Célèste's Review of S2E18 “Back in the Saddle Again"

“Back in the Saddle Again "

Season 2, Episode 18

Original airing: April 23, 2002

My Rating: 55

The Good:

• Seeing Michel with his mother was great. The casting and costumes for Giselle were on point.
• I enjoyed all the comedy between the students, particularly Brad, Madeline, and Louise. It was also nice to see Richard interact with Paris.
• Although it wasn't the most engaging subplot ever, I like the idea of Richard discovering he wants to work again. 

The Bad:

• Dean being used as a plot device instead of a fully developed character has hit its breaking point. How can we be expected to care about him?
• The idea of Dean begging clingy hadn't been set up before this episode, so Rory being cold to him at the diner came off as very strange. 
• Dean's behavior was too over the top. Calling 14 times in three hours works for characters like Kirk but not for people we're supposed to take seriously. 

Favorite Moment:

Brad: I've never made a robot.
Louise: But you've tried, haven't you? 

The Bottom Line:

This episode moves a few plots forward but is still fundamentally skippable. It mostly serves as filler and it's not very engaging.