Nothing to be Bored About
Episode Commentary: Stockholm Syndrome
Last Sunday marked HBO’s premiere of the series “Bored to Death,” which is based on a savvy and intelligent concept with potential that ultimately falls flat in the end. Similar to the main character, Jonathan Ames, the show is a semi-loveable slacker that, in the end, accidentally ends up letting people down.
However, the episode “Stockholm Syndrome” is only the first episode, and with some work this show can become a sleeper hit.
Ames (Jason Schwartzman) is helping his girlfriend move out of his place when the episode starts, and it is because of her major grievance with him due to his constant drinking wine and smoking pot. (In his defense, however, he has switched to white wine.) The first three minutes of the show are hysterical to watch and the potential is apparent, but a downhill slope begins to form.
The concept that follows is also great, because Ames decides to advertise as an unlicensed detective on Craigslist. That idea is the direct result of his love for detective fiction.
What really makes the show come alive is Schwartzman, who is able to make any character that he plays instantly charming, no matter how strange the story is. “I Heart Huckabees” and “Rushmore” have proved that Schwartzman is a great actor, and in “Bored to Death,” he is the driving force for the series. His reaction and timing are simply delightful.
Aside from the concept and the star, the other great thing about the show is the use of Brooklyn locations. A portion of the episode was filmed in Park Slope and Brighton Beach, which are utilized to create authentic characters. Not only that, but when he does his amateur sleuthing, the areas provide one great backdrop to everything.
What doesn’t work are the poor casting choices for the supporting cast. Ames’ pot-addicted boss (George Christopher) is played by Ted Danson, proving his heydays as Sam Malone from “Cheers” are long gone. This is a character that Peter Fonda could easily play in his sleep and bring a certain level of charm to it, but Danson is poorly miscast. In the two scenes that he has, all he does is whine about giving up pot and then the joys of taking it up again. He becomes a nuisance to the storyline and the initial structure set forth.
On top of that annoying character, you have Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover”) as Ames’ best friend, Ray Hueston. The problem with Hueston is that he is not funny nor interesting, creating another nuisance in the series, which slows down the pace.
What manages to keep your attention throughout is that Ames’ case is mildly interesting, as he tries to locate a missing person last seen with a methadone addict. When Ames discovers where the missing sister is and tries to confront the crazed man, it makes for one of the funniest moments of the fall season.
“Bored to Death” is a far cry from the title, but only time will tell where this show is headed. It is worth another viewing when the new episode premieres Sunday, and if that is not satisfactory, then this series may not be worth your small bit of time before returning to work on Monday mornings.
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