Charlie and Rose sleep together on the latter's birthday when the former gets drunk, and Charlie is terrified of the retribution he knows Rose is capable of administering if he doesn't commit to a relationship with her. But nothing could have prepared him for Rose calling in her father, Harvey (Martin Sheen), who is under the impression the two have been dating for years. Charlie gets granted a temporarily reprieve when Harvey becomes smitten with Evelyn, and it soon becomes apparent that some of Rose's traits run in the family.
Tropes
- Actor Allusion: When Harvey (played by Martin Sheen) announces that he's Rose's father, Charlie says that he can see the resemblance. The actual resemblance in this scene is, of course, between Martin and Charlie, with Charlie very closely resembling what Martin looked like when he was younger.
- Celebrity Cameo: Martin Sheen (Charlie Sheen's father) cameos as Harvey, Rose's father. He would be nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
- It Runs in the Family: Harvey moves into Evelyn's house without an invitation, obsessed with her and convinced they're going to get married, much like how Rose attempts to shoehorn herself into Charlie's life. When Harvey's mother shows up to take him home, she indicates that the mental instability of Harvey and Rose stems from incest.
- Kissing Cousins: Harvey's mother implies that the reason why Harvey (and Rose) are insane is because she married her first cousin.
- Lampshade Hanging: When Charlie says that he can see the resemblance between Harvey and Rose, which is referencing how he actually bears an uncanny resemblance to Charlie himself.
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Playing Against Type: Martin Sheen, best known roles such as Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now and President Bartlet in The West Wing, plays a much more comedic role than he's typically accustomed to here. - Show Stopper: Harvey's first appearance is met with a tremendous amount of studio applause and cheering, as he's being played by famous actor Martin Sheen, who also happens to be the father of the actor who plays Charlie.
