Gravity Falls Review: "Boyz Crazy" (Season 1, Episode 17)

"Sieze upon Oregon; give to the edge of the sword
Candy, Grenda, and all unfortunate souls
that dare to kidnap you."

Airdate: April 19th, 2013.

Synopsis (SPOILERS AHEAD: PROCEED AT YOUR OWN CAUTION): Mabel, Candy, and Grenda try to land tickets to a concert by their favorite "decade-behind" boy band, Several Timez. However, tickets quickly sell out. They decide to break into the back of the concert, where they realize that the boy band is all genetically engineered. Several Timez (who's leader is played by N-Sync star Lance Bass) are broken out and hidden inside the Mystery Shack. Initially thrilled by having their own boy band, Candy and Grenda quickly realize that Mabel will keep them as slaves, no matter what the cost. Her insanity almost overtakes her, before she comes to her senses about the fact that she's, you know, breaking the 13th amendment, and decides to let them go.

Meanwhile, Dipper's frustration with Robbie going out with Wendy reaches it's zenith when he realizes that Robbie is a negligent Jerkass who manages to maintain a relationship with Wendy because he writes music. Dipper believes that the music is possessed, and teams up with Grunkle Stan (who had to deal with a long lost love himself) to try and decipher the record. They realize that the record contains a backmasked message, and tries to stop Robbie from playing the record again... whilst in a van with Wendy. Robbie confesses... that he had no knowledge of the backmasking because he plagiarised the song. As Wendy burns the last bridge of the Wenbie relationship, Dipper's own hubris manages to wreck his relationship with her.

Review (AGAIN, SPOILERS AHEAD): There exists a trope (on, where else, TVTropes) called "True Art is Angsty". Translated, the trope says that the best type of art is one that is outright depressing. The reason for this perception is that tragic art is one that pulls at our emotions, that makes us feel empathy for the subject. Thus, whereas "Carpet Diem" was some fantastic comedy, "Boyz Crazy" takes a turn into Shakespearean tragedy/tragicomedy. The end result?

As of this writing, this is my all time favourite Gravity Falls episode. Ever. I'm serious. I don't care if I'm reinforcing a trope. This is one hell of an episode!

Gravity Falls Review: Season 1, Episode 16: "Carpet Diem"

Airdate: April 5th, 2013.

Synopsis: Dipper is frustrated by Mabel's repeated sleepovers, which always force him to sleep in humiliating places (i.e. outside). Mabel, meanwhile, is fed up with Dipper's irritating habits. The two realise they have to sleep elsewhere. When a bedroom is revealed, the two fight to win the room from Grunkle Stan. However, the shag carpeting in the bedroom causes a bodyswap to occur. Unlike other bodyswaps, nobody else can tell who's controlling whom. Thus, Dipper and Mabel participate in the sincerest form of flattery... sabotage! The end result? A good amount of embarrassment! How? Oy, vey! End result: one of them gets the room, yet reneges on his/her threat to move out after finding it lonely.

Meanwhile, Soos and Waddles swap places. They eventually get caught up in a bodyswap mix involving Dipper, Mabel, Candy, Grenda, Durland, and Blubs.

Review: The "Bodyswap" cliche is nothing original (Red Dwarf did it first). It's the execution that determines if the episode is bad or good. You're not looking for too much originality here; maybe a good amount of character development and comedy.

Honestly, this is my second-favourite bodyswap episode of all time. (I cite "The Prisoner of Benda" from Futurama as the gold standard of all bodyswap episodes). Why? Well, it's simple; they took a cliche, and made it into a fun romp.

The setup of the episode revolves on the brother-sister relationship between Dipper and Mabel. Honestly, the bond between these two is so realistic. We have siblings that we feel are on top of us, are pressing us down all the time. Yet, we just can't live without them. They do what siblings would do when a bodyswap occurs; they mess around with the other's lives! Oh, the prices they pay. We see both of them as imperfect, their reasons for moving out being just as selfish as they are justifiable. That's what makes them fantastic characters.

The comedy in this episode can not be understated, either. This is some of the show's most fantastic humour to date. We have:

• Grunkle Stan teaching Mabel about Puberty. "Goodbye, childhood" indeed.
• Anything with the slumber parties. Especially at the end of the first one, where Mabel, Candy, and Grenda wake up with confusion on the previous night. The room is torn up.
• The window gag. Ah, golf, you!
• "Ten suck-up points for this lemonade!"
• The foreshadowing of Several Timez.
• The climax with the electron carpet, Candy, Grenda, Mabel, Dipper, Blubs, Durland, Waddles, and Soos.

Whereas the next episode will be a pure tragicomedy, this episode is fantastic comedy. Outside of some minor missed opportunities and some exposition, this is an otherwise fantastic episode. Zach Piez and Tim McKeon have a mixed-to-positive record in terms of writing. (For example, Piez wrote both the fantastic "Hand That Rocks The Mabel" and the mediocre "Summerween"). This is their writing at their finest.

Favourite Moment: Mabel and Dipper challenging each other for the room. Pure sibling comedy.

Least Favourite Moment: Wendy gets a two second appearance. It feels like they just wanted to do some service to Wendy fans, and decided that it was worth giving Linda Cardellini a cheque. They need to do more with that character.

Rating: 9

Scullyfied Simpsons: Season 9, Episode 7: "The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons"

Airdate: November 16th, 1997:

Well, there's 1 Mrs, Nahassapeemapetilon.

Synopsis: At a bachelor's auction (think the auction from Batman and Robin, with more humour), Apu receives a wide variety of bids, and begins realising the positives of his bachelor lifestyle... just in time to be reminded of his arranged marriage to Manjula. Apu's mother comes over to remind him herself, and Apu fakes a marriage with Marge, much to Marge's chagrin and the disappointment of Apu's mother. Homer hides out at the retirement house, stealing the identity of somebody else. When Homer returns, Apu's mother realises the truth, and declares the wedding proceed as planned.

Review: One of the pitfalls of the Mike Scully era was that it tried to alter the characters and their dynamic with other characters in an attempt at character development. However, these newfound characterisations were not focused on as much because, during the Scully era, the world revolved around Homer Jay Simpson. This is not a huge problem in this episode, but you can still see the signs of Scully's era setting in with the long form changes being put on the back burner.

Really, this episode also felt like a Jean-era episode in some aspects... as in the plot. It just seemed far too close to standard sitcom fare. Granted, there still is a good twist (the wedding must proceed as planned, instead of the "follow your heart" twist that the cliche sitcom would add). Also, the plot went everywhere. It seemed like, in the second act, that Homer became the centre protagonist in a "hanging out in a retirement home" plot.

We must also mention that characterisation seemed to be a tiny bit off. Homer and Apu weren't too bad, but Marge, Bart, and Lisa seemed to not do much of anything.

Where is this episode redeemed? Well, the humour. This episode contains tons of funny lines. Even at the retirement home, there is a good amount of humour, even if the plot was resolved in a cliche way. And besides, at least there is some substance in the plot. Not something I can say for the Jean-era episodes.

Favourite Moment: Even if I thought it was filler, the idea of the retirement home plot was good, if only because it still shows the cynicism of the show.

Least Favourite Moment: The wedding scene. It seems like they could've mocked it quite a bit more rather than the "Apu and Manjula get married and live decently" ending that occurred.

Zaniness Factor: 1

Zaniest Moment: Not available. It's a rather pedestrian episode.

Jerkass Homer Meter: 1.5

Jerkass Homer Moment: Why did Homer feel the need to commit identity theft to try and escape Apu's mother?

Final Score: 6.

Red Dwarf Review: Series V, Episode 1: "Holoship"

Airdate: 20 February, 1992

The eponymous Holoship.

Synopsis (Spoilers): Rimmer is sceptical of a film whose message comes off as "love triumphs career". As he criticises Lister for loving it, an energy force takes him away. (Cat: "Let's get out of here before they bring him back.") It turns out that Rimmer was kidnapped by a Holoship, the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment features the cream of the crop in terms of personnel, and casual sex is not just shrugged off... it's mandatory. Rimmer's piece of heaven, he realises that he can get on... after a strenuous intellectual competition against another hologram. If Rimmer wins, said hologram is turned off. Rimmer also falls in love with Nirvanah Crane (Jane Horrocks), despite love having been long criticised on Enlightenment.

He tries to take the test with the help of a mind implant that would drastically increase his IQ (against Kryten's wishes). However, the implant fails, as Rimmer's mind will not mesh with the mind of anybody else. He gets a surprise mid test... although that makes him reconsider his decision to join Enlightment.

Review (SPOILERS AHEAD): Well, this and "The Deep End" both have a connecting theme: personal desires over love. For Mabel, it was her epic summer romance versus the well being of a merman. For "Holoship", it's the advancement of career versus the well being of the others. Both Mabel and Rimmer are separated from their lovers for eternity, yet are separated for totally unselfish reasons on their part.

Never have I put the words "Rimmer" and "Unselfish" in the same sentence before. And that is why I had to labour over whether or not this episode should be considered the best Red Dwarf episode of the series. (Ultimately, it went to another episode). For the first time ever, Rimmer officially crosses from the "Jerkass" trope to the "Jerk with a Heart of Gold" trope. It really shows just how complex the writing is: for a comedy where jokes about vindaloo and the laddish culture rank high up, Red Dwarf is really a character study. Starting in Series I with the callous and uptight character, Series II and III really began peeling away, showing him as an insecure figure. Series IV emphasised his negative features a bit more, if only to remind us that, as much as Rimmer was a sympathetic character, he was still a smeghead. Now, Rimmer has made the greatest move he has made thus far, and one of the greatest moves he may have made in all ten series.

Of course, in 1992, this episode was voted as one of the weakest episode ever, simply because it focused too much on character, with unfavourable comparisons made to Star Trek (what RD was trying to avoid). However, "Holoship" did make many a nod to this pathos: in fact, Rimmer was critical of the "man puts love ahead of career" cliche in the beginning of the episode. Ah, irony.

Plus, this episode is so hysterical. Most of the jokes are quoteable, and those that aren't are still funny. Highlights include...

• "They've taken Mr Rimmer. Sir, they've taken Mr Rimmer!" "Quick; let's get out of here before they bring him back!"
• Crane: "Perhaps, if you're not in any great rush, Mr Rimmer, we could retire to my quarters and have sex for a few hours." (Smash cut to the two in bed).
• "[Under a mind patch]] You could be reduced to a gibbering simpleton!" "Reduced?"
• And once Rimmer is under the mind Patch...
• "Assuming of course we're not dealing with five-dimensional objects in a basic Euclidean geometric universe and given the essential premise that all geo-mathematics is based on the hideously limiting notion that one plus one equals two, and not as {Astemeyer} correctly postulates that one and two are in fact the same thing observed from different precepts, the theoretical shape described by {Siddus} must therefore be a poly-dri-doc-deca-wee-hedron-a-hexa-sexa-hedro-adicon-a-di-bi-dolly-he-deca-dodron. Everything else is popycock. Isn't that so?"
• "I wrote a Palinadromic Haiku this morning! Perhaps you would like to hear it?"
• Just don't get me started on the "Binks to Enlightment" scene.

It's a fantastic episode, and required viewing for any Dwarfer!

Favourite Scene: The scene after Rimmer and Crane have sex. Not because it's funny (although it is), but because the acting shows the love in Rimmer's mind rather than tells you.

Least Favourite Scene: Honestly, the interviewing scene, while not bad, was tedious enough to drag this episode down a bit. It was this scene that kept the episode out of the spot of my favourite episode of the series.

Score: 9.

Gravity Falls Review: Season 1, Episode 15: The Deep End

Airdate: March 15th, 2013

Just something you see everyday at the public pool.

Synopsis: On a very, very hot day (Authors note: this review was written just after a cold snap on Long Island, where I live. Stop tempting me, comedies!), the Shack gang go to the public pool. Mabel meets (and falls head over heels for) Mermando (Matt Chapman), who explains (in song) that he is... a merman who wants to get back to his family in the sea. Meanwhile, Dipper becomes a lifeguard to try and get to Wendy, yet has to deal with the stern Mr. Poolcheck.

SPOILERS: Both end in tragicomedy. Mabel's ends in the "heartwarming" sense, while Dipper's ends in the Red Dwarf sense.

Review: Let's cut to the chase with the main problem with this episode: the subplot. It's another "Dipper has the hots for Wendy" plot. Every subplot like this goes the same way: Dipper acts like a smeghead to try and get to first base with Wendy, fails spectacularly, and learns something. Not that it's totally bad- it keeps Dipper from being an "Einstein Sue" who controls the town's powers, and grounds him in reality. But the basics of the plot are still the same as in "Fight Fighters", "Summerween", and "Time Travellers Pig". The difference here is that it is limited to but a mere subplot, instead of the main plot. Plus, Dipper is still quite a bit likeable here. Further, Mabel outright tells him that Dipper is reaching for Romulus here:

Dipper? Don't you know what it's like to fall in love with someone, even though it will probably never work out... but you'd do anything for that person?

Besides, the rest of the episode is pretty good. There's nothing very illusion shattering or science-fiction style here, though, which is a bit depressing. Gideon arrives for a brief C-plot, which while somewhat pointless, also shows that Stan is perfectly willing to harm a child. Granted, said child is a sociopath who borders on insanity, but still. Grey and grey morality, much? Gamers, think Michael vs. Trevor in Grand Theft Auto 5.  One person is more insane than the other, but in the end, both are not people you would like to meet in real life.

The episode's main strength is the main plot, where Mabel falls for Mermando, played by Matt Chapman (Homestar Runner). It brings Mabel into a unique variation of the "personal happiness or lover's happiness" cliche... with a fairly normal merman. His character is sympathetic, yet does not have a whole lot of depth to it. Chapman, however, delivers Mermando's lines in a way that is utterly brilliant. Plus, Mabel's relationship with him feels quite natural, and is something of a comedic play on the desires of the target audience. It also reinforces that Mabel might be the best person in the Shack, and in the show.

This episode is also very much humour driven. Some jokes miss, but most jokes hit.

Overall, a decent, if not spectacular episode.

Favourite Scene: Admittedly, I loved the first scene, with the town being so hot, a squirrel burst into flames.

Least Favourite Scene: Most of the "Wendip" subplot is subpar.

Score: 7.5.

Authors Note: I think that I have been scoring a bit too leniently for Gravity Falls and Red Dwarf. Therefore, some episodes that I've reviewed in the past might have their scores knocked down a bit. Remember, a 4 or below is failure, 5 is passing, a 6 is decent, a 7 is good, 8 is great, 9 is excellent. and a 10 is a series best. Granted, most episodes of GF and RD generally fit in the 7-9 Range, and the score change will be minimal, but I am going to try and avoid the 4 point scale.

Red Dwarf Review: Series 5 Preview.

Well, after watching the embarrassment to comedy called Season 23 of The Simpsons, I must say, I am SO glad to go back to the boys from the Dwarf.

Series V of Red Dwarf was pivotal in terms of production. Why?

First off, producer and director Ed Bye packed his bags and quit, going to work on The Full Wax (starring Bye's wife, Ruby Wax. Side note: Wax played Blaze Falconburger in "Timeslides" from Series III. Juliet May was brought on board as Director. Her previous experience included Top of the Pops (Americans, think American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and Soul Train rolled into a British package) and Heil Honey, I'm Home (a dom-com... about Adolf Hitler. Yes, that happened.) However, she couldn't work with the sci-fi confines of the show, and left four episodes in. Hillary Jones also became producer, and stayed on during series V.

At the same time, Grant/Naylor decided to focus more on story compared to humour. However, the troubles with May caused two episodes, "Quarantine" and "Back to Reality", to be produced in a hurry.

The budget was stretched to the limit. Remember, we're dealing with a show on the BBC during the John Major era. Major (and his predecessor, Margaret Thatcher) took something of a meat cleaver to the BBC budget. Red Dwarf did not have a whole lot of wiggle room. Also, the original model for the Red Dwarf broke, so a new model had to be constructed.

Lastly, Grant/Naylor went to NBC in America to produce Red Dwarf USA... which never went past it's two pilots.

Overall, production was a mess. And to top it all off...

... not only did Series V top the viewership on BBC Two, but Series V is now considered to be the best series. One episode in particular is considered to be one of the best sci-fi episodes ever.

So, let's go down the episode list!

• Holoship: The crew of the Dwarf encounter a hologramatic ship, the Enlightment. Rimmer manages to get into the running to become a new face on the ship.
• The Inquisitor: The eponymous character of the episode declares himself judge, jury, and executioner of the universe... and is taking aim at the boys from the Dwarf.
• Terrorform: Rimmer is kidnapped, and winds up on a psy-moon, where his inner demons attack him.
• Quarantine: Rimmer contacts a holo-virus, and is placed in Quarantine. (Duh). He goes insane, sending the crew to WOO. (Let me tell you, WOO ain't fun).
• Demons and Angels: The Dwarf is split in two, alongside the cast and crew. One side is a peaceful Mary-Suetopia where love is practised. The other side represents some of the most sickening humanity ever descended.
• Back to Reality: The crew hit the despair squid, die, and realise that... it's too awesome to reveal right now. Just remember the name "Duane Dibbley".

Ye gods, we are in for a fantastic series!

Christmas Spectacular Thing: The Simpsons: Season 23, Episode 22: "Lisa Goes Gaga"

Christmas Spectacular Thing: The Simpsons: Season 23, Episode 12: "Moe Goes From Rags to Riches"

Christmas Spectacular Thing: The Simpsons: Season 23, Episode 10: Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson

My Christmas Gift to You!