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Season 2/Ep 2: “Cooking With Jesus”

Episode two opens with Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) calling Peter (Martin Donovan) to let him know that she can’t continue seeing him because, as a widow just getting back on her feet, she can’t let herself get involved with someone in his line of work. Too dangerous. Too unseemly. Of course she says all this while stuffing some ill-gotten petty cash into a hollowed out book. Peter pleads his case but Nancy won’t hear of it. “You deal with drug dealers,” Nancy says. She continues, before the hang up: “You carry a gun. I can’t. Please don’t call me anymore.”

There’s another clumsy-cartel meeting. “Where’s Conrad?” The crew asks. “He’s out….He simply isn’t prepared to take the next step,” says Nancy, failing to mention that the reason for his conspicuous absence stems from her disclosure of the DEA agent (possible) love triangle. Talk moves to the “Mohasky Cup”, a High Times Magazine (who else?) sponsored function that features the best that the California industry has to offer - a veritable who’s who of growers, suppliers, and enthusiasts. “The promise land of pot,” says Andy (Justin Kirk). “The Mecca of Marijuana,” retorts Doug (Kevin Nealon). The two will act as official “taste-testers” on Nancy’s behalf at the convention.

Conrad (Romany Malco), in his own pursuit to get his solo start-up off the ground, meets with a banker friend, looking for a loan under the guise of a burgeoning “hydroponic gourmet organic lettuce” biz. But his childhood buddy sees through the transparent plan: “Any loan officer is gonna know. You wanna grow some boo-yah.” Next up: Mike, a friend of the family who’s mightily impressed by Conrad’s entrepreneurial spirit, and his informed choice of marijuana strain, but refuses to get involved in family matters. Rather than pony up cash for a partnership with Conrad, he advises him to reconcile with Aunt Heylia, fill her in on the details of the new venture, and make this a family affair. Later, contrary to Conrad’s belief that he’s operating under the radar, we find out that Heylia is already fully aware that Conrad is seeking financing, but she’s keeping it under her hat.

Next: Nancy finds herself in over her head at the pot convention, left behind to sort through convention nerds, sample booths, and hard-sell sales pitches, as Doug and Andy venture off to find The One: the strain that will set their business off right. Cue the reggae band montage. Andy smokes every available sample in sight, while Doug poses questions like, “When does CPR become necrophilia?”, then finds himself onstage with the band, donning tie dye, and getting his groove back as he exhibits his very special interpretation of The Robot. For the record: More Rock-em’ Sock-em’ than C-3PO.

Back in Agrestic, with the groups chosen plant in the bathtub, Nancy finds that she doesn’t know the first thing about care and cultivation. And Conrad holds another ill-fated meeting with thuggish dealer, U-Turn, who would just as soon toss a knife in the general direction of his crew (sticking in an unassuming thigh) than have them raise their voices during a business meeting, or The Price is Right. So it’s with these difficulties that Nancy and Conrad find themselves together again, after Nancy’s pleadings and assurances that DEA Peter is out of the picture, and that the dream team must reunite.

So with business sorted, and the family gathered in the backyard for dinner, Nancy looks to have things under control. But in classic soap-operatic form, there’s a hitch. Peter calls from his car parked outside the house, not willing to leave until he can speak with her. Inside the car, delivering a speech that sounds mentally rehearsed, as though she was waiting for such a confrontation, Nancy lists all the reasons why they “will never be.” But Peter’s not listening. He’s just waiting for his turn to talk - a news flash that will leave Nancy stumbling out of the car, and throwing up on the green, green grass:

“I know you’re a drug dealer.”

Notes: Side story wise, Celia continues her city council campaign, finding her husband and daughter to be unwilling participants. Andy was accepted into Rabbinical school, and Silas and girlfriend Megan break up after she’s admitted to Princeton and won’t allow him to tag along.

Drug dealer U-Turn is portrayed by Page Kennedy, last seen on Desperate Housewives before being tossed off the set for “improper conduct.” Expect Kennedy to appear in at three more episodes. Plus, New Zealand stoners steal faux-marijuana from Weeds billboard.

Death Cab for Cutie covered “Little Boxes” as part of the season long move to inject new musical life, from a host of performers, into the opening song.

Check back next week for the episode three recap.

Tags: showtime, weeds recap, kevin nealon’s career performance