Ep 10. The Puppet Dalai Lama

The Puppet Dalai Lama is the tenth and final episode of season 2 of the Showtime dramedy series Kidding, directed by Jake Schreier and written by series creator Dave Holstein. The episode sees the return of children's television host and beloved icon Jeff "Mr. Pickles" Piccirillo (Jim Carrey) as he confronts the aftermath of his son Phil's (Cole Allen) death and the implosion of his family.

The episode picks up where episode 9 left off, with Jeff and his ex-wife Jill (Judy Greer) at the hospital with their surviving son Will (Daniel Diemer), who has been injured in a car accident that killed Phil. As Jeff tries to compartmentalize his grief and assure Will that everything will be okay, he is also grappling with the realization that he has lost everything he holds dear. His relationship with his estranged wife is irreparably damaged, his son Phil is gone forever, and his beloved children's show Mr. Pickles' Puppet Time has been cancelled in the wake of his personal scandals and mental breakdown.

Despite everything, Jeff is determined to find a way to move forward and make a positive impact in the world. He decides to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to Tibet, where he hopes to reconnect with his own spirituality and find a way to use his platform to promote peace, love, and understanding. Accompanied by his longtime producer Seb (Frank Langella) and his loyal puppet crew, including loyal little friend Pickles (voiced by Carrey), Jeff travels to the mountaintops of Tibet to seek the guidance of the Dalai Lama.

What follows is a surreal and poignant journey of self-discovery as Jeff grapples with his own sense of purpose and identity. He is forced to confront the truth of his own flaws and failures, but also discovers a new well of empathy and compassion within himself. As he interacts with the locals and contemplates the meaning of life, death, and everything in between, Jeff begins to realize that his true purpose may lie in serving the greater good rather than pursuing fame and success.

The Puppet Dalai Lama is a fitting finale to the second season of Kidding, as it encapsulates the show's themes of grief, loss, healing, and the power of love and hope. It is a challenging episode that asks a lot of its audience, as it grapples with heavy topics such as suicide, mortality, and the nature of existence. However, it also delivers moments of lightness and joy, as Jeff's puppet friends serve as a source of comic relief and heartwarming moments of friendship.

Above all, this episode showcases the best of Jim Carrey as an actor and performer. He delivers a nuanced, heartbreaking performance as a man on the brink of collapse, who has to confront his own shortcomings and shortcomings of society. Carrey brings a raw vulnerability and depth to the character of Jeff that is mesmerizing to watch, especially when he is interacting with the puppet characters who serve as his confidantes.

In conclusion, The Puppet Dalai Lama is an unforgettable episode of Kidding, one that affirms the show's status as one of the most poignant and challenging shows on television today. With its powerful themes, exceptional performances, and masterful storytelling, this episode is a fitting conclusion to the second season of Kidding and sets the stage for an exciting third season.