Last Man Standing: Episode 7

Writer: Marieke Hardy
Director: Adrian Holmes

Plot Synopsis:Adam falls in love with a genuine 1960′s-style bar that he finds derelict on the side of the street that he considers to be very ‘Sean Connery’. Bruno delves into the world of Internet dating with a foray onto Hot To Trot dot net. Adam starts dating an older woman who seems very hung up on her age. Adams girlfriend, Taia, goes to a product launch with Zoe.

Thoughts:
The Internet and mobile phones have dated television programs. TV pre-1995 tends to remain unaffected, but as soon as a character breaks out a chunky-looking mobile phone, a pager, or talks about Internet trends, suddenly the show becomes exceedingly rooted within a 1 – 2 year time-frame. Bruno’s attempts to find a bed buddy and/or relationship online feels VERY dated. It’s not that Internet dating is a thing of the past, but rather the characters attitudes to it feels very 2004.

On the surface, the storyline with Cameron dating an older woman is a little dull. In the greater context of Adams character arc, it explores the flipside of Camerons hound-dog attempts to crack onto the young twenty-somethings from Episode 5. Previously we have seen him attempt to bed Taia’s young friends, only to be rebuffed by the younger women seeking boys their own age. Here we see Cameron seeking to grow in his sexual and emotional maturity by exploring a relationship with the older woman. Of course, Cameron is unable to escape his own sense of self, put off by his lovers desire for marriage and children.

By and large the episode is a bit of a dud. The show, just seven episodes in, feels as though its in a bit of a rut. The fun and vibrancy of earlier episodes is lacking. That said, there is one worthwhile sequence in the episode. We’re treated to a flashback from Zoe’s perspective on how she first met Cameron. The music of the sequence has it feeling like a coffee commercial, but it does provide a great glimpse into the formation of the relationship that has so far underpinned the series to date.

Recurring: Yet again more Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side is heard on the soundtrack. “Spell of The Moon”, “Begining of The End”, and “Caroline” all get some airplay. Chich gets some excellent screentime in the episode as he finds nightly success with Hot To Trot dot net.