Summary:

Earl is visited by Joy and is surprised that another prisoner also in visitation happens to be someone both Joy and Earl know. Frank, an old friend of Earl and an old coworker of Joy, describes how he ended up in prison. The story takes place right before Joy and Earl met, and helps explain how many of them grew to become a part of each other's life.

Anyone else wonder what the Japanese guy said? I know they've snuck in other messages before when Catalina speaks Spanish.

I like this show very much. I like the way they tell stories. I like the recurring characters. I like how they're able to tie characters together. It's a show I look forward to every week.

It felt a little early in the season to have one of these "mythology" episodes, but it was pretty enjoyable.

The ending was a bit wrong, though. If Joy didn't trick Earl into marrying her, they would have had their fake hostage and things probably would have gone differently. They probably wouldn't have gotten 20 years. In a way, she screwed Frank over more than anything.

No idea what the Asian guy said, but Catalina basically said "Excuse me sir, everyone knows that this doesn't make any sense since it's already been established I didn't come to the United States until after 2000."

This show has a ton of crazy plot holes because they always have episodes like this. Its good to know that they realize it and can have fun with it.

This was a great episode. Rappaport had me cringing while he was washing his "sweet spots".

Joy was hilarious this episode.

"I can't feel a ring"

Got to give the writers credit for still having Jamie Pressly in the show pregnant, but not having her character pregnant in the current story line.

She's always gold. She deserved that Emmy.

Save for Randy's dumb ass, this season's episodes have been spot on. Even he wasn't as bad last night. Low screen time for Catalina has been good also as she really isn't funny.

Funniest part was Darnell's face getting his fingerprints sanded off, then his reaction when told it was optional.

"My mornin' sickness is about to kick in and you do NOT wanna be under me for that."

Great episode.

Last night was one of the best episodes (I'd say it is up there with Earl's Birthday party)

I too would love to know what the Japanese guy said.

Joy is pregnant in the current story line, hence the joke about missing her wax she wanted to get so she wouldn't be all hairy when she delivered.

Well, they decided to set the thing in a prison. Presumably, Earl's "time off" certificates from Coach will have him out by Christmas, but that's a lot of prison episodes. They have to break that up.

I noticed that Earl never met Juliette Lewis in that story. Weren't those two together when Joy stole him away.
Still really great episode, love Randy's cereal question.

Enjoyed the "origin of the gang" story (plot holes and all).

Loved Joy taking her pregnancy test.

Rappaport was excellent in this episode - I hope they bring him back now and again, like Giovanni Ribisi. Loved the spitting-on-the-floor gag and the witness protection class.

cheers,

-the Jesus

yeah I think it was an excellent episode, Show has been great this season, Last season I felt it was getting alittle tired.

I know this is old but I just saw this...
The old japanese guy says something like:

"I hate playing these kinds of sterotyped roles but my agent told me to..."

in really bad japanese...