The fourth season of Weeds was a wee bit on the rocky side. It played like a show set in high school hitting the inevitable first-year-in-college season. But if last night’s premiere (”Wonderful Wonderful”) is what we can expect from the new season, things are looking up for one of Showtime’s hot properties.

When we last left Nancy Botwin, she was about to be killed by her Mexican drug-king boyfriend, Esteban (also the Mayor of Tijuana), for squealing to the DEA about the drug tunnel he was running under the Mexico/California border. Nancy had an ace in the hole, though; turns out she’s carrying Estaban’s child and he really wants himself a son. Not surprisingly, this changes things a bit, and Estaban decides not to kill her…at least not right now. He does, however, force her to see an OB/GYN in Mexico, which is fairly uncomfortable since she has no idea what anyone is saying. It’s clear that just because she’s carrying his baby doesn’t mean he’s going to make this easy on her.

Back at home, Andy confesses his love to Nancy and she tells him that she’s pregnant, dropping him into a hilariously depressive state. Silas is working with Doug and Andy to find a place to grow his pot. He initially wants to buy some farmland on the cheap in Mexico, but Doug convinces him that they should, instead, try to find some land in the middle of a state park. Shane’s still hanging out with his goth groupies and selling Silas’s weed in the school library. Things get shaken up pretty quickly, though. Nancy asks Andy to take Shane to stay with her sister in Oakland, whom she has apparently previously referred to as “bitch face.” Shane’s none too happy about this, especially since Silas gets to stay behind to scout for farmland with Doug. In fact, none of the boys seems particularly happy with her as they march out the door on their respective missions.

Celia, meanwhile, went to Mexico to visit her daughter Quinn, whom we last saw in the show’s premiere episode. Turns out she’s a real chip off the old block as she spends most of the episode barking orders at her boyfriend, Rodolfo, while he calls everyone in Celia’s phone book requesting ransom money. This serves as the main comic relief of the episode, as each character gets an opportunity to deny aiding in Celia’s rescue. It’s an obvious joke, especially since everyone’s hatred for Celia has been played out time and again on the show, but it doesn’t make it any less funny. Andy’s response, in particular, is quite fantastic. Quinn’s back-up plan involves killing Celia and selling her organs for money, but her history of breast cancer makes this an impossibility.

And, just for the hell of it, the episode concludes with a flash mob dance routine at a mall that momentarily pulls Nancy out of her gloomy mood, only to see Esteban’s flunky eyeing her across the courtyard when it’s over.

Overall, last night reminded me a lot more of what I love about Weeds than what we saw last season. The Esteban storyline is darker and more foreboding than any we’ve previously seen, but it is balanced by the appearance of supporting players. If Weeds can keep working this formula, we’re in for a nice balanced buzz.

Screen Weeds, episode 1, season 5 at Showtime, edited version.