Entourage 5/2: Vinny Chase mans up!
(HBO Photo)
In the days following the season 5 premiere episode, the talk around the Let's Blog It Out offices (OK, so it's really the Newsday office, but whatever) centered around the short duration of a down-and-out Vince on the beach.
Joey Jitsu and I lamented how it didn't last the entire episode. Not because of the insanely hot women running around Vince's little Mexican beach hut (actually shot in Oahu). Rather, we wanted to see the hardship and struggle for the entire episode because of its unique plot twist.
Then along came Season 5, Episode 2.
What we saw here was a continuation of the movie star's fall from A-list to "movie jail," as Ari Gold put it. That's to be expected, since all we heard on the red carpet two weeks ago was how Vince is going to struggle this season.
But what we also saw was honesty and legitimate vulnerability. Ari Gold confessed his true feelings about Vince's future during a round of golf with Mark Wahlberg. He did the same with Vince in his office a few scenes later. Even Vince, the typically unflappable fella, questioned his own career worth (as opposed to his Season 2 Mandy Moore meltdown).
More importantly, we also finally saw Vincent Chase really man up. Gone was that "Dude, whatever happens happens and we'll go back to Queens and work at Sbarro if we have to if E and Ari can't figure something out" attitude.
Arriving was a "Hey, maybe I should man up and take control of my life and make something happen for myself" attitude. Vince claims he's ready "to play the game" that Hollywood is.
Honestly, it was extremely refreshing to see. I tend to view Vince as the shiny nickel in a handful of old dimes. It stands out more than the others in your hand because of its luster, but that dull dime has more value.
That's not to cheapen Vince at all. The premise of "Entourage" requires a movie star, but the other characters more often than not have better scenes and storylines. Granted, that's part of plot evolution.
This week, however, Vince made a statement. How it pans out career-wise, we'll find out as this season unfolds. In the meantime, this should be a very encouraging late Sunday night/early Monday morning for "Entourage" fans (you know, aside from that whole Lehman Brothers and the impending destruction of our financial institutions thing).
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Comments (5)
I didn't love the episode...but I loved that office scene. It was awesome. I would like it if he had to do a supporting cast role and not be the star so easily. Please no spoilers!!
Entourage Season 5 Episode 2 what was that song that played at the end as the drove off?
Mark, its a group called 'Phoenix' song name, 'if I ever feel better'
Someone made me a mix back in like 05 with that song on it. Great tune.
Richie G,
i've heard quite a few people say Episode 2 was boring or lame or whack, but I disagree.
I thought it was great to see a different type of show this time, one that's doesn't hit every typical topic we're used to seeing as if the producers had a checklist to go through.
I think we're going to see a lot of things we're not used to seeing in past seasons. once all 12 episodes air, we can look back overall and see what happens. in the meantime, enjoy the ride.
Mark I agree...I wish more people would enjoy the ride. I didn't think episode 2 was a great episode, but there are few scenes I liked better than Vince in Ari's office.
BTW, why did that hot agent cut all her hair off?!?!? C'mon.