BWW Recap: WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, Episodes One and Two

It's here, at long last. The eight episode series of WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, FIRST DAY OF CAMP. 15 years later, let's go back 2 months prior to the movie and see how the majority of the cast hasn't aged a day. Theme song "Jane" by Starship leads us into every episode and flashes us back to 1981.

Episode One - Campers Arrive

We begin on June 24, 1981. Camp Director, Mitch (H. Jon Benjamin) with his two head counselors Beth (Janeane Garofalo) and Greg (Jason Schwartzman) are giving the counselors a talking to. They want to make sure everyone understands there is no hooking up this summer. (Any advice to what Denver Omelettes, Bavarian Pretzeling and/or Salt Water Taffying is, please DM me...). Beth and Mitch are in a relationship, but something is afoot as Greg overhears Mitch on the phone begging for mercy with something regarding beloved Camp Firewood. At the end we see that Zen Star, the company Mitch was talking to is dumping toxic waste on the grounds at Camp Firewood.

Katie (Marguerite Moreau) is dating Blake, a rich guy over at Country Club style Camp Tiger Claw. (Think Camp Mohawk from MEATBALLS). Andy (Paul Rudd) arrives (in epic form, see below) and decides to pursue her ruthlessly. Try as he may, she is loyal to her boyfriend, but her interest is definitely piqued.

Coop (Michael Showatler) apparently acquired a girlfriend, hot counselor Donna (Lake Bell) after they made out on the last night of camp the previous summer. No one can really believe it and neither do we, the audience, as when she does show up, her interest in Coop is minimal at best. Coop, does bond with new camper, Kevin who is shy and immediately attracted to fellow camper, Amy. However, he is bullied by resident douche, Drew. Coop encourages Kevin to challenge Drew to a burping contestto prove his manhood. Kevin does and loses epically in front of Amy.

Ben (Bradley Cooper) and Susie (Amy Poehler), who are dating (?), are excited to get the musical started in the theatre department. This day's selection; Electro/City. And it will be directed by special guest, the revered Claude Dumet. Yes, they audition, cast, direct and perform a full musical in one day at Camp Firewood. That's how Susie rolls, y'all!

With McKinley (Michael Ian Black) showing DJ Arty Solomon to what we know will be his permanent home for the summer, the radio station, Camp Firewood and we the audience have our narrator in place. Victor (Ken Marino) and Neil (Joe Lo Truglio) have their sex bet in place and the first day of camp is underway.

Episode Two - Lunch

Lindsay (Elizabeth Banks) is actually a reporter for Rock & Roll World Magazine. Taunted by her boss and her colleagues, she pleads with them to let her go undercover at a summer camp in Maine so she can find out what the kids are all about these days. She has no problem blending in with J.J. (Zak Orth) and the rest. She discovers a mysterious cabin on the grounds, but everyone refuses to tell her anything about it.

Yaron (David Wain), the new soccer counselor from Israel arrives and Donna is very interested. Distressed by his own girlfriend, Coop encourages Kevin to talk to Amy. Kevin is shy and later when he accidentally goes to the bathroom in his bathing suit, he throws it into the woods. Drew discovers the soiled suit and shows it to the campers. Coop dresses in drag, obviously, and takes the blame for the soiled suit, endearing himself to Kevin. Coop confronts Donna and tells her that he isn't happy about her newfound affection for Yaron.

One of Katie's campers is adamantly against boys until suddenly, her period arrives. When she exits the stall, she is Abby Bernstein. We all remember her, don't we? (She may not remember us...)

Director Claude takes an instant liking to Susie, but not so much to Ben. When Ben and Susie argue about it, Susie suggests that they finally have sex which Ben quickly declines. Oh poor Susie... we've all been you... I mean, hypothetically.

We finally get to meet Gene (Christopher Meloni) aka Jonas who is clean cut working in the kitchen with his Gary (A.D. Miles) and is apparently (?) engaged to Gail (Molly Shannon), the Arts and Crafts instructor. Their wedding is today!

Finally, Beth and Greg discover the toxic waste dump and report it to Mitch. He claims that he wound up letting Zenstar use Camp Firewood so the camp wouldn't get repossessed to the bank. While explaining himself (and inexplicably holding a can of vegetables), Mitch tumbles into the toxic waste as Greg and Beth are unable to save him.

Thus far, WHAS has been completely satisfying. Everyone is on their mark, on the correct level of commitment and not playing up the absurd. I am happy that even though this show is truly about the antics of the counselors and staff, they do manage to work in some plot lines involving specific campers. It stays true to the original as well as the subjects of their parody. Does anyone feel like it's just seeing your old pals after 15 years? Just me? I'm so lonely...

Moment That Can't Be Missed:

Chris Meloni and Molly Shannon's dance break as they recreate the moment they met.

New Faces:

• Josh Charles as Katie's douchebag boyfriend, Blake

• Rich Sommer as Blake's cronie, Graham

• John Slattery as director Claude Dumet

• Jordan Peele as Lindsay's Boss at Rock & Roll World

• Jayma Mays as Lindsay's taunting colleague at Rock & Roll World

• Paul Scheer as Lindsay's arrogant coworker at Rock & Roll World

• Michaela Watkins as Dumet's assistant/choreographer

Epic Paul Rudd moments:

• His entrance on a motorcycle

• Over exaggerated exhaling/shrugging scene with J.J.

• Pushups and Jumping Jacks to impress Katie

• As a swim teacher encouraging Kevin to go to the bathroom in the lake, no matter what number

All episodes are currently streaming on Netflix.

Follow me on Twitter @eponineq and follow @BWWTVWorld for all the latest updates, scoops and recaps.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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