Review: Corner Gas Animated “Plots and Plans”

 

 

Overview:

Oscar is surprised to find out that he doesn’t have a burial plot beside his wife on top of the hill. He attempts to move some bodies around to make room until Davis stops him. With no other option, Oscar sells Emma’s plot so they can rest next to one another. But when she finds out, she’s not happy. So, they are going to have to find the owners of both hilltop plots.

Meanwhile, the gas station has become crowded with storage. Lacey convinces Brent that it is time to build an extension. When Hank and Wanda help to plan the construction, the owners get overly ambitious and forget their minimal budget.

 

Our Take:

Corner Gas Animated is heading into a little bit of a break. The final two episodes of the series will be airing on October 25 and November 1. Unfortunately, had the show not been cancelled, we would be celebrating a season finale right now. Instead, we will take it as a mid-season break as we await the last episodes of this great Canadian franchise.

Even with over 150 episodes released about this little gas station in rural Saskatchewan, Corner Gas is as poignant as ever. If nothing else, this series carries a level of consistency when it comes to its formulaic storytelling and conversational humour.  

This episode features some timeless Corner Gas plots, specifically with Oscar attempting to find a burial plot beside his wife. Always the grump, Oscar shows true signs of compassion in moments like these when he wants to be beside Emma. Additionally, it is characteristic of him to try to dig up some bodies instead of doing things directly. But that is why he and Emma make such a great couple, is because she does get these things done.

The other main plot puts Brent between his worst fear of spending money and his fantasy world of having his dream office. It is the same Brent we have always known, pinching pennies until he gets distracted by exuberance. And his desires get the best of him when it comes to a potential ball pit and zip line.

One of the biggest draws of this series is the growing collection of guest star appearances. This season has already offered the likes of Rick Mercer, Simu Liu, and Steven Page. For this new episode, Corner Gas brought in legendary actor Kim Coates. The short cameo features Coates reprising his role as a biker, much akin to his Sons of Anarchy role. Although this time around, he has a talking Oscar tattoo.

Truthfully, Tara Spencer-Nairn stole this episode. Her character, Karen Pelly, is lighthearted about her name becoming synonymous with a particular type of middle-aged woman. Although when she gets the word around town, it backfires on her. She spends the rest of the episode trying to make other names the butt of the joke.  

There is a lot to love about this episode. It always makes for a unique piece when a lot is going on. And this episode gave many of the characters more than one thing to do. With every great new edition, it is getting harder to swallow the pill that it is almost over. Thankfully, there are still two new episodes on the way.