Entourage: The Next Level

Vinnie Chase leads a charmed life, even when he’s broke.  He may as well be made of Teflon, because tough times don’t stick to the guy.  Despite being financially strapped, things are looking up for Vince.  His publicist Shauna books him a million dollar photo shoot, and he and the boys spend the day surrounded by half-clothed models, one of whom (Natasha) clearly has the hots for him.  This is nothing new. Vince pretty much can have any woman he wants, with the exception of a testy Mandy Moore a couple of seasons ago.  If the guy in charge of the photo shoot is any indication, Vince can have any man he wants as well.

As amusing as this storyline may be, the real focus of Sunday’s episode was on Ari, and his climb up the ladder of success in the wake of Alan Gray’s death.  In typical Ari fashion, he practically tries to negotiate a new job over Alan’s casket.  To his credit, the new job wasn’t exactly his idea. Alan’s boss John Ellis wants Ari to come aboard at the studio and fill the position formerly occupied by the deceased.  What a cruel twist of fate! Ari was arguably the impetus for Alan’s heart attack, and now he is being offered his job.  The job would put Ari in the big leagues, and is a definite upgrade.  He struggles with the decision based on his loyalty to a handful of clients, namely Vince.  You can tell Ari is seriously considering the offer, and the ramifications of his acceptance are illuminated in the closing scene.

Both Ari and Vince happen to meet at the Van Nuys airport: Ari flying off to Geneva with the Missus for more wooing by John Ellis; and Vince on his way to Hawaii to continue his cavorting with the fellas and some models.  Surprised to see Vince, Ari lets him in on the secret job offer he is considering.  Vince is genuine and loyal to a fault, so part of him is sincerely happy for his agent and understanding of his desire to reach the “next level.”  On the other hand, he’s still trying to rebound from Medellen and could use a shark like Ari in his corner.  More importantly, there is a heartfelt friendship between the two.  The looks of uncertainty and the hint of sadness in both their eyes say more than words ever could.  The final scene was a good example of how sometimes in film and television, music is everything.  It tells the viewer how to feel and how to interpret what they are hearing and seeing.  Good scene, great episode.

Season 5, Episode 7: Gotta Look Up To Get Down (originally aired October 19, 2008)

For another take on this episode, check Paging Tyra Banks by Paul Secrest.

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Sundays at 10pm ET/PT  on HBO
Photographs courtesy of HBO