‘Weeds’ pulls it together

After stretching itself too thin with one ridiculous plot development after another, “Weeds” has finally gotten back in stride with season five.

Season four left the show in a rut: Andy was a coyote, Doug was depressed about his dream girl, Shane was a drug-dealing punk, Silas was failing at business and Nancy was wondering if her betrayed lover was going to kill her.

Although “Weeds” is still miles away from the days when Nancy just sold pot to housewives, the show has found a nice niche. Rather than exploring the darker side of artificial suburban life, it’s become a meditation on power: Will Esteban destroy Nancy in his pursuit of higher office?

Mary-Louise Parker is still compelling and resonant as Nancy, a mother whose only worries are for her family’s safety. If you gave up on “Weeds,” tune in again; it’s worth it.