This week, Lipstick Jungle explores the theory that nothing can be fast, cheap and good. Something can be good and cheap, but it won't be fast. Want fast and good? It'll cost you! That begs the question: with the expensive clothes and sets this show is obviously not cheap, and the hour sometimes drags. So does that mean it's good?

After losing her husband last week Nico is in a state of suspended mourning, wearing black every day because she's not quite sure about how to go about being a widow. Apparently she and Wendy are using the mourning rules of Victorian England, insisting that if she isn't going to wear black she can only wear navy. Um, okay. Nico is pretty well shaken from her mourning state when mistress Megan comes to visit her office and starts making angry demands, saying she needs to be taken care of in the way she's accustomed to and tells Nico it's the "honorable thing" to do. Wow, I sort of beg to differ. Nico does as well, kicking Megan out of her office and immediately calling her lawyer to get some sort of restraining order against the crazy pregnant lady.

Nico's spirits are lifted when Kirby comes to visit her and they have a very nice, chaste sort of first date together. Things between them escalate significantly, however, when they attend a "swapapalooza" Sara Bareilles concert which involves the audience exchanging clothes and is basically an excuse for the show to get Kirby naked. Good job, show! All the clothes-swapping melts their inhibitions and they end up having hot, wild sex on the roof. After having a conversation with Kirby later about how she missed her 20's to be with Charles, Nico has a change of heart and gives Megan the money she asked for and sets up a trust for the baby, saying that she sees herself in Megan. That must have been some good sex to put her in that good of a mood. The episode ends with Nico clearing all remnants of Charles from her apartment and taking off her wedding ring, ready to start a new life alone. Now I wonder...will she realize Kirby is giving up his 20's to be with her just like she did with Charles?

Victory begins the episode much the same as she spent the last one: arguing with Joe. Now that she's rented his building for her showroom, Joe has hired the most expensive contractor in NYC to remodel and they are both too busy talking to each other to take any input from Victory. When Victory gets lost looking for a meeting later that day, however, she conveniently runs into a very cute and very much in sync with her aesthetic contractor, and hires him on the spot. They spend the entire episode gamely flirting over antique doorknobs and chandeliers, but Victory can't figure out if there is more than a business relationship there. Victory finally decides to tell him it's strictly business but, in pure Victory fashion, completely bungles it up until she finally just asks him out on a proper date. What will Joe think of this development?

Also in Victory-land, awesome assistant Roy is not so awesome this week, sending Victory to the wrong address for a meeting, forgetting to put a fitting in her calendar and basically being a total screw up. After seeing video footage of him in her new store washing his hair in a bucket (yes, truly and awesomely sticking his shampooed head in a bucket) Victory finally gets him to confess that he was evicted from his apartment. He's broke because his ex-boyfriend took all of his money and charged up his credit cards. Victory is so happy to finally figure out Roy's sexuality that she offers him help on the spot, and rents the upper floor of the showroom for Roy's new apartment. Fun!

Wendy is all about making the wrong decisions for the right reasons this week. When faced with the problem that the star of her new Beatles movie (and her very close friend) has been a no-show for all of the fittings so far, she kicks into high gear to figure out what is wrong. What the studio suspected was a re-emergence of a drug problem turns out to be an inoperable brain tumor, so Wendy forges the physical to make sure her dear friend can play John Lennon before he dies. So, when he croaks next week there's no way it'll blow right back in Wendy's face, right? She even makes sure to tell her #2 guy so that he can spill the beans on her. Oh, Wendy.

What did you guys think? Are you still on board for this season? How about Rodrigo the new contractor? And will Wendy regret sticking her neck out for a friend?

Comments

You know, I really enjoyed this episode a lot!
I think for the very first time, I thought Victory was wonderful and someone I'd actually like to hang out with. Her scene with Nico discussing Roy's sexuality was quite funny. (More Roy please!!) I also finally realized that Lindsay Price is doing a nice job with a difficult, flighty and sometimes ridiculous character. I also noticed that either the writers or the actresses don't know quite how to generate the right chemistry when all three are together in a scene. Those don't quite seem to work the same as when Wendy and Nico are together or Nico and Victory; as a trio they don't really seem that close - they seem just a bit forced.
And I'm all for the burgeoning relationship with Rodrigo, the contractor for Vic (I never realized Carlos Ponce was so hot - great arms!). Please get rid of Joe... his character is just simply a jerk.

So Victory had all the fun in this episode and again, Nico had all the sex... I sort of thought the show would milk the crazy pregnant mistress story for a few episodes before Nico took the high road, but I'm sort of glad they dismissed Megan and Charles right away. I've always thought that with just three leads, only one should be married, lest the show be too limited. It might have been fun if Nico had become a divorcee though and had to deal with her ex-husband and his new girl. But considering how much I dislike Joe and his function as 'The Ex' right now, maybe that wouldn't have worked after all...
Now while it's great to see Kirby in various states of undress, when he and Nico aren't having sex, they are rather boring together. Their non-sex scenes were the only ones that dragged to me. They don't have very much in common - or is it just the fate of happy couples on television, that they're boring? All googly eyes and goofy smiles and long pauses...

And maybe I've watched soaps too much, but Wendy's story, while actually compelling, was so predictable it was a little distracting. I knew that the star/friend hadn't relapsed, but was something more serious... (and I figured he'd die next week - but the promos shouldn't have given away that Wendy gets caught) I actually understand her actions (and I like her when she's not so upright, you know), but wouldn't you talk to your friend's doctor and not just read stuff on the internet before you commit forgery? And her telling the coworker what she'd done was beyond dumb.
I'm guessing that they'll have a turn of events with Wendy. She'll be sort of down and out, while her husband's career in music and scoring starts to take off. If this is where this story is going, I'm only a little disappointed because we spent so much time with Victory trying to restart her career in season one.
But all in all, I'm glad this show is back and that Cashmere Mafia bit it.

Varris | Oct 1, 2008 10:52:20 PM | #

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I love this show! I love the stylish ways they dress, they are all hot, the writing is clever! The guys are hot! How can you not love it (1) downfall too many commercials!

STACY | Oct 2, 2008 6:16:51 AM | #

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It COULD be because I've been so desparate for something to watch but I've enjoyed both episodes of the show this year and look forward to it coming on each week.

And for the first time Victory did NOT irritate me beyond belief - I like her dynamic with the new contractor.

It's nice to have SOMETHING to look forward to once a week.

Jan | Oct 2, 2008 7:29:10 AM | #

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Very sexy show this week. Loved when Kirby showed up at Nico's door and it looked like she was crying but was actually cutting onions. Funny stuff! Wendy wore some fabulous outfits this week!

Janet | Oct 2, 2008 8:13:28 AM | #

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Does anyone know the song that was playing at the end of the show last night? When Nico was taking down the pics and taking her ring off? I really liked that song, but i am not sure who sings it or the name of it. Thanks! Love the show!

mo | Oct 2, 2008 9:24:22 AM | #

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The song is Leona Lewis' "Better in Time"

Ashley | Oct 2, 2008 10:03:39 AM | #

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Hey Mo, that was "Better in Time" by Leona Lewis.

Carrie Raisler | Oct 2, 2008 10:08:42 AM | #

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Oops! I'm too slow. Thanks, Ashley. ;)

Carrie Raisler | Oct 2, 2008 10:09:14 AM | #

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I don't love this show. I do however find it entertaining in a way 9021ho can never be.

I now demand more shots of people dunking their heads into buckets in order to wash them. That made the episode for me and it was quite the DVR moment.

| Oct 2, 2008 11:26:07 AM | #

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First off, I love the show even more for having Sara Bareilles.

As Sarah Jessica Parker's character said in the movie, "The First Wives Club": "move on and move up". That is what Victory is doing. She is moving on with the hot contractor. I am afraid what Joe will do to wreck her relationship with the hot contractor.

Love Roy.

Nico should have done a paternity to make sure that Megan was having Charles's baby. Nico was generous to Megan. I thought about it not only does she see herself in Megan, but giving Megan that amount of money and the trust fund was a way to "eliminate" another reminder of Charles, instead of having Megan constantly showing up with his baby.

Is Wendy stupid? She would have fired someone for doing the exact same thing she did, so why does she seem surprised when she gets fired?

Who else loves the theme song?

Carly | Oct 2, 2008 12:41:48 PM | #

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Thanks all for the song name!

Mo | Oct 2, 2008 7:28:03 PM | #

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LOVE this show. Though it does drag sometimes, I live for the Kirby and Nico moments. There is just something about him!!! He is incredibly sexy and its not just the body. I wish I could find a Kirby all my own! Victory is gorgeous and I like this new story line with the contractor. Maybe Joe will finally relize money cant buy everything. Cant wait til this weeks show!

Julie | Oct 6, 2008 9:17:44 PM | #

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Funny how I found the Kirby/Nico scenes less sizzling with her husband out of the picture. In real life I'm not a fan of infidelity, but on the tube something about it made the affair hotter :)

dbanimate | Oct 8, 2008 9:42:50 AM | #

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Love the show too! Does anyone know where I can find a picture of Niko's wedding ring set?

Niko's wedding ring!!! | Oct 21, 2008 8:12:40 PM | #

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Can someone tell me the name of the song in the opening of show?

Taryn | Oct 31, 2008 7:09:57 AM | #

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Yes, What IS the name of the song, in the OPENING of the show???? Its driving me crazy...after dancing around the living room like crazy, my daughter sings, the ending "Read my lips...." She's 1 & 1/2! Its hilarious! Someone, please tell me. (And no, I don't let her watch the show) :o)

Melissa | Nov 6, 2008 4:50:25 PM | #

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Found it! "The bomb" by Bitter:Sweet. They short remix for the opening of the show is better than the whole song....I like it just the same. Love this show!

Melissa | Nov 6, 2008 7:31:54 PM | #

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Does anyone know the name of the song playing at the end of last night's episode (11/7) when Joe's assistant was telling Victory about the ring?

Elissa | Nov 8, 2008 8:42:25 AM | #

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the song at the end is "Time Stands Still" by Ellen Warshaw

Lorisa | Nov 11, 2008 10:42:04 PM | #

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Whats the name of the song and who sings it, from Fri show. 11-14-08. When Joe is leaving Victory. Thanks

I wanta wish you well!!!

Sue | Nov 15, 2008 6:29:44 AM | #

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what is the name of the song on last weeks episodes, and who sings it when joe leaves victory on the highway @ the end of the episode? i love this song and it is driving me crazy!!!

also-all you lipstick fans-nbc is cancelling this show-we must find a way to keep it around!!! finally a tv show that is for smart, educated, and fashionable women

shelly | Nov 17, 2008 7:46:22 AM | #

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Just wanted to let you know ...I was going crazy about that song as well. I found the name on another site. It is called - Wish you well - Katie Herzig. Great song..very fitting.
I wish Victory and Joe would just get it right! If they are going to cancel the show (which I will HATE so much if they do), they better put them together first!!!
Fantastic show but put into the death spot of Friday night chances are won't last long...grrrrr.

MUM | Nov 17, 2008 6:39:45 PM | #

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