Review: Housebroken “Who’s Wild?”

 

 

Overview:

Wanting to shake things up in the group therapy sessions, Honey decides to invite an anxious raccoon she catches snooping through the trash. Unfortunately, the backyard animal is far too wild for the domesticated pets. And Honey must learn that she cannot help everyone.

Meanwhile, The Grey One wants to prove his own ferociousness by challenging the raccoon to a street fight. But when humans see the cute cat is in trouble, he finds himself in a rescue adoption.

Also, with Tabitha reaching old age, her owners have supplied her with a new senior diet. Prompted by the group’s latest recruit, she too wants to prove herself a capable beast. Unfortunately, her spry hunting days are long behind her.

 

Our Take:

That is officially three episodes down for Fox’s latest adult animated sitcom, Housebroken. Although three may seem like an arbitrary number, it does carry much weight for television. For most ongoing series’, the third season is a definitive one in defining the show’s lasting power. More topically, three episodes is a necessary amount for getting a complete feel for any new sitcom.

Openly, Housebroken is not going to be the next big thing. In the same breath, this new series is not to be overlooked either. 

While it may steam through at the middle of the pack for adult animated television, Housebroken is doing unique things that should give it some relevance in a growing market.  

The comedy has timeless energy. Anyone who has owned a pet will find the humour of exploring these animals innermost thoughts. Additionally, the incorporation of the therapy theme gives this series bearing in the modern era.

Though the magic ticket for Housebroken may be in its format. This series may have cracked the formula that many other shows have been attempting recently—a blended recipe of stand-alone episodes and more extensive anthology storytelling. While sitcoms like The Simpsons have pushed themselves further away from ongoing cannon, new hits like Big Mouth have found themselves doubling down on bigger plots. Both formats have their ups and downs, but other shows like Rick and Morty discover the power in a balanced approach.

This episode managed to showcase the format balance that Housebroken will carry through. As a stand-alone, this piece worked to define a theme, tell multiple stories within it, and include elements of the more significant stories at hand. And for the most part, the episode concludes with everything going back to that staple status quo, but with some strategic character growth for key players.

A significant tell that this series has potential is that each of the three available episodes has improved in quality. This was, by and large, the best edition to the season yet. Much of that may have to do with the theme of involving a lovable but wild raccoon. The series also shows its strength of having a large ensemble cast with the likes of Lisa Kudrow, Jason Mantzoukas, Clea DuVall, and Will Forte.

So, Housebroken may not break the boundaries for adult animation, but at least there is something to enjoy from every episode. Even if one character or element may not be your particular flavour, there is enough content packed into each piece that it is easy to disregard. It is exceedingly early to make any predictions on this shows lasting power, but it should be a fun ride no matter how long it lasts.