Scathing, smoking ‘Weeds’

(Published September 30, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor

The secret lives of unhappy suburbanites are exposed in the wicked weekly comedy-drama “Weeds,” about an enterprising widow who discreetly sells marijuana to some of her neighbors.

Mary-Louise Parker plays Nancy Botwin, self-proclaimed “Suburban Baroness” and mother of two troubled--and troublesome--sons. There are striking similarities to “Desperate Housewives,” but the more scathing “Weeds,” while not having macabre mysteries, treads where the other show can’t (or hasn’t).

Nancy sells pot to loyal adult customers in the community of Agrestic. Her small business later expands to include some college students. She refuses to sell to young kids, though. Some episodes into the second season, she explains that “pot-smoking is basically a victimless crime,” and marijuana is unlike cocaine and meth, which are “dangerous drugs that destroy lives.”

Her dealing is known only to her buyers and a tight circle of friends, who often help out in keeping the truth from her sons. Helping her raise them is her freeloading brother-in-law Andy (Justin Kirk), who gets in even more serious predicaments than his nephews.

Also adding to the humor and drama is Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins), a prim, self-righteous wife and mom who alternates as friend and foe to Nancy. Celia, unlike the other characters, is typically the killjoy, someone that viewers will love loathing. She’s thoroughly disliked (even by her own daughters), and is the obvious but crucial contrast to Nancy.

Depictions of misbehavior and sadness abound; Agrestic’s picture-perfect façade hides cheating spouses, secret liaisons, and flawed families. The series establishes the deliberate imperfections early in the first season, probing into ties and motivations through strong language and provocative dialogue. Mature themes are explored, sometimes gut-bustingly, other times poignantly.

Pot-dealing Nancy is very endearing, whether one agrees or disagrees with her methods. It’s also delightful to see her finding romance again, because that’s accompanied by expected complications. That new development brings about some predictable situations, but also some genuinely surprising changes by season two.

Nancy’s dichotomies are alluring; she’s confident and capable as the breadwinner, but she often fears that she’s failing miserably at parenthood. “Weeds” is especially insightful and addicting in its portrayal of failures, guarded secrets and hypocrisy.

“Weeds” airs Saturdays, 10:00 p.m. on 2^nd Avenue.