In a media age where dangerous, irresponsible cops are designed to look like the scum of the Earth, it takes some mettle to attempt to see their angle with some humble tenderness.
While it's not especially clear if show creator Louis C.K. wanted to display such a stance in his newest Louie, "Cop Story," or merely wanted to examine a broken, hardened individual not usually seen on screen, it's effective and bold filmmaking. That, in turn, makes it among the most striking the FX show has been in years.
"Cop Story" is not a perfect episode. Some instances, like C.K.'s character irrationally kissing a male mannequin, were probably funny to the creator at the time but feel out-of-place and purposeless in the overall episode. And as the heightened tension of the episode comes to form, there's something to be missed about the nuance Louie dictated of late that's not found here. But with that, this third episode feels like classic Louie.
Much like season two's "Eddie" or the first season's "Bully," C.K. gives the viewer a chance to live through him a life sometimes forgotten in today's world. We follow an erratic, loud-mouth patrol officer Lenny (guest star Michael Rapaport), who recognizes his almost brother-in-law on the street one day and tempts him to go to the Knicks game the next night. Lenny doesn't get Louie's humor or understand his appeal, but they go on their night regardless, as the man continues to make jabs at the comedian's appearance, career and general well-being. When a backdoor entrance doesn't open their entrance for their night of entertainment, they settle for a bar instead, where the jabs keep coming but Lenny's demeanor grows more sullen.
Once Louie's had enough of Lenny's punches, both physically and emotionally, he attempts to back off and leave him alone, but the cop doesn't relent. He begins to pour his heart out, only to realize he's lost his gun and releases an emotionally turmoil Louie has little choice but to relent towards. Once again, Louie comes to terms with this season's theme of sacrifice. Earlier in "Cop Story," Louie hopes to buy some nice pots to continue this cook hobbies, which were seen recently and briefly in the season premiere, "Pot Luck". His pursuits are shut down by 24-year-old store owner Andrea (Clara Wong), something our lead tries to shake off but can't help but get rattled.
Unleashing his feelings as his other items are rung up, Andrea asks "Do you always get uncomfortable around young people?" Ultimately, Louie finds a chord struck. He attempts to keep his pride in check, letting out his frustrations on the entitled generation of today, only to be outsmarted continuously by Andrea. Assured this is okay, the store owner lets him know it's okay to be put down by a younger person. After all, he would want his kids to be smarter than him, so as to have the next generation not become dumber than the next. As put by the millennial, "If you feel stupid around young people, things are going good."
Of course, things are never "going good" for Louie. He is a man who pooped his pants begrudgingly in public last week and can't find a saving grace to save his life. He is not bad off, though, and while he can't get Pamela's full affections, he can get her "a la carte." He can't get the pots he wants, but he knows his kids may end up alright. He can't use a public bathroom, but he's relieved of his pain. Louie must sacrifice something to get what he needs or simply wants the most. This week, he must help a broken man if he wants to go on with his life and also contribute, once again, to his society in small form and for thankless tasks.
It's possible audiences see "Cop Story" as grander an episode than it's originally intended. The real-life headlines are hard to shake, and it's not especially clear if these emotions are meant to be raised or not. Regardless, this week's episode finds a beautiful way to feel cohesive yet sporadic, individualistic yet still part of the bigger picture, and that's what truly developed Louie into a great show. Written by C.K. from a story from him and Saturday Night Live alum Robert Smigel, this is C.K.'s show as its most ferocious and straightforwardly relentless. It's not easy to shake, but thankfully it's not a story you want to get buried among the leads.
Image courtesy of William Bernard/ACE/INFphoto.com
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