Melissa & Joey – Episode 1-13 Review

Reviews, Shows

 After more than six months, Melissa & Joey finally returns to ABC Family with a new theme sequence, and the great premiere episode “Enemies with Benefits.”

The show only mentioned her a few times in the first half of the season, but this episode introduces viewers to the infamous Tiffany (Megan Hilty), Joe’s ex-wife. She and Joe have started dating again, and shocked Mel tries to knock some sense into Joe, who wants to see if there’s any spark left in his old romance. Though she consistently insults Mel, plus I don’t usually like “airhead blonde” characters, Tiffany is a hilarious and I hope we see more of her. Of course Joe will never get back together with her because that would drastically change the show, but her popping up once in a while to inadvertently ruin Mel’s day would definitely be entertaining.

Meanwhile, Lennox tries to improve her social image at school when she doesn’t make her fellow students’ online “best” list. Personally I think the story could’ve been better. Like, there should have been one scene with Lennox and Ryder campaigning at school. Still, there are some good sibling moments and funny lines, so I do like this part of the episode as well.

Also, Melissa Joan Hart’s acting seems better than before, as her comedic timing is more spot-on. To me, her jokes can seem forced at times, but this episode I actually burst out laughing at some of her jokes. And, remembering how I was annoyed by Mel being unnecessarily mean to Joe at times, it’s nice to see her showing so much concern for Joe’s well-being.

Though the episode is one of Melissa & Joeys strongest, I do notice that the main concept of the show, the scam that put Lennox and Ryder in Mel’s care, isn’t even mentioned once. That’s not exactly a bad thing, and surely will be commonplace in regular episodes, but its absence just feels a little weird when the show hasn’t aired in so long. This makes me wonder what the show has in store for later episodes, and the season finale.

Melissa & Joey‘s premiere is a success, in that it makes me remember why I loved the show last year. “Don’t Train on My Parade” airs July 6th.