8 Simple Rules, Season 1 – episode 1: Pilot
Cate goes
back to work and Paul has to contend with Bridget dating his co-worker Tommy’s
son Kyle, whose roving eyes threaten to break his daughter’s heart. Meanwhile,
Paul and Cate are shocked when honor student Kerry is suspended for ditching
school.
Cast:
Paul Hennessy – John Ritter, Cate Hennessy – Katey Sagal, Bridget Hennessy
– Kaley Cuoco, Kerry Hennessy – Amy Davidson, Rory Hennessy – Martin Spanjers,
Kyle – Billy Aaron Brown, Tommy – Larry Miller, Jesse – Bryan Neal
I must confess I had high hopes of the Pilot episode of 8 Simple Rules
when I started watching it and I wasn’t disappointed. I really loved the
recognizable situations the Hennessy family got involved in and I also was
pleasantly surprised by the funny parts of this episode.
Who just can’t love John as Paul, the overprotective father who’s so
afraid to let his girls go out and discover the world? I’m not in the position
to have experience yet, but I can imagine a father’s nightmare when he sees his
oldest daughter coming down the stairs in this real sexy outfit. This really
has to be one of the most memorable scenes from this episode, Bridget storming
down the stairs wearing this skimpy outfit and Paul simply going “No, no, no,
no” before waving her upstairs. This already had me going, but the next scene
got to me even more. I couldn’t stop laughing while watching Paul doing this
Sensei thing when Kyle (“Kyyyyyyyyle”) arrives to pick up Bridget.
“If you make her cry, I will make you cry”, that’s also one classic line
really. I can’t really recall I ever heard such a line when I picked up one of
my dates, but it sure is a good one to make sure some guy won’t think of
anything when he’s taking your daughter out. Not to mention Kyle’s look on his
face, man, that really made me laugh. I also loved Bridget’s response, “Oh, my
God, you talked to him”. This just is so recognizable, but you have to actually
see a scene like this before you go like “yeah, right, that’s really how a
teenager would react!”
Another recognizable scene has to be the scene where Cate and Paul
discuss sharing of duties. We all surely have witnessed our parents having
similar talks, but probably never in a way Paul and Cate do. It’s obvious Paul
doesn’t really like his newly gained position, but hey, he can’t do anything
about it because Cate has decided to go work to get their children a better future.
And boy, does he hate that prospect! I could tell by the look on his face he
was already facing this huge dilemma, how am I gonna control my children today?
“Girls, don’t make your mother come up there!”, this line absolutely shows how
Paul’s considering his new duties.
And boy, are they hard to control! Kerry’s classic in the kitchen scene,
she so reminds me of one of my sisters that used to be exactly the same. She’s
perfect as the insecure teenager that really hates the sexy behaviour of sister
Bridget, who really thinks she’s so wonderful. She knows she’s hot and shows it
off with this really sexy thong coming out of her pants. This really has to be
one hell of a fantasy to a lot of male viewers and I somehow believe that’s the
reason why this scene was written. And then there’s Rory ofcourse, he doesn’t
talk much through this episode but some of his remarks are so cool. “Dad, do
you think I’m pretty?”, the way he throws out this remark is classic! And who
didn’t laugh while watching the scene where Rory’s hiding in the girls’ closet
when Paul and Kerry have this very personal talk? “What? I come here to think
sometimes”, it’s hilarious!
I also loved the way Paul’s trying to communicate with Kerry in the
kitchen scene. It’s so incredibly stupid of him to ask about Kerry’s “birthday”
that it becomes funny. It’s obvious Paul has a lot to learn about parenting and
this scene really shows. In comes Bridget again, and immediately it’s obvious
she really isn’t of this world. Her view on life is so shallow you just have to
adore the character she’s supposed to be. I just couldn’t stop laughing about
her not too intelligent but funny remarks. I especially loved the
“eeeews”, “eeeeks” and “aaaaaahs” she
frequently uses, it adds to her character and I’m always in favour of that. And
she surely is a knockout, I couldn’t help being impressed by her every single
time I saw her. Bridget’s just perfect, everything fits really.
The school scene has to be another one of my favourites for this
episode. “Bridgy” and “Carebear” aren’t too pleased with their dad yelling “you
forgot your lunches!” and “you’re welcome!”, but again this is so recognizable!
Just witness the horror on Bridget and Kerry’s faces in this scene, boy, we all
can relate to moments like this.
It’s also very recognizable to watch Paul and Cate fight over family
duties while they’re at school talking about Kerry ditching school. I think
lots of parents experience this when they’re aware they both have something to
learn about parenting. Paul obviously doesn’t know how to handle this delicate
situation, “Got your nose!” is the only thing he comes up with when confronting
Kerry.
I just loved the scene where Paul tries to act cool in the bedroom
scene. I had a huge laugh when he used the word “chill” after throwing out
Rory. Not to mention the birth control conversation, it’s hilarious! Then
there’s the chatting scene with Jesse, and again Paul tries to be the cool guy
but obviously fails the act. Another great scene follows, namely Bridgets first
ever fast talking scene. Wow, she’s so good at it, I had to actually listen
twice before I got it all! Bridget also has a more serious scene soon after and
in this scene she really shows a gift for acting. She convinced me completely
while crying and this also has to be one of my favourite scenes from episode 1.
It also shows what a yerk Kyle really is, this guy really doesn’t know how to
control his hormones. But then again, isn’t it hilarious to see Paul watching
him and say “Kyyyyyle”? It really shows Paul isn’t too fond of Kyle. Soon Paul
shows his fatherly feelings though and “happens” to bump into crying Bridget.
There’s a little father-daughter thing but soon Bridget breaks free because she
obviously feels it’s not cool to do so. The most funny thing about it all is
that you can actually see Paul thinking: “what did I do wrong now?”
Kerry’s whiny side is also great to watch. It was great to watch in the
bedroom scene, but this scene was even better. It’s obvious Bridget and her
younger sister have this ongoing rivalry and it shows in the scene when Paul is
trying to have a talk to Bridget but Kerry’s throwing in all kinds of
irritating wisecracks. Paul also gets to show his incapability of parenting
again, which is great ofcourse! “You, out!” I loved it! Bridget again shows
she’s not of this world by showing her father (“I mean, come on”) why she
thinks she should have a better date than Dustin. Kerry’s whiny side comes in
again as well, because she wasn’t asked for the dance. It’s a great scene
really, because a lot of different emotions are shown and I just love that. But
Paul again acts on it the wrong way, which is hilarious really. The way he’s
trying to tell Kerry she’s pretty is just awesome!
Down comes Rory and it seems he needs a serious talk with his dad. Man,
did I laugh at this one! “Dad, do you think I’m pretty?” It’s so great! Paul
can’t really take it anymore after this, which shows when Cate comes in. Cate
really resembles Ma Bundy at this point, in fact I couldn’t help myself from
thinking this the whole way through the episode. I somehow feel Katey is just
repeating her Ma Bundy thing in this episode, which isn’t really a bad thing. I
did expect something more from her though, but maybe that will show itself in
the next episodes.
In comes Kerry again who now shows she can also be serious. I must admit
I liked her performance a lot in this episode, she really did a great job on
acting out the insecure teenage daughter and puts some icing on the cake by
showing her serious side in this scene. We also get to see Bridget for the last
time, and boy, does she look sexy in this one. Her smile gave me chills really,
and I mean that in a positive way.
The final scene things are turned around. This time it’s not Bridget
who’s going out, but Kerry. Paul’s excited for her at first but as soon as he
sees Jesse he becomes his old self again. The way he throws the door shut is
great really. He still hasn’t learned anything, that’s more than obvious.
All in all I found this episode very entertaining. It offered humour,
some drama and most of all recognizable situations. I think that’s where 8
Simple Rules’ power is, it’s recognizable and at the same time so funny. I
think a lot of people can relate to some of the situations shown in this
episode and that’s what I think most people love about it. I therefore can’t
wait to see what episode 2 will bring me…
