During Mulaney’s short opening season (7 episodes have aired so far), the show has featured multiple theme episodes. Each episode has focused on one specific character, or a very specific sequence, like Halloween. So far, Mulaney has focused on Lou Cannon and Jane, and the latest episode was Motif’s time to shine. So, how did this theme episode stack up with the others?
Motif in the City includes two main themes that keep the episode moving: Lou Cannon’s secret audience member and Motif’s unique relationship with Jane and John. Cannon has a secret plant that travels from audience to audience in order to keep the jokes rolling. This audience member (played by comedian Eddie Pepitone) has the sole purpose of taking a massive amount of abuse from Lou Cannon while laughing hysterically at his own expense. Unfortunately, John brings up the contract situation of audience plants, which makes Arnie (the plant) freak out and go on strike. Cannon spends the entire episode trying to convince Arnie that he would be better suited for receiving insults instead of being a guest lawyer on The Good Wife. The goof is a little forced, but Pepitone pulls it off very well. Actually, Pepitone’s character is extremely entertaining throughout the entire episode because he plays a strange, beaten down man with self esteem issues.
Obviously, the rest of Motif in the City focuses on Motif. Somehow, he discovers that John and Jane neglected to put him on the lease, cable bill, or any other bill that proves he exists. This information breaks Motif’s heart, so he runs off to discuss his problems with his three friends who happen to be eerily similar to Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte from Sex in the City. Motif’s female friends happen to be a sex addict, a lawyer, and a marriage-obsessed lady. In fact, Motif in the City goes head on into the Sex and the City theme by saying that Motif is Carrie. Even better, Mulaney includes more of the Sex and the City references by having Motif narrate the moments between pivotal scenes. It’s a random joke to use, but the result is actually pretty fun. In addition, Mulaney brings back some of the moments from earlier episodes when Motif is unaware of popular shows like Friends or Sex and the City. These bits are nice little references some of the better moments in Mulaney’s first episode. Plus, all of these moments revolve around Motif, which is a bonus.
Motif in the City isn’t the best episode of the season, but it definitely had some strong moments. Eddie Pepitone’s cameo was fantastic, and the dedication to bits by John Mulaney was admirable. I loved the random little touches like the narration and Motif’s lack of pop culture knowledge. Unfortunately, some of the other jokes just fell flat and felt forced. The mixed quality is sad, but I appreciate the effort that the show’s creators have been putting into the progressing episodes.
