"Two and a Half Men" Season 9, Episode 12: Basically bananas

December 13, 2011 at 5:53pm

We've had two decent weeks of "Two and a Half Men," and if this week proved anything, the third time wasn't the charm.

It was a holiday episode, somewhat, but also a horrible attempt to try to explain why Walden (Ashton Kutcher) is the way that he is. We were introduced to Walden's mom, Robin, (Mimi Rogers) who Alan(Jon Cryer) relentlessly and hopelessly hit on to no avail. Robin stopped in for the holidays, only to reveal a deep, dark secret from Walden's past that would make life, and the show, all make perfect sense. In theory, at least.

Apparently, when Walden was little he was raised alongside a monkey. His mother was doing some kind of science experiment to see if a monkey and a person raised at the same time would come out with different intelligence levels. Up until now, Walden had thought that the monkey was an imaginary friend, and was appalled to learn that it was real, and that his mom had sent his monkey-brother away when he got too big to live in the house.

The whole idea revolved around Robin showing cropped images of a baby Walden and baby monkey. They were kind of chuckle worthy, but bad Photoshop an entire episode doth not make. The whole episode rested on the premise that Walden acting like a monkey, or being raised with one, was funny, and it just wasn't. At all.

I find it hard to seriously dissect a plot that didn't even try to make sense, but as long as we have known Walden he has suffered from a near-Oedipus complex toward his mother. He is an emotional toddler, unable to be self-sufficient, and idolizes all of the women in his life as if they were in fact his mother. So it's very out of character to see him, all of a sudden, get upset at her for raising him with a monkey. It wasn't like she raised him like he was the monkey. And don't most children have childhood pets that pass away or go missing? It happens, and it doesn't explain anything about Walden, or fit in with the rest of his character, or the show, for that matter.

Walden continued to claim that his whole life was based off the fear that if he misbehaved he would be sent off to the jungle, which again, makes no sense, as he just learned five minutes ago that they monkey was real and not part of his childhood imagination. It really seemed like the show was putting the cart before the horse: Somebody thought it would be funny if Walden acted like a monkey for an episode, and they worked backwards to try to half bake a plot to get there. That in itself isn't a problem if the arrival worked or managed to be funny. It didn't and it wasn't. The "King Kong" throwback was forced and not effective, and even Walden meeting his long lost monkey-brother was devoid of any reason or emotional significance.

While I'm usually not a fan of singling out specific jokes, one just really made me grind my teeth. Alan asked Robin if she had a Facebook so he could poke her sometime. Has the shown really hit such a low it needs to dive to Facebook jokes (and old, not funny ones at that)? Even Twitter would be more hip or culturally relevant at this point, but I guess I can't expect "Two and a Half Men" to be as pop culture savvy as creator Chuck Lorre's other baby, "The Big Bang Theory."

Anyways, the idea just didn't work, and it was almost like the studio somehow got a left over suit from "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and wanted to get it in the episode. Or they got paid off for good cross advertising. Either way, if there was anything worthwhile in this episode, then I'm a monkey's uncle.

Comments for ""Two and a Half Men" Season 9, Episode 12: Basically bananas" (15)

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Karen Newport said on Apr. 26, 2012 at 4:41am

My mysky recording came up with "end of recording" just as the ape saw Walden - can someone please tell me how it ended. Thank you

Christian said on Dec. 13, 2011 at 9:28pm

This episode was possibly an attempt at giving Walden's character some depth or, perhaps, some possible plot lines for future episodes. One thing for sure is that there wasn't much of Alan, yet he still managed to look like the pathetic moron that his character has become since season one. Unfortunately, Jake appeared only long enough to let us know that he is still a cast member. Alan spoke to his mother by phone, but Evelyn did not appear on screen. I am scrambling for something positive to say. I'll say this: I know something about Walden, other than he is rich and divorcing his wife who is played by Herb's sister from an early season. Walden was raised with an ape. During this episode, Walden finds out from his mother that this ape was real and not Walden's imaginary childhood friend. Suddenly, Walden is pissed off and complains that his childhood was plagued with the fear of getting sent off to a zoo like his childhood ape companion. There is a continuity blooper here. Why would Walden fear suffering the same fate as his ape "Brother" when he was unaware that the ape actually existed? It turns out his mom is a biologist, and raised Walden along side a gorilla as some sort of experiment. Alan is smitten by Walden's attractive and amusing mother and, as usual, looks like an idiot chasing after her like a lost puppy. At the end of the show Walden is reunited with his childhood companion and is apparently on good terms with his mom. I now know that Walden is rich, chooses to allow Alan to live in his house, is dating Zoey . That is nothing new. But after this new "Revelation" that his mom is a scientist and he was raised along side a gorilla I feel like I am missing something. Was this supposed to explain who Walden is? I never thought of him as "Apelike." I guess the writers have many more ideas for future episodes. I should thank them for the effort at something original. I think my review is scrambled. That is how i feel about 2 1/2 Men right now.

Tony said on Dec. 13, 2011 at 9:40pm

That is absolute garbish, i found it hilarious

camosun said on Dec. 13, 2011 at 10:10pm

I do not miss CS.....

Var said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 12:18am

I found this episode hilarious just like all the previous episodes this season. With Sheen it was getting repetitive. This feels like a completely new show and I am loving it. Ashton is rocking it.

laurie said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 12:45am

This episode was obviously a jab at Ashton Kutcher's ex-Demi Moore, as she tweeted last year a picture of her and a stuffed "monkey" she had just bought at the "Rose" (name of Walden's Demi Moore look-a-like mother) Bowl. She said she grew up collecting monkeys. It was such a strange show, I googled afterwards Demi Moore and monkeys, and sure enough, all these stories and pics of Demi referring to her "monkey" collection popped up. I have to admit, before I googled this, I actually thought the episode was funny though

Bill said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 10:07am

Terrible. It can not go on much longer. Doomed for failure. Kitchen is bad and Cryer is lost.

Linda M said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 1:46pm

I have stopped watching this show. I'm not even sure the return of Charlie Sheen would save this show, at this point. It's painful to watch. Such a waste of excellent talent (shrink, mom, Zippy, Berta, Herb, etc.). It's a shame, really.

MAYBE IT'S NOT TOO LATE - CHARLIE, COME BACK!!!

Alison Reiners said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 3:56pm

I look forward to your weekly reviews to see if I agree with your take of the show. Again you are right on. I thought after the last couple of weeks that maybe..... they had finally found a rhymm and would be the funny show that it used to be. But not to be. I think this was the worse they have had. Certainly not worth watching.

Derek Bissett said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 8:49pm

I was very disappointed with this episode I think the writers have to try harder with their storyline. Try to keep it real nothing to far fetched, i think that people who watch the show will allow for the odd off beat episode every now and then but there are a lot of great shows around right now and the viewing public are easily distracted.

Chris said on Dec. 14, 2011 at 10:24pm

This show has gone from actually funny with a bit of truth in it to pure grade crap. 1. I looked at the ratings from previous seasons and at least there was a bit of consistency. 2. This show really does miss Charlie Sheen as its chemistry is shot hardly anyone is acting in character. 3. Story wise this season is a complete mess as far as episode quality. 4. You can tell at some news outlets are being bought out by CBS to try and get viewers to come back to the show, so not going to work. 5. Kutcher is just playing Kelso all over again and the one trick pony works only once for people that have a moderate IQ and think for themselves.

So will the season improve over the break? Some of you may say there is nothing wrong with it and I will tell you otherwise. I think the season's viewership will dip as a consequence of the break, quality, and the persistent problems this show is now having. They should get on their knees and kiss Sheen's furry butt. And beg for him back. He probably will if the show he is in now fails he will take it.

P J SNYDER said on Dec. 15, 2011 at 4:32pm

SHOW IS NOT FUNNY -INTERESTING OR ENJOYABLE. IT IS SICK. DEAD IN THE WATER .CAN'T CHANGE STAR AND EXPECT SUCCESS.

Christian said on Dec. 27, 2011 at 8:07pm

Not much of Alan this episode, but he had enough screen time to be thoroughly annoying...typical Alan. I think I am just sick of his character.

Eve said on Jan. 15, 2012 at 4:51am

I dont know why all of you against them. I found the show is better. I laugh more in this season. They arehillarious... Dont be attach so much on cs. Just think its Just a fresh new show... Please appreciate their work. Two and a hal men are not succeded because Cs one person. It consist of Alan, jake, dll too... The show is better now. Thats what i think. Cs did it to his self, not them. The rest of the cast didnt deserve to be brought down too. (sorry for bad english, im from asia)

Eve said on Jan. 15, 2012 at 4:51am

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