After weeks and weeks of constant Mindy and Danny relationship dramas and a struggling B-plot, this week’s Mindy Project episode is a return to the funny, self-deprecating, smart show we’ve enjoyed over the last two years.
Mindy, Danny and the rest of the practice find themselves at the mercy of the new Chief of Obstetrics, Jean Fisher (guest star Niecy Nash). After offending her at their first meeting, Mindy decides to try and get Dr Fisher on Shulman and Associates’ side by befriending her and taking her for a night on the town. Due to many miscommunications (including the naked couples massage Mindy booked for the two of them), Dr Fisher believes they are on a date, and Jeremy, Peter and Tamra urge Mindy to keep the romance going to benefit the practice. Danny wants Mindy to come clean, and although she tries to do that, she and Danny are caught up telling lie after lie.
Meanwhile, Peter wants to compete at his Dartmouth frat house’s Beer Pong tournament, and the only person with the necessary skills is Jeremy, Peter’s recent arch-nemesis. The two do surprisingly well together, and are even getting on, after dispatching all other challengers, including TV goddess Shonda Rhimes. Peter is teased mercilessly for being dumped yet again (his nickname is Lefty, because all of his girlfriends leave him), and Jeremy comes through with the goods, winning the tournament and even getting his friend a new nickname…even if it is Diarrhoea.
It was nice to have a main plotline that doesn’t solely involve a Mindy and Danny relationship drama. Seeing them work together as a team was one of the reasons why I enjoyed this episode so much; seeing Danny come to Mindy’s aid when her lie was unravelling and the two of them trying to communicate with charades to bring yet another lie together was one of the funniest moments of the episode. Niecy Nash was great as well, and it was nice to have not one, but two female guest stars for a change.
The B-plot also was a huge improvement on last week. Not only was Ed Weeks finally given something to work with, but having Jeremy and Peter together again was great – in fact, their storyline was more interesting and funny than Mindy’s. I know I say this every week, but Adam Pally is pretty much the best thing about the show. He’s gone from being a one-note background character to being well-rounded, touching, and he equals Mindy as the funniest person in the series. The writers must think so, too, because nearly every secondary plot this season has revolved around him.
It’s a shame that there’s a two week hiatus now, because this episode was great: it was funny, concise, the repetitive Mindy and Danny drama was nowhere in sight, and it was just plain enjoyable.
Review Score: FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Mindy Project screens in Australia on Channel 7.
———-
