Review: Son of Zorn “The Battle of Self-Acceptance”

The biggest battle of them all.

Courtesy: FOX

Spoilers Below

The title of this episode could not be more accurate. Craig and Alan are both dealing with their insecurities. This has been going on all season, and now it is all coming to a head for both of them. Craig and Edie’s wedding is creeping ever closer, which means that Craig is worried he cannot be the protector to her that Zorn was (and still is). Alan’s relationship with Layla is also moving along, and that means it will be increasingly harder for him to hide his Zephyrian legs.

Since Craig cannot fulfill the sorts of masculine tasks Zorn is known for (murder, maiden rescue, car repair), he enlists his fiancée’s ex to train him to become a warrior. So it turns out that Tim Meadows looks great shirtless (but hey, I’ve known that for nearly 20 years). Zorn kind of goes easy on Craig, as he does not really believe he has the physical capability to actually be a legit warrior, but his methods do summon a knack in Craig to stand up for himself.

I am not shocked that Craig has some insecurities, but I am a little surprised that he is this insecure. He consistently grins and bears it whenever he is insulted, and he just generally maintains a “fake it ’til you make it” disposition. But I guess that does not mean he has his shit together, but rather that he is constantly struggling to keep it together. And that takes a lot of effort. Luckily he has Edie to reassure him how much she values him.

Alan is also lucky, for the same reason, that he has Layla in his life. They move things ahead when she asks him to hang out at her aunt’s beach house, which means that he ought to actually wear proper swim gear, which means she might finally see the full extent of his Zephyrian heritage. Unless, of course, that is, he gets a miracle drug from Dr. Klorpins to suppress all that, which he does. It works out well enough at first, but as the effects start wearing off, he has to work overtime to hide his true self, which means he acts even more awkwardly than usual. But here’s the thing about Layla: she totally gets what Alan is all about. When he comes clean, she puts him at ease. It has been a joy watching these two getting to know each other. A courtship so devoid of conflict does not always make for entertaining TV, but in this case it does.

Zorn is involved with both of these storylines, but he also has his own breakthrough. The Sanitation Solutions CEO is in town, and he ends up demoting Linda and promoting Todd. Now that she is no longer his superior, Zorn finally realizes that Linda is actually a woman. And this newfound insight translates into his increased sensitivity, which is the catalyst for convincing Alan to admit the truth to Layla.

It is also the catalyst for Craig to disappear after he decides that since Zorn is now both masculine AND sensitive, Edie really does not need him. Obviously, he needs to let Edie make her own decision, and I’m sure she will tell him as much. But we will have to wait to find out, because that is where “The Battle of Self-Acceptance” leaves us (alongside the revelation that Zorn and Linda have just had sex). What a time for a cliffhanger – the next new episode is three weeks away!

Memorable Lines and Other Stones of Insight:

-Edie’s glad she and Craig watched her and Zorn’s wedding video, because she had the same hairstyle then that she wants now.

-“I’d like to see Zorn correctly identify a braid.” Spoke too soon, Craig.

-HOT SCOOP: Blake Lively is a Zephyrian! She’s using Zephyritol, which you can tell because you can’t see her tentacles.

-“Does this look like the face of someone who didn’t hear that?”

-According to Zorn, it’s always “Run-Around” Time somewhere!

-“By the power of Fullerton University, Online Continuing Adult Education Division, Department of Psychology and Music, you shall not pass!”

-“Zorn! Do not barge into my bathroom. Or my bedroom. Or my dreams.”

-I did not know until now that I was waiting for Nick Offerman to say “bitch better have my money” until I actually heard him say it.

SCORE
8.5/10