Battle of the Bulbs

_**½

Dr. Bhamba starts an affair with Lem's mother, creating something of a stressful work environment in the lab, while Ted and Linda argue over who has the better idea in regards to their new project.

Previous: The Lawyer, the Lemur and the Little Listener

Ted (Jay Harrington) has always been something of the golden boy at Veridian Dynamics, exuding an incredible confidence thanks, in part, to the faith that his bosses put in him, but here he is threatened when Linda (Andrea Anders) shows the potential for a similar rise in power despite her palpable hate for everything the company stands for. Similarly, Lem (Malcolm Barrett) and Dr. Bhamba (Maz Jobrani) find themselves in competition for Lem's mother (Khandi Alexander) when she won't give either of them praise.

Having worked on his project for a number of years now, Ted is quick to shoot down Linda's suggestion, making sure that he conveys the fact that he's not necessarily against her idea, but because he doesn't want her idea distracting from the work he's already put in. The way that Ted explains things is very understandable, and the thought that his project could be shelved in favor of hers is incredibly realistic, leaving Linda feeling disappointed, but having Ted be entirely justified in his actions. What happens is that Linda off-handedly mentions her idea to Veronica (Portia de Rossi), who then takes it to her bosses, and the company does end up killing Ted's light bulb in favor of Linda's scented bulb. The fact of the matter is that Linda's idea is much easier to manufacture and distribute, and while Ted's long lasting bulb is a better idea, it will take too long to develop and is less likely to bring in the monetary return that Linda's female-marketed product will.

Linda and Veronica have a brief exchange where Veronica constantly changes her opinion in order to make a point, causing Linda to get excited and disappointed in short turn on repeat, and it's played very well by both parties. Here Veronica goes out of her way to coach Linda in what it is to be confident, trying to prove to her that she can sell an idea, no matter how good or bad, based only on how much she seems to believe in herself. Veronica ends up creating something of a monster, as Linda starts getting out of control, but when Linda comes to Veronica with proof that her product may be faulty, she instead is forced to go through with her meeting. Veronica tells her that "[she] brought [Linda's idea] upstairs, and [Linda's] failure will be [Veronica's] failure," proving, once again, that appearances in this business are everything.

The animosity between Lem and Dr. Bhamba is funny at first, with Bhamba taking Lem's donut and coffee, though a little forced, but his romantic interest in Lem's mother seems only all too obvious down the line. The two seem as though they can gain a grudging respect for one another when they band together to impress Lem's mom, but the story is dropped partway through the episode and is given no resolution.

Throughout the episode the pacing is slower than normal, making the subject matter drag on when it should speed by. There is much more focus on the Ted and Linda story than there is on the Lem and Bhamba story, and it creates an incredibly dull episode.

These actors know their parts very well, but when they aren't handed material suited to them, they can't manage to bring the performances that they need. Everyone here does what they can with the story, but it's so lackluster that no one really stands out, instead seeming as bored by the script as the audience.

One of the major drawbacks to Marc Buckland's effort here is the lack of narration by Ted throughout, and while it's used twice within the narrative here, it's sparing use is almost more distracting than it's absence. Part of what gave the series it's heart and soul during the first season was Ted's running commentary on events, and it's use facilitated much of the humor that made this show unique from the rest. Here there are many points throughout the episode that seemed designed to include his voice over to emphasize a point, and the jokes just don't land without it.

Writer Michael Shipley seems capable of understanding who his characters are, having Linda here admit that, despite her active contempt for the company, she quite liked it when they patted her on the back for a job well done, but the characters all go off in their own directions in this story and don't spend enough time with one another. While Ted and Linda, and later Lem and his mother, share a moment to reflect on what they mean to each other, it's just not enough to save the rest of the story.

If the events of this story are any indication, then there's a good chance that Linda will be working her way up in the company, possibly against her will, and likely to hilarious results.

Next: It's Nothing Business, It's Just Personal