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Episode Recap: "Bitches"
Written by guest blogger Katie Bottner
Chuck and Ned fans, I can hear you breathing a sigh of relief that the Olive/Ned kiss was just a dream sequence. Though for a moment I thought that was real Chuck that tripped and was going to fall on Ned — I got scared for a second there. But alas it was all in Ned’s head as he became conflicted over being able to touch Olive but being in love with Chuck. And lucky for us, poor Emerson got to once again be the soundboard for this dilemma. Kudos go to Olive for coming clean to Chuck about the kiss, which Ned did not mention, but I feel sad for Olive — and my sadness for her deepened throughout this episode.
The facts of the case are these: One Harold Hundin (Joel McHale), president of a local kennel and breeder of the perfect dog, Bubblegum, is found dead. As we know, "where there is a reward, there is Emerson Cod," who with Ned and Chuck found out at the morgue that Harold was murdered by his wife. Simple? Not so much — he had four wives.
Emerson let Olive play detective with them this week — but just play play, not for money. I loved seeing them all on the case again like in the last episode. The montage of each one undercover with each of the wives was great. I think Ned’s was my favorite — his alias was Mr. Digby and Digby's was Ned, and he used the therapy session to sort out his own issues with Chuck and Olive. Olive, in her red wig, was too cute as usual. Did you catch that little backstory we got on her horse being named Pie, and after its death her finding The Pie Hole?
A poisoned cup of coffee pointed to the fourth wife, Hallie, the Seeing Eye dog instructor, but after being brought back on the case — thanks to the blind children — Emerson and the gang believed that Hallie was framed by one of the other wives. When it is discovered that Bubblegum was alive — after being believed run over by third-wife Simone the same day Harold died — the finger gets pointed at dog breeder competitor Snuppy. Snuppy, unbeknownst to the wives, made a deal to buy Bubblegum from Harold before he died, as he had plans to mass-market the perfect pooch.
Emerson slowly starts to put the case together... through his dreams. When he goes to confront the suspected killer, Simone, she ties him up, and we find out that she has Bubblegum and he's still alive. By the time Emerson breaks free and gets to The Pie Hole to fill everyone in, they are too late: Snuppy has been murdered. They hatch a clever plan to take Snuppy to the funeral and awaken him from the dead in front of the wives to see which one is the real killer. This works flawlessly, as the first wife, Hillary, runs screaming from the church. Hillary, being the first wife — and for a while the only wife — was not happy about how her life had turned out, and when she found out about Harold’s plans for Bubblegum, who was like a child to her, she only wanted to spare him the type of shared existence that she had lived.
I must admit, at the end I was distracted by my wallowing at seeing Ned and Chuck sitting in front of the gazebo. But not just any gazebo — those Gilmore Girls fans out there know what I am talking about. And was that the town of Stars Hollow in the background? Ah, I digress…. Thank goodness I have Pushing Daisies to ease my disappointment over the loss of Gilmore Girls.
The ending was perfect, with Olive letting go of Ned (somewhat) and giving him her blessing for his relationship with Chuck, and Ned telling Chuck she is the only one for him. Awww…
Of course, one of the best parts of the show is the dialogue. Here are a few of my favorites:
Emerson: "Someone in love is like a gangsta. They be like, 'Oh baby, you bleeding. How did that happen?' while they're hiding the razor in their weave."
Olive: "You don’t touch. I have been watching — not obsessively, but I have been paying attention. You don’t touch." And "That’s the most tragic story I have ever heard — notwithstanding the big-ticket items like genocide and famine. But tragic nonetheless."
Emerson: "Now that’s gangsta love. Don’t you worry, ol’ honey is going to get what’s coming to her."
Olive: "They make children for their polygamy cult?"
Olive: "Pickle loves some D&G. [Digby barks] He'd like to know if that comes in green?"
Ned to Emerson: "Your conscience calls you on the telephone?"
Chuck: "You’re taking money from blind children?"
Emerson: "I suppose I could pay my bills with the blind kids' smiles — but their money is a lot easier."
Emerson: "Why do I always have to be here for this stuff?"
Emerson: "The never-been-dead kind of alive."
Narrator: "Olive pondered the black mark on her relationship with the pie maker she feared was inked with a permanent marker."
Emerson: "I don’t work for Snuppy. A bunch of blind kids with too much money paid me to exonerate your sister-wife Hallie."
Emerson: "See, that’s what’s rubbing me. If she was gangsta, she would have busted a cyanide cap in my ass the minute I sniffed out her dog — but she didn’t."
Emerson: "Would you prop him up? He looks like a wino on New Year's."
Chuck to Ned: "I’m going to hug Digby and pretend he’s you."
Other mentionables:
• Missed the Darling Mermaid Darlings this week
• Poor young Ned and his sad Play-Doh family
• The puppy store being called, "Snuppy’s Puppies."
• The squeaky toy in Emerson’s mouth
• Emerson’s fear of the dark from being locked in a washer for two nights as a child
• I think Emerson and third-wife Simone make a good couple.
• The Vertigo homage in Emerson’s dream
Next week's episode guest-stars Molly Shannon, who opens a saltwater-taffy store to rival The Pie Hole. And Kara will be back to recap the show.
If you need a second helping of Pushing Daisies, check out our Online Video Guide.
Comment away my fellow PDAs (Pushing Daisies addicts). I am eager to hear your thoughts and favorite quotes.
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Nov 14, 2007 11:52 PM
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Nice job on the recap! This was a cute episode. The more I see of Olive, the better I like it. The more quips from Emerson the better I like it. The more I see of Ned and Chuck inventing ways to get not-close close to each other the better I like it. But, the less I see of the Darling Mermaid Darlings the more I like it. I didn't miss them AT ALL in this episode.
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Nov 15, 2007 12:56 AM
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Kara -
Another great write up. One little thing your spellchecker missed.
"Gangsta Love" like the Alicia Keys song. That is what Emerson was talking about.
My other favorite two word phrases used by Emerson were:
random rigmarole and butt scuddle.
I love the Pushing Daisies writers!
Emerson being dog trained by Simone was a hoot. I agree, they would make a wonderful couple.
And Emerson's dream reminded me of two Hitchcock movies - Vertigo (Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak) and Spellbound (Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck.) Spellbound had the painter Salvadore Dali's dream sequence.
Chuck's dream was such a tease. I thought Chuck and Ned had found a way to canoodle. But no, it was a Dallas flashback from Pam Ewing "Oh Bobby, it was all a dream."
I loved that this was a Digby themed episode. And the four wives detective sleuthing was priceless.
So was the ending with Chuck and Ned in bed.
I hope we visit the Aunts again. I miss them.
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Nov 15, 2007 1:13 AM
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Given Ms. Friel's real-life predeliction for getting nekkid all the time, and for getting caught nekkid in front of cameras all the time, her line about "I'm wearing too many clothes" had an odd real-world irony. Let's just say that typing "Anna Friel nude" in Google will give you slightly...er...more than such a search usually will for other celebs.
Those crazy Brits!
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Nov 15, 2007 4:35 AM
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Won't somebody love dear, sweet Olive Snook?? I just don't get it. Where is the aromatherapy guy? Bring him back; at least he liked Olive. Oh well..
Of course Emerson had the best lines but I also *loved* his crazy pink shirt. WOW - you go, Emerson!
Another delightful episode. I think next week is the Paul Reubens ep and Molly Shannon is after that. Either way, joy all around!
I refuse to believe there are only three episodes left. This strike must end. Please?
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Nov 15, 2007 5:00 AM
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MahlerFan:
Not just "naked" but "nekkid?" That is the serious form of "naked" - seriously naughty! 
But in her defense it doesn't compare at all to the number of "Bea Arthur nude" results you'll find. Er...someone told me.
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Nov 15, 2007 5:09 AM
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Ok, thanks for the image of Bea Arthur nekid... EEEWWWWW... Sorry, but Golden Girls should not be even thought of that way.
I totally loved this episode. I loved how Emerson's "wife" was training him & he didn't even know it. Too funny. I was cracking up when she had bent over & he was looking at her rear end & she clicked her dog clicker & he popped back up. & sorry, but I just cringed when Chuck took off her skin & was Olive. Not because it was Olive, but because she was peeling off her skin. EEEWWWW.
I just can't get that in all this time that Ned has had Digby that he has never ever touched him, even by accident. That would have to be the only thing that I have ever actually thought about on this show. I like that for a full hour (well, maybe more like 45 minutes with all the commercials that are added in) I don't think about now how in the heck are they able to do that. It's all just a fantasy & I loved it.
Also, I didn't miss the Darling Mermaid Darling's neither & I have loved Swoosie Kurtz since Sisters. Doesn't hurt my feelings if they aren't on there.
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Nov 15, 2007 8:11 AM
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I like to think I'm a reasonably intelligent guy, but sometimes this show throws out so many character names in such quick succession that I find myself getting lost in the complications of the plot--sort of like a fantasy version of "Law & Order" where, if I lose concentration for 30 seconds, I end up spending the rest of the episode trying to catch up.
That said, I love the tone of "Pushing Daisies", the dialogue, the characters, etc.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check out "Anna Friel naked" on Google.
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Nov 15, 2007 8:40 AM
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The murdered man's name, "Hundin," is German for "female dog," going well with the episode title. It also makes all four Hundin wives "bitches." Heh. I wonder if anybody caught that? I only did because I'm fluent in German. Bryan Fuller is a god.
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Nov 15, 2007 8:49 AM
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Emerson is the sassy vinegar that balances out the sweetness of the show! I am loving Chi McBride more and more. I didn't watch Boston Public, and I hated his character on House. So I'm glad he's getting to show how talented, likable and funny he is!
I was happy that Ned finally found out that Olive has feelings for him, and that he realized he has genuine feelings for her too, even if they are not romantic feelings.
Does anybody else watch The Soup on E!? Mr. Harold Hundin was none other than The Soup's host, Joel McHale. I enjoy his cutting wit and sarcasm on The Soup, and the fact that he was on The. Best. Show. Ever. upped my opinion of him as a person exponentially!
Best aliases (in my opinion)of the quadruple wife investigation: Olive calling herself "Pimiento" and Digby "Pickle".
I am a PDA - Pushing Daisies Addict. I was cursing the CMA's last week, because they pre-empted my favorite show. But thankfully I got my fix last night. I can't believe that there are only 3 more episodes! I guess I'll have to just re-watch the first nine, over and over and over...
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Nov 15, 2007 9:19 AM
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After the first episode, I wasn't sure I really liked this show but I thought it was cute enough to give it another try. WOW, I am so glad that I kept watching because I now LOVE it. The characters are endearing and funny and the plot lines are a bit far-fetched but that is what makes this show so great and unqiue.
Last night's episode was great. You really saw all their unique personalities when they each had to interview a wife, even Digby's personality changed a bit when he was with each person (my favorite being Pimento and Pickle). The writing on this show is simply fantastic.
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Nov 15, 2007 10:22 AM
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I get the feeling that Ned doesn't touch live people in general and maybe that's why he's so affected by Olive's touch. I'm glad that in the end he could just enjoy the feel of her hand on his without feeling so tortured about it. I have to confess, I like Olive better than Chuck. Chuck seems kind of pushy and a know-it-all. I guess I just feel sorry for Ned, who seems so isolated by his "gift" and would rather see him in a real relationship.
Kudos to the writers for creating characters we can really care about.
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Nov 15, 2007 12:07 PM
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As Usual, I loved everything about this episode. Olive's alias as Pimento was too funny. How great was it to have all 4 of them working on the case? AWESOME!
Emerson is a great character and it's great to see Chi as the funny straight man.
I love that dog, Digby and whoever trained him is a fantastic person. I also missed the Darling Mermaid Darlings, but I can handle an episode without them. Until next week my fellow PDA's!
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Nov 15, 2007 12:25 PM
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I agree with you GarryB, I find the dialogue much too quick for me at times but particularly this episode because of the sheer number of people involved in the plot line. I don't care though, this isn't the type of show that you have to really keep up with. It all comes together in the end and the ride is great. I loved the part where Emerson spit out the dog toy!
Thank you Mahlerfan, I don't know German but I'm sure you are right that Hundin was used for that very reason. Bravo. Too bad that was a joke the vast majority of us wouldn't get, but for those german speakers out there, I'm sure it gave you a good giggle.
BTW, for those of you who also watch Kid Nation and miss the recap/blog here, I did one over in the community blog area this week. Please come join the conversation.
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Nov 15, 2007 1:43 PM
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What a great recap! I was hoping you caught the Vertigo homage during Emerson's dream. That was brilliant. That whole part of the dream sequence where Emerson/Jimmy Stewart's head flashes in and out is my favorite. It makes me laugh to no end. Check the Vertigo scene and Jimmy's hair blowing in the breeze is the best.
Anyways, is it physically possible to love this show any more. Between the writing, the plots, characters, everything. I'm not a warm and fuzzy kinda guy, but this show always leaves me with a smile on my face at the end of the episode.
To the entire crew on Pushing Daisies, thank you, thank you, thank you!!
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Nov 15, 2007 2:27 PM
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