Louie - "Daddy's Girlfriend, Part 2"

I've noticed a trend with my Louie recaps. Every week I watch the new episode before work, and quickly jot my thoughts as to its meaning and significance. Then, I check out the reviews on other sites and realize that I'm wildly off the mark as to my interpretation. Maybe it's because I rush these or maybe it's because I over-think them as a way to over-compensate for rushing them, or maybe something else. Whatever it is, just know that I don't pretend to be some sort of authority on the show. I'm just writing about the show as I see it. That being said...

Holy crap, Tape Recorder is all kinds of fucking damaged. Yes, damn near everyone in the Louie universe is damaged, but this is a pretty exceptional case. Indeed, Parker Posey's character—which, what a ridiculously good performance—almost seemed to me a comment on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl type, as seen in such annoyingly twee romantic comedy/dramas as Garden State and damn near any Cameron Crowe movie. In these movies the eccentric, carefree spirit that is the MPDG pulls the depressive, boring male protagonist out of the doldrums by forcing him to be adventurous. The MPDG acts as a catalyst for the growth of the male lead (that sounded dirtier than I meant it).

In real life, of course, the MPDG type is kind of a hassle, kind of annoying, and all kinds of scary. And Posey pulled it off wonderfully. There are warning signs right from the get-go, when she drags Louie into a young bar and orders two jagers for herself (uh oh), only to be refused by the bartender who doesn't want another scene. And so she takes Louie for a walk because New York is such a wonderful town to walk in, don't you think? And who wouldn't want to do that for a date; who needs alcohol? You like walking? Don't just agree with me. I hate people who just agree. Let's argue. Hey, did I mention I had cancer when I was fifteeen? Hey, a vintage shop—let's go in.

Uh oh.

Yes, I would imagine Louie realized rather early on that this date was a bad idea but he decided to stick with it, anyway, because, as I mentioned before, Louie is a passive character. It's much easier to just go with the flow. Then again, even when Louie tried to put an end to the night, his efforts proved fruitless. After Tape Recorder dragged Louie into a random building, she told him to climb the stairs with her to the top.

[These stairs]

When Louie rightfully complained that there was no reason to climb so many goddamn stairs—him being all old and out of shape and all—Tape Recorder went demon drill sergeant on him. It's a thin fucking line between eccentric and full-on psychotic.

Daddy's Girlfriend Part 2 ends, as so many episodes do, on an ambiguous note. The two go to the roof of the building, Tape Recorder sits casually on the ledge, and Louie is rightfully scared for her safety. She says the only reason he is scared is that he might think of jumping; she wouldn't. After a while, a look of dsadness washes over her face and they leave the rooftop. This brief moment is one of the few times this damaged woman had a moment of self-reflection. What was she thinking? I don't know; but it's obvious that her erratic behavior was a way to mask some deep pain.

Random Notes:

I love seeing Louie in places where he seems out of place. With "Night Out" it was the loud, crowded club. With "Niece" it was the crowded indie rock club. And last night it was the crowded hipster bar. Perhaps it's because I feel uncomfortable in crowded places, but these scenes always resonate with me.

I love how fast and loose this episode played with geography. Tape Recorder's bookstore is on 7th Avenue in Park Slope. The pool hall she and Louie pass is on Houston Street in Manhattan. That's a long walk. Then again, it wouldn't be that surprising if she forced him to go on such a journey. (And yes, before anyone points it out, I realize that just because a scene was filmed at a specific location, it doesn't mean that it's supposed to take place in that neighborhood. I just wanted to point it out.)

Despite all the lunacy of the date, I was pretty charmed by the scene in which they helped out the homeless man. Of course, I'm a sucker for that kind of thing. I also loved the scene where they were orgasming over all the wonderful food. I'm also a sucker for that kind of thing.

That glitter Tarzan look was pretty funny on Louie.

Random Quotes:

"That's a lot to take on: someone else's cum fantasies."

"Yes, you're fat, and I have no tits. Let's be honest."