‘Night Court’ Recap: ‘Marathon-Thon-Thon-Thon-Thon’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

NIGHT COURT -- "Marathon-Thon-Thon-Thon-Thon" Episode 110 -- Pictured: (l-r) Pete Holmes as Rand, Melissa Rauch as Abby Stone -- (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC/Warner Bros.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Ten of ‘Night Court’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Over the course of the past ten weeks, the NBC series, Night Court, has accomplished some incredible feats. For instance, this new-boot has not only wonderfully plunged us back into the world that the original series created, but it has managed to expand upon it in delightful new ways. Courtesy of some fascinating commentary on the human condition and what it means to be just and kind. Not to mention, it has done a wonderful job with character growth. By challenging the good people of New York’s Night Court in a healthy and dynamic manner and this show has also made a point… of giving the characters incredible depth, and it’s invited us into their lives and hopes and fears. Something the old show also featured, and that really has brought forth, a wonderous viewing experience. 
​
If anything, the construction of this show and its character-driven storytelling is top of mind today, simply because… it was once again on display during this week’s delightful story. For ‘Marathon-Thon-Thon-Thon-Thon’ is a tale that took the time to explore the lives of these wondrous characters, and what matters deeply to them. Take Dan Fielding’s journey for instance. Because he was woefully upset that his favorite bench was about to be removed from the common hallways. A move that Dan felt was a poor idea, and it seemed as though it was related to him having to interrupt his routine. But as it turned out… that bench had some serious significance for Dan, since it was where he celebrated his first win as a lawyer, and that added a little sentimental depth to the man and led to some funny moments with Dan and Gurgs. Since she tried to help him save it, only to have him worry more about saving the leg that he carved his initials into after the win… for reasons we will get to in just a moment.
 
Because Abby’s journey, allowed for us to further explore the love she cherishes. Since Rand came down from upstate New York to spend time with her. Which allowed for us to see why he is so important to her, since we came to learn this duo really does click and function well as a couple, and we also came to see… how they try and push one another in an effort to help one another. Sometimes… for the worse. Which was made apparent by a hilarious plot thread involving Olivia. Since Abby came to learn that Olivia was trying to run in the same marathon as Abby, and what better way to finally connect with the wily prosecutor than by being marathon buddies. Which went about as well as one might think, since Abby pushed herself (with an assist from Rand) to her limits to impress and push Olivia, and that wasn’t the only speed bump she ran into in her quest to make nice. Since there was a little pushback from Rand as to how she wanted to approach this.

All of which was designed to once again, teach us a life lesson, something this series is great at, and it was Dan who had the epiphany here. Because he fought hard to save that bench… when he didn’t really need to. He was just being nostalgic and thinking of a moment that no longer held the weight it once did. Because he had grown, changed, and while that was day was important, it wasn’t coming back, and he came to realize that it is more important how we use those memories to cherish the journey and he made a point to express something similar to Abby. Since she too needed to realize that she’d changed and grown by becoming a judge and by living on her own and getting things done her way, and to use that epiphany to help with the tiny conflicts she experienced with Rand. All of which made for a beautiful lesson on how we do indeed change as the days roll on and that it is important to adapt to that and embrace the wonder of it.  

Which made… for one delightful and engaging story. One that offered a subtle and wonderful message and of course, left us in stitches. Because all the gags worked here and everyone in the cast was able to just let loose with their comedic skills and shine along the way. But what matters more, is that this episode once more reminds us why we keep tuning in. Simply because, this is a special comedy, one that has a lot of heart and a lot of meaning, and some fine nostalgia too, but it really is just great to lost within an intelligent comedy. One that continues to look at the complexities of life through a supremely unique lens and it will be fascinating to see what other lessons and powerfully relatable moments await us, as we continue our journey through the inaugural season of this delightful and enchanting new-boot/continuation of a beloved franchise. Until next time. 

---

Powered by JustWatch