English Dub Review: The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi “Goglu Phone Home”; “Terminus Nabiru”

 

 

Overview:

“Goglu Phone Home”

Professor Zarbi and his assistant Benjamin are surprised when they follow up a mysterious phone call, and it ends up being their old foe, Goglu. The alien creature who has caused them so many problems suddenly needs their help after being abandoned on Earth. Zarbi thinks he can assist the extraterrestrial; unfortunately, they are being followed by the less-accommodating Canadian military.

“Terminus Nabiru”

Shrunken by advanced technology, Zarbi and Benjamin find themselves being smuggled onto an alien planet. Thankfully, their abductors are not the most intelligent of beings and find themselves stopped at customs. But, when the professor and his assistant accidentally murder a couple of officers, they find out diplomatic immunity doesn’t exist. And the problems they have created may have an apocalyptic impact on Earth.

 

Our Take:

The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi is well-established as an anthology series. Each quarter-hour episode introduces a new plot with unique circumstances. This format has resulted in the easy criticism on the lack of development for the main characters and world-building. Thankfully, in the second season, Professor Zarbi is taking more risks and addressing these concerns.

These two new episodes continue the story that began in last week’s “The Terminator”. Making this the first trilogy released by The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi. Additionally, the plot includes a character first introduced in the season one finale, “The Space Arcade”. Signifying that the show had intentions of building these more extensive adventures in the early stages.

“Goglu Phone Home” is significant for multiple reasons. Chiefly, it is the first time that Zarbi and Benjamin meet up with a character that we have met in a previous episode. More importantly, it is the first time that the show has had a continuation. The best part about it is that it works.

These episodes add depth to the Zarbi lore, but they also manage to maintain the anthology theme. They still work as a stand-alone piece. One that parodies E.T., evil military, and flying bicycles and all. And a second one that features an airport theme and a battle through customs. They work in tandem as they build to the titular characters exploring outer space. Unfortunately, they never manage to get past customs, which is hilarious enough in itself.

The most exciting part about this trilogy is that the show took the chance to try it. It is successful for multiple reasons, specifically for building larger set pieces and expanding on established ones. Utilizing a former villain is one thing but introducing Benjamin’s mother was overdue.

Speaking on Benjamin, these episodes do lay the groundwork for something much more significant for the character. After being hunted in the previous episode, Goglu explains it because the boy is bred for big things. He has been implanted by the extraterrestrials as a future messiah of Earth. Putting the pieces in place for something even grander in the show’s future.

Not only was this trilogy exciting to watch, but it also made the entire series better. Having more of this background and depth gives context to Zarbi and Benjamin’s other adventures. The smaller journeys will be more entertaining, knowing that bigger things can happen within this universe. Hopefully, we do not have to wait too long for the next trilogy from The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi.