The Grinder Review: Grinder V. Grinder (Season 1 Episode 13)
Sometimes (most times), The Grinder doesn’t need to be over-the top to work. And yet, The Grinder is a comedy, so a little over-the-top here and there never really hurt anyone. Especially when it’s as well done as this.
For a comedy, The Grinder is a complicated show, full of in-jokes and meta commentary on Hollywood and the practice of law. That makes it both delightful and a hard show to follow if you’re a new fan, which is a shame, because you should be watching this show. Everyone should. I’ve said it before, but I have no qualms repeating it, The Grinder is the smartest comedy of this season, and quite possibly, of the last few years.
This episode is a perfect example why. Timothy Olyphant returns as Grinder 2.0, The Grinder’s brother, the poor man’s Grinder, The Grinder: New Orleans, or whatever you want to call him. He’s presumably back to spend time with Claire (and is that relationship moving faster that Claire would want or what?), but really, he also wants to learn how to play a lawyer more convincingly. He wants to learn about the law. And, Dean, of course, is ready to teach him.
Rob Lowe has, to this point, played Dean’s delusions perfectly. Dean’s not a bad guy and, for all that he’s not as smart as his brother Stewart, he’s not stupid either. He’s just got no self-awareness. That’s always funny when contrasted with Stewart’s excess of consciousness, especially because, half the time, Stewart ends up abetting Dean. When you put the two of them against someone as oblivious as Dean, well, there’s just comedic gold to be had.
Especially because Claire finally, finally, gets to join the fun. Lowe and Savage have gotten most of the good lines (and the raves) so far this season, but I’ve been saying all along that Morales has not just the comedic timing, but the story to be another foil to Dean. Maybe the show didn’t think they needed it. Maybe Stewart was enough. But now, with two of them, Stewart and Claire have to join forces.
It’s beautiful. It’s funny. It’s perfectly paced, well-written, and superbly acted. But, then again, The Grinder has always been all of those things.
And that’s exactly why you (me, everyone) should be watching.
Other things to note:
- How many times can Dean possibly use ER to make a point? How many?
- Though I admit I enjoy that he’s mixing the doctors up.
- Natalie Morales is a joy to watch, even if she’s stuck playing the same scene over and over again.
- Debbie being the mastermind behind the whole Grinder vs. Grinder thing is my favorite thing ever.
- I love when Dean refers to Timothy Olyphant by his full name.
- “Uh, your honor, motion to hang on a second.” – The line of the episode.
- Claire and Debbie FINALLY met. Hallelujah! And the best part, the show even got meta about it, when Claire remarked how weird it was that they hadn’t.
What did you think of this week’s episode of The Grinder? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Grinder airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox.
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz
Lawyer. Writer. Columnist. Geek. Falls in madly in love with fictional characters. Hates the color yellow, misogyny, and people who are late. Can always be found with a book. Watches an absurd amount of TV every week, often, while eating coffee ice cream. She has no regrets. You can check out her blog here: Absurday. Lissete is a senior writer for Tell-Tale TV. Follow @lizziethat