Episode Commentary 1.5: The Case of the Lonely White Dove

“Bored to Death” is starting to mature into an interesting television series, and that potential seen in the first episode is even more apparent in the fifth episode, entitled “The Case of the Lonely White Dove.” A great use of the sitcom format to tell unusual stories, plus some great authentic locations in Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn , allow one major flaw to be overlooked.

Let’s get started by discussing the flaw first, and that is the performance and character that Ted Danson has created in George Christopher. In “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Danson is delightful as himself, but in “Bored to Death” he creates a whiny, unsympathetic character that is impossible to like. In this episode, on the advice of his therapist, he decides to experiment with his sexuality with a male escort. What planet is the writer on that finds this trash funny? This character doesn’t seem normal, and is becoming more outlandish by each episode. They need to retire this character to make the show more enjoyable for real people.

The rest of the episode worked well, as Jonathan is sent to Brighton Beach to locate a nightclub singer that broke his client’s heart. The episode is filmed mostly on along the Coney Island boardwalk.

Also, Jonathan attempts to use the case to kill two birds with one stone by giving his wife the Brighton Beach evening she never had while he searches for the woman. Of course, the usual comical results and calamities happen for our poor young hero, but in this episode, a real emotional investment is apparent.

Jonathan even gets to prove his manhood when Russian hoods attack his client and he doesn’t run, which proves this little man is not a chicken.

It is safe to say that “Bored to Death” is finally on the right track to being a good sitcom, and a strong second season can redeem the slow start of this one.

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