The problem is that the followup to the climax wasn't a decompression of anything, much less a resolution.

Ending
I've never seen a show more invested in ridiculous, incessant cliffhangers, but why not? The entire episode looked like the aftermath of a narrative apocalypse, and might just as well have ended 25 minutes in, replacing the remainder with 2 minutes of "Next season on True Blood…"

C
While I agree with the rating, the idea that AV Club reviewers are held to some exacting standard of objectivity in their grading is risible in the extreme.

Such an Awful Show
The amazing thing, as I watch Weeds lately, is that the show clearly thinks it makes quite a bit of sense. I, on the other hand, can't think of a single character who acts coherently from one episode to the next.

Weeds
Weeds was a funny comedy that became convinced it was:

I am considerably in agreement with slowmotion17, and while I think it's better to control one's tone, I definitely sympathize with the frustration of dealing with AVClub posters.

Drinking
I have to say that I will be very happy if this show allows him to keep drinking functionally, unlike every other show I can think of that deals with alcoholism—all of which rigidly adhere to the AA party line.

I think you are half right, Unregistered, but I believe that a lot of people find Michael's methods to be somewhat realistic.

What you're illustrating is a limiting factor of all interrogation. There's no reason to believe that psychological interrogation would be more efficacious in the situation you just described. Given that it would quickly become apparent Michael was not going to turn to harsher methods and considering the relative…

Not to mention extended periods of time to play on the (extremely justified) fears a POW would have of that regime.

He had the advantage of being backed by the Nazi regime.

I guess I should also clarify that I'm not saying psychological methods can't work. Modern police interrogation is built on psychological interrogation, and it definitely works. But it's part of an institutional system with considerable power behind it, and it takes time. Michael isn't in a position that could get…

And I feel like I need to reiterate: OF COURSE a government agency is not going to step out and say "We need to torture!" They are going to loudly and clearly state the party line, and think up reasons that everyone else should too.

That contradicts what the head of the CIA during the final years of the Bush admin (Gen. Hayden Clarke? can't remember the name for sure) said. He stated that waterboarding, which is at most "light torture" had garnered considerable amounts of intelligence, even though it was only used on like six people.

As opposed to the no information you will get by what amounts to taunting?

Some examples since most people are immune to reason:
In the episode were Brad from Home Improvement hires an old colleague of Michael's to kill some woman, who tries to recruit Michael. Michael of course goes through some convoluted nonsense that ends with Brad being dead and the hitman escaping. A very simple and…

Given the level of competence Michael routinely displays, it's unrealistic to think that disposing of bodies in such a way as to avoid police suspicion would be a problem for him. The stunts he pulls instead of killing people (the aforementioned explosions etc.) would probably attract way more police attention—huge…

The Main Problem
The main problem with this show is that virtually every situation Michael finds himself in could be more successfully and more easily resolved by killing everyone involved. The goofy strategies he employs are longer and usually more dangerous routes to a less ideal resolution.

A-, are you kidding?
This show (or at least the pilot) is a bunch of tarted up Robinhoodesque nonsense. Jackie is in no way an "ambiguous character;" rather, she does exactly what makes her feel better at every turn. Dead bike messenger? Forge an organ donor card. Bad back? Pop pain meds. Dick foreign embassy…

Xander is a brat, I don't see how that plot is in any way atypical for him. Weren't some of you who just posted defending him last week? I would put the S4 conspiracy at #1, personally.