8 Simple Rules - S1E04

Wings
First Aired: Tuesday October 8, 2002

Bridget continues to hound Paul about getting her license. Also, Carrie decides to enter an art competition on Paul's urging but is denied.

After being 16 for two months now, Bridget really wants to get her license. Paul is too worried to allow that and tells her that she needs to know everything there is to know about cars before doing so. In a huff, she hijacks the Henesy car. She is brought home by a cop and Paul continues to worry further. Cate asks Paul why he is so worried and he reveals that it is because he doesn't want his eldest one to grow up. The next day, Cate take Bridget to get her license and, after passing, Paul relents his overbearingness. He allows her to drive to the store for milk. The other storyline involved Carrie and an art competition. Paul urges her to join but she is denied entry. She then decides that perhaps art is not her thing. As Paul goes to find out why she wasn't accepted, he sees her painting and, though brilliant, isn't appropriate to the sponsor of the showing. Carrie becomes happy when she knows that he painting caused a stir.

This was an above average episode with a good story to work with. While nothing ground breaking for either children in terms of sitcom material, it is presented well in script and by the actors/actresses. I enjoyed Carrie more than I had in previous episodes, which I liked. I also enjoyed having Kyle around again because him and Paul are fun foils for each other. The running gag about the milk was also good because I know how that happens. All around, a decent episode.

Score: 8.5 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E03

Bridget's First Job
First Aired: Tuesday October 1, 2002

After Paul tells Bridget to get a job, things to go exactly as Bridget planned.

Bridget had decided to take back some clothes from Carrie so that she could cut them up and use them for a car wash. When Paul finds out about this, he tells Bridget that she needs to get a job so she can learn the value of a dollar. She ends up taking a job at the local clothing store that caters to Bridget's crowd. Paul and the rest of the family show up to see how she is doing on her first day. It turns out that she is handling the job really well. For the rest of the week, she works a lot and is able to get the clothes at a 40% discount. This becomes a problem when her first paycheck shows that she actually owes the store over $400 because of these purchases. She decides to use the emergency credit card, but Cate finds out. When it is revealed what Bridget did, Paul and Cate are disappointed but are still proud that she is able to work the job. They cover the bill until Bridget can pay them back.

This was an average episode with a couple of good lines. The plot line was predictable and, though her acting was good, I am not a fan of Bridget-centric episodes. Rory's side story was really good and I wish they could have fleshed that out a bit. Overall, it is nice to see Bridget working a job, which I hope they keep her doing since it would build some character for her.

Score: 7.8 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E02

Wall of Shame
First Aired: Tuesday September 24, 2002

It's the biggest college football game of the season for Paul, but when Cate has to go to her first day of graduate school, he is left having to watch after the children.

Michigan vs. Ohio State. Man, that is always a big football game that usually ends with a spectacular finish. It turns out that Paul is a Michigan alumni and has also been waiting for this game. Though he goes to the game ever year when it is in Michigan, this year he can't because Cate has just started graduate school (on a Saturday?). This leaves Paul trying to watch the game while watching after the kids. Of course, problems ensue. The minor one includes trying to keep Rory from being inside all day playing video games. The major one involves Bridget apparently shop lifting at the local drug store. When Paul makes a quick judgment, Bridget becomes angry. Eventually Paul listens to her story and takes her side, but she would like him to get her picture down from the "Wall of Shame". He does this, but ends up on the wall himself when Cate goes to pick up her medicine.

Altogether, this was a fun little episode. While it got a little tired with the Carrie side story, I think the main one was pretty well handled. Bridget's acting was very good and, as usual, Ritter was awesome in his lines and delivery. It was a little bit slap-stick (in a good way) because one problem would exit the room and another would enter from the opposite end.


Score: 8.2 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E01

Pilot
First Aired: Tuesday September 17, 2002

The pilot episode of 8 Simple Rules follows Paul Henesey through the day as he has to deal fully with his children while his wife Kate works a full day at the hospital. Problems ensue as Carrie gets suspended and Bridget has boy problems.

The other day, I decided to check out this comedy again because I remember it begin really good when John Ritter was a still alive. I was in college at the time, so I didn't get to see them all, so it is nice to see them. In this first episode, Paul has to care for the kids all day by himself while Kate is at the hospital. Of course as the standard for this sort of sitcom, things don't go right. Off the bat, Carrie is suspended from school after skipping school, which seems harsh for missing only one day. Later, Bridget is shot down by the boy she is interested in, though she was just looking at his a replacement to her current Homecoming date. She is then grounded by Paul. During the conversation, it is revealed that Carrie wanted to go to the dance, but no one asked her and she now thinks she is not pretty enough. Paul assures her and things seem to be neutral again in the household. As Kate returns home, Paul is still a bit of mess, but both of the girls come to say goodnight and embrace him.

The pilot episode for the show is good, mostly because of the acting of Ritter. I had only see small bits of his other works before this show and known him as more of a physical actor, ala Threes Company buffoonery. However, his quips and one-liners in this show were very comical. Because of this, the show stays afloat when it might sink without some his acting. While I see the characters progressing further so that the show doesn't have to rely so heavily on Ritter, it is still in its growing phase at this point. That is not a surprise, though, since it is the pilot. Look forward to more good Ritter acting in coming episodes.

Score: 8.2 / 10