'Weeds' back at last

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By VR Bryant

The wait wasn't that long, really, less than a year. It just seems that in the time since the end of Showtime's now-flagship program "Weeds" fourth season, I've matured from a wee little girl into a full-figured, blossoming woman. Or something like that.

I've said it time and time again-premium cable channels like HBO and Showtime are totally the new pink when it comes to quality television. Unfettered use of profanity aside (though that is a big plus), it just seems like these non-network shows are of a higher quality across the board.

From "The Sopranos" to "Big Love" to "The Wire" to "Curb Your Enthusiasm," it's clear that cable is the new gold standard, and the best source of interesting television. Sorry, CW.

And "Weeds" - the brand new fifth season of which started this past Monday - is certainly no exception. For those not in the know, the then-controversial now-widely lauded Jenji Kohan product centers around a character, name of Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker), who responds to the financial hardship left by the untimely death of her husband by getting into the business of slinging "pot," or "hydro," or whatever you want to call it. Hence the title.

The supporting cast is phenomenal, and I must pay extra props to Kevin Nealon, whose portrayal of the pothead CPA-slash-slightly-crooked city councilman is the best one running. Actually, I'm sure it's the only one running, but it's still damned funny.

Romany Malco ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin") is remarkable through the first three seasons as the resident horticulturist and Nancy's lead love interest, Guillermo Diaz ("Half Baked") is a treat, and Elizabeth Perkins ("Big") does an excellent tragic victim.

As Nancy gets deeper and deeper into the drug game, the stakes get higher and higher-almost to the point that it can be difficult to fathom. Then again, having never been a high-volume drug dealer, who am I to question the writing?

Anyway, if you have Showtime and haven't seen the show, I highly recommend hitting up Netflix soon and catching up. It's like "Grey's Anatomy," but with weed. And it doesn't suck shit through a tube.

Originally Published: Issue 746 - June 3, 2009

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