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« Dirty Sexy Money
Episode Recap: “The Game”
Two words. Freddie rapping! Fantastic!
"The Game" was not a Halloween reference to bobbing for candy-covered apples, or pinning the tail on the ghoul. It referred to a high-stakes poker game where money, (you know it's Dirty Sexy Money) is worthless and real estate is king. I had a heart attack just watching them toss around $80 million at a time. I didn’t understand why Tripp would argue with Nick in front of the poker players. I found it unlike Nick for pushing something that hard with Tripp, although when I learned the truth behind it, it made more sense. Tripp folded but I wonder what hand he actually had. He may have thrown the game.
My favorite scene of the entire show was when the brothers played the video game. It was too short-lived. But one of the best lines came from that scene: “Doesn’t your conscience feel the tiniest prick?” “Not until you walked in, Brian.” Funny and so nice to see the brothers interacting. They don’t get to do that enough.
Incredibly, Patrick kissed Carmelita on the street and some TMZers, (or rather, Tripp’s Maniacal Zealotry) snapped a picture. Tripp tried to buy Carm off, but she would hear nothing of it. Tripp’s sad line to Carmelita, “No one knows better than me that money is cold comfort in the absence of love,” was another dig at Tish and Dutch’s secretive affair. Carmelita turned that right around on him, and bully for her. I liked the way she played Tripp. It only lead Patrick to cut his ties with his father and turn to none other than... wait for it… Simon Elder. He’s getting a lot of mileage and he’s only been around for two weeks!
Just as we were wondering why there wasn’t more of both Jill Clayburgh and William Baldwin, we were handed each on a silver platter. They both had some meaty scenes. Even Daisy got more face time.
I finally figured out why Nick is there. He is a blank canvas for the other actors to show off their colors. He’s like the straight man to a ridiculously funny comedian. A good percentage of the actor’s best scenes are played against Nick. He brings it out in them.
Dutch and Simon had a plan to make a New Manhattan. Or at least this is what Simon is telling Nick. Nick, don’t believe him for a second! I don’t trust that Simon Elder as far as I can throw him. He’s up to no good! He had the dealer, for goodness sake! Simon asked Nick to do something against his grain but sweetened it by offering the real NTSD report on his father’s death. Sounds like blackmail to me. (The police held something back from Nick claiming “Accidents happen” in the first report.) But Nick has a plan for Simon, too. Who will win this game?
The music in this ep was beautiful. The two songs that stood out sounded like they were from the same performer, only after much googling, I still can’t figure out who it was. Anyone?
Jeremy decided that making an honest living would be a good idea. He’s just not cut out for it. And Juliet became a babysitter for Brian, Jr. (I really preferred the name Gustav.) Juliet did have a great fight scene with her brother, the kid's father. An accusatory Brian: “Did you buy my son a $30,000 watch?” A defensive Juliet: “It was 15 percent off.” And the retort of the father: “You’ve turned a nice, sweet, fake Swedish orphan into your own personal living doll.”
Brian told Brian Jr. he planned on spending more time with him. The cute kid wanted to know, “What happens during good old-fashioned father-son time?” And once again, Brian pulled it out of the bag when he cut the hole in Brian Jr.’s pancakes. I may have sprinkled my computer with a tear or two.
Eddie Cibrian joined the cast as Karen’s ex — nix that, still current — hubbie. All I can say is, “Why can’t he answer my door?” Sebastian and his “nice hiney” (Daisy’s words, not mine) seduced Karen into being unfaithful to Freddie (as if she needed any real arm-twisting on that one). Karen was up to her old tricks, suggesting the reason Nick wanted her to slow the marriage train was because he wanted her for himself. She has a very deluded idea of herself. And I couldn’t believe the things she said to her mother. My mother would have washed my mouth out with soap. Ivory soap. Blech.
Tripp told Nick his wish was for him to take control of all of his companies. Wow. Now why would that be? Why would you ask your lawyer to take over your businesses and not one of your own children? (Note the irony.) Later Tripp professed his love for “Nicky.” Hmmm. How many people refer to their lawyers in such a familiar way? And was it just me, or did anyone else notice the way Nick looked at Tish as she walked up the staircase? Kind of like a son might look after his mother. I’m just saying….
For Pete’s sake, DSM won’t be around next week due to the CMAs, but you can keep up with clips in our Online Video Guide.
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Nov 1, 2007 2:43 AM
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You know a show really has you hooked, when after the first 6 weekly episodes, you are MAD you have to wait 2 weeks for the next new episode. DSM, IMHO, is the best show this fall!
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Nov 1, 2007 7:23 AM
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I don't think that Carmelita played Tripp. They haven't revealed her character to be manipulative (yet?). If she wanted to, she could threaten to reveal the relationship herself and get lots of money. She was trying to get Patrick to stop worrying about the pictures because she knew what was going on.
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Nov 1, 2007 8:21 AM
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This show keeps getting better and better! I'm with you on that scene with the brothers being the best part of the show.
Also, I like Brian (Sr.) more and more each week
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Nov 1, 2007 8:54 AM
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I, too, really love this show - other than Mad Men, it's the best new thing on TV this year. I continue to be surprised by Brian - just when you think he's a total jerk, he shows a really soft side.The syrup thing with Brian, Jr was great.
Simon Elder is becoming interesting - I don't trust him for a minute, and it's obvious that the argument between Nick and Tripp at the poker table was for his benefit. One thing bothers me, though. Simon's backstory somehow feels phony. Russia? $100 in his first year in America? Seems like they're trying to create this mystery character, which is fine, but Blair Underwood (who's terrific) doesn't seem to fit the backstory.
How long before we know who's related to whom? Could NIck and Karen be brother and sister?
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Nov 1, 2007 8:57 AM
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I was thinking to myself last night that I really wanted Nick to be Tripp's son. But somehow I don't see that as likely. I hope that Simon Elder killed Dutch. Because I can't stand him. And I really can't see any of the Darlings having done it.
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Nov 1, 2007 9:20 AM
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I agree about last night's music. It was really great. I'm hoping ABC will post the song names later.
And the scenes with the brothers were great.
The one funny thing I've noticed is every week either Tripp or Tish cry. Just a random thing.
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Nov 1, 2007 10:41 AM
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I love the show but missed the second half. What happened at the poker game?
Also, on the write up.....it's the NTSB!!! Not the NTSD. Also, did you mean wash your mouth out with bleach? not blech?
It's TV Guide - where are the editors?
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Nov 1, 2007 10:44 AM
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...Good morning...I'm probably the only one that this happens to, but every time I hear the name Simon Elder, it makes me think of The Elder Wand, from the book Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows...anyway...I still want him to be gone! to go back to Russia and stay there and to never make trouble for Tripp Darling; I was brokenhearted that Tripp lost Darling Plaza, even if it was for a good cause; somehow I was not comfortable with Nick being so O.K. with Tripp losing a property worth that many millions; I mean, it's not his money to dispose of!...and the way Donald Sutherland delivered the line "I love you Nicky", well, I almost cried...I'm also loving Brian and Brian Jr's scenes together, more and more; don't know why but I'm left with the impression that if Glenn Fitzgerald is a father in real life, he must be a really good dad...and why will there be no new episode next week?...
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Nov 1, 2007 10:45 AM
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I really hope that the "Powers that Be" don't have Karen turn out to be Dutch's daughter. That would just be gross considering that Nick was the one who "deflowered" Karen. You'd think the parents would have nipped that relationship in the bud before it got to that phase. I think it would make more sense for the twins, Jeremy & Juliet, to be Dutch's children. Nick has already taken a kind of big brother/mentor spot in each of their lives and I think it would be interesting to explore that further if he turned out to be their biological brother.
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Nov 1, 2007 11:20 AM
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Karen's ex-husband is the hottest guy I have seen in a long time! Wow..I think I am still drooling. Loved Jeremy trying to make it on his own and not telling the hot girl who he is. Brian and Brian Jr are my absolute favorites! How sweet was that when he showed Brian Jr. his patented syrup distribution method? The poker game didn't fool me for a second. I knew Tripp was in on that with Nick. But did anyone else notice when Simon and Nick were walking away from the window that they moved their arms exactly like each other and walked exactly alike and seemed almost to mirror each other exactly. Don't know what that means but I thought I would throw it out there.
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Nov 1, 2007 11:22 AM
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I dont think the question is "Who is Tripp's son?" It's "Who isn't Tripp's son?" It's not like Laetita had a baby and forget about it. She had an affair and had 5 children during that time. The odds of one of them not being Tripp's is very likely. I don't really see how you could think that Nick is Tripp's son. The familiarity btwn Tripp and Nick is due to the fact that Tripp watch Nick grow up. And Tripp knows he doesn't have a son who can take over the company: The Baldwin has "left" the family, Brian is a minister and Jeremy is an idiot. Nick is the only one qualified to run the biz!
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Nov 1, 2007 11:46 AM
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Im sorry all i can really come up with to say is that I think this show is fanfreakintastic. yep. that about sums it up.
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Nov 1, 2007 11:55 AM
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I think the two songs you were talking about was both by Dan Wilson [from the band Semisonic] He has a new album out. 
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Nov 1, 2007 12:23 PM
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I love this show..I love Krause & Sutherland...PUHHHLEEAASSEEE tell me eddie cibrian will b bak in a future ep..preferably dressed the same way  ..I wonder if Nick is really Tripp's and Karen is dutch's..but that doesnt make sense lol..or mayb Nick is the son Tripp always wanted...I cant believe how karen talked to her mom..i think jeremy mite have showed a little maturity this ep by not tellin the spanish grl who he really was just to see if she wuld date an "average" guy...4get the CMA's I want my DSM!!!!
sorry for my run on sentence lol..i just wrote my thoughts out
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Nov 1, 2007 12:43 PM
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