30 Rock: Season 4 Review

Season 4 of 30 Rock found the series well entrenched in its groove. In many ways, this was a good thing, as the early episodes started the season off on many high notes. But getting comfortable also resulted in a number of sub-par episodes this year, which plagued the middle portion of the season. Things can get a little blah when you're too comfortable and there were a few episodes this year that fell into that trap. Fortunately, with the help of a love triangle, the final weeks of the season found the series reenergized and ending the year as successfully as it began.

The season opened with a brilliant episode written by creator and star Tina Fey. The episode, simply titled "Season 4," established that Jack Donaghy wanted to make "TGS" more relatable to a broader audience. The real world connection of this statement to 30 Rock itself was part of the brilliance of the comedy. This also set up a few episodes worth of stories as Liz Lemon searched for a new cast member. Though the addition of newbie Danny offered up a few funny bits at various points throughout the year, overall his presence was more as a prop than an actual addition to the cast. In fact, by the end of the season, he fell into the background and disappeared altogether-- unless I'm forgetting an unmemorable send off.

The other standout running storyline in the first half of the year involved the success of Liz's "Dealbreakers" book and her and Jack's attempts to turn it into a talk show. Again, this was played up through several episodes, but the best moments came in "Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001." In fact, the best bit of the season may well have been Liz's atrocious attempt at filming her opening title sequence and the fun the episode had with a high-definition camera. These running storylines gave the first portion of the season a drive and a purpose, and they were filled out with loads of laughs from the series' great supporting characters. But the middle of the season found the series in a bit of a lull.

There was less of a purpose in the middle of Season 4, and this meant a sizable stretch of so-so episodes. Episodes that pushed Jenna and Tracy to the forefront, like "The Problem Solvers," proved that their antics are best served in smaller, supporting doses. A visit from Jenna's mother ("Verna") and a joyless Valentine's episode ("Anna Howard Shaw Day") found the series faltering, and the less than impressive send off of Don Geiss ("Don Geiss, America and Hope") did little to put the season back on track. What did work, however, was giving Jack Donaghy two worthy love interests to close out the season.

When Elizabeth Banks was introduced as Avery, the young and sassy counterpoint to Julianne Moore's homegrown Nancy, the season had found it's footing again. The plotlines that followed were smartly written and expertly acted. Alec Baldwin has shined in previous seasons of 30 Rock with a stylized, over-the-top executive approach. In Season 4, he continued to excel, only now with a slightly more nuanced performance as his character's heartstrings were being pulled. Liz was also given better focus in the love category with the introduction of "Future Husband" and current nemesis Wesley Snipes. No, not that one. Played by Michael Sheen (Underworld, Frost/Nixon), Wesley appeared in several episodes and even returned as Liz dealt with her very sitcom predicament of having to attend three weddings in one day. As always, these familiar sitcom plot devices are given a great 30 Rock spin.

That day of three weddings gave the series a fantastic finale. Storylines hilariously came to a head as Jack was forced to choose between Avery and Nancy. Again, the actors rose to the occasion and delivered both laughs and heartache. A great guest appearance from Matt Damon gave Liz Lemon a could-be soul mate, and the revelation that Avery was pregnant gave us a couple of big things to look forward to in Season 5. 30 Rock is no longer a fresh new series and a bit of the Season 4 doldrums could be felt mid season. But the great start and fantastic finish proved that there's still a lot of great comedy to be found on the stages of 30 Rock.