Will & Grace: The Complete Fourth Season

Review By: Aysha Hussain
AyshaHussain@TheCinemaSource.com

And here I thought watching the first season of Will & Grace brought back the water works. Like a good book, I could hardly take my eyes off it. It was like watching an old home movie—I laughed and cried hysterically. Needless to say, Will & Grace, Season Four will always have a special place in my heart as one of the most pivotal in the series.

In the fourth season, there was no denying the show’s success. Each of the actors, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally had really settled into their character roles. The creators of the hit show, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, took notice by adding new plot twists for each one of their leading actors. It was almost as though Kohan and Mutchnick asked themselves, “How can we make this show better? How can we outdo ourselves?” By any means necessary—they wanted to raise the bar—and they did.

Not only did producers raise the bar in Season Four, they created a significant launching pad for what was to come in future episodes. However without two early additions (Season Three) Will & Grace wouldn’t have been as colorful--that is, without the additions of Elliot (Michael Angarano), Jack’s son and Rosario Salazar (Shelley Morrison), Karen’s maid as show regulars. Just as Will and Grace were constantly changing so too were our good friends Jack and Karen. Everyone was now on an even playing field.

As a refresher, here’s what went down in Season Four. Veteran Cheers’ star Woody Harrelson guest starred as Grace’s hip new boyfriend, Nathan, for seven episodes. For example, in episode Loose Lips Sink Relationships, Grace is intimidated by Nathan’s vast number of sexual partners. Cher (playing herself) comes to Jack’s rescue as he struggled to find his true calling—this season it was a toss up between acting and the retail business. By the way he’s still trying to register being a father to 12-year-old son, Elliot. Stanley, Karen’s severely obese husband (whom we never see) goes to prison for tax evasion, leaving her emotionally distraught for the very first time. She flirted with the idea of cheating with rich womanizer, Lionel Banks (Rip Torn). She even developed a closer relationship with Rosario. Finally, the big finish—once Nathan was gone, Will and Grace decide they want a baby together. By the series’ season finale, Artificial Insemination, everyone’s lives have changed dramatically.

Indeed, it was a transitional time for the show. One where there was even room for regular guest stars like Sydney Pollack, Blythe Danner, Suzanne Pleshette and Lesley Ann Warren amongst others. The series was more daring than ever, still never taking itself too seriously. The times were changing and so was the show. Will & Grace had struck a chord unlike any other ...