Episode Title: 'A Hole in her Niqab'
Writer: David Holstein
Director: Eric Jewett
Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) may fancy herself a shrewd business woman, but it's really the wheeling and dealing of emotions that she excels at. Nancy's a taker and in this fourth episode of the season, we're reminded, yet again, how the ends always justify the means with the Hemptress.
With her toddler son's educational prospects hanging in the balance, Nancy hatches a plan to get back in the drug game. Yes, her intentions are good but its Nancy's methods that lead to everyone else's madness. And what frustration I once felt at the Botwin matriarch's dismissive attitude towards her family's needs is now aimed at the Botwin boys' general lack of backbone in dealing with dear old mom.
Certifiable psycho, Shane (Alexander Gould), feels the need to recreate Nancy's old Agrestic bedroom in a bid to win her love and attention. Meanwhile, Silas (Hunter Parrish) exercises his hostility towards Nancy via Chinese food, but ultimately hands over the duck when she asks nicely. We've had six seasons to come to an understanding with Nancy Botwin as the selfish, dislikable, borderline sociopathic anti-heroine of this show; but watching her kids get dragged through her messes again and again can get a bit stale. New city, same old Nancy and the boys are along for the ride, yet again.
As for Andy (Justin Kirk), his sexual escapades are usually one of the highlights of a season of "Weeds," but his tryst with the polyamorous art house couple doesn't come close to the fun he had with Yael and Alannis Morissette.
And speaking of guest stars, I'm hoping Nancy leans more towards drug hook-up, Dmitri (Pablo Schreiber) than the Doug's boss. Martin Short is creeptastic as Nancy's new lawyer and I'm thrilled to see Jennifer Jason Leigh back as Nancy's high-strung sister, Jill, even if it is over Skype. And watching her two little terror twins toy with Nancy was a special treat.
It's still early in the season, but I'm already starting to wonder what exactly Nancy's endgame is. After seven seasons, a generous run for any show, I'm still not sure where or how these characters should end up. It's hard to root for a protagonist when you're not even convinced that she deserves to be happy.
Honestly, the only character in the current cast who has my undying love is Andy. But as long as he remains in Nancy's orbit, there's little hope for a happy ending there.
Crave Online Rating: 7 out of 10.
