Murray Takes It to the Next Level
Encyclopedia
"Murray Takes It To The Next Level" is the fourth episode of the second season of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords
. This episode first aired in the United States
on February 8, 2009.
) invites Jemaine (Jemaine Clement
) and Bret (Bret McKenzie
) to take it to the "next level" on his friendship graph -- to go beyond their current status as "work mates" and surpass the status of "colleagues" (such as Greg (Frank Wood
)) to become "friends." Murray also alludes to his "best friend" Jim (Jim Gaffigan
) many times. After attempting activities together such as watching a movie, making a fort and "having a sleep," Bret and Jemaine rise up the graph to attain the status of friends. Murray deems it time they meet the elusive Jim, and invites the three to a barbecue
, where Jim meets (and endlessly questions) Bret and Jemaine.
Telephoning them later to ask if they want to hang out, Jim is affronted when Bret relays Jemaine's statement that Jim is a "dick." A series of further mishaps, such as turning Murray's desk into a table tennis
table, sees Bret and Jemaine relegated down the graph, ending up below their original status of "work mates," as "strangers." Murray says he will see them at the next band meeting, although they will "not know each other." He then introduces himself and departs with Jim (whose endless questioning suits Murray fine).
Meanwhile, Mel (Kristen Schaal
) finds Bret and Jemaine and thanks Bret for something he did in her dream last night. Later, however, she reproaches Bret for something else (unmentioned, but which disgusts and horrifies Jemaine) that he did in her next dream. Mel demands that Bret apologizes for his dream behavior, but it continues, and at Murray's martial arts club, Bret and Jemaine receive minor injuries from the furious Mel and Jim, respectively.
), "Dreams" is a wistful imagining of what life might be like if the world were more like Mel's dreams. Not unexpectedly, the accompanying video reveals that her dreams are dominated by images of Bret and Jemaine.
), describes the sorts of things friends do for each other.
in Brooklyn
.
Portions of the song "Friends" were filmed at a bowling alley called The Gutter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
(2005), a movie about the life of New Zealand motorcycle
builder and racer Burt Munro
.
Flight of the Conchords (TV series)
Flight of the Conchords is an American television comedy series that debuted on HBO on June 17, 2007. The show follows the adventures of Flight of the Conchords, a two-man band from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show stars the real-life duo, Jemaine Clement...
. This episode first aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on February 8, 2009.
Plot synopsis
Murray tries to elevate Bret and Jemaine on his friendship graph, bringing his questioning pal Jim in on the plan. Mel demands an apology from Bret for inappropriate behavior that she dreamed about.Plot
At a band meeting, Murray (Rhys DarbyRhys Darby
Rhys Montague Darby is an actor and stand-up comedian from New Zealand, known for his energetic physical comedy routines, telling stories accompanied with mime and sound effects of things such as machinery and animals...
) invites Jemaine (Jemaine Clement
Jemaine Clement
Jemaine Clement is a New Zealand comedian, actor and musician, best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Bret McKenzie.-Early life:...
) and Bret (Bret McKenzie
Bret McKenzie
Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie is a comedian, actor, musician and producer, best known for being one half of the Grammy Award winning musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Jemaine Clement....
) to take it to the "next level" on his friendship graph -- to go beyond their current status as "work mates" and surpass the status of "colleagues" (such as Greg (Frank Wood
Frank Wood
Frank Wood is the name of:*Frank Wood , Iowa State Senator from the 42nd District*Frank Porter Wood , Canadian art collector*Frank Wood , American actor...
)) to become "friends." Murray also alludes to his "best friend" Jim (Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan
James Christopher "Jim" Gaffigan is an American stand-up comedian and actor.-Early life:Gaffigan was born in Chesterton, Indiana and attended La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana. He is the youngest of six children and often jokes about growing up in a large family. He attended one year at...
) many times. After attempting activities together such as watching a movie, making a fort and "having a sleep," Bret and Jemaine rise up the graph to attain the status of friends. Murray deems it time they meet the elusive Jim, and invites the three to a barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
, where Jim meets (and endlessly questions) Bret and Jemaine.
Telephoning them later to ask if they want to hang out, Jim is affronted when Bret relays Jemaine's statement that Jim is a "dick." A series of further mishaps, such as turning Murray's desk into a table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
table, sees Bret and Jemaine relegated down the graph, ending up below their original status of "work mates," as "strangers." Murray says he will see them at the next band meeting, although they will "not know each other." He then introduces himself and departs with Jim (whose endless questioning suits Murray fine).
Meanwhile, Mel (Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal is an American actress, writer and comedienne, best known for her role as Mel in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, as Louise in Bob's Burgers and as a contributor on The Daily Show.-Early life:...
) finds Bret and Jemaine and thanks Bret for something he did in her dream last night. Later, however, she reproaches Bret for something else (unmentioned, but which disgusts and horrifies Jemaine) that he did in her next dream. Mel demands that Bret apologizes for his dream behavior, but it continues, and at Murray's martial arts club, Bret and Jemaine receive minor injuries from the furious Mel and Jim, respectively.
"Dreams"
Sung by Mel (Kristen SchaalKristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal is an American actress, writer and comedienne, best known for her role as Mel in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, as Louise in Bob's Burgers and as a contributor on The Daily Show.-Early life:...
), "Dreams" is a wistful imagining of what life might be like if the world were more like Mel's dreams. Not unexpectedly, the accompanying video reveals that her dreams are dominated by images of Bret and Jemaine.
"Friends"
"Friends", is an a capella song sung by Bret, Jemaine, Murray, and Jim (Jim GaffiganJim Gaffigan
James Christopher "Jim" Gaffigan is an American stand-up comedian and actor.-Early life:Gaffigan was born in Chesterton, Indiana and attended La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana. He is the youngest of six children and often jokes about growing up in a large family. He attended one year at...
), describes the sorts of things friends do for each other.
Filming location
The scene where Mel meets Bret and Jemaine on their bicycles and she begins singing "Like In My Dreams" was filmed on the corner of South 6th Street and Berry Street near the Williamsburg BridgeWilliamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City across the East River connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Delancey Street with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at Broadway near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
Portions of the song "Friends" were filmed at a bowling alley called The Gutter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Cultural references
Murray offers to show them the film The World's Fastest IndianThe World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
(2005), a movie about the life of New Zealand motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
builder and racer Burt Munro
Burt Munro
Herbert James "Burt" Munro was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. This record still stands today...
.