Episode '30 Rock' Season 5, Episode 23 - 'Respawn' Recap

First off, I always love it when Dr. Spaceman shows up. Chris Parnell is comedy gold.

Liz is excited to leave for the summer, do some mindless gardening, and live in a cottage in the Hamptons next to Food Network star Ina Garten. But there's trouble coming as Tracy ends up buying the property next to her, giving Liz a nice big injection of pure stress. The problem is, Liz can't say anything about it since she needs Tracy next season.

Jenna is in trouble as she has a new deal with the National Wool Council (she's the official face of wool), but the execs have a morality clause for her. That means that Paul might be a problem. He tries his hardest to show a normal front during his and Jenna's dinner with her new boss, despite an interruption from the sitter...no, not a babysitter, a guy dressed like a jester whom they hire to sit on them. Ultimately, though, Paul and Jenna take a stand: it's more important to them to be themselves. Even if they're completely disturbing.

Jack, meanwhile, tries to get back to normal now that Avery has been kidnapped by the North Koreans. Kenneth offers to help Jack by spending time with him, but it ends up being...well, a little creepy. Jack starts treating Kenneth like Avery ("put on these earrings"), which makes Kenneth extremely uncomfortable.

The writers, meanwhile, are still playing Halo 3 (they haven't bought Halo Reach yet? They're behind the times. And...I'm a loser for noticing). Liz gets an idea from the guys' refusal to let anyone kill them: they keep committing suicide so they can respawn. That's when it dawns on Liz: she can get herself sentenced to community service in order to escape. She gets to work outside, wear comfy clothes, and learn Spanish!

The ending brings a "to be continued," as Kenneth has a short conversation with Jacob. Where'd that "Lost" reference come from? And why is there so much "Lost" on NBC tonight? Crazy.

Frank's Hats of the Week: "Van with Man"