On Thursdays, I take a detailed and critical look at a TV show. This year, I will be splitting full seasons into two posts. Here's a look at Season 2 (Part 2) of Perfect Strangers! For Part 1, click here
At Christmas time, Balki and Larry get snowed in in Chicago and can't go see their family.
The first Christmas episode is a pretty standard sitcom episode but I'm a sucker for snowed in episodes (it's one of those tropes I love even though I acknowledge it's a trope). That being said, Larry is kind of a pain during the first half of the episode. I know that's the point but ugh, sometimes he's just plain annoying and not in a lovable way. Overall though, this is a sweet episode that veers a little sappy sometimes but that's ok, it's a Christmas episode. And one in the 1980s at that.
RATING: 7/10
18. Dog Gone Blues (1/7/87)
Balki brings home a dog and they try to keep Mr. Twinkacetti from finding out about him.
I have probably mentioned in other series that I'm not usually a fan of dog-themed episodes even though I am a fan of dogs. This one is pretty funny though because the plot is more about hiding the dog than the dog himself. There's some pretty good comedy moments while they are trying to hide and cover for the dog. However, the show takes a little too much of a sappy turn towards the end. I'm more forgiving of it with Christmas episodes, but this can't happen with every episode for a show like this.
RATING: 5.5/10
19. Since I Lost My Baby (1/14/87)
Mr. Twinkacetti moves in with Larry and Balki after a fight with his wife and they try to get the couple back together.
This is a rough episode because it's centered on Mr. Twinkacetti, a pretty worthless character. It seems like they're sort of trying to make him a character similar to Danny DeVito in Taxi and while Ernie Sabella has been great in other things (Pumbaa!), this was not a good role for him. I do think this episode was the show's attempt to give him more dimension and I guess it works to an extent, but I don't think it redeems the character or makes him better.
RATING: 3.5/10
20. Trouble in Paradise (1/21/87)
Larry and Balki try to outdo each other in the kitchen when they invite Jennifer and Mary Anne to dinner.
If the previous episode tried to establish Mr. Twinkacetti more as a character, this one seems to be an attempt to make Jennifer and Mary Anne more dimensional characters even though the main part of the plot is still about the two leads. This is a little more successful because they have more potential as characters and are less caricatures. But I still don't think the show has done enough with making them dimensional characters, it's still completely based on how they play off of Balki and Larry.
RATING: 5/10
Larry tries to help Balki get rid of his insomnia by helping him think about his dreams.
This episode is alright. I'm never a big fan of insomnia stories because it always seems a little overplayed. That is certainly true in the scene at the store where an attempt at some physical comedy with a sleepy Balki falls very flat. As Larry attempts to actually delve into the root of Balki's insomnia and discusses his dreams, there are some funnier parts. There is also a sweet end to the episode. But overall, it's just ok.
RATING: 5/10
22. Tux for Two (2/4/87)
Balki gets to go with Larry to a formal party after Jennifer's plans change but Larry worries Balki will embarrass him.
This is one of those episodes where the end of it seems pretty predictable from the very beginning of the episode. Do you think Balki will get to go? And when we know he can, do we think Larry will be worried about him but mess things up himself and/or end up defending Balki? Of course we do and all those things happen. With a predictable plot, it's all in the execution and it's decent here. There are some good moments despite the predictability especially some of Balki's moments at the party (and his outfit!)
RATING: 6/10
23. Ten Speed and a Soft Touch (2/11/87)
Larry and Balki spend time with a boy who seems heading for juvenile delinquency and then think he stole Larry's bike.
Ah, the dreaded "delinquent kid" trope. That is one of my least favorite tropes in all of TV, these episodes perhaps bother me even more than dog episodes. We have a pretty obnoxious kid here but where this episode does succeed is in not making him too big a part of the episode. That being said, we are 23 episodes in and the show seems pretty content on making Balki almost always the right one in disagreements between the two main characters. It certainly doesn't help me like Larry more as a character.
RATING: 5/10
Larry tries to become a ski expert quickly to impress Jennifer when they go on a ski trip but Balki is upset with his lying.
The first two part episode, this one has the fun setting of a ski resort (once they actually get there). The production value on the ski slopes is about what you would expect from a 1980s sitcom. Once again, it is Larry who just seems like a terrible person and Balki the moral compass. There is one great sight gag involving Larry and it's extra enjoyable because it seems like he gets what's coming to him. Another great moment is Balki telling the story of the Little Goat Herder Who Lied.
RATING: 8/10
25. Snow Way to Treat a Lady Part 2 (2/25/87)
Larry, Balki, Jennifer and Mary Anne are snowed in in a cabin after an avalanche and have to try to figure out a way out.
Another sitcom trope is the snowed in trope and this is sort of the second time the series has used that trope though it is much differently used here than in the Christmas episode. But as I said before, this one is one of my favorite tropes. I always like the humor and coziness of a good snowed in episode and it automatically moves higher on my list based on plot alone. This is not my favorite snowed in episode, but it's still good. A highlight is Balki whistling the theme song to The Andy Griffith Show while he works and his discussion with Larry about fear. There's also a great line from Balki about George Washington. Is it any surprise that all the best moments once again involve Balki? At least, Larry admits how terrible and wrong he is in this episode.
RATING: 8.5/10
26. Get a Job (3/4/87)
Larry and Balki quit their jobs after Twinkacetti won't give them a raise and end up working at a burger place.
Larry and Balki find themselves in another TV trope for this episode: working at an overwhelming restaurant job. Lots of sitcom characters have failed miserably at this job and the two cousins are no different. There's a lot of opportunity for comedy in this episode but I don't think it's executed all that well. I think there was a whole lot more comedy that could have happened in the restaurant and its vampy owner (guest star Susan Kellermann) doesn't really add to the episode. It's sort of a missed opportunity.
RATING: 2.5/10
27. Hello, Elaine (4/1/87)
Larry's sister visits and tells him she's moving to New York instead of going to college so Larry enlists Balki to talk her out of it.
The second season and first full season of Perfect Strangers ends with an episode that has more frustrating moments from Larry, surprise surprise. He just doesn't have a lot of range as a character. He constantly has to re-learn the same lesson in each episode. This isn't uncommon for sitcom characters but the frustration is that he has to learn things in similar ways. Balki is a much better defined and layered character. This episode is pretty middle of the road.
RATING: 5/10
Balki and Larry get trapped on the roof of Mr. Twinkacetti's house while Larry tries to get the perfect shot for a photography contest.
This is another episode where Larry and Balki are trapped and dealing with weather issues not long after the snowbound episode. There's a great homage to The Patty Duke Show at the beginning of the episode, the other famous sitcom about cousins. The episode stretches some believe-ability issues. Balki would know the house is Twinkacetti's but Larry wouldn't? They are that far off the ground but seemingly in a regular house that allows Balki to lean down and see Twinkacetti in the window? Maybe I'm being too nitpicky because there is some good comedy and good moments between Balki and Larry.
RATING: 6.5/10
AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON TWO:
5.4/10
The Best Episodes
1. "Falling in Love Is..." (#13) - 9/10
2 ."Snow Way to Treat a Lady" Part 2 (#25) - 8.5/10
3. "Snow Way to Treat a Lady" Part 1 (#24) - 8/10
4. "Lifesavers" (#10) - 7.5/10
5. "A Christmas Story" (#17) - 7/10
The Worst Episodes
1. "Can I Get a Witness" (#14) - 2.5/10
2. "Babes in Babylon" (#11) - 2.5/10
3. "Get a Job" (#26) - 2.5/10
4. "The Rent Strike" (#16) - 3/10
5. "Since I Lost My Baby" (#19) - 3.5/10
Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV News Stories of the Week!
Thurs, Jan 6: A look at Season 3 (Part 1) of Perfect Strangers!
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