Will & Grace Review: The Real McCoy (Season 10 Episode 13)
Signed to appear in four episodes this season, Matt Bomer’s return on Will and Grace Season 10 Episode 13, “The Real McCoy,” is not a surprise, but it is a far more effective — and interesting — turn than his last appearance on Will and Grace Season 10 Episode 8, “Anchor Away.”
While Matt Bomer’s first outing as McCoy failed miserably at making him a character that was sympathetic or overly interesting beyond his beautiful (and it’s oh so beautiful) face, this episode peels back some layers, showing some of McCoy’s vulnerabilities, and even better, showcasing Bomer’s abilities as a comedic actor.
Because Bomer is much better known for his dramatic work on White Collar and The Normal Heart, it was not immediately clear if his lackluster debut was the result of deficient writing for his character or a reflection of some of his weaknesses in comedy. This episode makes a strong case for the former.
When given material he can truly play with, Bomer actually milks every opportunity for a laugh, ranging from convincingly desperate, love-crazed eyes as he comes on too strong to Will to sad, flat delivery of lines discussing how he knows what “[Will’s mother’s] house looks like from Google Earth.”
It’s a huge relief since he’s set to appear on at least two more episodes (with the potential possibility for more, since Will and Grace is a show that likes to cycle some of its favorite guest stars in and out).
It will be interesting to see how McCoy navigates being in a relationship where he’s emotionally invested for the first time, inevitably making some mistakes — and hopefully some romantic gestures — along the way.
How the show handles Will’s approach to this relationship is also important; he does have a tendency to cut-and-run at the first sign of red flags, but he did not here.
With that said, it still feels as though the show is subtly hinting at unresolved tension between Jack and Will.
It’s hard to make sense of where the show writers really stand on this potential coupling in the long run but let’s be clear: something is simmering between these two longtime friends.
The other main plotline on this episode focuses on the conclusion of Grace’s campaign “to be president of the people who tell other people where to put wallpaper,” as Karen explains it.
It also marks the return of Val (Molly Shannon), a perennial guest star on the original iteration of Will and Grace. Val is not my favorite character but Shannon accurately recaptures her chaotic energy.
Conveniently, Val is a voting member of the guild and Grace needs her vote to seal her election.
Karen, now acting as Grace’s campaign manager, uses some creative tactics to persuade her, and Val, in true form, acts out again, attempting to steal the election from Grace and lock her outside on a balcony.
Two things stand out about this storyline. First, it’s Will and Grace‘s excellent ability to comment on politics and society indirectly, including insightful jokes with just enough of a wink and a nudge as if to say, “See what we did there?”
The show continues to get better at being responsive to the political and pop culture climate without coming off overly topical.
On this episode, the commentary is directed at corruption. When Karen’s crooked deals (on behalf of Grace) are revealed, yet Grace still wins, Grace is conflicted and aghast.
Karen clarifying that people likely voted for Grace because they knew she was corrupt is funny but also sadly pointed. It’s almost shocking Mullally doesn’t wink at the camera and give the audience a knowing shrug. Or a finger gun.
The second thing that stands out about the Grace storyline is that while it’s easy to see coming that Grace will sit on the bird’s nest outside her apartment window in order to keep the baby birds warm, that fact ultimately doesn’t take away from any its humor.
Seeing exactly how Grace finds herself in the predicament, and the literal bird’s nest her hair becomes once she escapes from a hawk attack and shows up bedraggled at her victory party is still completely satisfying.
Stray observations:
- I’ve noticed a few predictions/hopes I’ve mentioned in these reviews ultimately come to fruition in the series (including this episode’s title). Have I tapped into The Secret?!
- Does anyone else think Matt Bomer looks eerily like the painting hanging up in Will’s apartment? (See photo above!)
What did you think of this episode of Will and Grace and what do you hope happens next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Will and Grace airs Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.
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Cristina Iskander
Cristina is a Broadway enthusiast, book lover, and pop-culture fanatic living in New York City. She once won a Fantasy Bachelor contest (yes, like Fantasy Football, but for The Bachelor), and can banter about old school WB (Pacey + Joey FTW) just as well as Stranger Things and Pen15. She's still upset Benson and Stabler never got together and is worried Rollins and Carisi are headed down the same road, wants justice for Shangela, and hopes to one day walk-and-talk down a hallway with Aaron Sorkin.
One thought on “Will & Grace Review: The Real McCoy (Season 10 Episode 13)”
bomer is great at comedy, check out his “acting class” from glee!
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