(S04E08) This episode definitely belongs in the “mixed bag” category. Some things worked for me and others didn’t. Nancy’s extended lunch date with Esteban and Shane’s prison-style lunch confrontation were both enjoyable. On the down side, Celia’s drugged-out craziness and Silas’ scenes with Lisa didn’t entertain me.

I expected something more at this point in the season, but it looks like things are set up for a better episode next week. Don’t give up, Weeds fans!

Shane gave the incest fantasies a break this week and returned to his former awesomeness. Since he views school as a prison, it made sense to behave like an inmate on his first day inside. I’m much more comfortable with this version of Shane–mouthing off to his Mom, commiserating with Isabelle, demonstrating his intellectual superiority, etc. Last week’s flea-scratching was too much for me, and I’m glad that the writers gave us a week off. Isabelle and Shane have never had a bad scene together, and I’m glad that they’ve finally reunited in Ren Mar. Don’t mess with the classics.

Although Elizabeth Perkins did an admirable job with what she was given, I didn’t find her soccer-shoe stupor all that funny. It’s like watching someone get drunk when you’re sober; it does nothing for you, and it’s a little annoying. Celia hasn’t fit into the Ren Mar world as well as the other Agrestic characters have. Her only good scenes this season have been with Till, Nancy, and Doug. I’d rather see her interact with the core group than catch more glimpses of her retail career. The new Ren Mar and Tijuana characters, on the other hand, are delightful. Cesar has had some funny moments lately, and I was a bit sad to say goodbye to Davenport.

Lisa’s plan to store Silas’ pot at Cheese Gotta Have It destroyed any good will that I had for her. What a terrible idea! On the surface it’s no worse than the notion of a tunnel between a Tijuana garage and a San Ysidro Maternity World, but we’re talking about varying levels of intelligence here. One venture involves the mayor of Tijuana, and the other involves a woman who named her son Rad and smokes the Cheez Whiz of marijuana. I wonder which group will be more successful?

What did you think of El Andy and Doug’s first border crossing? It was funny in the usual Doug-and-Andy way, but I wish more time had been given to Nancy and Esteban’s growing relationship. I keep reading that Esteban is meant to be more of a serious love interest, not a fling. Nancy’s candor with Esteban during lunch was the first indication that the mayor is more than just a hot disciplinarian. There’s always a chance that this is simply another aspect of her addiction to danger, though. In a refreshing moment of self-awareness, she admitted that she hates it when things are calm. Perhaps she can only handle relationships that are filled with drama. If that’s the case, then a goat-killing drug kingpin is a perfect match for her. Still, I have to believe that the scratch marks on her back are a bad sign for the future.

My favorite lines of the night:

• “You’re allowing criminals into our business!” –Ignacio, to Celia
• “Sometimes you eat the bear; sometimes the bear eats you.” Cesar, in a shout-out to season one’s “You Can’t Miss the Bear.”
• “If only life were a Judd Apatow movie where geeks ruled the world. But it’s not, so let’s just suck it up.” –Isabelle

Next week–Nancy deals with Silas’ MILF, Celia goes nuts (more so), and the coyote tracks down El Andy.