Overview (Spoilers Below):
Beef does everything possible to avoid celebrating his birthday.
Our Take:
It’s always joyful to celebrate one’s birthday, including ours. Although, not everyone is in the right mood to celebrate this occasion. Sadly, that includes Beef, who wants nothing to do with his birthday. Why’s that? Well, it’s because he fears being the center of attention.
The episode consists of Beef feeling anxious about his family celebrating his birthday when he finds out what they’re planning. Beef’s so worried that he hallucinates himself in his birthday suit sitting on the toilet in front of everyone. Funny enough, the family plans on getting him a heated toilet seat. So what does he do to avoid this dilemma? By getting himself thrown in jail for breaking one of the town’s strangest laws.
This brings me to the episode’s humor: the laws in Lone Moose. The town has some of the strangest rules I’ve ever heard, including the law stating it’s illegal to grill outside, which got Cashier Pete arrested. There’s also one where it’s illegal to whisper in a chief’s ear, which Beef broke to get himself in jail. But, of course, these laws are part of the bizarre charm that catapulted The Great North to success. Some of them were hilarious enough to get me questioning why they made these ridiculous laws.
The episode also shifts away from the usual secret birthday surprise plot to focus on Beef encountering Cousin Danica, who once took Beef and the family hostage. Danica, who’s also working with Pete, breaks out of prison and takes Beef on a crime spree, starting with the Lone Moose bank. This change helps the episode become less formulaic, showcasing Beef’s fear of being the center of attention. Beef assumes that the kids never throw him a surprise party every year, so he attempts not to get his hopes high whenever his birthday arrives. This similar fear also affects Pete, as he’s worried that he doesn’t deserve to have sex with a girl he likes.
The scenario does sound odd at first, but then it becomes clear after learning more about Beef’s secret, which allows the family to understand his feelings. That alone helps “Pa-shank Redemption Adventure” provide enjoyment and charm in its humor and heart. The town’s seemingly idiotic laws were a good highlight of the episode regarding the comedy, including the one involving giving beer to the wildlife. Additionally, Wolf continues to be a joy to watch throughout the season, especially when he’s doing his Italian accent. The episode is definitely worth celebrating as long as it’s not in its birthday suit.