Lilith Luvs TV

Raise your hand if you are ready to talk about the latest episode of USA’s Benched! I know I for one cannot wait to gush and blubber like a fangirl. This week’s episode of was hands down the best to date. Let’s not waste any more time and just get straight to the review. OK? OK!

This week’s episode was written by John Enbom. I found his style to be moderate. He didn’t do too much nor did he do too little. I did find it odd that we were still harping on Nina’s competitive nature but they did manage to spin it in a new light. In last week’s misadventures, Nina actually hurt her client’s case because she was so obsessed with not getting played and her need to be the smartest person in the room at all times.

This week’s episode saw her wanting to “serve justice” (as long as that meant really sticking it to Trent at every turn). But this episode did touch on a very serious topic in criminal law: trumped up charges to illicit more guilty pleas without regard to actually serving justice all to avoid expensive jury trials under the guise of saving taxpayers money.

Victor Nelli Jr. directed this episode. I enjoyed his use of the wide angles and I have to say he really captured the courtroom in a fresh and interesting way. The tight composition of each scene really sold the low budget public defender angle. This was definitely one of the best technically balanced episodes to date.

This episode explored themes of compromise, obsession and letting go. It was great getting a little taste of what Trent had to put up with during his time with Nina. I mean sure she is lead of the show but every story, especially a break up has three side (his side, her side and the truth, of course). Another bonus is that the writer of this episode didn’t feel the need to shove the budding romance of Nina and Phil down our throats. We were long overdue for a break on that front.

I love nothing more than when the whole office crew is present. Well, alright boring Larry wasn’t there but he only shows up when Cheryl isn’t there (and between me and you I like Maria Bamford’s Cheryl a whole lot more even though for some odd reason she gets less screen time than him). I definitely have to say Carlos is my favorite character. He’s the character we know the most about (even though he isn’t the lead) and he’s the most sympathetic and relatable and that just grows by leaps and bounds each week. I’m thrilled to see Oscar Nuñez have a character that the show appreciates.

A very well put together episode that could (and probably should) be a winning formula for the show to follow. Here’s hoping net week’s episode is as put together, balanced and funny as this one maybe even hopefully more.

Grade: A

Episode Awards

Character of the Night
• Carlos

Best Character Interactions
• Nina, Trent and Judge Nelson

Scene of the Night
• Nina realizes her client is guilty and decides to compromise

Line of the Night
• Micah: You look like a porn star who just got her real estate license.

Most Memorable Moment
• Nina gets the Public Defenders office some office supplies courtesy of the District Attorney's office.

Raise your hand if you’re pumped to talk about this week’s episode of Benched! I know I am. Last week’s installment was a little rocky and had me wondering if the pilot episode was a fluke or not. But this week saw the charm and funny come back with a vengeance. Nothing to it but to it but to do it so let’s get jump right into the review…

This week’s episode was written by Lindsey Shockley. In the director’s chair this week was Clair Scanlon who also directed last week’s episode as well. I found the writing to be pretty solid though some of the jokes were flat at times and at other times unnecessarily over the top. The male bonding was also a nice touch but I’ll be honest I find the ladies of the show to be much more funny so hopefully we get a ‘Ladies Night Out’ episode eventually (and by eventually I mean pretty freaking soon).

I love a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I also love that the writers of Benched seem to revel in harpooning Nina at every turn. I’m not sure if I’d even like Nina if any other actress besides Eliza Coupe played the character. I know it’s only the third episodes but Nina needs to get it together and realize it’s time to buckle down and let go of the past. This isn’t money law and after last week she’d be lucky to live down her infamy in ten years at this point.

I don’t know if it was just me as I’m not a shipper but I didn’t like the whole Nina and Phil situation. It felt like it was getting shoved down my throat. The key to a great TV romance (especially one billed as comedy) is the slow burn and above all else SUBTLY.

Now let’s move on to something that I really did enjoy this week and that was the boys’ night out. It was great getting to see Phil and Oscar (and Larry) hang out get together outside of work. I swear, I’m going to make ‘Let’s rage our faces off’ a thing if it kills me. I liked the insight into to the character of Oscar. He’s another character that, like Nina is in transitional phase of life and is also dealing with the loss of a significant other.

I think the message of the episode got lost in translation. It is a fact that a lot of women in end up in jail and/or prison because they took the wrap for their significant other or just plain snapped and killed them after many years of abuse. But this week, unlike the pilot and last week the message didn’t resonate very well and Nina came off looking like a cold heartless witch at every turn. Or maybe that is the point of the show, I’m just not sure yet.

The theme however which was how you perceive yourself versus how others see you was spot on. While it should be no surprise to Nina how she comes off to others, it is to her and I think by going through with the ‘hooked and booked’ thing she was trying to fit in and combat her image issue as well as trying to impress Phil so let’s not make the whole thing about her mooning over a guy (even though she admitted as much).

In closing, I thought that this was a good episode but something was off and I can’t put my finger on it. I’m not sure which direction this show is going in. I do hope it keeps that savvy social commentary in tack as well as making Nina more likeable and less oblivious to her clients woes.
By, the way, I don’t know if it’s just me but I’d love to see more of Larry. Please and thank you.

Grade: B-

Final Thoughts: While this episode wasn’t as great as the pilot, it was leaps and bounds better than last week’s episode. I am eager to see the heart and the funny from the pilot return. I’m also not keen on having the romantic crap shoved down my throat. The writers need to learn how to be more subtle on that front. All in all, I’m still enjoying this show but Eliza Coupe is definitely still the only reason I’m around. I want to be here for everyone so hopefully the writers step their game up and let an ensemble cast be an ensemble cast.

Episode Awards

Character of the Night
• Carlos

Best Character Interactions
• Baby Jones and Nina

Scene of the Night
• Baby Jones and Nina bond over being in jail because of a guy.

Line of the Night
• Nina: As your lawyer, I need to advise you not to bust my white meat.

Most Memorable Moment
• Nina getting shocked by the Taser

Benched airs every Tuesday night at 10:30/9:30 central

The show’s hashtag is: #BenchedUSA
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I don't know about you but I am in love with USA's latest offering in the comedy department, Benched. I found Benched to be one of the best comedy pilots of the 2014 Fall TV season. The casting is phenomenal. The characters are colorful, memorable and relatable, especially Nina which great considering she is the main character.

I will admit that one name in particular, which was of course Eliza Coupe, was my main reason for initially checking this show out. Eliza Coupe as Nina Whitley is superb. It's no secret I've been a huge fan of Coupe's for quite some time. I love that she has great comedic timing as well as a penchant for physical comedy as well. While it's true that the the story of Nina Whitley isn't breaking any new ground (a successful, driven woman tries to have it all but focuses more on her work and loses touch with everything else. She eventually looses her job, in this it is due to being passed over for a promotion and not taking it very well and begins a journey of self-discovery and redemption);the fact that it is funny, has heart as a well a carefully buried message is what sets it apart for me personally.

The thing that made me a little hesitant at first was the fact that it was yet another female led legal drama which seems to be all the rage this TV season. But I took a chance and this show really wowed me. I'm talking serious deep belly laughs. This show is playful on every level, right down to the soundtrack and sound design. The show is full of spirited (and sometimes spite filled) and sarcastic characters so naturally that means it most definitely my kind of party. The first five minutes alone nearly had my sides in stitches. There is nothing like a good old-fashioned emotional meltdown, am I right?

This show reminds me of Judging Amy, only it's on steroids and it's told from the public defenders side of things. I'm pretty sure that's why I'm so smitten. The cast chemistry is through the roof already and everyone has great comedic timing and really sold their character. Even Trent, who didn't get a ton of screen time. Is it just me or does Benched feel like the best of all worlds when it comes to shows about lawyers? I mean we have that fish out water vibe because she was a well-paid corporate lawyer who will now probably have to downsize her life who entering the underdog of all legal professions --being a public defender (I'm pretty sure public defender is even a notch below pro bono lawyer because pro bono lawyers choose to do so and want to affect some positive change into the world in most cases).

Then we get the obvious undertones of a workplace comedy as well as the mundane procedural element of having to deal with cases every week. Although, I also noticed a strong undercurrent of style that seems to being leaning towards an Orange is the New Black vibe but that could just be the show unapologetic coarseness giving off that particular vibe. Only time will tell for sure.

As I mentioned in the Advanced Preview Review, I'm not a shipper at all. But I totally am OK with them setting up the 'will they or won't they' dynamics between Jay Harrington's character and Coupe's. The actors play well of each other and the chemistry is definitely there. As long as the show keeps giving me funny I'm OK with a slow burn between these two. I'm actually looking forward to the evolution of that relationship in particular to be honest.

Another thing that I was excited to see was Maria Bamford. I have waited ages to see her in a TV show. I love her stand up routines. Actually, the whole supporting cast is awesome and I love that they threw in Oscar Nuñez for kicks and giggles. While his character didn't get much screen time in the pilot I have a feeling they are going to eventually let this character shine (and it would awesome if he gave a little Office reference by staring into the camera when someone does something ridiculous at least just one time, am I right?).

All in all the pilot was a great first outing that really showcased this series potential. I am very much looking forward seeing how this show progresses and where it goes from here.

Benched airs every Tuesday at 10:30/9:30 CST
What did you think of this episode? Will you be tuning in for episode 2? On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you love Eliza Coup? Feel free to leave your thoughts below.

A few days ago, a ton of buzz swept across the internet about USA’s Benched. I’m not a huge fan of the comedy genre as of late but since it was on USA I thought I’d give it a try as I really enjoyed their other comedy offerings they debuted over the summer which were Sirens and Playing House. So here are my 10 reasons as to why you should watch Benched.

To read more please be sure to follow the link and read the article in full over on Voice of TV.