LeBlanc drops his swag from the gifting suite off at his ex-wife Linda’s, only to find that he’s upset her. The trick he taught their sons got them in trouble at school, yet Matt amusingly can’t help but feel pride in his son’s artistic ability. Their fight turns into a moment of parental bonding, and soon the exes are drinking together in the afternoon. Drinking turns to flirting about a short, rubber dress he’s picked up for free and by the time he’s convinced her to try on the dress, it’s a countdown until they’re sleeping together.
At Sean’s lunch with Tim, the writing partners begin by awkwardly catching up with one another. After Tim starts to launch friendly jabs at Sean’s comparative success, Tim asserts that Sean’s new script with Beverly was actually originally an idea the former partners had developed together. Not only does Tim suggest it, but he’s brought notes that may prove it and has already consulted with lawyers.
When Sean’s returned home to Bev, he’s showing her Tim’s notes. Her reaction makes it clear she and Sean are in trouble. Their hotly anticipated new project might not be solely theirs to own for much longer. Beverly (Tamsin Greig) and Sean (Stephen Mangan) feel most at home comedically when their characters are desperate, and having their new found power with “The Opposite of Us” taken away for them promises to lead to funny scenes for Episodes’ main couple.
Matt’s seemingly backward romantic progression could soon become more notable within the context of his new financial troubles. Fiona stuck with him through some of their issues while he had his full fortune, but as LeBlanc learns to cut back on expenses, will she reveal a new side to herself? Thus far, Fiona’s always acted like the better of the two parents, only to slowly reveal her own flaws; however, with the character’s role potentially playing a larger part of coming episodes, perhaps we’ll learn more about the (fictional) mother of Matt LeBlanc’s (fictional) children.
The most questionable of the developments from “Episode 403” involves Carol’s consistent habit of becoming romantically involved with whomever becomes her boss. Your reaction to the kiss she and Helen Basch share as “Episode 403” fades to black might depend on your opinion of fluidity of sexuality; however, the return to a familiar character dynamic, who has been sexually involved with all three of the Network Heads on Episodes, feels tired on arrival.
In the moments leading to Carol and Helen’s kiss, Carol mentions she has a “thing” for power, and if Episodes plans to explore why Carol is incapable of saying no, then this story could become interesting. If the kiss with Helen is just an excuse to return to old storylines but with a homosexual twist, Season 4 will only grow more predictable.
