“Jews on a Plane,” the season three finale of Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” is in many ways a fitting end to the show’s most eclectic season. It’s a wild (literal and figurative) ride covering all the hallmarks of the series: hijinks and crude humor, downright absurdity and offbeat storytelling. With occasionally overlong bits and a premise that stretches, the episode isn’t the greatest of the season, but it certainly had its fair share of memorable moments.
As the second part of a two-episode story, “Jews on a Plane” picks up where the main duo left off last episode: on their all-expenses-paid trip to Israel. During the long flight over, Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) and Ilana (Ilana Glazer) get into trouble. First, they disturb the passengers on the plane by switching their seats numerous times, which ends in them sitting next to each other. Then, when Abbi gets her period, they begin the long quest for a tampon. However, complications arise when two flight attendants overhear Abbi discussing her period as “explosive.”
Although funny at times, the episode mainly feels like a small collection of amusing bits rather than a satisfying, compelling season finish. The best “Broad City” episodes include these random sorts of jokes, but the most satisfying parts come when the humor manages to move the story of these two women’s lives forward. Without any clear connection to character or reason, the episode comes off as fairly arbitrary.
It does not help that the episode is completely staged inside a plane. The insular setting feels suffocating to the story when compared to the openness and freedom New York City brings to most of the other episodes in the season.
Despite the flawed premise, the comic acting is uniformly excellent. Both Jacobson and Glazer have really come into their own as comedic actresses. Their artistic voice and comedic delivery is much more distinct and refined than during the first season. Additionally, guest appearances by Tracee Ellis Ross and Adam Levine were surprising and delightful.
The season finale may not have been the perfect send-off, but it is an adequate finish to an otherwise stellar season.
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