Review: American Dad “The Curious Case of the Old Hole”

Overview:

Steve and Snot’s extravagant summer plans face an impossible impasse when their secret watering hole turns into a crime scene instead of a place of careless tranquillity. Steve’s lack of confidence in the police to resolve this matter pushes him to desperately turn to alternative, persona-embracing tactics as Wheels and Legman take the case. However, this imaginary detective duo face some very real problems that threaten the dissolution of this genre pastiche.

Elsewhere in Langley, Principal Lewis begins to worry that he’s no longer in the prime of life and struggles to adjust and accept his label of “old.” Lewis’ insecurities cause him to tailspin, which introduces Klaus as a surprising confidant and source of emotional support for this fragile principal.

Our Take:

It’s long overdue for more of this unconventional crime-fighting duo and “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” is a satisfying return to these characters, as well as an episode that actively challenges the storytelling that’s previously surrounded this trope and how it’s been used. The extensive break that followed “A Song of Knives and Fire” didn’t intentionally choose that episode for any specific reason, but “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” is a strong episode for American Dad to return with that celebrates some of the show’s silliest impulses.

“The Curious Case of the Old Hole” actually begins as a patented Steve and Snot story, which is a considerably different affair than Wheels and Legman territory. Roger actively cuts Snot’s story short and doesn’t allow him to take over the story even though the end goal is intrinsically connected to him. It’s an effective commentary over what the audience really wants to watch here. The watering hole catalyst that brings Wheels and Legman into the picture is a smart scenario for their return. What’s even smarter is that Roger doesn’t want to take on this case because he’s worried that Steve is too close to it, which turns into the running concern of the episode. Steve heads down a Bad Lieutenant-like path of darkness while Roger feels betrayed, which is essentially the reverse of how their roles typically play out.

It’s interesting territory for the team to get into, but more importantly it’s a fresh dynamic for this duo that doesn’t just return to them because they’re a fun storytelling device. The use of Wheels and Legman properly heightens the initial premise, but it also reveals gripping truths about each character involved. Another genuine advantage to “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” is that it presents a mystery that’s legitimately strong, compelling, and cleverly comes together. The episode primes the audience to get ready for another last-minute reveal where Roger is somehow the culprit, so it’s a relief when “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” pursues better leads. 

American Dad deserves credit whenever it’s able to stumble upon a new character pairing that’s somehow yet to be explored, especially when it unlocks some unexpectedly rewarding dynamic. Klaus and Principal Lewis is a unique combination that American Dad hasn’t really messed around with before and after the events of “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” it may not become a regular pairing, but there’s still an opposites attract energy that’s at least able to drive this particular episode forward. There can be occasions where characters just feel randomly thrown together in American Dad, which is initially the vibe between Klaus and Lewis’ vacation together. 

American Dad is no stranger to excessive acts of graphic violence and so it’s par for the course when “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” engages in a truly blood-soaked finale. In this case, nature itself rebels and it reclaims the watering hole back from Steve, after all of his work, since it was never really his in the first place. All of this amounts to what’s actually a poignant finish that has something to say among this murderous mayhem and its perpetuated cycle of disaffected violence, but while not feeling forced or ever coming across as preachy. There’s no need for “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” to be anything more than ridiculous American Dad hijinks, yet it still provokes some reflective thoughts. 

Another impressive area of restraint within this installment involves the heavy focus that it maintains on its central players. There’s absolutely zero use of Stan, Francine, Hayley, or Jeff in this episode, nor does there need to be for the stories that “The Curious Case of the Old Hole” tells. It’s appreciated that the episode doesn’t force an obligatory piece of self-aware commentary at the end where the missing characters muse over what everyone else has been doing. It demonstrates a confidence towards the material that the episode does decide to focus on.

“The Curious Case of the Old Hole” is a comforting, nostalgic return for American Dad that may be guilty of “playing the hits” to some extent, but nothing in this episode feels lazy or derivative of past Wheels and Legman exploits. It does lack some of the more well-rounded qualities of American Dad episodes that find something for everyone to do, but it’s hard to complain here. It hopefully won’t be another 150 episodes until the next Wheels and Legman adventure.