Jill is invited to her psychology class's annual potluck dinner, with the proviso that she not bring any food. They've finally caught on to the fact that she's a lousy cook. Meanwhile, Tim's out welding the hot rod when Randy comes in, asking if his new friend can see it. Tim's proud that his middle child is now hanging out with a car guy... or rather a car girl. Her name is Lauren, and she's really into cars. Randy says they're just friends, but Tim encourages something more. That night, Randy studies himself in the mirror, trying to making himself look "cool", but ends up looking like a "fool". Brad and Jason--oh no, he's back--interrupt his bit of fun, looking to scam a few bucks off of him to go to a concert, but Randy rightfully turns them down. In response, they put down his hygiene. Lauren comes over again the next day to work with Randy on the school paper. They're writing about how the school's budget cuts are effecting the ballet class. This lets Tim know that his son has a girlfriend...or he's secretly a fruit. <---Tim's words, not mine.
On Tool Time, giving their salute to the two things guys love: cars and women, some prefer one over the other though. Tim is about to get a lesson in how well the opposite sex truly understands automobiles. Some moreso than others. One former car magazine model is invited down to give the Tool Man whatfor. For example, have a split radiator hose and you're stranded? Simply tie your scarf and your belt around that sucker. At home, Jill studies every cook book she has in the house, all given to her by people who have had her cooking, while Randy reaffirms that he and Lauren are just friends. However, something terrible is about to rock his world. Remember that concert Brad and Jason were going to? Turns out it's a double date. Brad is taking Angela, and Jason is taking...Lauren. Shows what kind of woman she is, though, if she has a thing for a cheating, lying scumbag like Jason. Randy didn't show it, but Jill knew he was hurting. She talks with Tim about it, and he proposes a perfect solution: a workshop. Literally. Invite Lauren to work on the hot rod, teach Randy a few of his jokes, and boom, she'll go right back to him. So Jill decides to go talk to someone who knows what they're talking about: Wilson. He tells Jill about losing his first love, and tries to assure Jill that it's all part of growing up and Randy will get over this hurdle eventually. Of course, the overprotective idiot wouldn't listen to him. Later that night, Randy waits up for the gang to get home from the concert, and he and Jill have a heartfelt talk about his rejection, comparing it to her rejection over bringing food to the potluck. She says if there's hope for her to cook a decent meal, there's hope for he and Lauren... isn't that ever the truth. Finally, Randy and Lauren get to talking, she was never interested in Jason, and Randy lets it slip that he'd kinda like to be more than friends. She says she isn't ready yet, but when the time comes, Randy will be first in line. That's when Tim comes in to try and build Randy up as a big car buff, and that he "ran into" Jason's "parole officer." Randy and Lauren quietly skedaddle while his back his turned.
This one was pretty good. It started out a big sluggish, but when Randy gets rejected by Lauren the first time, the feelings and emotions really show. Many of us can relate to him in this instance. So while the jokes weren't very funny and this episode is nothing to write home about, it's still pretty decent. The characters act like real people, the Taylors look and act like a real family. As for the B plot about Jill learning how to cook, I'm not sure if her cooking actually improves after this episode, since there are still hints of her poor culinary skills in future episodes. Season 6 is still off to a mediocre start, but it has a few chances to redeem itself, and there are some good episodes coming. Not the next one, of course (Al's Video), it's horrible. Skip it and go to the one after it about Jill's new car, it's much better.
On Tool Time, giving their salute to the two things guys love: cars and women, some prefer one over the other though. Tim is about to get a lesson in how well the opposite sex truly understands automobiles. Some moreso than others. One former car magazine model is invited down to give the Tool Man whatfor. For example, have a split radiator hose and you're stranded? Simply tie your scarf and your belt around that sucker. At home, Jill studies every cook book she has in the house, all given to her by people who have had her cooking, while Randy reaffirms that he and Lauren are just friends. However, something terrible is about to rock his world. Remember that concert Brad and Jason were going to? Turns out it's a double date. Brad is taking Angela, and Jason is taking...Lauren. Shows what kind of woman she is, though, if she has a thing for a cheating, lying scumbag like Jason. Randy didn't show it, but Jill knew he was hurting. She talks with Tim about it, and he proposes a perfect solution: a workshop. Literally. Invite Lauren to work on the hot rod, teach Randy a few of his jokes, and boom, she'll go right back to him. So Jill decides to go talk to someone who knows what they're talking about: Wilson. He tells Jill about losing his first love, and tries to assure Jill that it's all part of growing up and Randy will get over this hurdle eventually. Of course, the overprotective idiot wouldn't listen to him. Later that night, Randy waits up for the gang to get home from the concert, and he and Jill have a heartfelt talk about his rejection, comparing it to her rejection over bringing food to the potluck. She says if there's hope for her to cook a decent meal, there's hope for he and Lauren... isn't that ever the truth. Finally, Randy and Lauren get to talking, she was never interested in Jason, and Randy lets it slip that he'd kinda like to be more than friends. She says she isn't ready yet, but when the time comes, Randy will be first in line. That's when Tim comes in to try and build Randy up as a big car buff, and that he "ran into" Jason's "parole officer." Randy and Lauren quietly skedaddle while his back his turned.
This one was pretty good. It started out a big sluggish, but when Randy gets rejected by Lauren the first time, the feelings and emotions really show. Many of us can relate to him in this instance. So while the jokes weren't very funny and this episode is nothing to write home about, it's still pretty decent. The characters act like real people, the Taylors look and act like a real family. As for the B plot about Jill learning how to cook, I'm not sure if her cooking actually improves after this episode, since there are still hints of her poor culinary skills in future episodes. Season 6 is still off to a mediocre start, but it has a few chances to redeem itself, and there are some good episodes coming. Not the next one, of course (Al's Video), it's horrible. Skip it and go to the one after it about Jill's new car, it's much better.
