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Episode Review of “Assisted Suicide”

Assisted Suicide takes the Ventureverse out of the realm of the subtle Freudian slip and into the overt world of the three-part clinical Freudian explanation of human consciousness. The craftsmanship of this episode is thoroughly marvelous; it successfully inserts Freudian themes into each storyline contained within.

Within the compound, a strange and varied assortment of father-figures attempt to save the day by different means of might and magic. The tension between Brock and Sgt. Hatred is growing thicker, both driven by an affection/attachment for the boys and a desire to wrest some kind of usefulness for their continued presence. Meanwhile, the boys themselves prove ineffective as anchoring totems for Orpheus’ magical efforts; their father’s love for them is apparently not strong enough to allow for psychic entry. The tone of these scenes could be called Oedipal (perhaps swaying more toward the resolution of the Oedipal complex which supposedly results in identification of the child with the same-sexed parent) based on the nature of the fixation of father-figures, but the dynamic is reversed; it is the father-figures competing for the position as responsible party.

Episode Recap of “Every Which Way…”

In this week’s episode of the Venture Bros, the good guys team up with the bad in order to stop Zeus from kidnapping just about everyone. If that sounds too straight forward, don’t forget the plot twists, tons of arguing, and the weirdest code names ever.

The episode starts with Zeus coming to take Billy. He calls for Pete, who runs in claiming to be the brains behind the duo. Zeus doesn’t know who Pete is, but he takes them both, perhaps just to shut them up. The kidnapping doesn’t stop there, as other scientist and hero types are taken. Hunter and Brock get ready for a boy’s night out at the local strip club. Shore Leave doesn’t want to go and tells them to “enjoy their shame.” Zeus shows up to take Shore Leave.

Episode Reviews “Every Which Way But Zeus”

I keep a safely guarded opening in my heart of hearts all week long, ever patient to fill that special hole with the latest installment from our pals at Astrobase Go. Dedicated readers will remember my slightly under-whelmed reactions to the last two episodes, but I loyally accepted those chapters into my special hole with the good faith of a steadfast partner who knows that love is not always perfect. Tonight, I felt totally rewarded for that faith, and completely thrilled by the performance. We were treated to a slew of old familiar faces such as the Lepidopterists, Captain Sunshine and Ghost Robot (R.I.P.) We also got to see some seriously low behavior from Rusty via his dirty talk to a Teddy Ruxpin rip-off, as well as some beautifully self-reflective softness as his true feelings toward Hank were expressed.

Venturecast: The Diving Bell vs. The Butter-Glider

Listen to our fan podcast on the Venture Brothers with special guests, Chandra Free of the God Machine and Patrick McEvoy of Starkweather: Immortal; Also on the podcast is Holly and Marilee of Very Venture Vodcast. In this podcast, we review season 4, episode 9 of the Venture Brothers in “The Diving Bell vs. The Butter-Glider.”

[audio: http://venturebrosblog.com/media/venturecast/diving-bell-vs-butter-glider.mp3] Click here to DOWNLOAD this episode

Episode Recap of “Pomp & Circuitry”

Last night’s Venture Bros was filled with so many references to past episodes, it warmed my heart. Doc Hammer once said, “Continuity is a bitch,” but many things not only paid tribute to the past, they gave us a glimpse at what’s to come.

The episode opens with Hank and Dean in their learning beds. Every time “Rusty” is suppose to be mentioned in the lesson, it’s dubbed with “Hank and Dean.” I never imaged them actually graduating from their learning beds, but Dean’s diploma prints out. There’s talk of college and career advice from Billy. What careers will two horribly sheltered boy clones pick? Some of the careers Hank wants are drifter, owner of Chimp Eden, and two different eras of Batman. (Golden age and post crisis) While Dean choices include husband, boy detective, and boy reporter. But no “super scientist”, as Rusty points out. Billy explains Hank and Dean aren’t ready for college as their knowledge is as outdated as “Funk and Wagnalls.” Rusty learns Hank’s diploma never printed and he “better get back in that bed until you graduate.” Hank in a very Batman moment, rebels and runs off to join S.P.H.I.N.X. and he’s actually pretty good at his montage of trials. He’s “Brock trained”, after all.