Entourage finale is far from perfect

Well, we’ve seen the boys from Queens experience many of Hollywood’s ups and downs over eight season, and watching the series come to an end, we’re honestly left feeling a little empty. Maybe empty is the wrong word…perhaps slighted is more appropriate. Frankly, I think it’s safe to argue that the writers gave up three seasons ago, and I kind of wish I did too.
I think the major turning point for the show occurred after Vince had his big comeback with the Scorsese movie. Maybe after a season long struggle of getting Vince back on his feet from the devastation of Medellion, the gang hasn’t had to fight too hard, or grow too much.
No, a decision was made somewhere along the line that there didn’t have to be any real consequences for the characters anymore, and certainly no effort. In no season was that more evident than the final season. Let’s examine potentially consequential events of the season:
-Vince passing a drug test using a prosthetic penis.
-Drama going on strike from his new cartoon show in hopes of more money, and winning.
-Eric sleeping with Melinda Clarke, his ex-fiance’s ex-mother-in-law, and still managing to smooth things over with Sloane.
-Turtle selling his shares of Avion right before it went public…but oh wait, just when he needs more money, it turns out Vince did not sell his shares and made a fortune.
-And the one girl Vince could not win over, the savvy and completely underdeveloped journalist Sofia…well, Vince randomly won her over.
-And Ari, his pending divorce was abruptly swept under the rug.
-Oh, and that drug habit Vince spiraled into last season and eventually went to rehab…hey, it’s more convenient for him not to be an addict so now he’s not an addict.
Pop culture columnist Dave Itzkoff tweeted during the season: “The quintessence of suspense is when a character says something and then immediately says its opposite.” – the guy who writes #Entourage. That sounds fairly spot on, particularly for Vince.
The thing about this show, is that it’s always kind of felt like Sex & the City for guys. These two shows, ultimately, are about embracing comradery. But, whereas women feel a kinship with the romanticized trials and tribulations of dating in the city with their close friends always by their side, guys can connect with this idealized lifestyle of making money and finding success while always having time to kick back and party with their bros. Maybe the difference is that men aren’t expected to want to identify with this show through the hard times, but rather just enjoy the good. Personally, I think good writing keeps an audience engaged regardless of what the characters are going through. Manhood aside, I’d say Sex & the City probably has better writing. They squeezed out two successful movies after the series ended…I can’t imagine how anyone would begin to piece together a follow-up movie to Entourage that is worthwhile.
Vince awkwardly courted and ultimately marries Sofia, the one female character we’ve learned the least about in the series. Turtle proves he simply cannot make it on his own, after many attempts to spread his wings, he’s always fallen back on Vince…and things still fall through. As for Eric…well, he’s going to be a father. After sleeping with Sloane’s ex-mother-in-law, he and Sloane are just going to get back together. Ari won his wife over in the last few minutes of the finale, leaving his job behind. And Drama, well Drama was always great comic relief for a show that managed to never get too serious. And how do they all leave us? What are the immortal last lines of the series that reiterate the importance of friendship, brotherhood, and comradery above all else?
Turtle: “Woo, I’m a little emotional.”
Drama: “Yeah, me too. Better find something to fuck in Paris.”
Is this really the ending we deserve? Not at all. But it certainly proves that the writers gave up on the series long before its audience.