Episode Titles: "It's Time (Part 1)" & "It's Time (Part 2)"
Writer: Jenji Kohan
Director: Michael Trim
Previously on "Weeds":
Episode 8.11 "God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise"
It's what we wanted right? For everyone to end up happily settled in spite of the havoc Nancy's wreaked on the lives of those closest to her. And it looks like the Botwin clan and company have all made good for themselves.
The first, only and last one-hour episode of "Weeds" took us to the future. We know this because Shane (Alexander Gould) has a ridiculous mustache, Silas (Hunter Parrish) has a baby and Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) has highlights. Also everyone's cellphone are transparent and feature projected keyboards.
At first. the flash-forward was a bit disappointing in that it made it seem like everything that went on in the present during this season was kinda pointless. But as the episode went on, the jump ahead felt right as it allowed us to catch up with a number of characters from season's past and see what's become of Nancy's youngest charge, Stevie.
On the down side, a lot of that catching up was in the form of talking rather than showing (Isabelle is now Bruce?!) but with eight years of history, there was much ground to cover. We did however see the fruits of Nancy and Silas' labor in a legit pot cafe franchise. In the future, the times finally caught up with Nancy and her MILF weed.
As for Stevie, Nancy chose to keep his Mexican drug cartel heritage a secret. The perpetual black widow, Nancy married Rabbi Dave, who acted as Stevie's father until he drove off a cliff. But when Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz) bends Stevie's ear about his father's legacy, he decides to forgo his bar mitzvah, choosing to find out who he is first.
Interestingly, Nancy also faced the question of becoming the woman she wants to be. After stressing over Andy's late arrival for a good part of the hour, the two finally have a sit down chat where Nancy pleads with Andy (Justin Kirk) to come back. Now living in Lenny's (who we learn died four years earlier) house in Ren Mar with his daughter, Andy doesn't want to get mixed up with Nancy again, at least not in that way. It's clear he's become a much more grounded, wiser man over the years and not just because of those extra flecks of grey hair. Andy urges Nancy to embrace her new freedom and become the woman she wants to be. But she'll have to do it on her own.
Nancy had a similar moment with Silas. When she asks him to try to reason with Megan, who insists on keeping Nancy's granddaughter away from her, Silas refuses. Nancy accuses him of getting off on Megan's treatment of his mother, but Silas simply says it's not his problem. He's happy and has let go of any resentments towards Nancy. And to see him beaming as he says it, you can't help but believe him.
Unfortunately, Shane hasn't evolved like Andy and SIlas. Still paling around with Ouellette, he's boozing it up big time which has Nancy worried. But by the end of the hour, she's convinced him to go to rehab and it looks there's hope for the most damaged Botwin.
A few other observations about "Weeds" series finale:
- The episode was actually funny, something "Weeds" hasn't been for a while. Stevie's Bar Mitzvah speech where he "called bullshit" on religion was classic. Also, the Scarface get-up after learning the truth about Esteban.
- "Guru Doug's" face on his tour bus was hilariously haunting. It was also sweet to see him make up with Josh. Turns out Doug once sucked a d***. Like father, like son.
- Another hilarious moment in this series finale? Shane hitting a new low when he shot a cake. Lucky for him, the baker was Russian.
- Poor China Von Katz, realizing that she's not Jewish, she's Chinese as her lesbian parents try to calm her down. Again, a scene that harkens back to "Weeds'" better, funnier times.
- Silas named his daughter, "Flora." Cute but also kinda makes you groan.
For all the criticism leveled at "Weeds" over the past few years, "It's Time" was a celebration of everything that's good, or rather was once good, about the show. There was a return to the kind of biting humor and surprisingly tender moments that made "Weeds" a hit to begin with. With Nancy now out on her own after selling her business to Starbucks, we're left to wonder where life will take her next. As she told her Southern Big Tobacco subsidizer, she's done having wild adventures and her family doesn't really need her in the same way anymore, though they all still love her.
The last scene in the episode was a long quiet goodbye as Nancy, Silas, Shane, Doug and Andy passed a joint around as they sat in silence with knowing expressions on their faces. With so much chaos over the years, it was a sweet way to go out. Maybe the past few seasons haven't been so great, but all's well that ends well.
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