Review: SuperMansion “We Need to Talk about Liplor”

Will this show return to form? This week’s episode is a good start.

Spoilers Below

With this week’s episode, SuperMansion is on track to end the season as strong as it’s ever been. “We Need to Talk about Liplor” returns to the show’s origins and brings in the second Subtopian to ever reach Earth’s surface, Rex’s brother, Dax Titanium. But first we get a good dose of SuperMansion’s strong suit – superheroes in mundane situations, starting the day around the breakfast table.

Portia is feeling down on herself because she hasn’t been much help to the League in her rebranding efforts and Zenith is still “out of commission”. She says she’ll be leaving the mansion. Rex doesn’t want her to leave, but there are more pressing matters, as local news crews have discovered Dax’s presence.

It turns out that Subtopia is a very different place from what Rex has lead the world to believe. Dax arrives with his slave, Liplor, and demands to know why Rex hasn’t enslaved all of the inferior creatures that inhabit Earth. Instead of standing up for what he has always believed in, Rex placates his brother and pretends to rule over the League. The League doesn’t like that.

Rex very quickly comes to his senses and explains the situation. Meanwhile, Liplor is building a war beacon. As soon as it’s finished, Dax can insert the key and enslave the world. Of course, The League of Freedom isn’t having any of that. There’s a real, action-hero fight scene! To stop Dax’s impending war, Rex challenges him to the “Blood Duel of Chalatar”. It’s a binding oath that in the end, one of them must die.

Rex wins – of course Rex wins, but now Dax is sworn to forever hunt him down to kill him. I’m actually kind of fuzzy on those details. Shouldn’t Rex be sworn to kill Dax as well? I’m sure it all makes sense within Subtopian law. But even after victory, Rex is in trouble. Because of his involvement with Dax, the government thinks Rex is a double agent. Just like he’s been dying to do all season, Rex gives himself up in order to save the League and flies away. No one’s sure to where or why.

It is definitely one of the series’ most cinematic moments and adds a lot to the feeling that SuperMansion is gearing up for something good. This episode has all the right ingredients in exactly the right proportions. It feels like an ensemble effort as well, although it’s titled after Liplor. I understand wanting to bring the audience’s focus to him – he’s an immediately lovable character. Even though I wouldn’t call him the main player, I couldn’t say no to more Liplor.

Although, I’m left wondering, where’s the big return of Dr. Devizo that was teased last week? Or does it really even matter? I think once and for all, SuperMansion has proved itself to be enjoyable, and I’m currently content to let it play out that way.

SCORE
8/10