CBS has finally brought in a more fully supporting cast for “Walden,” the newly introduced main character in “Two and a Half Men.” Viewers who were getting tired of the rehashing of the same storyline that the show carried prior to the death of Charlie Sheen’s character, “Charlie,” may find a renewed interest in the show with these new developments.
In season 9, episode 12 (“One False Move, Zimbabwe!”), Walden’s mother, Robin, is introduced, played by Mimi Rogers. As it turns out, her role adds some depth of character to Ashton Kutcher’s role of Walden. His somewhat repressed memories about an imaginary childhood friend, Magilla the gorilla, are not imaginary. Robin, a scientist, actually raised him with a gorilla until the age of four.
These developments brought a new and interesting twist to the sitcom. It brought “Walden” out of the love-sick and dejected sap role, and into the role of a whole being, with comedic issues of his own.
Along with this, Alan (played by Jon Cryer), strikes an intimate interest in Robin, giving his character some blessed relief from a sap role of its own. The thrill of the chase is something yet to be discovered in “Two and a Half Men.” Will this tangent possibly take viewers there? Now, that would be a twist.
This same episode also introduced another set of parents. Zoey, Walden’s new love (played by Sophie Winkleman), has her parents visiting for the holidays, when Walden has a meltdown over the new realizations from his past. The meltdown brings the two families together in a refreshing new twist.
Quite the stereotypical British couple, the Tartinghams are possibly either utra-polite, or justifiably tolerant. In either case, it seems that there may be secrets to reveal in this family’s history, as well. In some strange way, the Tartinghams bring to mind the couple who played George’s parents on “Seinfeld.” They seem the same, yet they still seem quite the opposite.
All in all, this episode was a definite turning point for this show. It finally brought it out of the realm of resentment over the past, and back into the realm of creative comedy. It needed to be done. Now, finally, viewers of “Two and a Half Men” might have something funny to look forward to again.