What do you think of the new cut, huh? Do you like it?
Of course I don’t fucking like it! It’s the worst use of scissors since my failed vasectomy.
So, this episode debuts Selina’s new awful haircut and the litany of abuse heaped on it is good for several laughs. But the highlight of this episode is the lengthy debate sequence that just absolutely nails the absurdity of political debates. Isiah Washington is great as Defense Secretary Maddox, losing his cool absolutely and Paul Fitzgerald is phenomenally good as a painfully awkward Congressman running for the nomination. His perpetual stumbling and awful metaphors kept me laughing. I will say that this season the show has been great at finding wonderful guest stars. Dan Bakkhedal and Phil Reeves are back as Senators Furlong & Doyle, but unfortunately all the episode does with them is stand them in a corner and has them make obscene wisecracks as they watch the debate. I mean, it’s clear that they were brought back because they’re really great comedic performances and they land a few laughs, but it was disappointing that they didn’t do more with them. Oh and yes, Selina develops an eye twitch in this episode. Does Louis-Dreyfus knock some brilliant physical comedy right out of the park? Oh, yes, oh, yes indeed. Solid episode, a bit of a step down from the run of masterpieces we’ve had, but still a lot of fun. 3 stars.
tl;dr – episode skewers political debates to perfection; some of the other plots are less successful. 3 stars.