IMHO "United States of Tara" (1.11): Snow

The family is trying to deal with the aftermath of gay teen Marshall's little shed-burning incident. What's going to happen to his burgeoning relationship with classmate Jason, and what should the family do about the Jason-snogging Tara?

As Marshall says, "In the words of Police Chief Martin Brody, we need a bigger boat."

Marshall is showing no remorse for burning down his mother's shed, and in fact seems to be following in his mother's footsteps by acquiring his own alter ... Neely O'Hara!

Yes, Marshall's been popping Xanax like Pez and it hasn't gone unnoticed, especially with his sister Kate, who offers him sage advice about creeping into Anna Nicole Smith territory.

She also reveals new depths to her character when she explains what really happened between Tara's alter "T" and Jason:

"Do you even get what mom's alter's do? They do stuff for mom. She was protecting you. Jason is nothing but a bi-curious church monkey who's using you to find some edge!"

"Maybe he will f*ck some guys, and maybe you can get him to f*ck you, but he's going to marry a girl, and he's never going to love you the way you love him, so "T" came out to try and put a stop to it."

Harsh words, but like all great older sisters, Kate has a way of cutting through the bull to help their weenie little brothers.

Marshall sees Jason at school and explains that his mother has been sent to a "hospital for the criminally insane," which for some reason made me laugh out loud (Keir Gilchrist has turned out to be quite adept at deadpan), and Jason apologizes for what happened before telling him - I think - that's it's over between them.

He says he talked to his father about it, and tells Marshall, "I think you're the most awesome kid in the school. Remember me when you win your Oscar, okay?" and then walks away.

The whole scene was very abrupt, and I can't fathom that it's the last time we'll see the character of Jason (at least I hope not).

I'm giving this episode an up arrow because Marshall continues to be the most complicated young gay character on TV, and because his family life (which Marshall says "is starting to resemble early John Waters") is so compelling, even with the alter gimmick.

With only one episode left in the first season, it'll be interesting to see if Marshall and his mom can repair their relationship, or if he'll end up in a sleazy alley behind a theater, clad in a mink coat and screaming at the heavens, "GOD! ... NEELY! MARSHALL!"

Now that I think about it ... that would be so cool!