Given how loaded down my recapping slate is with shows that are dark and serious, I may have been a little overprepared to embrace the return of Pushing Daisies. But I'd like to think that I haven't let that prejudice my opinion and that these first two episodes truly have been my favorite episodes I've seen of anything since this blog began (with the possible exception of "Six Month Leave).
After last season ended with a series of bombshells, this season picked up (almost nine months after the last episode aired!) with an episode designed to gently glide viewers back into the show. Indeed, those first few minutes were a tad on the tedious side, but once we got through all the recap, the show picked up right where it left off. The bee mystery was compelling, if needlessly complex (a common complaint about the show's mysteries). However, the procedural element is really just an excuse to get to further mine the whimsical world of Pushing Daisies. I loved the idea of Chuck as the inside man and the show found a lot of humor in the little moments of Emerson listening in.
However, I think I enjoyed the second episode even more, if only because of the car crash that, of course, contained 15 clowns. I think we all knew that was coming but it was such a good joke, that I didn't care. The idea of a circus in general fits in quite well with the show's aesthetic, and I thought that the mystery was a little bit more interesting, if only because it broke the show's standard formula. We also got a lot of insight into Emerson, who's bitterness stems from the fact that he too has a missing daughter. I hope that is a thread that continues this season because, as much as I love Emerson's sarcasm, this new development gives him a lot of room to grow. I also have to give a shout-out to Rachael Harris, who was hilarious and touching as the cold mother.
Meanwhile, running through both episodes was some excellent development with Olive, Lily, and Vivian. For Olive, keeping the many secrets buzzing around in her head (sorry) meant having to move into a nunnery. Lily followed her there, in order to make sure her secret was safe. There are two moments I want to particularly extoll: first was when she contemplated charging the poor kids with robbery and second was her interaction with Pigby (as well as Jim Dale's spot on narration). However, the most welcome change may have come with Lily and Vivian; two characters who spent all of last season doing pretty much nothing. Getting them out into the world, and even separating them for a little bit, was a great move that helped develop their characters and give each of them a little attention. Lily was, as always, hilariously salty (I particularly enjoyed that she smuggled her flask into the nunnery) and the scene with Vivian and Chuck was just heartbreaking.
The overriding notion of both these episodes was that of a new beginning, fitting for a show that aired very briefly before disappearing. However, this may turn out to be a new end, as well, since the ratings for the first two episodes have been quite dire. In a way, I think the decision to hold production after the strike resolved may have been a tough one. The show was a surprise hit last year, but leaving it off for so long probably caused it to evaporate in the minds of many (it didn't help that ABC didn't rerun it).
However, let's not dwell on the bad news. Watching these two episodes felt like reconnecting with an old friend who knew you liked, but whose good qualities you couldn't remember until you were actually there. This show is witty, funny, whimsical, fast-paced, delightful, and touching. It can at times get too twee, too sentimental, or too complex, but there are few shows that are as willing and proud to be different as this one. It is funny that the show is essentially a crime drama, and yet I think nothing better rebels against the CSI-genre of shows that has come to take over television than this one. Not everything has to be dark and serious, and there's still room for a little whimsy and fun. And delicious, delicious pie.
Bzzzzzz! - A-
Circus Circus - A
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