Weeds - Series Finale - Recap and Review - It's Time

Weeds was a groundbreaking hit series for Showtime, inaugurating a new level of respect for a network looking to break into legitimate premium television. Say what you will about some of its middle seasons. The show deserves respect as its finale, "It's Time," depicted quite well. Jumping about a decade into the future, we caught up with Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) and her friends and family one last time before bidding a final farewell. Thank you, Jenji Kohan!

The show centered around the newly minted teen, Stevie, preparing for and celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. It was the perfect occasion to bring together the whole crew for a reunion. We were quickly informed that Nancy ended up marrying the rabbi, but he suffered an untimely death in a car accident. As it happened, though, Nancy's business plan was an incredible success. "The Good Seed" is indeed the "Starbucks" of legalized marijuana distilleries. In turn, Starbucks actually offered to buy the Botwins out entirely, leaving them rich and without a care in the world. Would Nancy let the business go in exchange for a simpler life? Time and loss have mellowed her.

One by one we caught up with the old crew. Doug's (Kevin Nealon) strange cult has taken off, making him an official "guru." As an investor in Nancy's company, Doug is very rich, as well. He spends his time driving around the country in a tour bus with his face on it and having threesomes with his followers. Doug seems fulfilled, but as it turns out, he feels a void where his family should be. He never made things right with his son, Josh (Justin Chatwin), with whom he had an altercation with shortly following the pilot.

Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Megan (Shoshannah Stern) are married with a child. I'm assuming they did end up staying in Regrestic. The new Silas is mellowed and happy. He enjoys growing his plants for Nancy's company. He's let go of the resentment he bared for Nancy, even if Megan hasn't. It felt good to see the often tormented Silas breathe easy, if only for this final episode. His relationship with Nancy was pivotal.

Shane (Alexander Gould), on the other hand, fell off the deep end. As Silas put it, he chose the wrong side. He chose to become a cop just before their weed business became legal. Their investment worked out, and Shane has a porn-stache. Shane also developed quite a bit of an alcohol problem, thanks to his relationship with a newly retired Mitch.

But where was Andy Botwin (Justin Kirke)? The first half hour or so of the episode surrounded a hopeful Nancy eager to catch a glimpse of him at a party held before Stevie's ceremony. Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz) showed up and filled little Stevie in on the truth behind Esteban, his birth father. Also in attendance were Sanjay and his wife, Marvin, and Dean from earlier seasons. Meanwhile, Megan made it known to Nancy that she was not at all okay with Silas' mother ruining his childhood.

After seeing so many parents happy with their children, Doug decided to make things right with his gay son, Josh, so he had him abducted! Josh, a.k.a. Jimmy/ Steve from Shameless, is a successful and married art dealer. Gay marriage is legal! Josh refused. He is too fulfilled to fall for Doug's temptations. Money won't cut it. He needs a true apology. Before leaving the party, Josh ran into Nancy, Mrs. B, with whom we haven't seen him interact since the very first episode. They had a great moment discussing happiness. The chemistry between the characters was still great. I wish this friendship had been explored further, but this ending will do.

That night, Nancy woke Silas up to talk to him about Andy. She hadn't spoken to Andy in years. She had no idea he had a baby girl named Leni. Leni, after his father, Lenny, who we learn has passed away. Andy is very happy running a restaurant where he cooks what he wants and raising a baby with his friend. He is not married. Is there hope for Nancy and Andy, even if Andy is perfectly happy?

Just when Nancy resolved that Andy wasn't coming after all, there he was cooking breakfast. It was as though nothing had changed. I think later in the episode there was a moment that was intended to be enlightening, although I'm not sure how fulfilling it was to viewers. It wasn't "happily ever after" but it served its purpose well. That made perfect sense, though. That was very "Weeds."

At Stevie's ceremony, Stevie dropped the bomb that he discovered the truth behind Esteban's ways. He wasn't a politician, he ran a cartel. Stevie has no idea who he is, let alone what his religion is. He didn't complete his Bar Mitzvah ceremony, but Nancy wasn't angry. He needs time to figure things out, and she refused to lie about this father. The party is still on! Stevie gave a great speech, but as Nancy put it, he is indeed Jewish. Andy made sure he had a bris.

Nancy: "Shane, what happened to you?"

Nancy took Shane to pick up his brother's cake, only to witness an awful meltdown on Shane's part. Long story short, he ended up shooting the cake over paying for letters spelling Stevie's name. Nancy insisted Shane get help, pressing him to move back home and to stop following in Mitch's footsteps.

Weeds celebrated its last few moments at a party. It was a Bar Mitzvah for Stevie, but truly, it was a bon voyage party for viewers. Doug made one last attempt to make things right with Josh, even admitting to experimenting sexually with guys. He's given a BJ! That did it for Josh, and they made amends.

Nancy had her final moment with Silas, who was honest about her missteps as a mother, yet admitted that he was very happy living a simple life in California. He has no regrets at all about their crazy life. It was an adventure. He turned into a "remarkable man" and he let go of his harbored anger.

Following that moment, Nancy had her last moment with Andy. She invited him back after breaking down emotionally. Her family has grown up and moved on. To Nancy, it seems as though she's failed. To Andy, she is free. He declines her offer. It was nice, although Andy's return and their reunion was a little lackluster in general, for me. It was what Nancy needed, though. The writers kept it real. In that moment, Nancy decided to sell her business.

Finally, Stevie made one more speech. He thanked everyone for coming and supporting him. Most importantly, he thanked Nancy for always being there for him and told her he loved her. With that, we have our closure. Nancy got what she needed.

The episode closed with Nancy Botwin, Doug, Shane, Silas, and even Andy sharing some weed on a snowy front porch and laughing together.

Showtime "Weeds"

Showtime "Weeds"

What did you think of the series finale? Are you sad to see Weeds go? Were you satisfied with another time jump ending things or would you have preferred another big cliffhanger?

Farewell, Nancy Botwin. Thanks for eight season's worth of drama, laughs, tears, and more!