Venture Brothers

[SeerSGB]

So what did folks here think of "Assisted Suicide"? I thought it was a pretty strong episode.

Classic episode...and any episode with Dr Girlfriend in a cheerleader costume...

 

[JonnyQuest037]

It has become apparent through the last couple of seasons how Jonas Jr., a man who spent forty-some years being poisoned in darkness, is actually less dysfunctional than his twin brother. It's kind of weird, but it also makes Rusty seem like a better father, not just in comparison, but in that he manages to not be completely abhorrent given his own upbringing.

You could make a very good case for Jonas Jr. being so confident and well-adjusted because he didn't grow up with Jonas Venture as a father.

And I disagree about Dean. He remains my favorite character on the show. I like how both boys are growing up this season and discovering who (and what) they want to be outside of the Venture super-science tradition. I'm rooting for both Hank & Dean to beat the odds and become well-adjusted adults (probably a pipe-dream, I know).

 

[The Lensman]

I thought it was a pretty solid ep as well. The final bit at the end where Rusty is telling Hank the story was indeed telling. The original Team Venture were quite the pricks....especially pulling that kind of stunt on a kid.

As for Dean, he is getting a bit annoying. Both he and Hank have lived through some crazy shit and he should not be quite the sissy that he is. Watching some recent eps, I thought he was making some progress....but in this ep, he's just regressed a bit much.

The bits with Dr. Girlfriend and 21 were a surprise, and really pushed things forward a bit, especially the kiss. I guess they could always do the "we were drunk" thing and go back to status quo.

Will be interesting to see what happens to 21 tho.

 

[SeerSGB]

I can see 21 eventually becoming his own Villian (Viceroy?) or even a hero. Hero would actually fit him pretty good. Or maybe the guy that brings down the Guild and OSI

 

[Myasishchev]

The bits with Dr. Girlfriend and 21 were a surprise, and really pushed things forward a bit, especially the kiss. I guess they could always do the "we were drunk" thing and go back to status quo.

Personally, I'd be a bit amazed and even disappointed if they did that, given how much effort they've expended in making 21 such a credible (yet still dorky) badass. Not that I won't be surprised if he doesn't end up with Dr. Girlfriend, but there's precious little way that they can satisfying maintain the status quo--that is, 21 in a subordinate role--past the season's end.

Tonight's episode was pretty good. Not ultra-great, but very neat. Billy is always fun, and it was good to see Monstroso again. Although it's kind of hard to see how he'll get out of the jam he's in at the end of the episode, I wouldn't mind seeing Monstroso become a much bigger presence (ha ha) in season 5 (especially given my assumption that Phantom Limb will either be killed or, at least, left fallow at the end of this season).

Interesting insight on the Venture Bros. wiki (what doesn't have a wiki these days, pray tell):

Superficially, Monstroso seems to be a combination of both Marvel characters the Kingpin, who is a head of a major criminal racket, and his nemesis the hero Daredevil, in that he is an attorney and his hood and thematically red/devilish scheme are highly reminiscent of Daredevil.

I had gotten the Kingpin thing, but hadn't realized the Daredevil-like visual motif. That's kinda neat, even if it was unintentional.

Cigar?

 

[JonnyQuest037]

The bits with Dr. Girlfriend and 21 were a surprise, and really pushed things forward a bit, especially the kiss. I guess they could always do the "we were drunk" thing and go back to status quo.

Personally, I'd be a bit amazed and even disappointed if they did that, given how much effort they've expended in making 21 such a credible (yet still dorky) badass. Not that I won't be surprised if he doesn't end up with Dr. Girlfriend, but there's precious little way that they can satisfying maintain the status quo--that is, 21 in a subordinate role--past the season's end.

I think if the last 4 seasons have shown us anything, it's that Jackson & Doc like shaking up the status quo. It's one of the reasons this is my favorite show on television right now.

 

[Myasishchev]

Finale just finished. Good showing. This is very likely the dirtiest episode in four seasons of what has been a perennially dirty show. I liked it. Possibly the funniest episode this season, rivaled only by "Every Which Way But Zeus."

But not perfect. In fact, there are some things that really stick in the craw, most of it occurring at the very tail end, after the climax with

Spoiler: this

Molotov Cocktease

.

One bit is pretty awful, morally, and is probably the worst thing Dr. Venture has ever done, including using an orphan corpse to power a machine, and Brock's reaction to the situation is pretty reprehensible too. Thing is, I'm sure they meant for the orphan thing to be terrible, but I'm not certain this was intentional.

Secondly, I think Publick and Hammer may hate Dean as much as I do.

Finally, I expected more to 21's resolution, more of a showdown, but the way it was handled was maybe... fitting? I dunno, I'll have to think about it.

But, all that said, it was a pretty fine episode, all told.

Well, later, I've got to go give someone a Rusty Venture.

Edit: Also I'm sort of hoping

Spoiler: death

Monstroso didn't die. I'm actually fine with Molotov dying, since it was a good moment, but Monstroso barely got a chance to establish himself.

Edit 2:

Spoiler: again

I just realized, there's a construction flaw in the episode. Given how much drama it's played for, we're evidently meant to take Molotov's threat to kill the Venture family with Blackhearts posing as escorts seriously, but they sort of undermined the surprise that it was a lie, when Molotov had threatened one of them earlier, as if she were a regular civilian.

 

[SeerSGB]

The finale was great. I've been reading on the 'swim boards that some are thinking that this is the series finale. And if it is, it is sort of a fitting end to the show. But given the little wink-and-nod at the at end of the credits, I'm willing to bet that Season 5 is just going to be a long time a coming, but it'll get here.

Overall: I loved the resolution of the OSI and Col. Gather's arc. The prom was the "B story" to all the characters, which was good. The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch really come off as assholes; which is fine. 21, I think, had a natural and completely deserved collusion to this part of his character's life.

 

[jep316]

I'm sure they'll be a season 5,it just takes them a looooong time to produce as they do it the old fashion way.

As for the season 4 finale,I think it was great along with the whole series with the story lines,growth of characters,the canon of the series which is stuck to even in the smallest ways really sticks out,nothing is just thrown in and then forgotten for effect,it all shows again why VB maybe the best animated show on now.it's too bad it doesn't get the attention Family Guy and it's clones gets.

 

[the G-man]

I don't think it was the series finale, just the season finale.

But, if for some reason, the show's cancelled after this ep, it would stand as one of the best series finales better, right up there with "the Shield," "TNG" and "Newhart."

 

[The Lensman]

The finale was great. I've been reading on the 'swim boards that some are thinking that this is the series finale. And if it is, it is sort of a fitting end to the show. But given the little wink-and-nod at the at end of the credits, I'm willing to bet that Season 5 is just going to be a long time a coming, but it'll get here.

Overall: I loved the resolution of the OSI and Col. Gather's arc. The prom was the "B story" to all the characters, which was good. The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch really come off as assholes; which is fine. 21, I think, had a natural and completely deserved collusion to this part of his character's life.

I didn't realize that the finale had even aired....luckily I have my DirecTV set to record the series. Finally watched it and thought it was awesome. And yeah, if the series ended here, while I would be disappointed, this would still serve as a fine series finale. Not quite as epic as I'd have wanted, but more than enough in the character department.

21's story ended fine...I'm glad they bucked the status quo and it'll be interesting to see what, if anything, is done with him should the series return.

Molotov...feels like forever since we saw here last, and really didn't care that she'd shown up again...or "died". Ditto for Monstroso.

Hunter Gather is always gold for me...was happy with his resolution.

Wasn't sure what to make of the end (not the bit after the credits)...pretty much saw it coming with the Spanish Fly part with the huge fly. Still it was a bit much, tho I just assumed they'd turn back eventually. Guess they'll get killed by the gang before that happens.

Dermot as Hanks "date". Dean totally screwing up...and growing a pair at the end when he tells Outrider to "fuck off" (or whatever, can't recall the exact wording)...that surprised me coming from Dean.

If there is a season 5, it'll be a different animal than what we're used to.

 

[SeerSGB]

The running theory on the 'swim board is that 21 will go back to his online business; I'm thinking he'll either turn OSI/Sphinx or he'll start Arching as "The Viceroy".

My "wish list" for Season 5:

-- Kill the moppets (they were funny for all of, what, five minutes?

-- Dean ends up going Arch on someone (Raven)

-- Monarch and Mrs. The Monarch really need to get some resolution with the whole Arching Doc. angle and reveal what's got him so pissed at Rusty; the running gag of it not knowing has sort lost some of its shine.

-- Mrs. The Monarch seems to be more ruthless than The Monarch they need go somewhere with that.

 

[the G-man]

Wasn't sure what to make of the end (not the bit after the credits)...pretty much saw it coming with the Spanish Fly part with the huge fly. Still it was a bit much, tho I just assumed they'd turn back eventually. Guess they'll get killed by the gang before that happens.

The bit with the mutated hookers was there to, in some ways, bring us back to the "original" Doc/Brock relationship: Doc screws up yet another bit of super-science, Brock charges in and kicks ass. We didn't need to see them get killed because we know that's how Brock operates.

Basically, it was there simply to say "Brock is back, baby!"

The running theory on the 'swim board is that 21 will go back to his online business; I'm thinking he'll either turn OSI/Sphinx or he'll start Arching as "The Viceroy".

They seem to be making it pretty clear that 21 is now one of the good guys so I don't see him going arch on anyone.

If anything, my theory's been that, given his pretty easy friendship with Hank and Dean, he'll be trained as a replacement bodyguard for if/when Brock leaves for good.

Monarch and Mrs. The Monarch really need to get some resolution with the whole Arching Doc. angle and reveal what's got him so pissed at Rusty

I don't know if this is WHY the Monarch is so pissed but I'd bet my left nut that Monarch is Rusty's long lost brother and, therefore, another of the many "Venture brothers."

 

[the G-man]

Clippage From Next Sunday’s THE VENTURE BROS. What will The Sovereign think of Mr. White’s Halloween costume?

 

[Jono]

Wow, has it been 2 years since this was last on? Good to see it returning.

 

[the G-man]

‘Sterilize!! Sterilize!!’ : First Regular Episode Of THE VENTURE BROS. Since 2010 airs tonight.

 

[Klaus]

From Slate: You’ve Probably Never Heard of One of the Best Shows on Television

 

[The Lensman]

Pretty good opener. Kinda sucks that Brock and the gang couldn't take 21 with them, but it'll be interesting to see what he does with Sphinx. I wish they'd gotten someone else to speak for St. Cloud though. It was like listening to Hank talking with a funny voice....because it's the same guy. The GoT reference was funny as well.

All in all I enjoyed it and am happy that we're getting new Venture Brothers again.

 

[Redfern]

Was it the intent to make St. Cloud sound like "Comic Book Guy" from "The Simpsons"? Because that's what I kept picturing in my head. I mean, he was supposed to be some sort of trivia genius as a kid, right? I assumed it was meant as a kind of homage.

BTW, I got a kicj from the police box in his home.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[the G-man]

Pretty good opener. Kinda sucks that Brock and the gang couldn't take 21 with them, but it'll be interesting to see what he does with Sphinx...

21 has been shown to have a good relationship with Hank and Dean. I've always speculated that he'll end up replacing Brock and/or Hatred as the Venture bodyguard.