Double-Edged Sword (30 Rock)
| "Double-Edged Sword" | |
|---|---|
| 30 Rock episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 5 Episode 14 |
| Directed by | Don Scardino |
| Written by | Kay Cannon & Tom Ceraulo |
| Production code | 514 |
| Original air date | February 10, 2011 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
"Double-Edged Sword" is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 94th overall episode of the series. It was directed by Don Scardino, and written by Kay Cannon & Tom Ceraulo. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) network in the United States on February 10, 2011. Guest stars in this episode include Elizabeth Banks, John Cho, and Matt Damon.
In this episode, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) heads to Toronto with his wife, Avery (Elizabeth Banks). When she goes into labor, they try their best to get back to the United States with the help of a meth smuggler, Lorne (John Cho). Meanwhile, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) boards a plane with her boyfriend, Carol (Matt Damon), as the pilot. Things do not go well when the plane has not flown yet and Carol keeps telling them that they will leave "in about half an hour" several times. Elsewhere, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) deals with the pressure of having won an EGOT and the formal expectations that he has to meet.
Plot
Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) leaves for Toronto with his wife Avery (Elizabeth Banks), where she unexpectedly goes into labour several weeks early. The pair are horrified at the idea that their child might be born in Canada – since that affects the child's right to become President – and make a dash for the United States border. Along the way they meet a meth smuggler called Lorne (special guest star John Cho), who gives them a ride.
Meanwhile, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is going on holiday with Carol (Matt Damon), except that he is flying the plane that they will be going on. He makes a remark about contrasting the plane with a "Tallahassee strip club." When it comes time for take off, however, the plane does not move and Carol issues repeated announcements that the plane will leave "in about half an hour" until they have been sat on the tarmac for hours.
Back at TGS, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) has finally achieved one of his lifetime ambitions - to EGOT ("E" standing for "Emmy", "G" for "Grammy", "O" Oscar", and "T" for "Tony"). However, he is dismayed when he learns that he is now expected to shoulder greater responsibility and set a good example to others.
Ultimately, Liz leads a protest against Carol's handling of the plane which results in the pair breaking up, Jack and Avery decide to have the baby in Canada after talking with Lorne, and Tracy announces to Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer) that he is going to Africa in order to do good. However, it is revealed that he was lying to Kenneth and has in fact decided to hide out in a warehouse in an undisclosed location, so that he does not have to deal with the responsibility expected of him.
Production
The true reason for Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) being written out of the storyline is that Morgan had undergone a kidney transplantation. He would miss the next two episodes ("It's Never Too Late for Now" and "TGS Hates Women" entirely) and have reduced roles in several further episodes of the series whilst recovering.[1]
Reception
According to the Nielsen Media Research, this episode of 30 Rock was watched by 4.59 million households in its original American broadcast.[2] It earned a 2.3 rating/6 share in the 18–49 demographic.[2] This means that it was seen by 2.3 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds, and 6 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of the broadcast.
References
- ↑ "'30 Rock': Tracy Morgan missing several episodes following kidney transplant". Zap2it. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- 1 2 Gorman, Bill (February 11, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice,' 'Bones,' 'Office,' 'Parks & Rec' Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 11, 2011.