This week’s South Hollywood DMV episode showed that sometimes no press is better than bad press. 'Fresh Ink' was a case of good intentions gone wrong, as the staff dealt with public perception, harsh reviews, and losing a wager. Though the stakes were minor, the comedy highlighted why this crew is the most dysfunctional branch in the state. Here's my recap and review.
The drama begins when a magazine highlights the South Hollywood DMV, leaving Barb feeling overlooked. Colette, noticing her boss’s disappointment, oversteps loyalty by trying to get Barb recognition. Instead of a major profile, she secures a spot in a high school paper, which turns out to be a disaster. Colette then threatens the student journalist to fix it, but the teen posts a harsh follow-up about Colette’s bullying. Despite the chaos, Barb is touched by a sincere quote from Colette about her commitment, softening her initial frustration.
Down in the trenches, Gregg and Vic have a petty war after poor public reviews. They bet that whoever has worse ratings by shift's end gets a tattoo. Gregg tries to 'game the system' by acting as 'Teacher Gregg,' which is more creepy than charming. Vic offers Noa an easy pass on his driving test for a good review. Both reviews stay dismal, but they find common ground over a terrible lunch. The episode ends with Vic reluctantly getting a tattoo.
"Fresh Ink" is a charming, character-driven episode that truly warms the heart by showcasing the warmth of "found family' amidst the department's sometimes cynical exterior. The humor, with its playful moments like Barb’s colorful "beaver jokes" and her quirky past as a mascot, adds a delightful touch to the episode. While it might not be the absolute highlight of the series, it’s a consistently funny and lively episode that long-time fans will especially enjoy. It strikes a wonderful balance between silly humor and clever insights into workplace ego. Even when these characters face setbacks, viewers are always left feeling uplifted.
Watching Colette's efforts for Barb added emotional depth, with her sincere affection bringing warmth to the comedy despite some over-the-top (and possibly illegal) actions. The "performance review' was a hilarious exaggeration of office nightmares, Tim Meadows' "Teacher Gregg' delivering cringeworthy sincerity that hit every joke. It also served as a lively B-plot and the scene of the grumpy characters bonding over a bad lunch.
Overall, I give this episode a 7.5/10.
What did you think of "Fresh Ink"? Leave a comment.
You can catch DMV Mondays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+.
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