I have mixed feelings about this one. I got the impression that they maybe started running out of ideas as I was watching this. It had quite a bit of opportunity to get to the heart of the episode, but it seemed to take a while to get there. We open in Mexico in authentic locations with authentic street scenes and, for a change, no gawking fans where extras are concerned. Turns out the Harts have taken a cruise to Mexico (what, after the last disaster?!), inexplicably bringing along Freeway -- on the ship -- but not Max. Lots of Love Boat stock footage inserted, here. And wouldn't you know it, the Harts place their dog kennel right next to the same exact kennel belonging to some chick smuggling cocaine in the bottom of hers. The chick is returning guest star Shelley Smith from the ski episode ("Downhill to Death"). Other than a very amusing episode in the Customs VIP Lounge (seriously?) where smuggler chick tries to pick up Jonathan right in front of Jennifer without even caring she's there -- Stefanie & RJ are really good here -- the performances of every other person seem a little phoned in. Except for Freeway's vet; Edith Atwater was quite good in an effortless, very natural role that she'll repeat one more time during the run of the show. It wasn't a terrible episode, there were lots of great little moments, and and I gave it a good rating cuz it was entertaining. But overall, it seemed a little tired.
2 Reviews
Pretty Good, if Contrived
aramis-112-8048802 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Lovely Shelly Smith makes her second and final appearance in this episode as an inept drug smuggler. She starts out being ruthless, then funny as she meets the Harts (including the horribly named Freeway), then desperate.
The major problem with H2H is that they are ordinary people, albeit rich, who continually stumble into murder. They're forever seeing friends or strangers murdered, or getting themselves abducted, or whatever. How many of us have blundered up on one murder, or had friends murdered, or been kidnapped? I never have, but in most lives it can't have happened on a weekly basis for five years.
And how many of us will walk free after interfering with the police and even wrestling with a cop, as Jonathan does here, after he's drawn his gun?
Furthermore, I've never had one domestic and have never known anyone who had one. The most I've known are a few friends who could swing a maid service once a week, but they've been few on the ground. Hollywood types can't imagine people who don't have at least a maid or a cook. But if I were Max, as many times as I'd been clubbed or taken hostage, I'd turn in my notice. I think he only stays because he plays the horses badly.
Anyway, the Harts rub elbows with drug smugglers. Now that, we probably do more often, without ever knowing it.
The whole thing happens too coincidentally. But this is an interesting episode with shots of a ship from the Princess line (The Love Boat) and insights into how airlines were run circa 1980. And you got to love Freeway.
The major problem with H2H is that they are ordinary people, albeit rich, who continually stumble into murder. They're forever seeing friends or strangers murdered, or getting themselves abducted, or whatever. How many of us have blundered up on one murder, or had friends murdered, or been kidnapped? I never have, but in most lives it can't have happened on a weekly basis for five years.
And how many of us will walk free after interfering with the police and even wrestling with a cop, as Jonathan does here, after he's drawn his gun?
Furthermore, I've never had one domestic and have never known anyone who had one. The most I've known are a few friends who could swing a maid service once a week, but they've been few on the ground. Hollywood types can't imagine people who don't have at least a maid or a cook. But if I were Max, as many times as I'd been clubbed or taken hostage, I'd turn in my notice. I think he only stays because he plays the horses badly.
Anyway, the Harts rub elbows with drug smugglers. Now that, we probably do more often, without ever knowing it.
The whole thing happens too coincidentally. But this is an interesting episode with shots of a ship from the Princess line (The Love Boat) and insights into how airlines were run circa 1980. And you got to love Freeway.
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