all seen comedies do that scenario before, or maybe it just didn't work with this strange conglomeration of personalities, but I really hope the upcoming episodes do this series better justice. Or... is it too late?

The Exes "Toy Story" (S03E01): Stuart uses Holly's "pleasure enhancing device" as a back massager when she's out of town, unaware of its primary function. [he's that oblivious?] The guys clue him in, but when Holly returns early, they quickly hide it and it winds up breaking. [of course.] They head down to a specialty shoppe to buy a replacement, but the model is too old to replicate. [seriously. it plugged into the wall! the steam-powered joke had me rolling!] So, Haskell fixes it while Phil distracts Holly at the bar. ["if we rebuild it, she will come" was gross.] When Holly goes to use it, however, her apartment catches fire. She's worried about it being deemed the "cause" of the fire, and the guys are nervous that they made it too powerful. Fortunately, it turned out to be faulty wiring. But the guys don't know that and confess to Holly in front of some people from the building, embarrassing everyone. [I'll say!] She says that they should have just told her the truth, but they were afraid to jeopardize the friendship. [yeah, I could see that!] Holly then makes the guys share embarrassing secrets, but the only one to say something is Haskell, who admits to buying something from the shoppe.

The Exes "The Holly's Buddies Story" (S03E02): The guys all butt in on Holly & Paul's date, but only Paul is bothered. [Holly seemed a little too oblivious, if you ask me.] Paul confronts the guys and asks them to leave he and Holly alone. But, it's tougher than expected when Paul alternates between inviting them places and telling them to decline. [this should have been funny but it wasn't. overdone, maybe?] Soon, Holly thinks the guys are mad at her, and Paul goes to tell the guys to act a little more normal. [I just don't understand how the guys had trouble understanding Paul... have they never been in a situation where they're helping a bud impress a lady??] Holly overhears and she gets upset. [though I thought the funniest part was that she expected Eden to be just as floored!] Holly tries to make up with Paul, but when she learns the guys are having a poker night without her, she lies to get out of a date. And, as is predictable in sitcoms, Paul shows up to apologize to the guys, and it's only a matter of time before he sees Holly. He breaks up with her because she's not as into him as he is into her. [that's a rough one.]

The Exes: The End of Eden's Pregnancy

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

No full theme song for three episodes in a row?? At least the season finale pulled it off! I was actually kind of glad that these episodes dealt primarily around Eden and the end of her pregnancy, as I have been sick of Holly's dating and family lives getting the spotlight... can we PLEASE have any possible future episodes focus on the guys WAY MORE HEAVILY? They are such better characters than their lawyer is! And so much more superior to the pint-size receptionist! I understand that writing-in the actress's pregnancy can be easier than hiding it, especially on such a small woman, but I feel like they ended up rushing 25 weeks of time into nine episodes (remember she hasn't been pregnant all that long, episode-wise!). It might now matter... a third season has not yet been ordered, and the numbers aren't outstanding, but it's still possible, so hang in there! 

The Exes "The Party" (S02E09): The guys want to meet Holly's beau, Paul, and they all have methods they want to use to interrogate him. Phil has an intimidating "look," Haskell wants to do a background check, and Stuart wants to ask him about his relationship with his mother. [...one of those "crazy Stuart" moments, I suppose!] Haskell breaks the glass he set aside for fingerprint-dusting, so he plucks a hair from the guy's head, claiming it was grey. [of course.] The guys apologize to Paul the next day, and, after some teasing, he invites them to a party at Robert DeNiro's, complete with Victoria's Secret supermodels and catered by a famous chef. [um, who can take +4 to events??]

Paul was supposed to send over the party passes, but they don't show up and Stuart goes to get them, running into Paul's soon-to-be-ex-wife in the process. [uh-oh!] The guys decide to tell Holly after the party, where Phil amuses a girl, Stuart is offered a chance to cook with the chef, and Haskell makes a play to try and sell a screenplay to "Bobby D." [this part should have been the focus of the episode. think of the comedic gold that could have ensued!] Well, the guys end up confronting Paul early, causing an immediate break-up. We later hear from Paul that things moved too fast for him to explain his situation to her... and she immediately says that, though he shouldn't hide things from her, he does need to keep his stake in the apartment! [oh, #firstworldproblems!] 

The Exes "Sister Act" (S02E10): Stuart comes home with some marijuana from a a glaucoma-stricken patient, paranoid to actually smoke the stuff because he'll either get caught or the house will small like pot. [very good reasons.] So, he cooks it into a dish, and all three guys partake, leading to some misunderstandings at a lesbian bar... like Haskell being mistaken for a woman appearing to be a man. [yeah, I'm serious.] 

Back to that situation in a minute. Let's look at Holly's life first. See, Eden is living with her until she has the baby, so when her sister, Jill, comes to visit, she winds up pretending Eden is her life partner because Paul's aunt died and he's out of town. [ha! "please don't hurt me, I'm small and pregnant!"] Happy for her sister, Jill decides to take the girls and guys to a lesbian bar to celebrate. Well, Jill realizes that she's not being honest about her life and that her marriage is over, but she wants that to be a secret when their mother shows up the next day. [ten bucks says that won't last!] It doesn't take long before both the divorce and the gay secrets come out, and Jill quickly escapes the room, claiming the divorce is a lie. [haha, their mother didn't think that Holly's news was that shocking!] Holly later tells Jill the truth, and encourages Jill to tell their mother the truth. Except, their mother blames Holly for Jill's unhappiness. [eh. that's what happens when you live to not disappoint.] 

The Exes "He's Gotta Have It" (S02E11): Eden is now nine months into her pregnancy and annoying Holly, so Haskell helps out a bit, even attending Lamaze classes when Holly is late. [I'm surprised that Haskell was so willing to do so... I would have imagines Stuart in that role.] Well, Holly doesn't want to give up being Eden's partner, but Eden would rather go with Mr. Reliable, kicking out Holly. [!!!] They later make up, though.

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Elsewhere, Phil is trying to land a big deal for a risque client who is a bit of a womanizer. Phil ends up taking the tennis star back to his apartment to avoid the paparazzi, but Stuart begins to freak out over the celebrity. [loved "google 'cool' and try to be that."] Well, Stuart asks the star to help him with his serve, but the guy starts to feel him up. [uhhh... what??] When Phil gets home, Stuart tells him about the moment but Phil thinks that it's nothing. The tennis pro later convinces Stuart that he needs a massage, and our naive dentist thinks nothing of the sexuality of the situation until Phil walks in, scared. Well, Phil takes the high road, hoping that the guy will be honest with him, as they've known one another for eight years, since Phil was a "goofy intern." [ha!] He asks Phil how "coming out" would affect his "brand," and Phil shares that there are some companies who would give him big deals, so he admits that he's gay. [small steps.]

The Exes "Pirates of the Care of Eden" (S02E12): [best or cheesiest episode title ever? seriously... and so glad we got the full theme song this time!] Eden is starting to freak out about delivery, and so is Holly, though she acts strong for her friend. [ten-to-one Holly's gonna have to deliver the baby, lmao.] Stuart tells Holly that he'd be happy to be in the delivery room with Eden because people in pain don't bother him. [read as much into this as you want...] Haskell is jealous that he wasn't asked to be in the delivery room, but Holly is fine with him being in there, too, though she hasn't figured out how to get herself out of it yet! She's waiting for the "perfect opportunity" to discuss it with Eden, and she thinks that tagging along with Phil to his boss's yacht will be as good a time as any! Phil's boss sees them and they have to leave, but only after tracking down Eden, who has decided to jump on the bed in the captain's stateroom. [I don't understand why she'd do that. If you're supposed to leave, you don't take yourself on a tour!] Things are further complicated by Stuart's vision beginning to go blurry because of seasickness patches. [could've done without this entire point!]

Before the gang can actually get off the yacht, they realize they've already launched, so they hide. [I guess that would be the most rational thing to do?] Luckily, it's Phil who finds them, but he doesn't have much time to yell at them... Eden's water has broken! It's up to Phil to try to steer the boat back to shore, so he convinces his boss that the party is too much like the ones his boss's father threw. [I'm surprised that worked. Stuart "being blind" is a bit over-the-top. AND if they're trying to avoid attention, why not at least close the door and stuff blankets in the gaps to stop sound from leaking to others?!?] Haskell passes out. Eden progresses quickly and begins to crown when Holly tries to get out of being there. [a little late, there, Holly...] They deliver a baby girl, Eden gets a picture, and the season's over!

The Exes: Haskell & Amelia; Holly & Paul

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

I didn't think that the title particularly fit this episode... partly because I didn't think Holly had the "A story" and partly because it's not like she hadn't been dating for a while... she's just unlucky in love, as always. It's really taking the attention off of Eden, who has gone from entering the second trimester to nearing delivery in just a few episodes. Of course, I've been complaining that Haskell doesn't get his own stories, but when he does, I'm not thrilled. I mean, it was quite the set-up just to get him to fool around with a maid for a whopping two days. Maybe this show is starting to fail and I'm just blind because I want it to be better than it is? Let's hope not... what do you think? Has the quality declined? Was it never there from the start?

The Exes "How Holly Got her Groove Back" (S02E08): Stuart is upset that the guys just pile dirty dishes in the sink, and Haskell and Phil figure that they can flatter Stuart into not being upset. [kinda disturbing, though it makes sense.] Stuart takes charge, hires a housekeeper, and states that everyone will be chipping in. [odd but still believable.] Phil is game but Haskell isn't thrilled - he works from home. [you know, playing virtual golf and having virtual drinks with an international client.] However, he changes his mind after they get into a fight and wind up making out. This means that the house didn't get picked up, prompting Stuart to fire her. [makes sense.] Haskell stands up for her, and she's allowed a second chance, complete with a detailed cleaning list from Stuart. Well, Haskell being in charge of making sure the cleaning gets done prompts Amelia to instigate some role-play, so she and Haskell go at it yet again. [so odd!] Well, Stuart had set up a nanny-cam in the apartment and shows the evidence to Phil, then they confront Haskell together, saying that they won't be paying for him to have a go-to girl. [eh. nothing too great, but at least it's a story for Haskell!]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Paul is back from Hawaii, bringing all 70 of the girls in the firm the same necklace, though Holly was hoping that it was a unique gift just for her. [Eden mouthing the inscription was kinda amusing.] He says that they have unfinished business, and Eden arranges it so they work late at Holly's place. Holly puts out wine on one table and work on another to see what he goes for, and although he picks the wine, he immediately bring it to the work station. [yeah, that seems like a problem from Frasier... I wonder how closely it was recycled, LoL.] When they take a break, Holly asks him how he feels about her... and they wind up spending the night together. [I'm not even young and naive anymore and I still am shocked when I see people having sex without even going on a date first.] The next morning, Paul tells Holly that he loves her, so she goes running to the guys for an interpretation. Phil suggests that the guy's got issues, so Holly proceeds to avoid Paul as long as possible. Well, he eventually comes to her office and apologizes for being so emotional, even taking back the fact that he said "I love you." [WOW. harsh!] Holly is upset but doesn't say anything until another woman hits on him right in front of her, so she admits to her feelings. Turns out, he did pick out that necklace for her but panicked so he bought a ton more. [... I don't know if I actually believe that. It sounds like a decent cover... and, odd ending with Holly telling all of the other girls looking into the elevator that they're "too late."]

The Exes: Who's Your Baby Daddy?

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Well, I finally decided to look up who sings the theme song... it's just so catchy and I love it. It's a young guy named Chrys Ryan. He has at least four other songs available (well, actually, he has an album out, but I found four I could hear for free), but I didn't like any of them. They're all much slower and too lovey-dovey for me. But, I like his voice, so if he changes styles or something, maybe I'll give him a try.

Anyway, this was a completely predictable episode, but I thought it was interesting that they decided to write it without a second storyline. The entire twenty-two minutes is actually used for Holly's plot, which was a big change from what we've seen thus far for the series. I don't know that it'll work on a regular basis, but I think that The Exes pulled it off without leaving us in a lurch about anyone else. That said, I don't like Holly being the center of the show... I'd like to see her play more of a B role to the guys. I understand that she brought them together and all, but the show isn't called "Holly and the Exes" !! All kidding aside, my very favorite part of the episode was the kid coming in whom Haskell hired to act as his nephew. "I just came by to let you know that I got into MIT! and I qualified for the Olympic Swim Team!" Perfect timing and hilarious.

The Exes "Three Men and a Maybe" (S02E07): After Eden takes a three-house lunch to go shopping, Holly starts thinking about her own biological clock. [yeah, well, anything can trigger that on television...] After a quick trip to the gyno, she informs the guys that she's planning to have a baby, as she's "droppin' eggs like a drunken Easter Bunny." [this made me laugh!] They're happy for her... so happy, in fact, that they all want to introduce her to potential sperm-donating candidates. [why did their minds go there immediately?] None work out, but we do learn that Stuart has an extremely successful colleague from dental school, Haskell knows an unpublished writer, and the nerd Phil used to cheat off of in high school is now super-buff computer geek. [if we hear from any of these people again, I'm betting it's Phil's soon-to-be-nemesis...] So, Holly turns to a book of anonymous sperm donors... only to realize that she wants a face to go alongside the case number. [makes sense to me!] After trying to flirt with a donor, Holly is forcibly removed from the building, ending this path to motherhood for her. [like whoa.] Now, realizing that maybe having a baby isn't in the cards for her, Holly begins to calm down... just as the guys take it up a notch, each thinking he would make the best candidate.

Phil pitches to her first, trying to play up the cuteness factor of their offspring. ["mocha swirl" made me giggle.] Stuart goes for the "with my seed, you also get the gardener" angle, offering to change diapers and wash nursing bras. [I think that borders on creepy, honestly. Holly is looking for the goods, not the maker...] Both guys ask her to keep their conversations private, but once she arrives home and finds Haskell on her couch in her kimono (though his reasoning rests upon his excellent family tree), the other guys barge in and everything is out in the open. 

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Holly claims she needs a night to think it over, and spends the next day receiving gifts at work (champagne from Haskell, baby booties from Stuart, and a black-and-white cookie from Phil), even asking Eden for help choosing. [the gift choices from Stuart and Phil make sense, but Haskell's was a bit odd, I thought.] When she still has no inclinations in any way, she lets down the guys one by one, saying that she just isn't ready to give up on love - she wants more than just a baby. [blah, blah, blah, back to the predictable.]

The Exes: Phil Fools Around; The Others Dance

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Confession: I am now completely in love with the theme song. Then again, I'm fairly infatuated with the show, so go figure. I am surprised with the play-down of Eden lately (aside from giving her a surrogacy storyline), but I will admit that I like how the Core Four interact. I still don't get why Haskell keeps playing second fiddle to Stuart and Phil... a womanizer and a dork aren't all THAT exciting. In this episode, for instance, Haskell main task is to keep all of Phil's women straight for him... not exactly rocket science, and we're kinda given the implication that Phil can't be bothered to remember such things while Haskell has nothing better to do. What happened to his money-making schemes? And his alimony issues? And his dating? I vote for more episodes with larger Haskell storylines! What do you think?

The Exes "Shall We Dance" (S02E06): At the bar, Haskell stops Phil from hitting on a girl he's already been with. [because he's such a man-wh0re that he has no idea at this point.] He then runs into Karen, who actually believes that he lost her number. [honey, no.] Haskell keeps feeding Phil information on who people are, humorously doing so for Holly and Stuart as well. Later, we see that Phil has kept his streak of one-night stands, but he panics when he finds out that the latest conquest actually lives in the same building. [yep, that sounds like a nightmare!] The next day, they run into one another in the elevator. When she's not upset that he hasn't called her, he's thrilled and wants to see her again... and soon finds out that she's the female version of him - she stands him up, talks him into having sex anyway, sneaks out into the night, and claims to be going out of town on business. [anyone/everyone know where this is going??] So, when he sees her at the bar when she's allegedly away, he makes a scene, even going as far as saying that she "lost the best thing she ever had" as she walks away. [while it serves him right, I don't see him actually changing his ways...]

In the other storyline, Stuart hears that his ex-wife, Lorna, is seeing someone new and will be dancing with her at an upcoming event. Holly claims to be a sexy dancer so Stuart decides to go after all. Of course, when it comes time for the two to practice, Holly is a pretty stiff and awkward dancer., and Stuart isn't looking forward to their moment in the spotlight. [but, of course, he doesn't actually call off the plan.] At the ball, Lorna does a great job, but Stuart finds out that she hired a professional dancer to be her partner. [I don't believe that the dancer would call her out in public like that, though!] 

tvland.com

Holly falls just talking and walking, putting her out of the competition with a possible bruised coccyx. [I did like that green dress on her, though.] While Stuart is partially ecstatic, it leaves him without a dancing partner... until Haskell fills in at the last minute. They win. [what was Haskell even doing there? and how, exactly, did THEY win?? ]

The Exes: Stuart & Holly Have Body Issues...

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

I can't really put my finger on any specifics, but this episode made me laugh quite a bit! I think that, as we continue to build up the various characters, the situations will become funnier because of what we already know. Stuart acting awkward at a strip club probably wouldn't have been as great if we weren't aware of his sheltered life. Eden enjoying some of the "benefits" of pregnancy and wishing she had done it sooner only became more hilarious when you consider her background of promiscuity. Similarly, to see Phil go after a client as fiercely as he would a date rounded out his character a little more - maybe he IS more than a womanizer yet! And the ever-romantically-troubled Holly wrestling with "being herself" rang truer because we've seen just how hopeless she can be. Of course, we're still not getting a heckuva lot about Haskell, but all in due time!

The Exes "Lethal Weapons" (S02E05): Phil asks Haskell and Stuart to come with him to a strip club so that he can try to land a mixed-martial-arts client. [Phil certainly handles a wide variety of sports!] Stuart is hesitant, but goes along. Well, maybe he should have stayed home because he gets kicked in the head and winds up with a possible concussion and some slight amnesia. Stuart has to stay awake for 24 hours to be on the safe side, so Haskell and Phil take turns sitting with him. This plan isn't foolproof, though, as Phil wants to try to get that client again, but Haskell isn't around (he's out helping Holly). So, Phil slaps a helmet on Stuart and brings him along. Phil pitches to Tommy, but Stuart comes over and interrupts, acting kinda "special needs." Well, that actually wins him the client, as he likes an agent with heart! [yeah... this is only going to work for how long? Doesn't Phil think that Tommy will ever ask about Stuart or run into him again sometime? Though I could really get onboard with a running gag of Stuart having to act a certain way around one of Phil's clients...]

Now, onward to the ladies... Eden has gotten her "pregnancy boobs," which both she and Holly adore. While shopping for her new size, Eden picked up a gravity-defying bra for Holly, so they head out to the bar. [you do know this spells trouble, right?]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Holly almost immediately gets hit on by an English professor, Edward. [exactly how much time has gone by between the last episode and this one? because Eden is now REALLY showing.] Holly is seeing the professor again and wants to wear a regular bra to make sure that he likes her for who she is, but Eden argues she needs to wean the guy. [haha] Holly second-guesses herself and needs Haskell to go find her bra, which she threw out the window. He manages to retrieve it, but the underwire has bent and makes her all lopsided. [she wouldn't have noticed that while putting it on??] Of course, Edward winds up witnessing the shenanigans and she has to come clean. Of course, that inspires him to be honest... he wears elevator shoes and a toupee! [think we'll see him again??]

The Exes: Stuart's Dog & Eden's Baby

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Funniest moment of this episode: Phil unknowingly eats a dog muffin and hates it; Holly unknowingly eats a dog muffin and loves it. While we've all seen an episode of a show where a dog (or baby) is borrowed to pick up women, I thought that Phil (a serious womanizer) doing so would play out funnier. Biggest letdown: are we seriously allowing TWO surrogates named Eden on television right now? Because there's one over on Suburgatory, too. Can't anyone be original anymore?? Not that I think this will be a good storyline AT ALL, and I completely don't understand why a character like Eden would do such a thing, but maybe we'll get some good out of it in the end.

The Exes "Baby Mama" (S02E04): Stuart is cleaning the apartment because his dog, Chopin, is coming for a visit. [does the dog play the piano? LoL.] Stuart won't let his dog play with the toy Holly got for him because the paint is flaky and he could choke on the squeaker. [omg. he's like an obsessive parent!] The "dog taxi" is late so Stuart has to go to work and let Haskell play with the dog during the day. [I LOVE "whitepeopleproblems" !!] Later, Phil wants to take the pooch to the dog park to pick up girls, but Haskell is worried because he's responsible. [impressive. I wouldn't think he'd take it so seriously.] Well, $50 convinces Haskell to let the dog go. [ha! I totally believe that!] BUT, Phil brings back a different dog and can't remember the name of the woman he hooked up with - only the name of her dog. [that whole exchange as odd to me... some kid from grade school shares a name with a dog but you've never met someone with the same name as its owner?] They use a marker to color the dog's ear, and Stuart is confused when the dog pees on him instead of jumps on him. When the dog won't play "the cookie game," Stuart begins to suspect that the dog doesn't like him anymore. [I had to pause to laugh at "have you slept with this man? If so, I have your dog" posters with Phil's face on them! see below!] A woman brings by Chopin so all is well, but Stuart plays dumb when Phil confesses. Haskell catches on right away, but Phil runs out to "find Chopin." [...I've never been a fan of scenarios that we'll never see concluded, so this was a junky ending for me.]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Elsewhere, Holly wants to know where Eden got a Chanel handbag. [haha, "a sister"! but "lickity-split" AND "later gator" ?? no.] Turns out, she's getting gifts from the head of the firm! Holly gets Eden to spill that she's pregnant with the boss's baby, but it turns out that Eden is actually a surrogate for them, and is in her second trimester. [okay, Eden knew that she was leading on Holly, so she knew that a scene would come about.] Holly wants to help Eden, and Eden could use the support. [so... OCD baby shower in the works? But obviously it would be like the kind Rachel and Monica had for Phoebe on Friends, as Eden isn't keeping the baby...]

The Exes: Holly & Haskell, Stuart & Phil

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

When we first saw Holly wearing shoes that are clearly too small for her feet, I thought it was a ten-second gag. Little did I realize that they would be the impetus to one of the funniest parts about this episode! Though, hands down, the best joke was Stuart not realizing that the two black guys in the bar AREN'T Phil's two black friends from the previous night! It only made me laugh harder when Phil later said that everyone was cool with it and they want to mix up and see if Stuart could name them! I don't really get how you could make that mistake after spending a couple of hours with the original duo, but whatever. Holly & Haskell's hilarity made up for it.

The Exes "Cool Hand Lutz" (S02E03): [anybody else flashback to Step by Step's JT and Cody pouring chocolate sauce in their mouths when Phil squeezes mustard into his?] Stuart wants to hang out with Phil, but the latter has plans to see some old buddies. But, when Stuart shows up at the regular bar, he tries to mesh with Phil's friends anyway. [what a prickish thing to do.] Phil later tells Stuart that he took over the evening, but Stuart thinks everyone had a great time. [I didn't think that the milk mustache was that funny.] Stuart goes down to the bar and buys a round of beers for two guys who he thinks are Phil's friends, but he soon realizes his mistake. [WTF do you do in that situation??] Everyone thought it was hilarious, though, so Phil tells him that he's not as dorky as he thought.

Haskell needs a practice date, and Phil suggests Holly fill the role. She reluctantly agrees, and they set up something at a local Italian place. When Holly arrives, Haskell is already eating - she's late because he didn't pick her up. He also fails at getting her chair for her, then fusses about the menu prices. [geez.]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

However, things get better when Haskell gets to talking - he was a professional bowler, which is how he met his ex-wife, Margot. The date goes well in the end, though the kiss gets to be a little more than Holly was shooting for. Holly tells Eden that she's worried Haskell is now interested in her. [eh... I wouldn't be.] Haskell invites Holly to go out again, and as she goes to let him down gently, but when he offers to massage her feet (which have been crammed into too-small shoes for days), she winds up agreeing in ecstasy. [a footgasm? really?] The next time that she sees him, he starts trying to get to know her, but she orders him to do the foot thing again and he realizes he has to let her down. There's a misunderstanding with Haskell believing that Holly's interested in him, but they get past it.

The Exes: Stuart's Back in the Game

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

So, the theme song is a little catchier this episode, though I still think it was a bad move for the series. At least it's a real song, though... we all know how hard it has been to get one of those for a show these days! The episode itself, however, was a bit annoying to me. In the same way that some 2 Broke Girls episodes are - lots of sex jokes, pen!s jokes, and size jokes. Still, I found it to be a fairly amusing episode, though I disagreed with the scene toward the end where Holly goes up to Susan and nudges her about Stuart's fine points. Am I alone? What did you think of this episode? Or are you just realizing that this sitcom is back to new episodes, LoL?

The Exes "What Women Want" (S02E02): At the bar, Haskell explains that Phil gets the "power seat" because he's the "pack leader." [um, ok.] Stuart has his eye on a blonde who has been coming in, but he chickens out of making a move. Phil and Holly give him conflicting advice, and he decides to go for it... even though he only walks away with a "friend me on Facebook." [ouch!]

The next morning, the fact that Holly mooches food and eats out all the time becomes apparent, and after spilling some OJ on herself, she silently gets an eyeful of naked Stuart when going for a towel. He's apparently quite well-endowed, as Holly'd distracted at work and winds up spilling the secret to Eden. Of course, our pint-size paralegal (or assistant, whatever) makes excuses about Stuart needing to sign some more divorce papers. [ha!] Well, then it's only a matter of time before Haskell and Phil hear the story from Holly as well, with different reactions. Haskell freaks out and Phil doesn't believe it, so the three go to the gym sauna to check it out for themselves. [I was kinda interested in what their plan was going to be to get Stuart to disrobe... I wouldn't have anticipated him being the "remove the towel" type.]

facebook.com/TheExesTV

Back at the apartment, Haskell does all sorts of things for Stuart, who is confused by Holly's awkwardness around him when he teaches her to wash a cucumber when making a salad. [is a salad really a meal that you need to teach? seriously?] Later, at the bar, Susan isn't too into Stuart so Holly decides to spice it up by letting her know that he's "enormously gifted." Unfortunately, Susan is dense and Holly has to spell it out, so Stuart overhears and is embarrassed. That night, Holly apologizes, and it turns out that Stuart had sex with Susan, then took her out for coffee. Holly takes it as if she was the one that made that happen. [hahahaha, love it!]