If you haven't revisited Party Down in HD, do it. This episode (season 1, episode 7) is peak awkward catering brilliance.

While "Taylor Stiles Birthday Party" lacks the farcical highs of the "Steve Guttenberg" episode, it is arguably the most thematically consistent episode of the season. It strips away the gimmicks to reveal the raw, awkward truth at the heart of Party Down : Hollywood is a town of dreamers, but the wake is where the real work happens.

If you love cringe comedy and catering nightmares, this is your episode. Grab a soggy sandwich and enjoy.

Ron’s conflict with Taylor Stiles (the birthday boy) is a battle for alpha status. Taylor, empowered by his parents' wealth, treats Ron as a servant. Ron’s attempts to discipline the child ("You’re a little brat!") result in his further humiliation. The "Superman" ring he buys is a plastic symbol of the false power he clings to. In 1080p resolution, the cheapness of the prop is visible, perfectly underscoring the hollowness of Ron’s authority.