Murphy Brown Season 11 Episode 13 Review: Happy New Year
Kim Russell
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On Murphy Brown Season 11 Episode 13, we get to learn Avery's fate in Kabul, while Murphy loses her mind with worry.
Being a control freak is hard, and it's even harder when you're a mom.
It was adorable that Murph was calling all of her friends in the middle of the night because she just didn't know what to do with herself.
I thought she was going to take Diana's head off before Miles stepped in the way. That would've been funny.
On Murphy Brown Season 11 Episode 12, I was commenting on how irritating Diana was, but we see her angle now.
She feels, like a lot of women in business feel, that's she's gotta be a bit** to get respect in her position.
Avery: Mom, is that a sweater on the dog?
Murphy: Benny was cold.
She's not wrong. Women in leadership roles have to put on a tough exterior. If they don't, they're weak. The side effect of that fact is people think you're a hard-nosed bit**.
We now find out it's just for show, and she really just sees herself as a unicorn. When she connected with Miles on that level, you just knew sparks were going to fly -- and boy did they.
I don't think it's going to go anywhere serious, but maybe Diana won't be so insufferable to the crew now. At least maybe she'll stop busting Miles' balls so hard.
Then again, maybe Diana will stay Diana, but Miles won't mind as much. We'll have to see. It would work much better for the show if she were more part of the team, so maybe that's the eventual goal of the storyline.
Speaking of Miles, this was the second time we've seen Phyllis intimidate him with a look. He looks so confused when it happens that it makes me laugh every time.
Phyllis: Geez, you people! Okayyy, I'll have a party. But know that I'm doing this out of guilt and obligation.
Miles: Isn't obligation what holidays are all about?
As suspected, Avery got the story and brought it back to Murphy, but that wasn't really in question. Nobody watching the show thought anything would happen to Avery, but he needed a new direction and purpose.
He may very well work as a freelancer, tracking down sources for newsrooms. I don't know how that would play out on the show, but it definitely would be an underlying theme that Murphy would constantly lose her mind.
Related: Murphy Brown Season 11 Episode 12 Review: AWOL
That nervous energy of hers would never let up. She is a mom, after all.
As always, it was good to have Jim on the show, and I'm glad they bring him on from time to time. He and Phyllis are pretty adorable together, and I like that Murphy has someone to look up to and admire around.
Don't get me wrong; she respects Frank and Corky, maybe Miles, but she looks up to Jim. It's almost as if she's in a daughter position to him.
I was going to comment that Phyllis didn't dye her hair for this episode, and she didn't, but she DID have her hair pulled up in a red and silver sparkly bow, so she's forgiven.
Corky: And when was the last time you were in church?
Murphy: Last month. It's my polling place.
Another comment I have is about Pat. They need to fix him. They broke his character, and he's not the same as when he started, and not in a good way.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- he was a lovable, funny, techy addition to the Murphy Brown crew. Then they shoved him into a stereotype and messed him up. For the love of Pete, fix Pat.
It was fitting that the season ended at Phil's New Year's Party where everyone on both sides of the political fence come together to bring in the coming year.
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They're showing that, although the show does take a stance on issues and they definitely have a side, they're not anti-anybody. They hope that both sides can come together.
And isn't that a nice thought?
Hello, young Pat. What the hell are you wearing?
Jim
After all, the theme of Murphy Brown is universal. It's about politics and issues. It's about a mother and her son. It's about family and tradition. And it's about people carrying on with their lives as we all do.
It just so happens they have comedic timing and killer lines while they're doing it.
What did you think, Murphy Brown fanatics? Was there any doubt that Avery would return in one piece? Were you annoyed with Pat? Do you think they'll be back for another season?
Hit the comments and tell us what you think.
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Kim Russell was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in January 2019.
