Review: “Lopez vs Raider Nation” explores how an alcoholic’s best pal can take the hits & tackles on the grid iron of real life to protect him, only to be seen as an enabler in return.
Collateral damage of an addict’s hazy and unreliable memory. Oscar is a patsy, the fall guy for Lopez’ antics and deceptive subterfuge.
This Lopez vs Lopez Season 2 Episode 5 Review contains spoilers for “Lopez vs Raider Nation”.
Episode 205 shows us that Oscar was willing to even give up being a 49er fan (“Bang bang, 49er gang”!) to appease and accommodate his best friend. In Lopez vs Lopez Season 1 Episode 14, we got to see a flashback where Oscar is a clean cut professional before meeting George and in “Lopez vs Raider Nation” we see how much this friendship has truly cost Oscar.
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Al Madrigal as Oscar, George Lopez as George, Momo Rodriguez as Momo, Moises Chavez as Raul — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
As part of George’s 12-step program (or as he calls it 10-step for Mexicans), he’s asked to make amends and apologize to those he’s hurt while drinking.
Oscar believes George will finally apologize for asking him to tackle Marshawn Lynch then calling security when he attempted to. Instead, George apologizes to every other person (and dog) on “Lopez vs Raider Nation” except Oscar.
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) George Lopez as George, Al Madrigal as Oscar — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
Finally, the truth comes out late into the episode, George sees Oscar as an “enabler” for his drinking and blames him. Oscar reminds George that he was the one who saved him when he collapsed but George doesn’t remember as such… Which causes Oscar to have a mental breakdown.
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Marshawn Lynch as Himself, Jim Plunkett as Himself — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
Eventually, George apologizes and attempts to tackle Marshawn Lynch himself (this is “Lopez vs Lopez” after all). But the core plot of the thankless good Samaritan, the invisible heroics of a best friend, and realizations in sobriety are quite intriguing aside from the comedy.
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Marshawn Lynch as Himself, George Lopez as George — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
Cliffhanger: Rosie’s secret relationship
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Selenis Leyva as Rosie, Jaime Camil as Josué, Mayan Lopez as Mayan, Matt Shively as Quinten — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
The secondary plot of “Lopez vs Raider Nation” is Rosie being forced to reveal she’s had a 6-month relationship with a lawyer to Mayan. Early in the episode, Mayan is annoyed at the amount of time Rosie and Quinten are spending together, almost like a couple. Mayan beleives Rosie “needs a man in her life”, only to find out she’d had one all this time.
Lopez vs Lopez Episode 205 concludes with George meeting Rosie’s new boyfriend at his front door, and “apologizing” for what he’ll soon do to him. A jealousy cliffhanger? But surprisingly this isn’t followed up on at all in Episode 206 that follows.
Disappointingly enough… Lots of momentum gone to waste. That said, it’s a strong ending if we take the episode individually. Major potential.
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) George Lopez as George, Jaime Camil as Josué, Selenis Leyva as Rosie — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
“Lopez vs Lopez” 205 Guest Cast Stars:
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Marshawn Lynch as Himself, Jim Plunkett as Himself — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
Marshawn Lynch as himself
Jim Plunkett as Himself
Jaime Camill as “No way” Josué
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) Jaime Camil as Josué, Mayan Lopez as Mayan, Matt Shively as Quinten — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
More “Lopez vs Lopez” recaps and reviews:
LOPEZ VS LOPEZ — “Lopez vs Raider Nation” Episode 205 — Pictured: (l-r) George Lopez as George, Al Madrigal as Oscar — (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)
Be sure to read:
– Lopez vs Lopez Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Lopez vs Sobriety
– Lopez vs Lopez Season 1 Finale Recap: George in top comedy form
– Lopez vs Lopez Episode 16 Review and Recap, Cheaters Cast
– Lopez vs Lopez Episode 12 Review: Funniest of Season 1
Visit the Lopez vs Lopez section for more reviews, recaps, exclusive episode video previews and much more!
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