Entourage, HBO, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P
Episode: “Tree Trippers” (Season Five, Episode Five)
Synopsis: After realizing that Vince may be prevented from starring in Smoke Jumpers due to bad blood with a studio head, he has to seriously consider an offer to star in a reboot of the Benji franchise. As no major life decision should be made without the aid of medicinal help, the gang heads to the desert in a Winnebago with Eric Roberts and a bag of shrooms. The eternally berated and abused Lloyd also comes through for Ari.
Review: It would hardly be an exaggeration to say absolutely nothing happens in this episode. Last week’s show ended with Vince wanting Smoke Jumpers but with an offer for Benji. This week’s show ended with Vince wanting Smoke Jumpers but with an offer for Benji. That said, this episode was still one of the funniest of the season so far (almost a complete flip from last week where there were few laughs but there was actual plot movement.) The actors all have fun on their trip once they’ve eaten the mushrooms… from Drama thinking he ripped his cock off, Vince hypnotizing his brother, Eric communicating solely through expressions and shrugs because “his mouth won’t talk”, and Turtle thinking his dog, Arnold, is communicating telepathically with him, their behavior is some of the show’s funniest. Ari meanwhile wanders off, gets lost, and is chased by a two-eyed beast. Piven earns his Emmy here with some fantastic comedy both spoken and expressed as his trip goes bad and he dials up Lloyd for help. See? Nothing really happened this week. Oh wait, there was also a car full of fake tits that flashed the gang on the drive to the Joshua Tree.
A few quick notes here… 1) Eric Roberts played himself as a complete nut, and much like Gary Busey’s appearance previously I would bet money that this is what Roberts is truly like in real life. He has such a maniacal glee about him, although even when he smiles harmlessly I still can’t help but see Paul Snider from Star 80. (I’d put him on a short list of older actors waiting to be rescued by some maverick director with a Pulp Fiction or The Wrestler.) 2) I found it odd that the scene at the end where Ari’s wife is complaining about all the naked guys in their backyard showed plenty of bare asses but not a single penis. I wasn’t looking for shlong, but every guy there was naked and turned away from the camera… except for one guy who was actually facing the viewer but he was wearing shorts! It was ridiculous and strikes me as producers being fearful of upsetting their primarily male viewers who are obviously afraid of dick. 3) At the end when they drive past the accident scene, Drama sees a distressed but pretty woman speaking with the police. He comments that maybe she’s the victim’s girl, and that she has a great rack. Now, Drama’s not the most sensitive guy, but that joke seemed horribly out of character for him and wasn’t even slightly funny.
Up Next Week: Dom needs Vince’s help after being involved in a televised car chase; Ari wagers on Vince’s career while playing golf with studio head Alan Gray; and a desperate Turtle signs on as Drama’s personal assistant.
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