The New Adventures of Old Christine

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Season 3, Episode 5, Aired 3/3/08

Episode Summary

Christine tries to get over breaking up with Daniel. Matthew learns the source of his intimacy issues is not his mother, but Christine.

4.3

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Cast & Crew

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus

"Old" Christine Campbell
Hamish Linklater

Matthew
Clark Gregg

Richard Campbell

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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This series really changes gears here as Christine starts to come out of mourning after her break-up with Daniel. This is c1assic grist for sitcoms and 'Ol' Christine does it better than we've seen in years. In just the first five minutes...moreless

9.9

"Superb"

By vendbien, Mar 05, 2008 Report Abuse

We get a dozen break-up/relationship/psychiatric jokes before the first commercial. This is great writing, some top-notch delivery by the characters and more laughs than some shows give us in a half-hour and we haven't even gotten pitched by an advertiser yet.

Christine, Matthew, Richard and Barb all have their own strings they are on (Matthew's mother/sister issues are the best), and every time there's a spare moment it's back to a Christine/break-up joke. The Marly/Lindsay WASP/soccer-mother duet has heated up to the point that they are nearly on schedule for a spin-off, and the new divorced dad is like an MoC at a three-ring circus when the show switches focus to the school. Gotta love this stuff. Matthew's flashback scenes (with Christine) while in the psych's office will be transferred and saved permanently to my 'Best of TV' tape.

It should be mentioned that I was not a big fan of this show in it's first season and have really only come back to it with the recent, new episodes. The hiatus must have been the fountain of youth for this program, because it is suddenly oozing laughs, fast-paced and extremely focused on those things that we viewers like best. We can only imagine that there must have been a retooling of some sort and a great half-time, locker-room speech by Knute Rockne that has turned this show around.

If you gave up on this show earlier, catch the new episodes since the break. It's like a brand new hit series. Oh... and ratings are up so it's not just my opinion.moreless

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Christine is having trouble with the break-up with Daniel, and it climaxes when she won't come down from a rock climbing wall. Matthew is told by a therapist many of his issues come from his relationship with Christine.moreless

9.9

"Superb"

By aaronc1987, Mar 04, 2008 Report Abuse

Tv.com users - ignore the tv.com ratings! That was an awesome episode where I was laughing constantly. After watching this episode I am preying that CBS renews this show - it has been getting really good these last couple of weeks. Barb has been hilarious these last few episodes but it has been Christine that's been the best - she's losing her mind and it's unbelievable funny. Are the meanie moms ever not funny?! The best part was the opening scene though where no one could believe what a mess Christine was. Overall can't wait for the next episode... It's getting better every week!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- At one point, a montage is shown with clips from previous episodes, showing the closeness between Christine and Matthew. Those episodes were: "Come To Papa Jeff", "Supertramp", "The Answer Is Maybe", "Mission: Impossible" Edit
Notes
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- The German episode title is "Ganz oben", meaning "At the Top". Edit
- Rebroadcast on August 18th, 2008 at 9:30 PM and June 6th, 2009 at 8:00 PM Edit
- Though credited, Emily Rutherfurd does not appear in this episode. Edit
Quotes
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- Dr. Needleman: So... what would you like to talk about today? Matthew: (nervously squirming and yammering) Well, look... I can probably save you a lot of time. I've got some mommy stuff... I mean, some mother stuff. Smother stuff. Some... OTHER stuff... Hah! Edit
- Barb: (after Christine's rant about how long to mourn a break-up) Let's see... How long should I be upset about Pete? We were married for ten years... he's a son of a bitch... Run those numbers. Edit
- Richard: I can't wait for Christine to feel better. I've had to do everything: I've had to buy a birthday present for Ritchie's friend; I had to wrap the present. Matthew: What else? Richard: That's it. Edit
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