DROP DEAD DIVA: Good Grief
August 23, 2010 by Sarah Curtis
Hey, Drop Dead Diva fans! It’s hard to believe that season two is almost over, but it’s true. There is a lot to talk about this Jane-centric episode, Good Grief. We’ve got a clown and former Bachelor Jake Pavelka. For those of you keeping score at home, it’s actually two DIFFERENT clowns. Don’t believe me? Read on; let’s discuss.
Weren’t the Jane vs. Jane dream sequences really creative? It’s fun to see how the writers can continue the thread of tension between Old Jane and New Jane. New or old, our Jane is presented with an interesting case when Evan, a man in full clown costume is her first appointment. She reads over his file and talks with him about his termination from a reputable corporation. He worked there for many years, but in recent months began wearing the clown suit, shoes, wig and make-up. Jane gains compassion when she asks Evan why he took bereavement leave before his wardrobe change, and he admits that his wife died. Almost as shocking is when Grayson volunteers to be her second chair, stating, “He lost his wife; I might have some insights.”
It’s not smiles and balloon animals when Evan, after being cross-examined by the lawyer for his former company, reacts badly, refusing to answer and instead honking a clown horn at the lawyers, judge and jury.
If that is not enough, Jane feels she must run interference between Fred and Stacey. He’s still working on wooing her, but Jane is convinced that Stacey will hurt him.
But what made this episode special was when Jane asked Grayson how he dealt with Deb’s death. He was honest with her and told her about his struggles, but that he’d also finally come to the conclusion that if Deb were to have seen him as he was acting and reacting, she probably wouldn’t have liked him much. Jane uses that same question with Evan, asking him what his late wife would think of his actions. Though I have to admit, ‘uses’ doesn’t feel like the right word, as it’s clear she’s not taking advantage of what Grayson said; she’s genuinely trying to help Evan. Jane is able to use Grayson’s experience (and hers as Deb) to comfort Evan and help him see that his wife’s accident was not his fault. Brooke Elliott was really fantastic in that scene.
I need your help, though. Who played the part of Evan? He looked so familiar. Someone please tell us! As I tried to figure it out, I ALMOST missed the nice ‘maybe more than friendship’ moment between Grayson and Jane. We all can tell what Jane is thinking, for the most part, but it’s a little harder to read Grayson. Thoughts from you on that? We’ve got to have SOME forward movement on that front in next week’s season finale, right?
Meanwhile, Parker and Kim are representing AJ, a producer of a ‘Bachelor’-type show. Wendy, a female contestant from the show is suing him for defamation of character. Those of us who follow those shows (and GMMR’s corresponding WTF moments) know that sometimes, no amount of editing can be done to fix the characters some women (and men) create on live TV.
It’s interesting to see that Kim’s human side showing through when it comes to Parker, especially when she sees that he doesn’t even have conversation with an ex. It spills over into her actions and reactions regarding Parker’s decisions about Wendy.
As their case continues, Wendy’s claim seems more reasonable, when the bachelor in question, Toby (played by Pavelka) admits that the show’s producer ‘strongly encouraged’ him to choose Wendy’s competition, saying it would get higher TV ratings. But Parker does more research and figures out that it’s a lie; Wendy got the highest tv ratings, and in fact, AJ was in love with her, which is why he encouraged Toby to pick her competition.
Parker’s a real SOB sometimes, but his reconciliation with Kim was heartfelt and nice. Equally nice was the way Stacey and Fred. But what makes this episode a winner in a really great season was New Jane’s eulogy for Old Jane.
But don’t let me do all the talking; be sure to sound off in the comments. Are Parker and Kim going to make it? How about Fred and Stacy? And are you on the Grayson and Jane ship? Let’s discuss?
Related Posts
Filed under #1 featured, Drop Dead Diva, TV News
i did some research online before the end of the show b/c i couldn’t wait to see who the clown was. i knew his voice was familiar and even his face (with all the makeup on). it’s barry watson who played matt on 7th heaven. but weeping wendy also looked familiar and i want to know what her name is and where i’ve seen her. any ideas?
Wendy was Camile Guaty, I remember her mostly as Piper from Las Vegas, but she has been in a lot of things, CSI, Prison Break… etc.
Jem….YESSSSSSSSSS! Thank You! I could not figure it out! And you’re research was clearly better than mine!
and good call, Todd!
I recognized Camile right away, but not from those TV shows mentioned… I remember a Disney Channel she did about cheerleaders where she was the head cheerer. ;p
As for Barry – I pretty much recognized his voice right away since I’ve been a fan of his for years. After I studied the clown face for a minute, I knew it was definitely him… and at the end of the episode, when you could see him, I was like, “Dang. He really looks like he’s getting older, lol.” Thank God for his last hurrah as a hunk in ABC’s “What About Brian.” His voice, though will always be sexy and cool…
One of my favorite parts in this ep was the semi-insulting Justin T. and Sexy-Back comments. I absolutely love Ben Feldman and his delivery of the first comment. And in the shot just after that, I thought Brooke was totally awesome. 🙂
I loved this week (although I’m not happy around clowns – too suspicious for my liking). The characters are all growing and bonding, and from the first show I knew this was a hit! It just keeps getting better and better and I make it a point to be home to watch this (it’s the only show I make the effort), because I don’t want to DVR it, I want to see it unfold as it’s aired.
I think the chemistry between Fred and Stacy is adorable. An angel in love with an earthly angel? It can’t get better. . . or can it?
Then comes Kim and Parker. What can I say. I never liked Kim from scene one of her appearance on the show. But she has grown on me, and after last night’s feature, she has earned a place in my heart. Parker is an abuser, or was an abuser. I think Kim has tamed the wanderer. She is fire and ice. Something the Parker character needs. It’s good. It’s all good.
Then we have Jane and Grayson. While all the odds are against this relationship, with each show you can feel the tesnsion. I like the fact they are becoming friends, confidantes first. It may or may not work, but I’m truly enjoying the romantic, easy tension between these two. Cannot say I like his liplocking every bimbo who comes round, but. . . . While the character of Grayson is sexy (and the actor Jackson Hurst portrays him to perfection), I think it goes against his character to play fast and loose. But, hey, that is my opinion.
The struggle between old Jane and new Jane is good. It parallels the lives of regular people who are struggling with being who everything thinks they should be, and who they really are inside. That’s cool.
When this season comes to a close, I hope we have many more years to look forward to the fast-paced, new, refreshing, totally entertaining and enjoyable show!
Thanks creators of DDD! You’ve given us something new and fun to draw us back to television again!
V.
I want to comment on the season finale…I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!! OMG! Just tell me that because of Grayson’s accident, he realizes on his own that Jane is really Deb. Or at least because of the accident he realizes that he really loves Jane…just please tell me that Grayson survives!! He HAS to. LOVED the episode, can’t wait until Sept. 20th!
Loved last night’s episode. Kathyrn, I am with you;…I didn’t see that one coming either. I think he knows that Deb is in Jane’s body as he saw her. I know Grayson is moving on to NCIS, but I am hoping they bring him back in someone else’s body….September 20th can’t come soon enough.
I have enjoyed all episodes and will continue doing so. I was hoping Grayson and Jane would have fallen in love and he would find out for himself that she is Deb. They did have connection and last said it all when he ran out to her. She loves him so much. I wanted to see a happy ending, but when I saw that he was it and the blood I felt he would come thru it, but in a different body and what he saw was Deb. And they could have a relationship. But him dying really hurts, but that happens even in real life. I too will be waiting for Sept 20th!!!! Thank you creators.
I am confused, I thougt this was the final show, but know I hear something about Sep 20th? So did Grayson die? and is the show coming on for another season? I hope so I love the show.
For all of you “Drop Dead Diva” fans, please help me spread the word about an awesome contest on the Lifetime website! The grand prize winner will get to visit the “Drop Dead Diva” set and meet the show’s cast, as well as appear as a host on the Lifetime Movie Network. Cool, right?
Check out the website for more details: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/lifetime-movie-network/diva-for-the-day
Good luck and enter soon! The deadline for contest entries is Sunday, April 17, 2011, at 11:59 pm ET.