After a busy yet enjoyable first outing, The Middleman returns. Slightly less busy, but chock-ful nonetheless. It also featured the most awkward familial revelation I may have ever seen.

Spoilers Below

So Wendy has to get Lacey out of jail in the middle of the night because she was arrested for indecent exposure in a Sushi restaurant (she was protesting mercury poisoning killing people/people killing fish). The cops let her out but Wendy is responsible for her.  When Dubs tells Lacey that she has to be more responsible, the comment is not taken well.

The next morning at Middle HQ, Wendy is feeling guilty about the fight and suggests hacking into the Police database and deleting Lacey's permanent record. Double M slaps down the idea and tells her that they can't afford her to be distracted by her personal life (a lecture that happens repeatedly through the episode).

The duo investigates a mudslide that took place in a restaurant, which killed the owner. The restaurant's "decorative" Terracotta Warrior is missing and the busboy informs them that said boss used to perform rituals to it. Since Middleman doesn't know much about magic, they have to go consult a specialist - a succubus named Roxy Wasserman (the underrated Elaine Hendrix, The Parent Trap and guest roles on a whole bunch of TV shows) who owns Famouse Fashion House, a place where reformed succubi/incubi start over again.

Roxy says that the Terracotta Warrior is an earth elemental, meaning it can control dirt and hide as anything made of it. Its mission is to find the last descendant of its emperor and take him/her to the afterworld, which will "release a hail of fire that will rain down for 1,000 years." I'm betting they don't make umbrellas for that. To defeat the Warrior, they need a special potion made primarily of waters from the seven seas.

When Wendy goes home to pack a bag for an assumed trip to China to track down the last heir, she tries to apologize to Lacey but that doesn't go well. When asked where she's going, Dubs says she's doing a job for Roxy which doesn't help the situation. Lacey ends up marching down to Famouse intending to cover the fur they use with fake blood which worries Wendy. But instead of getting the life sucked out of her, she ends up becoming Roxy's new assistant.

Meanwhile, Ida tracked down the royal descendant. It's a middle school-aged kid named Duncan who lives nearby and doesn't look like Double M expects him to. Narrowly escaping from the Warrior, the Middleteam takes the kid back to his house. Roxy sends a dolled up Lacey to drop off the potion. She flirts with Double M and gets in another fight with Wendy before leaving.

They try to explain the situation to his parents. The dad believes it's impossible until the mother explains that she got really drunk on an overseas trip to China. Ouch. The parents storm off to hash it out while Wendy talks Duncan down. Suddenly the TCW shows up, only the potion doesn't work because Lacey didn't use real Tahitian bottled water and Duncan gets nabbed.

MM calls Roxy and tells her what happened, when they arrive at Famouse, they are told another potion is being made while they plot a rescue. Oh, and Lacy was fired. After an elaborate ritual, Dubby and Double M arrive in the Underworld...via elevator. It looks like a business office's lobby, so essentially it's Wolfram & Hart.

Behind the information desk there's the Hall of Records which contains paperwork on every death, which naturally piques Wendy's interest. While MM runs off after the Warrior, Wendy asks the Info Guy to look up her dad. Right as Info guy finds what could be the file, Dubby must run off to help MM like she was supposed to. The potion works this time and all three escape, safely yet muddy.

Wendy finds Lacey with Trevor the Photographer/Incubus carrying a bunch of fur coats. Originally she took the job to destroy the coats but, based on their responsibility conversation, she convinced Roxy to let them donate the coats to the homeless. The two friends make up and all's right with the world. For the moment.

Assorted Other Bits & Thoughts:

• The unnecessary inoculations Wendy received bore the potential side effects of drowsiness, atypically vivid daydreams and paranoia. They didn't really play these up as much as I thought they would.
• The second episode was a lot less...busy than the pilot. I feel conflicted about that because I liked the quick pacing, yet it was a whoooooole lot of stuff packed in there. But the square-jawed, old school hero still plays great.
• More Noser please. I heart him. Wouldn't it be great if he ended up being an alien or a superhero or criminal mastermind or an immortal prince hiding from his destiny or something?
• And I dig Ida. The rampant, unchecked hostility she displays is fantastic.
• I know Lacey is the "Lois Lane" of the show but...she kind of bugs. Not the actress but the character archetype. Hopefully that'll improve shortly.
• The special effects of the Terracotta Warrior were awful which I appreciate. It fits perfectly in with the tongue-in-cheek tone of the series.

Favorite Quotes:
"Brilliant! Absolutely transcendent! You're like Karl Lagerfield with breasts." - Roxy to Lacey after hearing her random fashion idea involving a fairy skirt and a unicorn headdress

"Yeah. He sucks." - Duncan's response to Wendy asking if he's heard of Robin the Boy Wonder (that was her way of explaining that she's the sidekick to Double M's hero)

"Wind, you carried me. Fire, you are my destiny. Water, you scare the pants off me." - Translation from the Terracotta Warrior's ritual

Enough of my rambling. How'd the second ep work for you? Any quotes, comments, thoughts, favorite parts?

Comments

I hope Roxy is a regular - she was terrific. She complemented the rest of the show and made it even more fun as entertainment. You're right - she is underrated.

Michelle | Jun 24, 2008 5:24:12 AM | #

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This is becoming a show to really get into. I don't like that they are changing the timeslot already, as I don't think the content requires it. (unlike House and Lost and the like)

The 'captain of the football team' rant was pretty funny. Not sure I like the roommate though.

All in all, this is one to help get us through the summer. Looking forward to next week's show (CHECK THOSE TIMES PEOPLE!)

Brett | Jun 24, 2008 5:40:44 AM | #

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I love this show, but will have to DVR it starting next week, as theya re putting it on against Saving Grace. Which I think is a stupid move. I wish they would keep it on at 8:00 or change the website to reflect the time change. Sci Fi burried Charlie Jade in the coveted Late Monday/Early Tuesday 3am time slot lets hope ABC Family keeps this gem alive. It has the campy aspect of Reaper, the Witty aspect of Doctor Who, the cheerful aspect of Pushing Dasies, and the humor aspect of Rescue Me. This is a true summer hit. Nothing like some light entertainment after a long 9 and a half hour work day.

Jon | Jun 24, 2008 7:15:47 AM | #

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Best show of the summer thus far. But it should be on USA. Family Channel is killing it by no promotion and moving it to 10PM. It'll be on after the 900 Club at midnight before you know it. Pity.

Mark | Jun 24, 2008 7:42:07 AM | #

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Interesting. It's on at 7 where I live. Love it too.

Susan | Jun 24, 2008 8:15:45 AM | #

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Elaine ROCKS as "Roxy"
More More More Please!!!
I agree with you Michelle :o)

Secret Weapon | Jun 24, 2008 12:40:46 PM | #

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This show is a bit like a cross between "Get Smart" and "The X-Files," but it's a good fit so far. The show has enough heart to take it beyond some of the more stereotypical "me-man-you-not-man" moments between the two leads, subtle though they might be. The roommate needs to get a real job/life/romantic interest, then maybe she'll see that her silly protests don't mean all that much. The character could be better, and may be, if they get her to move beyond bitching about things less than one-half of one percent of the planet cares about anyway. What I did like, though, was the giving away of the fur coats to the homeless. Leona Helmsley must be rolling over in her grave.

Elaine Hendrickson, alas, will never be the star that she should be, simply because she is too easily-pigeonholed. Being cast a "reformed" succubus is a step in the right direction, although (forgive, but it's just personal preferences where women are concerned), I don't see her as a demon that seduces, then sucks the souls out of unsuspecting men. Adrianna Lima, on the other hand...she could dessicate me any time. I hope she becomes at least a semi-regular, since she seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the very things that are highlighted week to week.

Really, this show should not be on ABC Family. It is as out-of-place there as Greek would be on Nickelodeon. I realize that ABC Family is a bare shadow of what it used to be, but at least it's no longer a clearinghouse for failed/short-lived dreck from the channel's parent network. But then, I've never forgiven Disney for canning State of Grace, which was one of the best shows on cable at the time when they bought the channel, so I'm a mite prejudiced against the powers-that-be.

Anyway, moving the show after only two weeks seems idiotic, but we'll see how it goes. Unfortunately, now it's opposite Children of the Paranormal on A&E, which I find fascinating. Summer TV is not supposed to require the use of recording devices, but eh.

Best moment? When they return from The Underworld, covered in what looked to me like melted milk chocolate, only to have Roxy say, "I need chocolate. The good kind." Mahvelous, dearie, mahvelous...

Dark Disciple | Jun 24, 2008 1:15:50 PM | #

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Elaine was wonderful as Roxy in this episode and I really hope she's returning again soon in the series...

But they need to give her a pair of cute lil black horns and a better wardrobe!

TeraS

TeraS | Jun 24, 2008 4:46:47 PM | #

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This show is just getting more and more amusing. AND LOVE info guy. I'd kind of hope he'd appear again. definitely fun in the summer.

Francesca | Jun 24, 2008 8:42:17 PM | #

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Natalie Morales's incompetent acting and negative charisma will kill this show! Otherwise, it's really good!

eduardo | Jun 24, 2008 9:46:07 PM | #

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Natalie Morales is ugly, too! (you must admit...)

ericakt | Jun 24, 2008 9:47:13 PM | #

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Nobody mentioned the opening credits, which we saw for the first time (they weren't used in the pilot).

It had a 1960s spy-show feel to them, which fits into the tone of the show. Wendy's outfit looked a bit like the cat-suits that Mrs. Peel used to wear.

And Natalie Morales is far from ugly. She actually looks like a real person, which is refreshing for television.

Art Carnage | Jun 24, 2008 11:27:24 PM | #

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Natalie Morales acting is TERRIBLE! Whe reads her lines like some High School drama thud. She kills any chemistry. She's a Prime Example of Bad Casting cuz the rest of the series is entertaining. Recast Quickly!

MaryMary | Jun 25, 2008 11:14:09 AM | #

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natalie morales does look real...really ugly

Tobyy | Jun 25, 2008 11:15:19 AM | #

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Do they have to pay royalities to "Men In Black"?

Wendy Watson has no style or wit. Where did she come from and why did she get this role?

The others have good sassy acting. I'll watch maybe a little more.

Emmy G | Jun 25, 2008 11:18:57 AM | #

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Natalie Morales is awesome and very easy on the eyes. The best reason to watch this show.

zeb | Jun 25, 2008 5:08:19 PM | #

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Elaine Hendrix as Roxie - simply wonderful! I love the sarcasm of Ida, but Roxy is a rich character. Gimme more, gimme more, gimme more!

Broph | Jun 25, 2008 5:42:30 PM | #

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