Ep 4. The Case of the Stolen Skateboard

Bored To Death season 1 episode 4, titled "The Case of the Stolen Skateboard," follows the misadventures of Brooklyn-based private eye Jonathan Ames, played by Jason Schwartzman. Jonathan receives a request for his services from a 13-year-old boy named Dylan, who claims that his beloved skateboard has been stolen. Dylan is convinced that the culprits are a group of older boys who live in his neighborhood, but he doesn't have any proof.

Initially, Jonathan is reluctant to take on the case, citing the fact that he's not licensed and doesn't have any experience investigating thefts. However, Dylan's passion for the skateboard wins him over, and he agrees to help. He enlists the help of his best friends - magazine editor George (Ted Danson) and comic book artist Ray (Zach Galifianakis) - and together they set out to crack the case.

As they begin their investigation, the trio encounters a few roadblocks. The older boys who Dylan suspects are behind the theft are uncooperative, and Jonathan struggles to come up with any solid leads. Meanwhile, George is dealing with his own issues - namely, his ex-wife Priscilla (Olympia Dukakis) is dating one of his writers, and he's having trouble coming to terms with it.

Despite these challenges, the gang soldiers on. They interview witnesses and stake out the neighborhood, and eventually they catch a break - they spot one of the older boys riding Dylan's skateboard. They follow him to a skate park, where they confront him and demand that he return the stolen property. The older boy admits to taking the skateboard on a dare and hands it over, much to Dylan's relief.

But the case isn't quite over yet. Ray has a moment of clarity and realizes that there's more to the story than they initially thought. He follows up on a hunch and ends up uncovering a larger conspiracy involving a gang of teen skateboarders who steal boards and sell them online. With this information in hand, Jonathan and the gang are able to put an end to the thievery once and for all.

"The Case of the Stolen Skateboard" is a fun and lighthearted episode of Bored To Death that showcases the camaraderie between Jonathan, George, and Ray. It's also a great example of the show's quirky humor and offbeat storytelling. Fans of detective stories and buddy comedies will enjoy this episode, as will anyone who appreciates the wacky world of Jonathan Ames.