The Grinder Review: Full Circle (Season 1 Episode 22)

In this episode, The Grinder comes “Full Circle. And if this is the end, if this is the end …then what a way to go.

(May it just be the beginning, please. May it just be the beginning.)

Family is the bedrock of society, Dean says. And society is the bedrock of justice.

Or something.

Ultimately, it doesn’t much matter that Dean’s argument makes no sense, just as it doesn’t really matter that Stewart’s arguments always made too much sense. The Grinder isn’t really about the law. Law is just the vehicle.

The Grinder is about family. About the Sandersons in general, yes, but about Dean and Stewart in particular. About two people who grew up together, who always loved each other, but who never really saw eye to eye.

About two brothers who weren’t really a team, not till this particular moment.

You think it’s been fun seeing them get to this place? Imagine how much fun we could have now that they are finally sorta, maybe, perhaps on the same page.

Stewart is still going to be Stewart. Dean is still going to be Dean. But, maybe, from time to time, they can still remember the good things about what the other person is doing.

And, even when they don’t, we’re still going to enjoy it.

We’re going to enjoy a show that makes fun of itself, and of other shows. We’re going to enjoy a comedy that doesn’t sell its soul for a few cheap laughs. We’re going to enjoy seeing brotherly love.

I talk in the future tense because that’s the only way I can write this review. I’m not ready to say goodbye to the bright spot in the week. I’m not ready to say goodbye to this talented cast that still has so much more to offer.

Will I ever be?

Doubtful. So, instead, I’m going to focus the rest on my energy on listing my hopes for season two:

1. I want more of Dean and Stewart’s opposing viewpoints and how they can still disagree on everything and agree on the most important thing – their love for each other.
2. I want more of Lizzie and Ethan, two well-rounded and three dimensional characters.
3. I want more of Debbie and Claire, because women power.
4. I want more of Stewart and Debbie, because I find their relationship the ideal most of us should aspire to.
5. I want more of Todd, the character I always expected to hate and never quite managed to.
6. I want more of Dean Sr. and maybe a glimpse at Dean and Stewart’s extended family.
7. I just want them back. All of them.

Notice how I didn’t say I don’t want to see any of this? How I want more, not less? Did you notice, FOX? Did you?

I hope you did. I hope you’re smart. I hope you give this show a chance to find its footing. I hope I haven’t seen the last of the Sandersons.

This show has legs. It has smarts. And, even more importantly than that, this show has heart.

Plenty of it. And it can, and should go on.

For as long as we want it to

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The Grinder  airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox.

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