Review: The League - 4.04 - "The Breastalyzer"

It's not often "The League" totally misses the mark, but this week's episode came pretty close. The show is at its funniest when the gang has equal parts to play, but "The Breastalyzer" resorts two of the prime players to bit parts while the rest of the cast stumbles through their own anemic storylines.

Jenny's issues with Kevin's mother Martha take center stage more than anything. Jenny's attempt to booze it up after 9 months of sobriety carrying little Chalupa Batman is complicated by her mother-in-law's dislike of her. Pretty much the only marginally funny part of this story is Jenny's theft of 'clean' breast milk (courtesy of Mrs. Jay Cutler, Kristin Cavallari), using it to dupe one of her breast milk/alcohol tests.

Taco's latest adventure in new money comes with an upgrade to Casa Del Taco, and with it a sexy new (female) roommate named George. Alas, Pete and the gang helpfully point out that Taco has accidentally found himself embroiled in the one thing he hopes to avoid: a relationship. Again, there are a few marginally funny parts, like George's preparation of chicken tartare appetizers for their housewarming party, but it's all so average and not up to "The League"'s usual standards.

There are a few highlights, mainly from Ruxin's side-story, where Rafi once again makes an always welcome appearance and (as he is prone to do) steals plenty of his scenes. His swim tips to young Jeffrey ("Swim, swim, stab.") and attempts to break up with a very damaged swimming instructor stand out, but not enough to offset what are pretty middling efforts elsewhere in the episode. Pete and Andre being left on the bench for the bulk of the episode doesn't help matters either.

Overall, this is what football fans could consider a "bye" week for the FX series. This would be an episode you could understandably avoid, with weak storylines and not too many jokes to support them.

Final Grade: C+