Entourage 5/7: Ari Gold has a heart
(HBO Photo)
Be it through a screensaver in the background or a marriage counseling scene with Mrs. Ari, the depth of Ari Gold's relationship with Vincent Chase has almost always been addressed in comedic overtones on "Entourage."
No complaints here as the show is, at its core, a comedy. Sure there have been a few touching moments between Ari and Vince -- at the Malibu house after Mandy Moore dumped Vince again in Season 2 and earlier this season when Ari tells Vince he needs a new start.
But in Episode 7 of Season 5, for the first time in "Entourage's" 61-show run thus far, we saw a true a emotional connection between Ari and Vince.
Ari is ready to fly off to Geneva for the night. Vince is ready to jet to Hawaii for a few days. Their worlds collide at Van Nuys Airport. Ari breaks the news to Vince that he's been offered the Warner Brothers studio head job.
"I think I want to finish what we started, but you gotta do what you gotta do," Vince said to Ari.
Ah, yes, it's been a long, strange trip from that first guest spot on "JAG," hasn't it?
In that moment inside the airplane hangar, Ari's expression is one of sadness and confusion. Ari loves Vince as a person aside from just a client, and he gives him that look like he just told Vince he lost his dog while the guys were on vacation. This is why Jeremy Piven wins Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Caught up in the whirlwind of a potentially new job as Warner Brothers studio head, a job with a phattie pay raise (no subprime mortage and 401(k) issues in the Gold household) and a sweet jet, Ari gets a dose of his decision's reality. He'd no longer be Vince's agent and couldn't have that same relationship with him.
It's going to make for an interesting five more episodes this season, because as we all know, nothing in "Entourage" land comes easily . . . except making fun of Johnny Drama and finding Vince a girl to sleep with.
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (24)
I definitely thought that was the best scene in the episode. Probably all year.
Deffinitely one of the most emotional moments in the show ever. And totally believable due to piven's amazing talent....it will be interesting to see what happens.
Ricky, Jon,
thanks for agreeing with me on that scene. i toyed with telling some stories about my days covering fashion week and model parties, but this scene certainly earned my writing time late on Sunday night.
In a down season thusfar, this episode redeemed my faith in the series. It wasn't just Vince screwing his own career and getting away with it. There was actual advancing of the plot and characters. That's what distinguishes good story arcs from just a collection of episodes, which the show seemed to have devolved into lately.
I watching Entourage on http://tubedirects.net/index.php?q=Entourage-season-5-ep06-07-08-09
All season and all series of excellent quality. Two weeks fast downloads for all, even who not primium user
I am very pleased! Highly recommended!
Wow. I literally got chills watching the last five minutes of this episode. You could certainly make the argument that this was the best ep in series history.
Ari thinks of Vincent as a little brother. Ari's greatest dilemma's always surround balancing what is best for him and what is best for Vincent. Whether it is casting Vince in a big budget film (good for Ari's rep and wallet) or supporting Vincent's dream of Medellin (no money, but his client's personal happiness), Ari always struggles.
I think we found out Ari is like that with other clients as well last night. Who knew Jeffrey Tambor calls Ari every morning and Ari takes the call? Notice how Ari sat with him and went over all those scripts. Could it be he really cares about his clients, even when they are not doing well? Does he constantly struggle with his need to make his client happy vs his need to make them successful?
What about the whole scene in the car with Mrs. Ari? Who knew he never mentioned Dana Gordon at home? How interesting. Its truly like he is two different people. He puts on this big time agent ruthless persona, but maybe he is the greatest actor on the show (Ari and Jeremy, that is). Maybe Ari is truly a nice guy with a heart of Gold (pun definitely intended), who really just wants his clients and his family to be happy.
Interesting, huh?
"What about the whole scene in the car with Mrs. Ari? Who knew he never mentioned Dana Gordon at home? How interesting."
Yeah, I thought that was great. I wonder how far they're going to get into that subject (Ari having been with Dana)? He and Mrs. Ari were still talking about it on the way to the jet.
Indeed, the Mrs. Ari scene was great. My hunch is that this little arc won't go that far, maybe another line or two next week but then that's it for this season. unless of course they take this storyline deep into this season and next.
however, if ari remains an agent, we might get a BPL out of this Mrs. Ari-Dana Gordon dynamic in Season 6. otherwise, my guess is that's it.
The scene at the airport is the best scene of the series hands down. It seemed to me that Ari was almost seeking approval from Vince. I don't know why, but it suprised me, Vince really showed his selfish movie star additude about all of it. I loved seeing Ari coming to the conclusion of quiting before leaving his office. I assume he would take Lloyd with him right? I love the new direction this show is going.
I really hope they make the move to Ari as the studio head. It makes sense from the story telling perspective and gives them so many more options for story lines that aren't "played out".
I, too, was a little disappointed in Vince's reaction to Ari's news and the subtle action of closing the window shade. Next week looks great already with Josh Weinstein back in the fold, sure to continue to make enemies...
They've definitely stepped it up so far this season. I understand Vince's side, though. His career isn't going great and Ari's been his only agent. I'm sure it sucks to think Ari's going to be dumping him at such a crappy time. I'm not saying it's a great view, just saying I can understand why he might feel that way.
Someone said they got chills ... me too - first time ever while watching Entourage. I saw Jeremy Piven giving an interview during Rangers' game on Monday - felt the same chills again just thinking him and Vince seperating.
Anyone catch the previews for next week...Kevin Connelly has a Raider Football tee-shirt on... supporting his Patchogue, Long Island roots. I'm a Sachem guy, but loved seeing that along with the Islanders' apparel here and there.
It seems to me they are starting to wind down the entire story with these major changes. Does anyone know how many seasons are actually planned to be made? Any thoughts?
Good episode. Great moment.
Now, it's not a matter of "if" Ari takes the job, it's "how" he ends up staying an agent...because that's how this show works. If he ends up taking the job, it could save it from being swallowed whole by the shark.
But I saw your praise on HBO, La Monica.
hey mark not sure if u care but piven was at the ny ranger game last night.
TBone: Doug Ellin has said that he would like to do at least 8 seasons. We know that there will definitely be a season 6.
I think big changes could just be freshening things up, not spelling the end. I mean, they spent a long time on Medellin, so it seems like some big changes could be good for the show. That said, I still have a feeling Ari doesn't become studio head.
i couldn't agree more about the scene in the hangar. an absolutely raw (almost out of nowhere) moment that was perfectly punctuated by the great decision to have Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Tree" playing in the background. the scene left me speechless and with a lump in my throat.
Does anyone know if this is going to be the last season?
this show really isnt good. can they just do something already. vince shoots down any chance to make money for his principes.
its obvious ari wont take the job come on that would mean something actually happens on the show.
what happened to vince saying he would do anything and charm the pants off people till he get a job? he gets a job offer adn says no as usual. then turns down a million dollars when he is supposed to be broke. i thought actors with "entourages" like money so they can have fun toys.
the best two parts about this season were ari being honest with vince about the medellin and drama telling vince he needs to bulk up. i dont know one actor in hollywood who is as scrawny as vince. and if vince is so low on the hollywood totem pole how does he pull girls every episode?
i just wish something would happen. he would get a job and make money and have fun toys again.
thanks lainiek! Thats awesome news!
I just felt something weird when Vince shut the airplane window when Ari was trying to wave to him. It seemed pretty major
The way the end of the episode was shot was amazing as well. The music was perfect as another poster said, but also the sweeping sunset view of the airplane hanger with the camera panning from right to left was really great. I think this might be my favorite Entourage episode in the entire series.
Excellent scene & episode I thought it really brought together what this whole show is about.
Kudos to the writers!