In the Woods (Louie)
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Episodes 11 & 12
| "In the Woods" | |
|---|---|
| Louie episodes | |
| Episode nos. | Season 4 Episodes 11 & 12 |
| Directed by | Louis C.K. |
| Written by | Louis C.K. |
| Cinematography by | Paul Koestner |
| Editing by | Louis C.K. |
| Production codes |
|
| Original release date | June 9, 2014 |
| Running time | 67 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
Part 1
Part 2
| |
"In the Woods" is the eleventh and twelfth episodes of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama television series Louie. They are the 50th and 51st overall episodes of the series and they were written and directed by Louis C.K., who also serves as the lead actor. It was released on FX on June 9, 2014.
The series follows Louie, a fictionalized version of C.K., a comedian and newly divorced father raising his two daughters in New York City. In the episode, Louie catches Lilly smoking marijuana and remembers part of his childhood as he started using it. The episode is dedicated to the memory of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was supposed to guest star in the episode.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.60 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episodes received critical acclaim, with critics praising the character development, performances, tone, themes and lack of humor.
Part 1
While at the park, Louie (Louis C.K.) notes many kids smoking marijuana. He is then horrified to discover Lilly (Hadley Delany) smoking as well with her friends. He pulls her off to chastise her, although Lilly does not appear to care for her actions.
In flashbacks, 13-year-old Louie helps his chemistry teacher, Greg Hoffman (Skipp Sudduth), into explaining methane gas by lighting a flatulence on fire. He asks his classmate Laurie to the school dance, although he is neither accepted or declined. At the dance, Louie's friend introduces him to a cigarette of marijuana that he stole from his brother. To avoid getting in trouble, they go to the woods to smoke with another friend. They spend the night under the effects of marijuana.
When the brother is unable to provide more marijuana, Louie decides to ask local drug dealer Jeff Davis (Jeremy Renner). Jeff is impressed by Louie deciding to smoke for his age, but decides to continue providing him in exchange for some scales from school. He steals from his chemistry class, while his mother (Amy Landecker) suspects there is something about her son. When she confronts him, he angrily dismisses anything. Back in present day, Louie takes Lilly to his apartment, who angrily locks herself in her room.
Part 2
The young Louie skips school to deliver the scales to Jeff, impressing him and his girlfriend Alison. He provides him with two ounces of marijuana, which Louie smokes with his friends and also distributes through school. However, during a meeting at a friends' house, Louie witnesses as his friend's brother brutally beats him for making noise, with the brother calling them losers for their habit.
One day, Louie is visited by his dad (F. Murray Abraham). His dad believes he is using drugs and calls him out on his actions, but Louie is not frightened, insulting him for being absent in his life. Later, one of Louie's friends announces that his mother caught his marijuana and will now be sent to Phillips Academy. A friend turns aggressive when he believes he told their parents and smashes his family car.
At school, Louie and Hoffman are called to the principal's office. The principal informs Hoffman that Louie stole ten scales for drugs, and due to their price, it constitutes grand theft. However, Hoffman refuses to believe Louie would commit that and calls out the principal for only basing his verdict on rumors and both he and Louie leave his office. Feeling guilty, Louie visits Jeff to get the scales back. Jeff refuses, especially as Louie gave all the marijuana away. Jeff mocks Louie for his stupidity, telling him that he will have to come up with a solution.
The next day, Louie finds that one of his friends was arrested for attacking a classmate. He is informed by the principal that he is aware that he took the scales, but won't do anything about it. He is willing to face budget cuts but he will take the hit for Louie, telling him he'll have to think of this moment whenever it is brought back. Louie later visits Hoffman, confessing to stealing the scales. That night, Louie is confronted by his mother for his attitude and he flees to the woods, crying. When she finds him sleeping in the garage, she decides to have him attend appointments with a therapist. The therapist suggests Louie used drugs to deal with his parents' divorce and that his indifference is an effect of the drug. He says he needs to stop using them, and work on himself, telling him his mom will always be there for him.
Back in present day, Louie prepares food for Lilly. When she asks if he will give him a talk, he replies "Goodbye to your childhood, I guess." He says he loves her and will always be there for her. This prompts Lilly to hug him, reconciling.
Production
Development
In June 2014, FX confirmed that the eleventh and twelfth episode of the season would be titled "In the Woods", and that they would be written and directed by series creator and lead actor Louis C.K.. These episodes were C.K.'s 50th and 51st writing and directing credit.[1]
Writing
The episode was inspired by C.K.'s childhood. According to C.K., he started smoking marijuana at 13, and ended up stealing 14 scales from his school for a local drug dealer.[2]
Casting
According to Jeremy Renner, Philip Seymour Hoffman was supposed to guest star in the episode before his death in February 2014.[3] The episode is dedicated to his memory.[4]