TMC
06-28-2022, 09:18 PM
https://jacksonupperco.com/2022/06/28/the-ten-best-empty-nest-episodes-of-season-two/
Of course, as we know, Empty Nest never takes as much advantage of their individual characterizations in plot as, say, The Golden Girls, but there are some ripe personas here — particularly Carol’s — and the elevated “understanding” of them, plus the opportunities for story encouraged by that aforementioned Season One midpoint retooling, helps ensure that the entire cast is now more capable than ever of episodically satisfying the premise of widower Harry and his two girls adjusting to their new reality. Thus, with character and premise in better form than ever before, Empty Nest’s sophomore year is an obvious improvement, and, as usual, when these leads’ narrative stock improves, so do their comedic capacities, rendering this a funnier collection as well. Meanwhile, the peripheral members of the ensemble — Laverne and Charley — also get better material, moving from sidelined laugh-providers to reliable subplot anchors, with gradually increasing depth. In fact, this is a really seminal year for Laverne, as we meet her baseball player husband Nick, learn about their relationship, and get to see more of the dynamic between her and Harry. This makes for some of the most memorable episodes — sometimes rivaling the more classic entries that centralize the sisterly tension at home, boasting the premise as support. So, while the macro concerns about Empty Nest’s relative mediocrity in relation to other sitcoms remain, by the unique standards of this show, Two is our peak example of the series as a situation comedy — its best season at using the elements of this “situation” in story for comedy.
Of course, as we know, Empty Nest never takes as much advantage of their individual characterizations in plot as, say, The Golden Girls, but there are some ripe personas here — particularly Carol’s — and the elevated “understanding” of them, plus the opportunities for story encouraged by that aforementioned Season One midpoint retooling, helps ensure that the entire cast is now more capable than ever of episodically satisfying the premise of widower Harry and his two girls adjusting to their new reality. Thus, with character and premise in better form than ever before, Empty Nest’s sophomore year is an obvious improvement, and, as usual, when these leads’ narrative stock improves, so do their comedic capacities, rendering this a funnier collection as well. Meanwhile, the peripheral members of the ensemble — Laverne and Charley — also get better material, moving from sidelined laugh-providers to reliable subplot anchors, with gradually increasing depth. In fact, this is a really seminal year for Laverne, as we meet her baseball player husband Nick, learn about their relationship, and get to see more of the dynamic between her and Harry. This makes for some of the most memorable episodes — sometimes rivaling the more classic entries that centralize the sisterly tension at home, boasting the premise as support. So, while the macro concerns about Empty Nest’s relative mediocrity in relation to other sitcoms remain, by the unique standards of this show, Two is our peak example of the series as a situation comedy — its best season at using the elements of this “situation” in story for comedy.