Pushing DaisiesDim Sum Lose Sum
The Relationships
Original Air Date: Oct 29, 2008
PMB - TwoCents Reviewer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
This entire episode was summed up by the ever-wise narrator: “Shrimpboy also believed in a fundamental truth about gambling — that all gains are meaningless unless we risk something.”
Only two characters are asked to risk something this episode —Ned and Emerson. But they both have a lot of win or lose as well.
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Pushing Daisies
ReplyDeleteDim Sum Lose Sum
The Relationships
Original Air Date: Oct 29, 2008
PMB - TwoCents Reviewer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
This entire episode was summed up by the ever-wise narrator: “Shrimpboy also believed in a fundamental truth about gambling — that all gains are meaningless unless we risk something.”
Only two characters are asked to risk something this episode —Ned and Emerson. But they both have a lot of win or lose as well.
A mysterious stranger, Dwight, comes into the Pie Hole asking Ned questions about his dad. Dwight explains that he used to be a friend of the family. As Chuck has no way to taking advantage her new-found knowledge that Lily is really her mother, not her aunt, she tackles Ned’s family issues instead.
Chuck needles Ned so much about helping Dwight, that the Piemaker finally gives her the only address he has for his father — the return address from a “We’ve Moved” postcard, which we saw him get as a boy in last year’s Halloween episode. Ned has to know, even subconsciously, that the ever-curious Chuck will follow up on this lead. And probably take Olive with her. Which is exactly what happens.
At the address, they discover Ned’s younger half brothers and twins, Ralston and Maurice, who have the same eyebrows as Ned. And they are heartbroken because their dad had deserted them as well. They are magic enthusiasts, which will be the crux of next week’s episode “Oh, Oh, It’s Magic.”
But as expected, the tightly wound Ned refuses to meet the boys.
Then there’s Emerson, who is investigating the death of a bun maker at his favorite Chinese restaurant. It seems that gambling is involved and one of the gamblers is none other than Simone, the dog trainer he flirted with in last season’s “Bitches.” This time they do far more than flirt. Emerson gets some serious game!
But he backs off the relationship right away, even hiding in his car when he sees her next. It seems the knitting detective has some major problems with the messiness of relationships and feelings.
During the case, both Ned and Emerson are forced to take a gamble — literally. It’s no coincidence that they are the only ones who go undercover as gamblers. And through this experience, they both realize the need to take gambles with their lives as well.
So Ned agrees to meet his brothers in one of the more touching Pushing Daisies moments (I practically teared up – didn’t you?). Maurice and Ralston both hug Ned, who is used to not being touched. The expression on his face turns from confusion to joy as he finally hugs them back. Yes, his gamble certainly pays off!
Emerson realizes that he messed up with Simone because, well, she tells him so (and she has a way of saying things that they can’t be ignored – someone get that clicker way from her). But after the case is closed, he tells her how sorry he is and how difficult it is for him to open up. However, he says if she’ll be more vulnerable, he will be too. Hmmm… sounds as if things are back on the right track.
The very last shot is of Dwight, watching the twins’ house, with a gun on the front seat. Seems he may want more than to be reunited with Ned’s father (cue ominous music). Who do you think Dwight really is? Is he good or evil? Should Ned try to help him?
This Dwight storyline goes on for several more episodes and brings the aunts right back into the main story. I’ve missed the aunts, haven’t you? And, of course, everyone’s new experience in taking risks will pay off even more.