Mythology: Rescue Me
By Martin Felipe
September 7, 2011
The third show ending may not actually be ending. I’ve looked all over the Internet and I don’t think that, as of this writing, Showtime has officially cancelled Weeds. It should. There’s a strong possibility that it won’t.
The problem is that Showtime’s got nothin’. In 2011, its only program that is still pop culturally relevant is Dexter (so expect that one to last many seasons too long as well). In its years-long quest to match HBO as a premium channel source of quality programming, it stumbled across what seemed to be a winner with Weeds. And then ran it into the ground.
When Weeds began, it was a broad parody of suburban life. Mocking suburbia is nothing new, but creator Jenji Kohan gave it that cable edge that you just can’t find on the big four networks by making the show’s heroine Nancy Botwin a single mom pot dealer. I must admit, even from the start I found the show strained, but it touched a cultural nerve and, for a short while, became Showtime’s signature show.
Then, a few seasons in, Nancy and her wacky pals leave Agrestic, and the show is no longer a parody of suburbia, but more a zany drug/sex farce. Then it’s a drug/ fugitive show. Then it's whatever it is this year. I’m a fan of evolving stories. Don’t get me wrong. In fact, I like that the show has broadened its scope. Fans of the show, on the other hand, don’t.
It really has gone so far from where it began, it’s a continual frustration for many viewers. While I appreciate the somewhat risky directions it’s taken, I’ve always found the comedy cloying, winking. It’s like Kohan holds up a sign to the audience “Look at how bold our antics are, can you believe we went there?” In all caps. With about 12 exclamation points.
So here you have a show with a comedic sensibility that I find condescending, with some storytelling choices that audiences feel betrays the show’s premise. And yet, Showtime refuses to let it die. We shall see if this season brings an end to Nancy’s misadventures, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re treated to an even new direction for the show in summer 2012.
I lament these shows that networks can’t put out of their misery. Yes, I realize that networks are more in the business of making money than they are in making art, but it doesn’t mean I have to be happy with it. I respect a show like Lost, which had the success to last for many more years, but got out when the story was over. It looks as if Breaking Bad will do so as well next season. Networks may not like it now, but Lost and Breaking Bad will enjoy a long term ancillary legacy that shows like Rescue Me, Entourage and Weeds likely won’t. Look no further than the failure of the second X-Files movie as evidence. In any case, goodbye Rescue Me and Entourage. You know that old cliché about the door and your ass…
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