Season Review: The Freak Brothers Season Three
Overview:
The Freak Brothers, based on the underground comic The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, has returned for a third season on Tubi.
Our Take:
Things start out with a two-parter, “Colombia,” which sees the Freaks’ shop, and their stash, get robbed, leaving them at the mercy of the Asian mafia. Thanks to a tip, however, they head south of the border to restock their supply. Throughout the story, Freddy seems to make things worse with every step, even causing their plane to crash. Thanks to this, he feels like Franklin and Phineas might be interested in replacing him.
Things take a turn when their contact, Joe, ended up exaggerating his connections: namely, his mother, who was a kingpin’s maid who has gotten into trouble herself. However, Freddy might finally prove his worth when he has been mistaken for a legendary dead kingpin known as “El Blondo.” Of course, he doesn’t have the information that those around him want, but that just might be what will keep him alive, especially with a scheming mistress out for blood.
Through it all, Freddy wants to prove himself, upset that Franklin and Phineas think that he manages to work things out due to sheer luck. After another mistress with a special tattoo and a wedding from hell, Freddy finally gets to prove himself when he pretends to destroy riches that could save the Freaks, all keeping them safe and sound in a way he knows best.
Following this, fans are treated to another two-parter, “Freak to the Future.” the brothers are still adjusting to the world, what with their 1960s origins. When a portal opens up in their shop, they find themselves being able to go through time. They soon find themselves in the Los Angeles of the 1980s. Initially not wanting to cause any paradoxes, things might already be too late for that when Kitty has somehow already become a movie star.
Franklin finds himself having a romantic fling with Glenn Close, who seems to be in method acting-mode from Fatal Attraction. She’s not the only one, with Phineas meeting Michael Douglas, who prefers to be called “Gordon Gekko.” However, Phineas, the Freak most worried about the butterfly effect, decides a little time-travel for profit might not be such a bad idea. After all, with enough interest, five dollars can end up going a long way.
Unfortunately, power and money aren’t always the best combination, with Phineas eventually becoming a cross between a dictator and a cult-leader. Sure, making yourself the sole figure on Mount Rushmore sure is tempting, but dressing everyone in overalls is kind of pushing it. And turning people into donkey satyrs is just overkill.
Seeing what the world has become, Franklin is tempted with killing Phineas for the greater good. While it seems like Frankin is able to finally get to Phineas, he proves that he really has gone off the deep end, using him to fish out the rebels and ordering the deaths of the other freaks. Fortunately, having Glenn Close at her most deadly, as well as Kitty, on their side, ends up saving Franklin and Freddy in time. Still, there is only one person who can really get to Phineas. And that is Phineas. Good thing for time travel duplicates.
The season then ends with two standalone stories. In the first, “ICE ICE Baby,” Chuck and Charlie, who recently became ICE agents, end up sending Freddy, Gretchen, and Harper to Alcatraz. Franklin and Phineas try to orchestrate a rescue mission, but getting themselves arrested is easier said than done, at least until their IDs make it look like they are undocumented.
The episode isn’t exactly subtle. Still, seeing all the characters come together to come up with a plan is impressive, especially when it involves a K-pop dance number. Of course, it’s a little unclear how framing a mayor for being an undocumented immigrant gets a family out of jail, but at least everything works out in the end.
Things come to an end with “Dr. Dooblittle.” With the first episodes giving Freddy and Phineas focus, it’s finally Franklin’s time to shine. Franklin finds himself being able to talk to animals, hence the title, finally allowing another Freak to understand Kitty. Like everyone in this day and age, a new ability means another chance at viral fame. And the Freaks could use it, especially as their shop isn’t doing too well financially.
During a podcast, Franklin is able to prove himself, but, after becoming a viral star, he realizes his new ability is a temporary one. Fortunately, it turns out that a joint is what gives people the gift of gab. The real issue, however, seems to come from fighting between the Freaks.
Franklin hopes to get an answer from his new forest friends. Of course, the food cycle proves that talking animals don’t necessarily act like they do in Disney films. Still, when things get at their darkest, it’s also when things especially go viral, which ends up saving the shop. Ending things on a happy note, Franklin wishes the viewers a fond farewell until the next season.
This season was a quick one, lasting only around six episodes, with the first two split into two-parters. Thanks to this, it’s easy to watch in one quick go. The two-parters are strong with some big moments, but they can sometimes feel like they drag on and might have worked better as standalone stories.
All in all, things can feel a bit rushed at times. For example, “Dr. Dooblittle” feels like it’s setting up a twist with talking to animals, but even Franklin losing his ability gets resolved within a matter of seconds.
The show continues to boast its star-studded cast. Tiffany Haddish really helps steal the show as Kitty, but all the actors do a great job.
The season really ramps up the toilet humor, especially in the first few episodes. Blood and gore is also cranked up in the season’s finale, especially with some bloodthirsty woodland creatures around. In other words, this is a show that knows its going for a digital release, and not broadcast, and makes use of it.
