Full disclosure here: I just, just now finished watching this season opener, and so I'm aware that I'm in the immediately after power glow, but I'm just going to come out and say it -- that's the best episode of a half-hour sitcom to ever be aired on TV. And I've followed them all. From Rob and Laura to Jed and the family on up through Kotter and Frasier and Friends and Seinfeld and Hot in Cleveland (and if you haven't watched all of that magnificent series then shame on you). So I've got the street cred to make this statement -- best all-time sitcom episode.
The writing and the acting both shot way over the line. First the writing. The characters' repartee could have made all six Monty Python members weep with envy. And the way the main plot conflict was presented for resolution was award worthy. The subplot gave us an insightful look at the beginning trajectory of a character we know more about later as an adult. It was fabulous.
And then the actors. The acting in this episode was more perfect than I'd previously believed possible. I grew up in Oklahoma roughly during the same time period, and the actors tonight, playing this group of East Texans, fully become and occupied those very real people from that place and time. Every actor, all the way down the row, even those with only a few moments on the screen, nailed it.
So I will finish with this: If you haven't watched the episode yet, and it's waiting out there somewhere in your future to be viewed from a fresh, pristine mind -- I hate you. I wish I could do that.