When we last left our favorite two-man band from New Zealand, they had lost their loyal manager and only fan, Mel, to the hit new group the Crazy Doggs. Season two of Flight of the Conchords on HBO jumped right back into the game, wrapping up all lose ends from 2007's cliff hanger of a season finale, answering all viewers' questions and leaving us right back where we started--pure, simplistic comedy and out-and-out bliss.

So, Bret and Jemaine are still poor and struggling, Murray still thinks they would be lost without him (and sadly, they probably would be), Mel is still head-over-heels in stalker mode, and Dave is still equal parts dim-witted, overly confident, and vulgar. Same ol', same ol'. We are currently halfway through the second season, this week marking what some fans have called the best episode of the series to date. Bottom line, if you aren't watching Flight of the Conchords, you should be.

In honor of the show, in utter awe and respect for the excruciating amount of difficult work that's been put into each episode since day one, (and this writer's ever-present, always throbbing obsession and love for two of the most humble and deserving pieces of charming talent this world has ever seen), here it is, a list of  ten (only ten, or else this piece would last forever) what has made the second season of Flight of the Conchords brilliant thus far...in no particular order.

#1--- Femident toothpaste:  Who better to write a jingle for feminine toothpaste than our very own Bret and Jemaine? The lyrics, provocative. The wardrobe...also provocative. This storyline was a great way to kick off the season. The hilarity of Bret and Jemaine possibly getting their big break by means of a feminine toothpaste ad is perfection.

#2--- Murray: He is on top of his game this season. Every scene with him is hysterical. Rhys Darby is a comedy dynamo. One can't say enough about him, perhaps that's why this section should be summed up in one word: Genius.

#3---Other people singing:  Some people find it bothersome, but forget that! It's brilliant. It just works for the show. Besides, it's only a minor change in last season's format. Relax. Getting inside of other character's imaginations for a brief moment is perfectly acceptable. Don't viewers want to know what makes Mel tick?

#4---Wardrobe:  Jemaine dressed as a male prostitute? Highlight of season two? Possibly, but we still have an episode featuring a song called "Freaky," so let's not be too hasty. It's possible that Bret has been wearing the same pair of stripey socks for every episode, though one can't be certain. Definite repeats in tee shirts though, which is another great thing about the show. Bret and Jemaine are dirt poor; of course they would wear the same five things repeatedly. Plus, some of those shirts are way too fantastic to be featured only once. Also...Bret's woven trousers? Yes. An absolute , yes.

#5--- Dancing: Bret, in particular, but Jemaine has pulled out some tasty moves of his own. "Sugalumps" was hot, hot, hot! It really speaks for itself. And, we all knew it wouldn't be long before a West Side Story - inspired dance ensued.

#6--- Guest appearances: Kristen Wiig is set to appear on the next episode. Two weeks ago we got to see Jim Gaffigan portraying Murray's only friend. We've seen Greg Proops. That was fun. Who's next?

#7--- Songs: Granted some of the songs from this season are already well-known by die hard fans, many of them are brand new...even for those who caught them on tour last year. "Sugalumps" has already been  mentioned in this write-up, add on "Carol Brown", "Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor", and "Friends" and there's plenty of download fodder for the masses. (By the way, there's a new Conchords song from the previous night's show on iTunes every Monday morning.)

#8--- Friends: The fourth episode was centered around the development of friendship between Murray and the guys. This, of course, culminated in the song "Friends." On screen and behind the scenes friends deserve a bit of recognition as well. Kristen Schaal (Mel), Arj Barker (Dave), the brilliant writing, creative, and direction talents of James Bobin, Troy Miller, Taika Cohen (some may credit him as Taika Waititi)...brilliance all around!

#9---Jemaine: 
We've seen him as a prostitute. He's fallen in love with and had his heart broken by an evil Australian woman. He's danced sexily, he's often found scantily clad, he's made women all over the world laugh and cry, then cry from laughing, and his sideburns have become an aphrodisiac. Even men adore him!  The season's hottest episode thus far was very Jemaine-centric. He also provided lead vocals for "Carol Brown" which is probably one of the Conchords' catchiest numbers...and that's saying something. Jemaine is on fire. Please don't put him out.

#10--- Bret: 
His beard is good. Really good. His shirts and trousers have already been mentioned. His affinity for making outerwear that resembles his own body parts, charming. He's pouting his way through season two so much that it's really not easy for this writer to concentrate on much else. He even started a gang! Boy, do the Tough Brets know how to protect themselves against intruders and defend their street from hoodlums...by kicking children in the shin! The gang has since disbanded, and of course Bret found himself duct taped to the back of a door two weeks later. There should be a Bret-centered episode coming up shortly...and then...we shall all burst into dust...due to all the awesome.

Honorable mention category goes to...Fan Appreciation.

These cookies were made by a fan and given to Bret and Jemaine at a gig last spring. They were featured, quite prominently, in a recent episode

There is a ton more that could be said, but these write ups have to end at some point. HBO, Sundays, 10pm Eastern/9pm Central. Do yourself a favor.

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