Saturday, August 30, was episode two of the new Starz show, Blunt Talk. Like last week, it was full of crazy shenanigans surrounding the lead character, Walter Blunt, and his valet, Harry, in their attempt to save Walter’s career.
The show opens on Walter’s dream during his collapse from last week. He’s dancing with show girls and sees his mother and himself as a boy in a mirror. We hear Harry calling to him until Walter opens his eyes. When Harry asks if he’s alright, Walter says, “That was magnificent!” Walter sits up, telling everyone that he’s fine, then realizes they’re still on the air. He gets up, tells the audience about his near death experience, but that it would be prudent for them to now take a commercial break.
Next, Harry is tucking Walter into bed at his villa. Walter says that the gods have given him a second chance and that he means to make the most of it. Walter says the dream made him want to be a better father to the American people, and adds his own children as an afterthought. He says he needs to take care of his viewers, to which Harry replies that he needs to take care of Walter.
The next morning, we find Harry posing naked, holding a vase while Walter paints him. Suddenly, a volleyball hits the painting, creating a streak of red over Harry’s manhood. Walter is upset and chews out the new neighbor for ruining the painting. He says it’s too early to be playing volleyball. The neighbor, Ronnie, says it’s not too early because they’ve been up all night on Molly. A group of nude people then show up behind him asking for the ball back.
Walter says, “That’s quite the nudist party you’re having” to which Ronnie replies, “You seem to be having a party yourself.” Ronnie produces erotic films and wants Harry to be in them. He asks Walter if he’s his boyfriend. Walter replies, “No, he’s my man.” Ronnie proceeds to give Walter his card in case “Red” ever wants to make some extra money. Walter’s phone rings and he tells Harry they’re needed at the studio.
Cut to Rosalie and Bob telling Walter that he needs to cover a hurricane story in Galveston, Texas. Walter thinks weather is beneath him, but his boss assures him that it will keep his momentum going and that almost dying was the best thing Walter had ever done. Bob threatens to take away Walter’s second chance at broadcast, so Walter decides to go.
Next, we find Celia and Jim talking about how they can’t believe that Walter is still alive because the “Ambien” he took was actually oxy in an Ambien bottle.
Rosalie convinces Walter that the storm is a good story because it’s also about climate change and mass extinction, plus Anderson Cooper is going to be there. Walter suggests that they find a hope-filled angle to the story. When told that hope and truth might not go together, he tells his assistants to Google it.
Martin, Walter, and Harry are waiting at the airport for the plane to board. Walter asks the clerk if he has time to use the restroom. He’s assured that it should be fine, and he and Harry head for the loo. After various mishaps with the automated bathroom, Walter misses the plane. Only Martin has boarded.
Back at Walter’s villa, Rosalie suggests that they tell Bob that Walter missed the flight. Walter is afraid the show will be cancelled, so he says no. Jim then suggests that they fake it in front of a green screen using footage sent to them by Martin. They agree that they need someone discreet and dishonest to help them out. Celia notices the painting of Harry, and Walter remembers Ronnie’s porn studio.
At Ronnie’s studio, they pay him cash, but he won’t give them time with the green screen unless Harry will be in the porno that he’s shooting that day. Harry says it’s impossible because at the “moment of congress” he experiences shame and anticipates punishment. Walter talks Harry into it to save the show.
Cut to Walter getting dressed in a rain slicker and hat. Rosalie still says that they should call Bob. Walter says no, claiming he was betrayed by the FAA and modern bathroom technology. He asks his assistants if they found any hopeful facts. They give him a lot of horrifying statistics, so he decides to focus on a shift in consciousness.
Ronnie comes in claiming that “Red is weepy and won’t take his Viagra.” Walter sends Rosalie and Celia to talk to him while he records his intro. Harry is eventually convinced by Sylvia, the porn actress, who tells him she’s genuinely attracted to him.
Meanwhile, Walter is recording his broadcast about the hurricane while being deluged with various water sprayers. Halfway through he starts singing and dancing, which Jim tells him is offensive because people will die in the storm. Walter says he’s doing it for those who will live. Jim tells him that’s ridiculous. Finally, Celia and Rosalie come in and say that the storm was downgraded and that Walter is supposed to head home for a regular Saturday broadcast instead. Walter is upset saying, “Has the world gone so mad that these storms can no longer be relied on?”
Ronnie comes in saying that the health department has just shown up and the actors aren’t wearing condoms. He tells Jim to run to Harry with a giant box of condoms, who then trips and sends them flying everywhere.
In the final scene, Harry is tucking Walter into bed again. Walter tells Harry that he will pay his fine and have his record expunged. Harry thanks him and proceeds to read him The Once and Future King.
Image courtesy of Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com