After last week's dispiriting entry, I thought I might have to let Bored to Death go. In the series' third episode, things have started looking up. Jonathan doesn't take any cases but his own when he loses the script Jim Jarmusch has invited him to rewrite, and he spends the rest of the episode trying to track it down.

It's a simple plot, but paring things down helped the show immensely. George (Ted Danson) and Ray (Zack Galifianakis) are both drawn into Jonathan's plot instead of people he repeats bits of exposition to, which is great for the audience because both Danson and Galifianakis get to show off their comedic chops this time out. Galifianakis's laundry list of the things he wanted to do to cheer himself up after therapy was a particular highlight. 

More importantly, Jonathan seemed to come alive this episode. Making out with a sixteen year-old and the possibility of working with Jarmusch did much for his character. Oh, and his hair cut. That also helped.

Also, they should try to bring back Denis O'Hare as the mean therapist. "It's Oedipal. Next issue!"