Flight of the Conchords: Be my Yoko Ono

This week's episode of Flight of the Conchords focused less on the songs, and more on the story. And as much as I really, really love the songs, I think it was a good call on the part of the show's writers. Conchords has now proven that it's one of the best comedies on television, even without several hilarious songs to lean on (although there were a couple smaller songs, and one grand finale). We can now rest assured that the writing stands on its own. (That said, I totally hope there will be more big songs next week.)

The episode centers around Bret's relationship with his co-worker/girlfriend Coco, played by Broadway star Sutton Foster. After Bret skips out on the band's tour of bandshells (that's looking at bandshells, not playing at them), Murray worries that Coco may be a Yoko Ono, especially after Jemaine can't confirm that she doesn't like art, lying in bed naked, and peace.

Bret, for his part, is in love. He tries to write Coco a song, and ends up with a two-hour recitation of platitudes like, "I'd climb the highest mountain for you." With Jemaine's help, the song becomes more "realistic," shifting gears into "I'd hang out with you, if that's what you're into," and "I'd take off all my clothes for you." Oh, and something about Bret and her male roommate double-teaming her. It's a bit less romantic, though substantially shorter, than the original song:



When Bret politely suggests that maybe Jemaine doesn't need to accompany he and Coco on every single date, Murray's Yoko fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. During an explosive band meeting, in which Jemaine jealously accuses Coco of being Yoko, Bret quits the band. When Jemaine asks him to come back, but demands that Bret choose between the band and his girlfriend, Bret chooses Coco (over her possible objections). Jemaine lets him back in the band anyway. (So yay, more Sutton Foster! Hopefully they'll really let her sing in some future songs.)

All in all, another hilarious episode from my favorite new show of the summer. Join Mel's one-woman Conchords fan club--tune in Sundays at 10:30 on HBO.