Bridget Everett, Blazing Trails

The penultimate episode of "Somebody Somewhere," this year, has a script by Patricia Breen, who once made a mark on "Frasier," and on "Big Love." Breen seems to be particularly alert in her daily life.

How would this be clear? From Breen's attention to detail. A family meets for family therapy. The well-intentioned therapist asks which of the grown daughters should start -- and this would seem to be fine, except that it's a near-fatal error. One daughter, Tricia, says, "This would go much better if you'd just choose a speaker." A small bomb has exploded. The aging mother says: "Tricia is my pretty one." Sam snorts. The mother says: "Sam is my smart one." And it's a small leap from this breathtaking moment of cruelty to a prolonged screaming match. After one person storms off, Tricia has the perfect, childish ending for the scene: "Dr. Smith, did that unfold the way you'd wanted?"

On a similar note, the course of Sam's professional crisis is surprising and inevitable. A boss uses language we all might recognize: "Since I've become your mentor, you're really shining. You could get a promotion if you wait three years....OR, if you'd consider a switch to I/T, I see many paths toward advancement....I/T is where the grass is really green.....right now...." What a treat to see Sam's resignation, Sam's commitment to a Sam Plan, and Sam's return to her high-school songwriting journals ("I HAVE A PUSSY!!! .....") In these scenes, I feel like I'm reading someone's memoir. I think this is how televised fiction *should* feel.

It's been a joy to spend this season with Bridget Everett.

P.S. Sam's mother has my attention; I don't know of many TV characters like her. As soon as the mother is in the spotlight, she hides behind hyperbole and self-pity. ("Well, I guess if it snows in January.....it's all my fault.....") I admire the writers' interest in a spiritually maimed character -- and I also sense compassion for this character (which is impressive).

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