What to expect from Weeds: Richard Dreyfuss, mafia goons, and Mary-Louise Parker wearing next to nothing

Oscar-winning actor and father-suing son Richard Dreyfuss will briefly join the cast of Showtime’s Weeds, guest starring in at least four episodes of the show’s upcoming new season as “an unexpected character from Nancy Botwin’s past.” Her commander in Vietnam? We’re going to guess he was her commander in Vietnam. Or her father. Anyway, it’s Dreyfuss’ first return to series television since 2001’s short-lived The Education Of Max Bickford, and his first return to Showtime since the network helped him nab a SAG nomination for playing Alexander Haig in The Day Reagan Was Shot. So, milestones all around.

To fill the void left by Elizabeth Perkins’ departure, the producers of Weeds obviously plan to pile on the guest stars, doubling-down on previously seen famous faces like Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alanis Morissette (both of whom will return this season), and Albert Brooks and Zooey Deschanel (who will not) by adding brief story arcs involving Linda Hamilton, Peter Stormare, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, all of whom Nancy will probably have demeaning sex with (yes, including Hamilton). It’s also dramatically opened up its storylines by putting the Botwin family on the run after [SPOILER ALERT FOR LAST SEASON] Shane clocked Pilar with a croquet mallet. This season will find Nancy and family fleeing the Mexican FBI, police, and mafia by hopping from city to city, while Nancy takes on various odd jobs to support them. So it’s not really about a suburban mom trying to make ends meet by dealing pot anymore, but you know, that’s been the case for years now. Anyway, if all that isn’t enough to sway you to watch, here’s your annual shot of a scantily clad Mary-Louise Parker.