I don’t necessarily know where Season 5 of Entourage is going, but tonight’s episode, “You Gotta Look Up To Get Down,” immediately makes it apparent that this will be one of the show’s best seasons. It also showed why Jeremy Piven has won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor three consecutive times.
Ignore the boring subplot of Vince’s desperate search for a hot supermodel (and idiotic dismissal of a 7-figure paycheck), this episode was all about Ari. In 26 short minutes, he displays the entire range of emotions that we’ve seen over the course of the last several seasons. He was heartless, ruthless, annoyed, angry, fearful, surprised, elated, caring and regretful - just to name a few.
When Mr. Gold capitalizes on Alan Grey’s funeral to talk Vince into Smokejumpers, the unexpected happens: Grey’s old boss offers him the late studio head’s job. Ari is floored at this development and mulls over the decision, with help from Mrs. Ari. A few things make the job appear way more enticing: a Marquis jet ready to go where he pleases, a priceless watch and the fact that he has a ton of unnecessary stress and annoying clients at the Miller Gold agency. The obvious catch is that he feels a sense of loyalty to his big clients like Vince and doesn’t want to abandon them. I’ve got to say, I never considered that Ari could move on from being an agent, but I guess it makes sense given his drive and determination.
The final moments of this powerful episode cemented it as one of my all-time favorites : Ari and Vince, eye-to-eye at Van Nuys airport, facing the reality that they may not finish this thing that they started. If there was ever a tear-generating scene in the show, this was it. It spoke volumes to what the show is truly about : relationships. Forget all the glitz and glamour (and the hot chicks waiting on the lear jet), we’ve vicariously experienced high and lows through these characters and it would be sad to see those relationships end prematurely. I would even venture as far as to say that this is the moment that the show actually matures, forcing all its viewers to look ahead and ponder where it’s all going to end.
My prediction? Ari is going to turn down the studio job for reasons sentimental in nature. If he does take it, count on an imminent change of heart. I don’t care if he assumes more power and Vince can have any job with the studio: the finish line has to be harder than that to cross if the show is going to finish strong. The writers (and the fans) have way too much of a vested interest in seeing Ari and Vince struggling their way to the top again.
I’m also predicting another Emmy for Piven - he’s just way too good this season to not repeat. Next week, we find out if Ari takes the job and if Turtle can score with Jamie-Lyn Sigler.
Did you find this episode to be one of the best too? Let me know if the comments below.
Best episode of the season
This episode and Fire Sale have certainly been the best of the season and I would rank You Gotta Look Up as one of my top 5 of all time. Piven’s acting has been pretty seamless (and great) throughout, but this episode made it stick out just a little bit more than before. I can’t see him being anything but an agent, because Ari implicitly defines this show. His unorthodox methods, coupled with the glitz and glamour you describe, are what keep people coming back season after season.
I really like where they’re going with this season - who knew a light-hearted comedy could have such strong dramatic elements.
This is one bang on review. The characters have really set themselves up now and this is seen with the fact Vince has stepped up to almost self management status. Lloyd is sure to go his own way if Ari takes the job, out of principal…lets not forget he’s sitting on family wealth.
But lets face the fact that it wouldn’t be an end to twisted Ari and Vince, it looks like it will be set from here on in for Vince. His love of independent films may be the only pearl to provoc a full scale melt down in the tight crew of characters.
This show has had a couple of hit n miss moments but the truth is I would trade my left testicle to see it carry on at this pace.
probably one of the best episodes of the show - definitely in my top 5 with more of the funnier, lighthearted ones.
The scene at the end was great - Ari’s fake and uncomfortable smile really told the tale. Can’t wait to see what happens next week - I think he’ll turn it down as well