Portlandia 6x4 'Weirdo Beach': All Inclusive Beach

Portlandia 6x4 still has something to say about inclusion, even in a 'Meh' episode, featuring Glenn Danzig randomly.

Reviewed while listening to Om Unit.

'You've never heard of us, but you've definitely heard us... Discovering a body in the bed and going like "Pff, another day".'

A lot of TV dramas these, especially the cable guys, try to find a way to be both explosive, or starkly unusual, and relatable at the same time. How is it that we can see where a Rust Cohle or Tony Soprano are coming from? Why do we love Mike Milligan despite he's blood-letting sociopathy (that description also be attributed to several other relatable cable figures)? See, I thought it was all about the craft of writing and depth of character development. How ignorant. It's really just down to the gritty acoustic music of some duo out of Portland called BWOW. It's pretty enlightening to know that no matter what walk of life we come from, our experience can be universally encapsulated by earthy strings, scratchy voices, and whiskey. Even Portlandians.

'Weirdo Beach' is not a particularly exceptional episode (it holds nothing to 'Going Gray'). It's moderately funny, the stand outs being the deaf workplace and the pitch for the CD you left in your car skits. Overall, it's steady. But it also carries a nice sentiment of inclusion and universality. The Weirdos decide to face their heliophobia and have a beach day, despite Vince's reservations. And, lo and behold, they fit in just fine. Well, with a little help from musician Glenn Danzig. Vince even evidently has a 'buff' beach bod. Turns out, Goths have everyday lives too. Errands to run. Cars to rent, CDs left in said car (probably). So do the deaf. They have work that they go to, and iphones that need charging. These seem like basic 'of course' facts. But Portlandia has a way of juxtaposing our whitewashed expectations with the slightly off-kilter. Capturing the essence of a city that we're led to believe parades off-kilter around. That's in no way diminishing people who are deaf as 'off-kilter.' Or Goth. But, rather, our ignorant surprise that they do the same things we do is the thing that's off-kilter. It's a bit of a socio-political statement. We've definitely been programmed to be shocked when we the Weirdos at the Beach, or when the deaf fight over a charger. Or get angry at all. This can make it humorous but also touching. Fred Armisen gives perhaps his most rousing comedic speech in sign language on mutual respect with visceral hand gestures. Only to get his charger back and realize it's not even his charger. People still applaud, though.

'Weirdo Beach' just has that nice aesthetic that promotes unity in daily life. The deaf applaud in their own way, the Weirdos play beach volleyball. We all have a CD lost somewhere in the car, mercifully not stuck in the Cloud (which the show reminds us will certainly one day turn on us). It also is another reminder of Portlandia's skills in tapping the zeitgeist. Pointing at cars with 'Bluetooth shit.' And literally EVERY SINGLE CABLE SHOW WITH SOME GRITTY THEME SONG. 'Twangy, stripped down... and sensual.' Slide guitar and stand-up base. That's all there is to that damn Breaking Bad theme song. Or was it true Detective?

See, even in its mediocre weeks, Portlandia knows what it's about. It's a safe space for all weirdos and 'conformists' together. And it knows how to highlight our differences, right on top of the things we have in common. After all, who doesn't like to go to the beach and feel the sand between their toes?

ME. That's who.

Grade: B+

When I got sidetracked

-You know who else doesn't like sand? THIS ASSHOLE!!

-BWOW was probably formed by Tom Waits.

-'They asked for a song that was 17 seconds long. We said "Absolutely".'

#TV #review #Portlandia