Last Man Standing Returns with a Roaring Season Premiere

Greetings, fellow TV enthusiasts! It’s time to dive back into another season of the delightful family comedy Last Man Standing. The show’s renewal always seems to be a nail-biter, but I’m thrilled to see it return. Friday nights on ABC just wouldn’t be the same without it. This year, they’ve kicked off the season with a hilarious and engaging premiere episode.

Wild Encounters and Family Matters

In this week’s Last Man Standing episode, Kristin is busy working on her Sunday seafood brunch buffet, which unfortunately means less time spent with her family. Meanwhile, Kyle has been feeding stray cats at the loading dock during his Sunday shifts. When Kyle forgets to close the dock door, a wild bear finds its way into the store.

This episode was an absolute blast. While dealing with a bear in a store would be a nightmare in reality, it made for an entertaining and amusing premise. The episode showcased the best traits of most of the cast members and was a fantastic way to start the season.

A Showcase of Male Idiocy

I enjoy the stories about Kristin and the girls, but I find the show particularly entertaining when the guys take center stage. Mike’s interactions with Kyle, Ryan, and Larabee are often funnier due to the friction between them. The diverse personalities of these characters create some great laughs. The women on this show are all strong and independent, which leaves room for the men to be idiots – and that’s just hilarious. Jordan Masterson, Christoph Sanders, and Jonathan Adams all have a unique chemistry with Tim Allen, resulting in some truly funny moments.

A Notable Absence

My least favorite part of the episode was the absence of Eve. I understand that with a large cast, not every character can be included in every episode. Usually, this doesn’t bother me. However, Eve is one of the strongest characters on the show, and her absence in the season premiere felt a bit off. I assume that Kaitlyn Dever is getting busier with other projects, which would explain her absence. I’m looking forward to her return.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

As always, here are some of my favorite quotes and moments from the episode:

• “I was just there making sure the lobsters don’t claw her.” – Mike
• “Why do her fake illnesses give me a real headache?” – Mike
• Larabee’s post-it note gag was more amusing than it should’ve been.
• “Yeah, I’m the worst. Coming in an hour early on my day off!” – Mike again
• “Enhance? This isn’t CSI, Baxter!” – Larabee
• Call me lame, but I loved all of Vanessa’s seafood puns.
• “What? You don’t need a dollar?” – Mike
• “Is there something wrong?” “Not if you enjoyed The Revenant“
• “I know I ask you this a lot, but what the HELL are you doing?” – Mike

A Strong Start to the Season

Overall, the “Papa Bear” episode was a strong and funny premiere. With the exception of Eve’s notable absence, it showcased Last Man Standing at its best.

What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know in the comments!

Last Man Standing airs Fridays at 8/7c on ABC