Franks Place E1 & E2

I just watched the first two episodes of Frank’s Place and really enjoyed them. I’ve always loved the vibe and music of New Orleans, and since I’ve spent a lot of time working in restaurants and bars (also drinking in bars 😉) , the setting really hits home for me. There’s something about that mix of homey and divey that feels instantly familiar. I love a good bar stool.

The “fish out of water” storytelling works well here, especially with the blend of drama and slapstick in the pilot. I’m not very familiar with sitcoms from the 1980s (yet), but I had always assumed they were more in the Golden Girls style. This show definitely feels like it’s trying something different.

The character who stood out to me most was Bubba - the down-on-his-luck lawyer who spends too much (?) time as the resident barfly (my dream job). I’ve always had a soft spot for characters like that. I was also struck by the way the show handles race and class: in one scene, Black and white customers dine together at the Chez, but in the very next episode Tiger points out that many white people consider the neighborhood too dangerous at night. It’s subtle but meaningful, and it suggests the show wants to tackle social dynamics alongside character comedy.

And then there’s the voodoo curse: Frank returns to New Orleans after Miss Marie has her “doctor” place it on him. But is the curse real, or just a way for him to justify coming back? Is Frank escaping, reawakening, or finally coming home?

Thanks for reading!