Go On "Big League Chew" Review

The group learns a new lesson about each other and themselves each week. Ryan's usually the character who learns the most. Other characters learn a lesson with the help of Ryan. I, too, learn new things each week through the help of Ryan. A group of odd characters barge in on a scene uninvited to remind one of the series' weakest element as Ryan makes a quip before determining which group member needs to be known more. I anxiously wait for Ryan to address the specific group member by name because I don't remember any of the group members' names (besides Sonia). So each week the group learns how to cope with loss and treat pain with hugs, heart, and healing, while I learn, and in some cases re-learn, the names of Lauren's Loss Group.

The tall, happy guy with the tucked-in shirt and khaki pants is Danny, and his life's a mess. He lives in the same house as his ex-wife and new boyfriend. The new boyfriend bosses him around like they're in high school and Danny's the Geometry geek the dude who smokes in the bathroom between class uses and abuses. Ryan stares at Danny as if he's trying to crack the meaning of the Mona Lisa or figure out what the hell is going on in James Joyce's Finnegans Wake. Danny's miserable life shouldn't produce a man who endlessly smiles every second of his waking life. Ryan feels sadness, too, but he indulges in harmful habits like binge-eating and insomnia and vanity. Danny is different. Danny doesn't dwell on the misery of his day-to-day life. As a former member of the army, Danny learned how to be alone; he transports himself to a fictional small-town in his mind, Harborville, where people are nice, lemonade is five cents, and flowers are given to people for free.

One wonders how much progress the group will be allowed to make. The premise makes the group indispensable. Ryan learned valuable lessons since the "Pilot." In a short time he's become less egotistical and more compassionate. Whereas Ryan wouldn't be bothered with another's pain before Janie's death, others' pain induces Ryan to selfless acts, like attending weddings to help a group member or caring for Sonia's cats. It's disappointing to watch Ryan forget the lessons he learned during the scene when he orders Danny to leave behind Harborville and confront the misery of his actual day-to-day life. Danny, like Shawn Michaels before him, loses his smile. Ryan's momentarily selfish and envious because he's unable to transport himself to a magical place where life consists of sun-drenched days and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez albums. Ryan comes around and apologizes to Danny. Danny tells him about Harborville. The episode ends on the characters walking around Danny's fantasy dreamland; perhaps it's another place Ryan needs to work to get to. Harborville doesn't represent an avoidance of life, but, rather, a place of peace amidst deep pain and loss. Ryan needs peace.

The binge-eating side of grief is touched on briefly and resolved in a group eat-a-thon. Lauren takes center-stage again when the group runs into her at a restaurant. Her boyfriend displays impressive knowledge of the group, which the group rebels against, leading to Wyatt revealing the secrets of Lauren. The story's focus eventually turns towards Lauren's perception of the relationship. The group loves Wyatt for revealing the secrets of their secretive counselor. Lauren doesn't love him, though. She's more passionate about a candy bar than the boy who sleeps beside her nightly. The roles reverse again. She clings to the group's advice as she navigates the river of her mind to figure out where Wyatt fits. The truth is, he doesn't fit. Ryan tells Lauren his story of love from his third date with Janie. He concludes that if she doesn't know then she knows.

Go On's transitioning into the area of their narrative where the group helps the counselor as much as the counselor helps the group. It's a balance that should work. The group needs to be reined in a bit. As a whole, they're quite annoying to watch. The cold opens are the worst scenes for the group. Silveri and co. seem intent on emphasizing the group's eccentric dynamic in the cold open so that any new viewer will be stick around to see what happens with the group. It's a horrible strategy if true. Go On continues to portray grief incredibly well; however, Go On continues to struggle to find tonal balance.

Other Thoughts:

-George is back. I missed Mr. Cobbs the last two weeks. George has a presence that's felt when he's present, and when he's not. Bill Cobbs is an older man now; a full-time commitment to the show will not be possible, but I'll look forward to the episodes he'll show up and make me laugh.

-John Cho was absent, but Carrie returned to melt the hearts of the audience.

-Ryan's bike ride through LA ended when he saw a convenience store. Inside, he wanted to buy unhealthy food. George walked in. I anticipated a Marx Brothers inspired scene of physical comedy and silence. This is NBC though, network television, and it ended before it had a chance to pay homage to the great Marx Brothers.

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