Will & Grace Review: Filthy Phil Part II (Season 11 Episode 13)

It’s not a great sign when I find myself pleasantly surprised by how much I am laughing at a Will & Grace episode, but nevertheless, that’s where we are in this weird, strange, final march for the series.

Will & Grace Season 11 Episode 13 “Filthy Phil Part II” is mostly successful, churning out more consistent laughs than most of the season. There are a few missteps of logic — more on that later — but these are relatively minor and don’t distract from the delights of this episode too much.

The Core Four have been separated for most this season and it’s caused a noticeable decline in quality. One of this show’s strengths is its cast’s chemistry and ability to play well off one another and it’s been profoundly frustrating watching the characters go off on their separate journeys and storylines.

Furthermore, these narrative choices don’t actually seem to be part of a larger strategic direction to show how your life can stray from your friends’ lives as you age.

No, this seems to be a misguided attempt to cram as many stories as possible into the season or control for some behind the scenes drama. Either way, it’s been a problem.

Seeing Karen, Grace, and Will in scenes together these past few episodes — for the first time in ages — only draws more attention to the absence of these over the season, and I hope that this two-parter represents a turning point for the season.

There are only a few episodes left, and I’d rather the group actually spend them together (though seriously….when is Grace actually going to start looking pregnant and not like she had an extra large portion of stew?)

Vanessa Bayer’s appearance is a welcome one, and while her character, Friday, seems increasingly bizarre, it is nice to see the show write to Bayer’s strengths.

She possesses a rare ability to deliver wacky and clipped dialogue in a wholly earnest way. That is utilized well here and every time her character appears, she is more enjoyable, which isn’t always the case with guest stars. 

She also is a complete foil to the energy of Karen’s other main sidekick, Rosario, and it’s a nice change of pace to see Karen surrounded by such a pure character.

When it comes to Phil, the show backtracks a little, trying to quickly explain that Karen suspected he wasn’t totally earnest but that she wanted to be loved so badly that she willed herself to believe him.

To some extent, I can see this. Over the years, and especially during the revival, we’ve seen deeper shades of vulnerability in Karen. As brazen as she can be, she does sometimes get worn down and willingly submits to relationships that are less healthy.

However, even keeping this in mind, it doesn’t totally make sense given why she broke things off with Jenny’s brother, Luke. At the time, she wasn’t ready for a relationship. Now suddenly she’s willing to believe a guy who makes her think she’s “the sun and moon”?

Forgive my incredulity, but it didn’t make sense on the last episode and it doesn’t make sense on this one. Try again, writers.

On Will & Grace Season 11 Episode 12 “Filthy Phil, Part 1,” Jack’s storyline was far stronger than the Will/Grace/Karen one. That’s still true on this episode but to a lesser extent.

My one criticism is that it doesn’t follow that Jack would launch the opening of the bar without Karen or Will’s presence.

Given how involved Karen’s been in so many of Jack’s ventures, I don’t believe that she would simply stay in her loved-up cocoon and not make her presence known nor do I believe Will could hold back from making a sassy, judgmental, but ultimately supportive comment about Jack’s new business.

Beyond that, Jack’s storyline is classic Jack, showcasing his optimism, his foolishness, and his ability to use both to his advantage. Truly, he “[Zelwegers] so hard.”

The Cheers and Lin Manuel Miranda references are a delight (I won’t spoil them for anyone who hasn’t caught up on this episode yet) and director James Burrows’ appearance is a lovely Easter egg for any longtime fan.

T.R. Knight’s brief stint as stuffy Dexter Murphy, writer for the Gayzette, is also quite funny though his appearance came with almost no fanfare, which I found surprising.

Despite limited screen time, Knight’s character, much like Nicole Sullivan’s on the last episode, is fully formed and distinct. I’d happily see him again.

(Though seriously, Will and Grace, enough with the asides about people in the queer community who aren’t just gay men. Earlier this season, there was snark about bisexuals, and on this episode, it was jokes about individuals who are transitioning. I can have a sense of humor about some things, but this is a deeply annoying and concerning pattern).

I’m not sure where the series goes from here. With only a small number of episodes left for the revival, it feels as though there’s a lot of things to tie up.

Will Jack be able to find his rhythm as a business owner? How will Grace and Will adjust to parenthood? Will Karen find someone to love (and sell that stupid baseball team) or is her greater destiny learning how to be strong on her own?

It doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of time to wrap all of these stories up. 

What did you think of this episode of Will & Grace?  How do you want the series to wrap up (this time)? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Will & Grace airs Thursdays at 9:00/8:00c on NBC.

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