Rooster Season 1, Episode 1, “Release the Brown Fat,” acts as a competitive entry to be this year’s new go-to cozy comedy. This series premiere, written by Bill Lawrence & Matt Tarses and directed by Jonathan Krisel, may as well major in character study. That storytelling quality has become increasingly rare for a multitude of reasons. So, it works in Rooster’s favor that everything in this first episode hinges on character, most notably the titular one played by Steve Carell.
He never misses, and he’s surrounded by a stellar ensemble, which includes but is not limited to Charly Clive, John C. McGinley, Phil Dunster, and Danielle Deadwyler. There’s no denying that Rooster has a goldmine of talent in front of and behind the camera (Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses created the show!) in its arsenal to launch this series. Rooster also, almost instantly, has a warmth and nostalgia, while growing into a great soundtrack. The episode makes it easy to see how the liberal arts college can become a character in its own right in time. There’s no denying that this show is easily watchable, and this series premiere proves why that shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of depth.
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Meet Steve Carell’s Greg
The comedy introduces Carell’s titular character as a kind-hearted and self-conscious author who is trying to keep up while not ruffling too many feathers. The episode showcases Greg’s keen interest in not making anyone feel bad when he lies about reading all of Dylan’s poetry. By the end of this episode, Rooster reveals that Greg’s self-awareness and intention there stems from a very real place of saying too much and being too mean amid his divorce.
It may grate on some that details arise through telling rather than showing, but it’s refreshing to watch everyday people communicate. Otherwise, Rooster doesn’t get that great moment when Katie tells her dad that she knows her mom cheated on him. On the other hand, the show also relays information through lack of communication – Greg tells Elizabeth’s voicemail that he knows she didn’t want him to go see Katie. All of which establishes a dynamic between these three characters – one of whom hasn’t appeared on screen yet.
Rooster has a built-history to draw on whenever it wants, even with Ludlow College, where Elizabeth is deemed “the most celebrated alum.” This first episode finds Greg on a much different footing at the college, as demonstrated in that book-reading scene, which also paints a very biased yet fascinating picture of the woman Greg once loved. The truth of that relationship realistically arises when Greg’s inhibitions lower over drinks with Dylan (The crooked key bit shouldn’t be as hilarious as it is!) and in the sauna with Walt.
The comedy hits on the relatability of being uncomfortable, in more ways than one, after a breakup that, in Greg’s case, still leaves him heartbroken after five years. A credit to the direction, the camera catches the beat when that resonates with Walt. (John C. McGinley is perfectly cast as the college’s broad and wacky president.) Therefore, Greg’s motivation to protect Katie from what he experienced works for the character – until it literally backfires for Katie.
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A Father/Daughter Story at Its Core
In one episode, Rooster emphasizes that Greg and Katie’s father/daughter dynamic is at its core. On the surface, it initially comes across as mainly easy-going, and the episode gradually shows that the characters are rather close but also a bit strained. For example of the latter, Greg has multiple opportunities to come to the college but only follows through when he knows something is wrong in Katie’s life. That distinction gives the show more to work with as it moves through its eight episodes. As for this one, there’s this push-pull between Greg wanting (and trying) to say the right things to Katie, and missing the mark.
On the one hand, Greg can’t stop Katie from seeing Archie and Sunny kissing, which intentionally conveys the extent of his capabilities. Then, Rooster has this sad and sweet moment when Greg tells Katie to be braver than he was: “If you love him, don’t be a coward like I was.” It’s pure and a bit misguided that Greg wants to repair Katie and Archie’s relationship, where he failed to do so with his own marriage. That goal leads to an incredible scene between Carell’s Greg and Phil Dunster’s Archie. The dialogue exchanges at a pace that stresses the seriousness and unseriousness of the characters and their situation.
As a massive fan of both actors, it’s delightful to watch them together. It’s also a brilliant way to meet Archie, who puts more care into a Tolstoy first edition than he does into any efforts to preserve or save his marriage. Again, the dialogue and performances come together nicely. Dunster’s performance moves through Archie’s bravado into the truth that he regrets withdrawing from the person he loves. After finding that solid footing, Rooster cracks into it with the obstacle of Walt picking Archie over Katie if the couple can’t resolve their issues.
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More Than a Relationship in Flames
Rooster is about people facing everyday problems. So, it’s exciting that the big third-act scene is a confrontation between two characters. That scene is two people gathering the courage to talk to each other, but it also lands as a bit of a chemistry test between Dunster and Charly Clive. Because the show starts after their characters have broken up, there’s a lot to pour into this sequence. Namely, it has to convince the characters – and the audience – that this relationship is worth it. Regardless, Clive’s delivery of “I’m not gonna sit down because I don’t know where you guys had sex, so I’m gonna pace” is excellent.
Alternatively, this first episode creates a rather odd baseline – him pushing her bike – for Archie and Sunny’s dynamic. This episode could use at least one short scene to introduce that relationship. However, not having one aligns the audience with Katie on this journey. Therefore, Archie and Sunny’s relationship doesn’t come across as all that serious, yet it has to be to end a marriage. Ideally, Rooster will unpack that and get to know Sunny more this season.
The looks between Dunster and Clive do as much heavy lifting as lines like, “But my dad told me to be kind. I just don’t know how to get there.” There are a lot of complicated feelings for these characters to wade through before they can have any substantial conversation. Archie sharing that Sunny is pregnant just piles onto all of those emotions – and not in a productive manner. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter that Archie planned to say all the things he didn’t say.
The show complements that rising pressure with Greg clearing his vision, per Walt, in the ice bath and Hot House. Without those tools, Katie dials up the temperature by torching Archie’s precious book and, accidentally, his house with it. So, the road to being kind is rocky, and we’re along for the ride with Rooster.
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