Veteran TV writer Ken Levine recently explained on his blog how the second episode of a new show is often the toughest one to write, caught as it is between the blow-it-all-out pilot and the week-to-week work of an ongoing show.

Maybe that's what happened with Pushing Daisies last week. It bogged down a little in restating its premise, and if anything, the cutesiness that concerned me and others following the pilot was only exaggerated, with the dandelion cars and whatnot.

This week, though? Nothing of the sort. If Pushing Daisies is going to turn out shows like that on a weekly basis, then I am in. For good. That was a really good hour of television.

(Spoilers with gruyere baked into the crust coming right up.)

I love that creator Bryan Fuller, who wrote this episode, decided not to drag out Ned's angst over when to tell Chuck about the circumstances of her re-awakening. Sure, he needed a pretty big push from Emerson, but it feels like the right choice to let Chuck know now, rather than have it hanging out there, increasingly and needlessly complicating things.

The push Ned got came courtesy of Lawrence Schatz, the funeral director/grave robber who lost his life after Ned let Chuck's minute pass without touching her again. Lawrence's brother Lewis thinks it was murder, on account of all the hate mail the funeral home got when the grave-robbing came to light, and asks Emerson to investigate.

Emerson, shrewd businessman that he is, figures he can keep the loop closed, protecting Ned's secret while also finding the stolen heirlooms and, possibly, making a handsome profit. So he rips off the Band-Aid ("I don't rip off the Band-Aid," Ned protests. "I pull a little bit off and run it under warm water, then pull off a little more").

Lewis, though, wasn't exactly being honest when he said his brother was the sole perpetrator of the scam, and for his lies he ends up dead as well -- and in Ned's freezer. Ned eventually saves the day, thanks to his Jedi-wannabe skills, but really I'm almost feeling like the resolution, Wilfred Woodruff VI and his Civil War sword and "Pooh, kick!" aside, is secondary.

What I really, really am taking away from this episode is how spot-on the tone and rhythm were. Chi McBride, Lee Pace and Anna Friel were throwing out dialogue at a dizzying, His Girl Friday-like pace, and they all handled it with aplomb.

And a couple times, I just had to shake my head and say, "Man, I love Chi McBride." I can't decide which was my favorite line of his: "The pirate metaphor is apt," perhaps. Or "We're gonna show whoever the sucka is who tried to frame you how a sucka gets framed."

Wednesday's episode was the first not directed by exec producer Barry Sonnenfeld, and while the location shooting and over-the-top sets were fewer, it didn't really matter. Thanks to its standing sets -- the Pie Hole, the candy-cane-colored morgue, the aunts' house -- the show still has a visual flair unlike anything else on network TV. And if the writing and pacing continue to as strong as they were this week, I really doubt folks will care too much.

Other highlights from the episode:

• The traveling salesman: "It's homeopathic." Olive: "You mean it deeply relates to gay people?"
• The description of the T-shirt Ned gave Chuck for her eighth birthday, both by Ned and Chuck themselves, who remember it as the cutest thing ever, and by her aunts, who have a different recollection. "He had a filthy mind," Aunt Lily says. "He gave her a beaver T-shirt. What did we call him?" Aunt Vivian: "Beaver boy."
• Chuck, putting the pirate argument to rest: "This is not a doubloon." And also, her complete fascination with methods of murder.
• The kiss through the plastic: shmoopy, sure, but also pretty sweet. And when Ned noted at the end of the episode that he was going to look for plastic wrap, kinda dirty.
• An answer to a small but nagging question about how Ned revives fruit, then keeps it alive. He wears a glove on his other hand and keeps flowers -- daisies, of course -- on hand to die so his peaches and berries may live. I just hope he composts.

The biggest takeaway from this episode for me, though, is a whole lot of hope. Yeah, the narrator is still a little too prevalent (although that, too, seemed to slacken a little this week). And the cuteness factor needs to be kept in check. But if McBride can keep delivering his awesomely cynical persona and Pace and Friel can keep up the rapid-fire patter, Pushing Daisies may be -- dare I say it? -- built for the long haul.

Your thoughts on this week's Pushing Daisies?

Comments

Only one reveal to go and that's the I killed your father so my mother could live but since it was my first time doing it I didn't know about the consequences thing.

Am interested to see the how or if Olive will let Chuck know that she knows that she is the dead girl in the next ep. Hopefully they don't drag that out too long.

Rishi | Oct 17, 2007 9:41:02 PM | #

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this should have been the second episode.
chuck is really annoying. i hope she touches ned accidently and dies.

shawn | Oct 18, 2007 12:16:49 AM | #

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i hope you touch ned and die

chuckftwfereal | Oct 18, 2007 2:20:46 AM | #

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First episode was not bad, but I lost interest during the second episode.
Don't think the show will last.

Cheri | Oct 18, 2007 4:10:43 AM | #

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I loved this episode the most, although the first one was good too!!! I keep relating this to Lemony Snicket when I tell other people about the show, it's such a fun show to relax to. I want Olive to fall in love with the traveling salesman!!!

Catherine | Oct 18, 2007 5:43:10 AM | #

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Fav line of the night:

"I wanted to be a Jedi" - Ned

It's hard to watch anything on TV on Wednesdays after viewing Pushing Daisies. Everything else is just a letdown.

Alyx | Oct 18, 2007 6:28:00 AM | #

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I guess for people who don't like the show they don't want to let go and let fantasy. I love this show. It keeps me smiling the whole time. When is the last time a show did that? Hmmm...can't think of one. I love the colors and the chemistry between Chuck, Emerson and Ned is spot on.

I'll keep watching.

Julie | Oct 18, 2007 6:39:37 AM | #

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Loved it. Perfect tone. And dialogue on this show is top notch.

Surprised no else mentioned what I thought was one of the stellar moments of last night - the exchange between Chi and the coroner?/head guy at the morgue. When the morgue guy uttered the line "I thought you came to visit me", you got the set up for what is obviously going to be a huge plotline as this series goes forward.

Moose | Oct 18, 2007 6:49:10 AM | #

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The narration doesn't seem so bad when you think of it more like this is a book you are reading and everything going on onscreen is what you would have to imagine in your head... sounds crazy but it helps.
One thing I don't like though, is the narrator should never lie, so when he was going on about how Lewis thought it was murder, he should never have said that Lewis didn't know where the loot was. If a character chooses to lie, he should do the lying, not the narrator, because then he becomes unreliable and we aren't sure if he is telling us fact or just what the characters want him to. Not sure if that makes sense, but it was a pet peeve of mine last night.
Love this show.

Mandy | Oct 18, 2007 6:50:51 AM | #

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If Roald Dahl wrote for television, he'd come up with something like this. Pushing Daisies is terrific!

Jimbo | Oct 18, 2007 6:54:10 AM | #

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My favourite things about Pushing Daisies is that CTV up here in Canada shows it on Tuesdays, so I get to watch it 24 hours earlier than you American suckas. ;)

GC | Oct 18, 2007 7:37:34 AM | #

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Excellent show! The dialogue, the chemistry between the actors, the sets, the writing. Everything about it is amazing and top-notch. The sisters are a real treat. They should have their own show!

I also like the fact that they concentrate on one main storyline per show and it's resolved by the end of that episode.

JVice | Oct 18, 2007 7:59:01 AM | #

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Olive is quickly becoming my favorite character on the show. Pure genious.

matt | Oct 18, 2007 8:09:05 AM | #

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Pushing Daisies is like an awesome dark fairy tale. I love all the characters, I think Olive will be trouble for Chuck and Ned. I love Chuck and Ned and the chemistry of all the characters. Great Set!

Dee | Oct 18, 2007 8:31:40 AM | #

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There's really no words to describe how quirky and weird this show is, but not in the way that makes it unwatchable. In fact, I make time to watch this show now. Last night was great.

Corey | Oct 18, 2007 8:39:34 AM | #

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I personally loved Olive's exchange with Emerson about setting people on fire.. I love these two, they're so funny.

This episode was MUCH better than the second one. I was worried last week, but not so much anymore.

Kathleen | Oct 18, 2007 8:43:13 AM | #

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This show is perfection! I don't understand the hate for Chuck, she is wonderful and brings a wholesomeness with the trips to the morgue. I loved having the Darling Mermaid Darlings back and when Swoozie lifted her eye patch to release the tears that had welled up I just laughed so hard.

Loved the Pooh comments and the fact that Emerson was wearing his sweater vest was great continuity.

I just adore everything about this show. I always have a continuous smile on my face, then its over and Private Practice becomes a disappointment. Oh well, I hope this wonderful show stays on the air for a long time!

Buffybot | Oct 18, 2007 9:04:12 AM | #

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The show reminds me of a cross between Dr Seuss, Desperate Housewives and Tim Burton films with the colors, sets, music, narration and the wild premise. I'm not 100% sold yet. Maybe a little too cute...

Bruce | Oct 18, 2007 10:34:59 AM | #

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I love when things are so obvious that you laugh before they happen - I was already calling Emerson Pooh Bear in my head. And when Chuck made the mind over matter comment I could not control my laughter!! Then the "Pooh Kick" follow-up was PERFECT! (except how did Chuck get into the funeral home??) I want the homeopathic salesman to stick around. And Olive is perfection! As is Emerson. Alright, Chuck and Ned, too!!!

Michelle | Oct 18, 2007 10:36:19 AM | #

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I completely missed the second episode. (And nothing new was in the recap at the start of the show.) That said, this was a great second episode for me.

The two episodes I have seen so far show great writing, mixing a bit of innuendo (I Heart Beavers), fantasy (Young Ned at work), sombering darkness (Lots of mourning), and outrageous comedy (Woodruff VI). The acting is equally complimentary with poignant statements (Emerson and the deliveryboy being blunt), sexy action (Olive and Chuck), bold emotion (the Mermaid Twins comeback hints and the reason for their cancellation), and ridiculous hilarity (see below).

The best moment was when Olive is afraid of a GIANT YELLOW HOUSE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. The worst was, leading up to the ending, Woodruff was the one that was (apparently) arrested for the murders of the twins. Though the speech he and Ned had whilest swordfighting was deep; Ned wanted to accept his grief (Chuck) while Wilfred wanted to bury it (Schatz).

The saran wrap was a great way of accepting Chuck as a character and not a plot device (a mystery to immediately solve). While I like big arcs, it is easier to start a season off "soft" (like how Law & Order or CSI have grand mysteries that are still solved in an hour).

"I thought you were here for a visit?"

pakopako | Oct 18, 2007 11:14:18 AM | #

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This show scores large for mixing the fantasy, brightness, and color saturation with some macabre, dark humor. Excellent writing!

Chuck (with Ned) is sweet and human. Chuck (with Emerson) is a cloying pain in the butt! I hope the producers realize that and fix it.

I must say, Olive is pretty sharp if she figured out who Chuck is from (I think) only the two clues that Chuck baked Gruyere into pie crusts, and her childhood crush became a pie-maker.

Tommy | Oct 18, 2007 11:48:31 AM | #

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Love this show and everything about it. I thought the second episode was a little uneven, but well worth watching for the brilliant dandelion costume design and the musical number by Olive. I long for more singing.

I think Olive put together Chuck's identity because of the clues she got from the Aunts, but mostly the fact that in the first episode she noticed that Chuck looked a lot like the dead girl. (Emersons response was "she looks EXACTLY like the dead girl") Chuck can still be recognized from news reports, thus her fabulous hats and scarves when out in public.

Tish | Oct 18, 2007 12:19:45 PM | #

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One of the great things about this series is that it rolled out the basic rules for the universe in which it exists in the first episode. Rather than begging us to suspend disbelief, it orders us to believe in a place where oddity rules. There is a reality inside of this universe that must be obeyed, and the show's creators are faithful to it.

It also teases us with the possibilities of just how far Ned's power can go. As he juggled an urn, I wondered what would happen if he were to reach inside and touch the ashes.

I wouldn't change a thing about Chuck. And the writing is outstanding because it is so searchingly human. (Ned, puzzling at the grand southern accent of the Asian intruder: "Are you adopted?")

Goph | Oct 18, 2007 12:51:14 PM | #

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this tv show....it's....what makes me smile during the week. ahhh, the romance is my fave part. i have my cell phone message me every week so that i don't miss it! (i'm not a big tv watcher) but this, this is fantastical.

Jax | Oct 18, 2007 1:02:57 PM | #

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This show is flawless and funny. Chuck is a treat, and I want to marry Olive (since Chuck is taken). Script, casting, and art direction are way above TV norms. I hope this show goes forever. If it does, I might even buy some of the advertisers products...

James B | Oct 18, 2007 2:17:15 PM | #

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couldnt ned wear gloves and touch chuck?

saney | Oct 18, 2007 2:19:29 PM | #

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Much better than last week, and so my mind is relieved. The language is so playful and perfectly balances the rather twisted premise.

Chuck grew on me, like a quirky little fungus. Loved the plastic wrap kiss: sweet, hot and prophylactic!

Hanh | Oct 18, 2007 2:20:36 PM | #

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I like Pushing Daisies. The first week I watched it because I didn't have anything else to watch. It is much better than the alternatives. I like Chuck and Ned together. Chuck and Emerson's relationship in my opinion is not annoying,but slightly awkward considering he knows that she shouldn't be alive. I love what they are doing with Olive. Chuck's aunts are interesting too. Saney, Ned and Chuck did touch with gloves last week in his newly modified car. Hopefully Ned will tell Chuck the rest of his secrets someday. I hope Olive doesn't get difinative proof of Chuck's new life any time soon.

Penny | Oct 18, 2007 2:36:31 PM | #

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The first thing that gave me the giggles about this episode is that following the beaver T-shirt reference, there were actually three more nicknames for the female parts mentioned in the next few minutes (I won't mention them, in case those who recorded it want to go back and find them on their own). This may not have been intentional, but me being the slightly-twisted chap that I am, found it quite hilarious. Subtle is always better where this type of humor is concerned. Most of what I like about this show in general revolves around the dialogue, and this episode had gems aplenty. But my outright favorite moment was when the aunt with the patch (I've still not gotten their names down yet) was crying over the postcard that came post mortem from Chuck; as she's going up the stairs, she lifts up her eye patch and empties the water out. It's little touches like that which make shows like this shine. I also am glad that they have made Chuck aware of the consequences of her truncated death, since it really would've been hard to keep a secret for long. Since I believe Ned is the only one who knows about Chuck's father's death being Ned's fault, I don't know that Chuck has to find out about it any time soon. Everyone has painful secrets in their past, and sometimes it's better just to let the rotten dead things of our previous years stay buried. Also, I'm glad they clarified a point that was bugging me...that being, whether or not Ned's power only works when he directly touches a body with his finger, or if any part of his body will do this. When he's maneuvering through the bodies on the pallets in the mortuary, and they all come to life, he had not touched a one of them in his usual manner. Thus, even if Ned did wear gloves (as saney mentioned above), he is still at risk of accidentally touching her with his wrist or arm or something else. True, this seriously sucks, but I'll be interested to see how many ways that Chuck and Ned can be tender with each other without ever touching. Great show, looking forward to the rest of the season.

Dark Disciple | Oct 18, 2007 2:39:24 PM | #

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Pushing Daisies is one of, if not the best show of the season. I LOVE KRISTIN CHENOWETH! The leave-the-pie- and-run moment had me doubled over as I rewatched it over and over! Kudos to ABC for a fantastic, creatively daring and overall excellent show!

melba d. toast | Oct 18, 2007 3:33:50 PM | #

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I really want to like this show. I like Ned, Olive, Emerson, the aunts, the colors, the narration... everything but Chuck! I just can't stand her. Why does she have to but herself into everything?

Go Indians! | Oct 18, 2007 6:46:42 PM | #

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GC, I'm like you in that I watch it on Tuesdays (in Canada/on CTV) but I don't like the fact that I have to wait a day to post about the show on here.

Saney, yes Ned and/or Chuck could wear gloves and then touch the other. They did in fact show a variety of that towards the end of the 2nd ep - the glove b/w the 2 compartments in the front of the car that Ned fixed up so that Chuck woudln't always have to sit in the back of the car.

Rishi | Oct 18, 2007 10:25:35 PM | #

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Has anyone else seen the funeral parlor house before? I know I've seen it before but I don't remember where or if it was in person here in L.A. or on tv somewhere. Anyone know? It's driving me nuts!

Bethany | Oct 19, 2007 12:56:09 AM | #

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Love this show.

It's "The Princess Bride" for adults.

Mary | Oct 19, 2007 7:04:26 AM | #

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You mean "The Princess Bride" wasn't for adults either?

pakopako | Oct 19, 2007 7:21:52 AM | #

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Any significance to the narrator saying that Lawrence was "44 years, 17 months, 10 days, 6 hours, and 9 minutes" old when he died? Are there more than 12 months in a year in the Pushing Daisies fantastical universe?

Jim | Oct 19, 2007 11:22:59 AM | #

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This is the best new show since "Heroes" premiered last year. I adore nearly everything about this show: the chemistry between Chuck and Ned, the wonderful dog, Olive and the salesman (hope they have a romance), the quirky aunts, the vibrant colors, and the narration, which I think of as yet another wonderful and hilarious character.

I am not as fond of Emerson, primarily because he dislikes the lovable Chuck for no valid reason, really, and because, in such a fun environment, he stands out as being stern and humorless. I wish the character would lighten up just a bit. Would it kill him to smile and cut Chuck some slack?

I hope that the network realizes what a gem this show is and doesn't do anything STUPID like placing it in an untenable time slot. I have seen great shows perish before ("Cupid" comes to mind) because network executives foolishly did not promote them and could not figure out what to do with them. Don't let this happen again!

Dallas | Oct 19, 2007 12:18:08 PM | #

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This can be one of those shows that makes you laugh at things the next day.

For instance last weeks episode. The Model squatting on the turntable while eating the pie.

It was odd when I first saw it but I still crackup at the thought of it.

I hope Pushing Daisies blossoms and grows.

TomATL | Oct 21, 2007 4:35:44 PM | #

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