So far, season three of Happy Endings has been a slew of disappointing episodes with only a few truly hilarious moments. After the holiday break have they come back to offer us more disappointment?

Let’s review…

Well if this first episode is any indication, we’re in for a great second part of season three. ‘Fowl Play/Date’ was by far the best and funniest episode in a while. Not to mention we got the return of Tyler, Alex’s (Elisha Cuthbert) crazy racist parrot.

It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint what truly works in a comedy show. With drama, you can look to characterization, exposition, storyline, and acting, just to name a few. With comedy, it can often come down to how funny the jokes are (which can be pretty subjective). In a show like Happy Endings, where things are so over the top, it’s the storylines that are often in service to the jokes.

Watching the first seven episodes of this season was disheartening to say the least. Unfunny jokes, unbelievable storylines, and characters that seemed to rely too heavily on one boring aspect of their personality.  Other than one episode, this season has been lackluster and certainly not on par with the highs of season two. Luckily an episode like this comes along and reminds us why we love to watch the crazy antics of this group of friends. Bringing together hilarious sight gags and pop cultural references with great acting and storylines we care about, this episode excels in all departments and also downplays what hasn’t been working – I’m looking at you Max (Adam Pally).

By far the best part of this episode is the pairing of Penny (Casey Wilson) and Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.). Why have these two been separated for so long? Watching these two is like watching a figure skating duo gracefully dancing across the ice. (And you thought this blog couldn’t get any gayer!) They play off each other so well and are in perfect comedic sync. I’m not even sure it makes sense for Penny’s character to go all evil mastermind but it doesn’t matter because it’s played so well. And Brad as her frightened side kick is so deliciously funny. It’s hard to pin point my favorite part or even my favorite line of this storyline but I have to mention the two of them throwing the bird out the window, and Penny continuously slapping Brad. Classic! (Also special mention to Alex’s gigantic child hands – that’s some freakishly hiliarious sh*t)

On the flip, but equally funny, side, Jane (Eliza Coupe) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) decide to set Max up with guys to help cheer him up. Now Max has not been my favorite character of late, but this episode worked well by downplaying his gross dude antics and focusing more on Dave and Jane’s matchmaking (in)abilities. Although both lose in the ‘who’s guy is the best match for Max’ fight, I have to give it to Jane’s choice as the funniest. Those short shorts are too much. But who else is bummed that we aren’t going to see more of the hottie bartender Marcus? Anyone?  Hopefully this gives way to more dating adventures for Max who has been woefully single since Grant left.

I also have to mention how great it is to see the Penny/Brad and Dave/Jane pairings. These duos are not often thrown together, which is a shame because they work very well together. I think we all know how much I love the Penny/Brad pairing (some serious Emmy worthy performances), but Dave and Jane also have great chemistry. Jane’s authoritative attitude mixed with Dave’s sweet, easy going naiveté; there is definitely more comedic possibilities to be had (*hint,hint*). Hopefully all of this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

Funniest lines of the night:

Penny: “He said…I broke…uh… the glass ceiling. And that’s right, I’ll climb that corporate ladder, in a skirt! And I don’t care who looks up it cause I keep my yard tidy. And those are my choices, you know. Equality!”

Max: “What do you idiots want?”
Jane: “How did you know we were here?”
Max: “I smell testosterone. And Dave, you smell like peppers bud.”

Penny: “Now I need you to shush, so I can think. Ok, we need to cover this up. We need to cover this up. What would Kerry Washington do in Scandal?”
Brad: “Demand to see the President, then almost make out with him.”
Penny: “Exactly!”

Alex: “Thank you guys so much for paying your respects. Tyler would be so touched that you’re here. Well, not you Brad.”

Brad: “Oh my god, we gotta come clean now! Please can we come clean? I am so scared.
Penny: “Shush! She will never know anything if she never reads the autopsy report, that’s why you are gonna find it and destroy it.”
Brad: “What if it was emailed to her as a PDF? How do you destroy a PDF? It’s in the clouds! I don’t control the clouds. I’m not Thor!”

What did you folks think? Was this the funniest episode so far this season? Did you love the Penny/Brad combo? Would you date Jane or Dave’s choice of suitor? Am I the only one hoping Marcus comes back next week? Sound off below.

Happy Endings airs Sundays at 10pm EST and Tuesdays at 9pm EST on ABC.