Season 5 of Entourage is Hot and Fire Sale continues to demonstrate this point.

Unlike last week's filler episode, this week was all about moving on.  

Vincent Chase, our leading man, finds out that he doesn't sell anymore.  Offered a role in Benji, by the end of the episode Vince not only agrees to 2nd lead in Smoke Jumpers, he also grows more than a little.  This is never more evident than when he tells Eric to do what he has to in regards to his clients and their script.  Season 3 Vincent would have guilted E into getting the script back for him.  Season 5 Vince has learned to be humble and generous. 

As for Vincent's Entourage:

Brother Johnny pours out his heart on The View.  Something tells me this moment of weakness will pay off in many ways.  Not only will it make him more appealing to women, the fair Jacqueline may just respond once the daytime talk show airs overseas in France.

Best bud Eric is learning to play the game, as Amanda so specificially points out.  This is more evident at the end of the episode, when he is suprised by an extremely lucrative counter offer. On a personal note, it was extremely nice to see Kevin Connolly get a lot of air time on this episode.  It is great to see him play off someone besides Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold for a change.  If we didn't know that Carla Gugino was only signed on for 3 episodes, it would be interesting to see what would come of the Amanda/E interactions.  Its nice to see someone appreciate his skills, rather than belittle him all the time like Ari likes to do.  Hopefully, she will make it back for Season 6. 

Poor Turtle was just along for the ride on this one, there to play off Debi Mazur's Shauna.  The best is yet to come for him this season.

So, the million dollar (with 3 mil riding) question:  Who will play the lead in Smoke Jumpers if Vincent Chase is playing the brother?  Will it be former competitors Jake Gyllenhaal or Russell Crowe?  Will Ed Norton sign on after all?  Or, will Vince get his groove and his leading man status back?

None of this matters.  What truly matters is I care!  Unlike the Medellin storyline, which became stale and frustrating all at the same time, I want to tune in again next week to see how these guys continue to grow and change.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

And, that's HOT!


- lainiek

After weeks of sneak peaks of the Season 5 premiere of Entourage, there was not much new to see during the actual run on HBO tonight. 

It was still nice to see the boys on 32 inches rather than the small window of my laptop.

Tonight's show reminded me of a few things.  Vincent Chase is very lucky to have such a loyal crew.  Last season, he had almost become someone you could respect.  Did he make a mistake putting so much trust in Billy Walsh?  Yes.  Did he still have fun whenever possible?  Absolutely.  But, he seemed to grow up somehow.

Watching Vinnie lounging in bed, on the beach, and in a hammock during tonight's premiere reminded me of the guy that wouldn't even read his own scripts back in seasons 1 and 2.  He left that to his ever loyal best friend Eric Murphy.

Vincent left E behind in Hollywood to hide away in Mexico with Turtle.  Was it a defensive move?  Yes.  Did he do it to escape the backlash and lick his wounds?  Absolutely.  But, I thought the guy he had become in Season 4 would have been more mature than that. 



When Vinnie hung up on E and, then, later, wouldn't even agree to go back after E and Ari flew down, I felt angry.  I was disappointed by how he joked about how much E and Ari were starting to look alike.  Like what?  Grownups who didn't shuck their responsibilites, and stayed behind to take care of business. 

Vince seems to take for granted that people will always be there for him and do for him.  He is unfair in that matter.  Even though E has walked away before, Vince knows he will always come back.  Why?  Because he is lucky enough to have loyal friends who will love him no matter what. 

Now, back in Hollywood, Vince finally cares about getting out from the bottom.  Once again Drama, Turtle and E will support him and make sure he gets "back where he belongs".  And, I'm angry for these guys. Why?  Because it seems like these guys are never allowed to take care of themselves and their goals.  How about Drama?  Isn't he allowed to enjoy having a role on a hit tv show and a girlfriend?  And Turtle?  When will he be able to follow his dream of being a music producer?  And E?  He had to leave his only loyal client behind to track down Vince.  Seriously! (sorry, borrowing from my Grey's)

So, my hope for Season 5?  Grow up Vince!  Learn how to support your brother and your friends.  Start to take things seriously a little.  Truly care about what someone else thinks.  No more lip service. 

Take your medicine like a man.  If you do that, we will follow you loyaly into Season 6.  If not, we'll start to fast forward thru your scenes and only watch E and LLoyd.  This way, we will get to watch what this show was originally about in action: True, unconditional loyalty!



HBO's Entourage stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jeremy Piven, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon and Rex Lee.

lainiek

ps-Yeah!  Rex Lee made the opening credits!

Kevin Connolly, as Eric "E" Murphy, makes a phone call from jail as Adrian Grenier (Vincent Chase), Kevin Dillon (Johnny Drama) and Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold) look on. The guys are in for a rocky road when Season 5 of Entourage returns to HBO on September 7, 2008 with 12 all new episodes.

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