Episode Report Card Aaron: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Death Leppard
By Aaron | Season 1 | Episode 13 | Aired on 08.18.2001
So if the Chenowiths are the family that puts the "crazy" back into "crazy freaking lunatics," then the Fishers are apparently the ones who put the "function" right back into "dysfunctional." Once again we’re watching happy home movies of a young family Fisher, with little David and Nate playing around with their father and what appears to be two live ducks. Watching along with us are The Late Nate and Claire, who’s upset to discover that there are no home movies of her. Dad explains that he used the camera all the time when the boys were young, but by the time she came around, it was all "been there, done that." "Yeah, I know," snarks back Claire, but Dad just hopes that all that attention she never got will "motivate [her] to get up off [her] ass, and make something of [her] life." Claire laughs, and a door slams, and suddenly the dream is over and Claire is jolted awake on the couch. Ruth storms in and immediately announces that she’s just been fired. "That sucks," is all a still-sleepy Claire can manage. "Yes it does," replies Ruth. "And if you want to know the truth, I think I was victim of sexual harassment!" She recaps the whole angry Nikolai situation for Claire, who can’t believe it. "Oh my God! What a dork!" she says. "I know," answers Mom. "Can you believe it?" She goes on to add that with "a certificate in floral arranging, [she] can get a job anywhere." Flush with feminist fury, Claire defiantly shouts, "Screw Nikolai," and Ruth runs off to do precisely that. Well, okay, it’s actually not for another thirty minutes, but it does happen.
David Chase: I’m totally taking that duck thing as a season one shout-out.
Alan Ball: As well you should. I mean, you didn’t really think I’d forget to give props to my Sunday Nights On HBO buddy, did you? Oh, and by the way, that stripper in the Vegas episode? That was all for you, my friend.
Aaron: Hey, can I be your Sunday Nights On HBO buddy, too?
Alan Ball: Good God, no. No, I get printouts from my assistant, so you’re usually my Tuesday Afternoons In The Men’s Room buddy.
Aaron: Aww, come on. You know you’re gonna miss me. Everyone else just kisses your ass all the time, but I’m like that one sassy friend who always tells it like it is. I’m just keeping it real, dude!
Alan Ball: Oh my God. What a dork.