Shorts Review: Red vs. Blue Season 13, Episode 14 ‘Counseling’

Spoilers Below:

Yikes. After last week’s laugh-fest and cliffhanger, I was pretty psyched to dive into this next episode. Won’t you join me?

It began with Locus asking the Counselor about the Meta, specifically how he was able to be defeated by the Reds and Blues. It was due to the faith they had in one another, the fact that he suffered numerous compounding injuries, and that these wounds came after the destruction of his AI, the Counselor said. It was also revealed that Agent Maine was originally a brutish and loyal soldier who always followed orders, and the installation of the Meta was an attempt to achieve perfection within him, and help him become human. When it was fragmented by Wash, he began behaving erratically, which led to his downfall.

The Counselor then questioned whether Locus was feeling different after being forced to confront his fears in the gateway. Just as he asked if Locus would like to know Felix’s fear, Felix entered the room. After Locus departed, Felix threatened the Counselor, saying he could reveal to Sharkface that he used to work for Project Freelancer.

Meanwhile, Doc decided to hold a counseling session with a reluctant Kimball and Doyle, hoping to get the two and their armies to play nice. As the talks broke down, Doc pleaded with the two to at least say something to each other. Kimball said she used to think Doyle was a power-hungry tyrant, but later realized he’s just stubborn and incompetent. In response, Doyle said Kimball was far too willing to die for her beliefs…and that he’s never met a more courageous individual in all his life. Just as it appeared some progress was being made, the attack began.

In Case You Missed It:

1) Sarge to Wash: “Don’t you worry your pretty, little, yellow-striped head.”

2) Doc’s (technically O’Malley’s) attempt at demonstrating how counseling works by pretending to be Grif: “And I’m Dexter Grif, reporting for duty. Oh wait, nevermind. I forgot that I’m a worthless sack of human excrement that wouldn’t be caught dead following orders because I’m too busy wishing my parents loved me as much as my sister. Maybe if I had had a stable father figure growing up, I wouldn’t be so opposed to order. But I guess that’s just what happens when your mother turns tricks behind elephant cages at the circus. ‘Here, Dex, have some more cotton candy!’”

3) “I HAVE THE SPEAKING BALL!”

As you can plainly see, this week was a little light on the quotable or memorable moments. Not to say it wasn’t funny – because it was, at times – but compared to last week, it was noticeably more serious.

Really, this was sort of a bridge episode. It picked up where the last one left off in regard to the continuation of Locus’ talk with the Counselor, and that was the main purpose of most of the installment. Fans were likely curious of Locus’ inevitably devious plans, and this helped shed a little bit of light on them. Still, we were once again cut off before finding out where exactly he was going with his questions. Not because the episode ended, but because Felix came into the room.

Lame.

However, since it was revealed that Locus might be mentally weakened because of the gateway, and also that there might be some friction between the Counselor and Felix, we at least know it’s not all smooth sailing for our friends the Space Pirates.

On the other side of the struggle, Kimball and Doyle (and by association, their armies) were still squabbling, and it became even more apparent that it’s only a matter of time before the two forces join together. The question was always simply how long. “Counseling” (a pun, because of both the counseling session and the discussion with the Counselor) initially made it appear as if their willingness to work together would be postponed yet again, until Doyle complimented Kimball.

To be honest, I always knew Doyle would crack first. (Or, be the bigger person, I think would be a more appropriate description.) But even after he called her courageous, she still wasn’t biting. However, as the battle began, it became clear that their differences would have to be put aside one way or another.

In the end, this episode was a bit of a bummer with its seriousness, but it had to happen. I appreciated the attempts at humor, but even a few of those appeared forced for the sake of keeping things light. I can’t blame the Red vs. Blue guys for trying – and I liked the opportunities to laugh – but perhaps this episode would have been better suited as a completely dramatic installment. (of course then we would have lost the gem-of-a-line in ICYMI #2.)

Still, the bridge did its job, so let’s all move across it quickly to next week, before it’s blown to bits.