"Two and a Half Men," Season 8, Episode 14, "Lookin' for Japanese Subs"

Monday night's episode of "Two and a Half Men" was a little uncharacteristic for Charlie Sheen's character. Season 8, episode 14 was titled "Lookin' for Japanese Subs," and it revolved around Charlie's new obsession with Rose, a woman he slept with once and had stalked him for years.

A few episodes back, Rose had told Charlie that she was getting married, and no longer had any interest in him. Charlie did not believe she was actually getting married, but when he and his brother Alan went to the church to see for themselves, they saw Rose is a wedding dress, saying her vows to a groom. What they didn't know, however, was that everyone except Rose and the pastor, well actually Rose's friend pretending to be the pastor, were mannequins. Rose has a degree in psychology and she knows Charlie intimately from her years of stalking, so she knows how to push his buttons and make him interested in her again. By pretending to no longer be available, she reignites Charlie's attraction for her.

Flash forward a few months to "Lookin' for Japanese Subs," and Rose is living in her beach house next to Charlie with her mannequin husband, Manny. She "accidentally" bumps into Charlie at the grocery store, and rubs in his face how much her husband loves her. Charlie, being Charlie, starts to like Rose again and feels he must have her. He starts to act like Rose, by stalking her and showing up unexpectedly at her house. Rose puts on an elaborate show, pretending Manny would be upset if they were friends, but allowing Charlie to seduce her. Once they have sex, she pretends Manny has texted her saying he will be home soon, and she kicks Charlie out of her house.

The episode makes sense, in that Charlie is a character who always wants what he can't have. But, it seemed a little forced and abrupt. For example, only hours after seeing Rose again Charlie proclaims his love for her, and he decides he is in love with her and she is the only one for him. Where does this tenderness come from, especially after years of wanting to get rid of Rose? It seems a little unrealistic to me, and it also seems a little coincidental. Are the show's writers trying to make Charlie more sympathetic after Charlie Sheen's latest scandal in Las Vegas? They probably don't need to, considering the show's high ratings, but it does seem a little suspicious.