After a (very) shaky start to it's 4th season, 30 Rock finally seems to be finding its creative mojo once again. Last week's episode, "Audition Day", was Rock in top form. Liz and Pete scheme to fix the audition process at TGS so that Jack selects the actor they want to become the new cast member. Also, Jack comes down with a case of the bedbugs and feels how it is to be on the bottom of society's pyramid. The episode played on Rock's biggest strength as a powerfully biting workplace satire, and if Fey and Co. stay in that territory they're always brilliant.(Bonus points for the closer featuring Jack singing on the subway! HI-larious.)
This week's episode, "The Problem Solvers" - which wasn't AS funny as "Audition Day" - begins with Jack informing Liz of a new development regarding her "Dealbreaker" franchise. He wants Liz to host a talk show version of her book and she couldn't be more excited - until Tracy and Jenna inform her that she should shop around for a better deal and get an agent before signing anything. Meanwhile, new cast member Jack (who was renamed Danny to avoid any confusion with Jack Donaghy) is learning the ropes of TGS. While there were a few components of the episode I didn't quite get on board with (Liz taking Tracy and Jenna's advice for one), and I'm not crazy about another cast member on an already crowded show, "The Problem Solvers" succeeded on the foundation of Liz and Jack's ever strengthening relationship. These two have one of the most interesting and satisfying dynamics in TV today.
So, do you agree that 30 Rock has found its footing? Or is it still way off?
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