Category: Entourage

Following a two-week hiatus, Entourage started its fourth season with a “documentary” on the making of Medellin. When Season Three ended, Vincent Chase had sacrificed his home and money to have his dream project come to fruition, with the financial assistance of Eric and trust fund baby Nicky Rubenstein, and the eccentric Billy Walsh at the helm as director. This episode took us to Bogotá, Colombia, where we’re given a Coppola-esque Hearts of Darkness look at the making of this film.

The unpredictable Billy Walsh goes off the deep end early on, insisting the script needs a new ending. He goes ahead with filming despite this, a feat that could shut down the entire production. He casts a sultry local as Vinnie’s co-star, and develops an infatuation with her, forbidding sex on the set, and interrogating the cast and crew to ensure no one is sleeping with her. Johnny Drama’s also smitten with this beauty, so rivalry ensues.

Vinnie is transformed into drug lord Pablo Escobar, and filming begins, with the looming threat of no ending hanging over the set, and weighing heavily on Eric’s mind. Eric is trying to keep the film on schedule and on budget, and Billy’s irrational methods keep threatening the already delicate balance. Billy decides only one person can write the ending, Steve Gaghan, who was a writer on Traffic, neglecting the lack of additional funds to cover Gaghan’s high fee. He even shuts everyone out of the dailies at one point, which we discover is due to his insecurities. In a very dramatic moment, Billy admits his self-doubt to Eric, and Eric is the one who manages to turn the director around.

The money for Gaghan eventually comes through, and he arrives in Colombia only to find out Billy’s already re-written the ending. Gaghan’s just earned the easiest $275K of his career. Tension mounts as we discover the final scene can only be filmed once, so it has to go off without a hitch. Despite the doubt, Billy manages to accomplish this feat. And it’s a stunning, perfectly orchestrated scene.

Some humor was injected into the episode, mainly through Johnny and Ari. Johnny struggles to remain cool with being a TV star, when he’s itching for a part in Medellin. And Ari, well, is Ari, worried about money, and that Vinnie may have sunk all of his money into this project in vain. In an ironic turn of events, Nicky Rubenstein, the money behind the making of Medellin, is arrested for cocaine possession on his way to catch his flight to Colombia.

This season premiere was a departure from the Entourage we know and love, but the episode was still great. I could really feel the uncertainty of everyone as Billy neared a total meltdown, potentially jeopardizing what Vinnie & Co had sacrificed to make this film. It was a really great behind the scenes documentary, and even more remarkable because this film doesn’t exist. When it was over, it left me with an unsettled feeling, as if nothing may ever be the same again for Vincent Chase, and his future depends on what this movie does. Am I alone on this, or did anyone else get that same vibe? I really enjoyed it, but here’s to hoping the next one will be a return to form.

This post was Authored by Melissa, Our Resident Authority on all things Entourage

This show is awesome, and unlike Melissa, I wasn't left feeling that nothing will ever be the same again. It has to keep the same basic concept, wit, and premise to keep its audience base, so I don't expect much change. It'll go up and down and up and down again. The boys will be back into a big, expansive home, with parties and chicks galore. But it might take a couple episodes to make us sweat it out.

To ask a question: How much of this storyline is based on Mark Whalburg's real life situation? I know in the pilot episode the two groups walk past each other, and MW is Ex. Prod of the show.

Oh, and one more thing: are you on the Facebook groups for this show? I'm on a couple, but rarely get to visit.

Even though I know things won't change, and the boys will be living it up again, this first episode gave the feeling that Vinnie's entire career depends on whether this movie succeeds or fails.

With regard to Mark Wahlberg, I know that the show is "loosely" based on his life and his friends he brought along with him to Lala Land. I remember seeing a segment on Dateline (or a similar show) with Wahlberg and his real life entourage.

Never checked out any of the Facebook groups ... maybe I should head over there now.

Cheers!

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