Entourage: Give a Little Bit

Ok now that this season of Entourage is over, I can reflect. I knew this would happen: I knew Entourage would not reach its full potential until the last episode, and I was right. I have to admit that the season finale was awesome, vintage Entourage.  It had fantastic cameos and satisfying character resolution.  All in all, the season was not consistently good, but it was okay.  It ended on a high note, which goes a long way toward erasing the mediocrity that characterized the bulk of season 6.  What can top a Tom Brady cameo? Try LeBron James, Bono, and Matt Damon, in the same episode.  In case you didn’t know, Matt Damon is HEE LARRY OUS. He runs into Vince while shopping and harasses him about donating and volunteering with a charity that feeds needy children.  There are several ways the writers convey Vince’s star power, and one important way is by showing us the people he rubs elbows with.  Bono, Matt Damon, and LeBron James are people he runs into on a random day. Wow. Anyway, back to the storyline, because the cameos were just a cool afterthought.  When we last left the boys, Turtle and E were lovelorn, Drama was taking a break from Hollywood, and Vince was biding his time until leaving to film the Ferrari movie in Italy.

Eric plans a romantic lunch getaway with Sloan, and there is a great shot of the pair zooming down a beautiful California coastline in Eric’s Maserati.  I thought the stage was perfectly set for a heartfelt reunion, but things get off to a rocky start. When Eric confesses his feelings to Sloan and reveals the reason he wanted to meet, she feels duped.  She reminds Eric that he took her for granted and says that she’s currently dating someone else.  She demands to be taken home and sulks in silence until Eric finally pulls over and they have it out.  Sloan can’t be convinced, but Eric doesn’t give up.  He tells her that he would drive to Vegas and marry her then and there.  While Sloan stares in disbelief, he calls her bluff and removes a ring from his pocket.  Next thing you know, they are engaged! These characters belong together; she compliments his swag quite nicely.

I wish things ended as well for Turtle, who rejects the PYT from UCLA and flies to New Zealand to be with Jamie-Lynn, only to be shot down over the phone before the plane ever leaves the tarmac.  I do not like Jamie right now.  Turtle is a good dude and she’s not giving them a chance.  I know I said last week that she was prize in their relationship, at least on paper – but I think this is her loss, not Turtle’s.  You can’t ask for anything more from him, he’s gone above and beyond for her and sincerely loves her.  When the plane arrives in New Zealand Turtle immediately tries to fly to Rome to meet Vince and Drama, since efforts to see Jamie are futile.

While Vince and the boys tend to their affairs, Ari continues the takeover of Terrence’s agency.  The deal stalls momentarily when Ari and Terrence can’t agree on whether the new agency will retain Terrence’s name or be encompassed in the Miller-Gold brand.  When Terrence apologizes for ousting Ari a few seasons back, the deal moves forward and Ari is poised to be The Man, in control of an Empire.  Where does this leave Lloyd? Terrence’s humbling apology is contagious, and Ari and Lloyd make amends when Ari finally makes him an agent. Yaaay! I couldn’t have asked for a better end to the season.  Everything ended well, but not perfectly.  It wasn’t corny or unrealistic, which was good because it’s easy to drift into cheesy, “feel good” territory. Drama has a holding deal with NBC, E is engaged, and Vince is well…Vince.  The only one who didn’t have a storybook ending is Turtle, but with his newfound popularity on campus his stock can only go up.  It’s been a bumpy ride, but in the end Entourage delivered.

For another take on this episode, read Ari Should Be Armed More Often by Renata Sellitti.

Season 6, Episode 12: Give a Little Bit (originally aired October 4, 2009)

For more Entourage, click here.

Sundays at 10pm ET/PT on HBO

Photographs courtesy of HBO and IMDbPro