Entourage Returns with Season 6 Episode 1: 'Drive'

Doug Ellin and everyone behind Entourage quickly made us forget how long we have to wait between seasons. Drive, the sixth’s season’s first episode, was just an amazing, awesome throwback to how fun the show used to be.

Gone are the financial woes and career setbacks: Vinny Chase is hotter than ever with his role in Martin Scorsese directed “Gatsby.” Even better, the show wastes no time getting him back to the top, he’s just there (Our first shot of the season is of Vin’s ridiculously posh LA pad). So now, it’s back to new and exciting film prospects (Vin will play Enzo Ferrari in an upcoming flick) and  Jay Leno interviews. It’s great to be back on top and a small part of me that agonized through Medellin was jumping for joy.

But don’t expect Season 6 to be a complete rehash of the vicarious thrills and parties we saw when Vince was heralded for his role in Aquaman. The theme this go-round is definitely celebratory, but it also has some somber undertones. The focus is clearly on maturity and how the boys will eventually try to map out their own independent destinies. E secretly has his eyes set on Sloan (despite seemingly having many girls) and is easily convinced to get his own place. Turtle is getting serious with Jamie-Lynn and Drama is still having his own success. And nothing last night might have been more symbolic than Vince getting his own driver’s license. The gang has gotten back to the top, but they’re all focused on their own lives. It’s a new, mature Entourage and it’s a great turn for the show at this point in it’s history.

But again, that doesn’t mean that the ride won’t be fun. I’m sure we’re in for a boatload of memorable one-liners and it’s about time things will change for Lloyd, who surprisingly strong-armed Ari into considering him for a promotion. You can count on some hilarious scenes for Ari as his partnership with Gary Cole will inevitably turn for the worse.

Last night’s episode struck a perfect, delicate balance between comedy and drama, something the past few seasons have had trouble doing. Hopefully, the rest of Season 6 will be as sweet as Drive was last night.

Tune in next Sunday for Episode 2, Amongst Friends, where we will see Vince and friends at the Gatsby red carpet premiere.