Review: Doomsday Brothers “Hit the Road, Gabe”

 

 

Overview:

The town is throwing a party for Rafe to show their appreciation for his heroics in keeping the town safe. Though, when they try to surprise him, they uncover Gabe getting intimate with a mannequin.

Gabe hits the road ashamed and embarrassed. But, when Rafe crashes his runaway attempt they must work out their differences. Especially as they encounter an old enemy.

Back in town, a powerful new bishop shows up and questions Father Manila’s methods and takes over for him. 

When Bishop Connolly starts harming the townsfolk, the only one left to save them is Father Manila and maybe some cannabis.

Meanwhile, Judith attempts to reboot AENUS with an older AI called PENUS. Unfortunately, the outdated programming makes the AI a patriarchal sexist who will not cooperate with Judith.  

 

Our Take:

Just when you think you are starting to understand this rambunctious little show, it just goes and gets better.

There was serious concern as the series progressed that we were going to fall into a formulaic repetition of storytelling. The likes that work for children’s programming but wear dull when aimed at adult viewers.

Though each episode has had its own theme and direction, there remained the practised scriptwriting that we have seen done thousands of times on so many other animated sitcoms. 

And while that is still present in this episode, because it needs to be, it was not as prevalent and predictable.

It probably has to do with so much going on plot-wise. Typically, that overcrowding of story is a downfall. It tends to separate things and certain plots lack purpose. And while this show could do with cutting out the extra bits with Judith, the remainder can be weaved together quite well.

The bits of the story involving the town are some of the best parts of the show. Especially in episodes such as this one where Gabe and Rafe are doing their own thing and the townsfolk are left to fend for themselves. 

This one just happened to involve a wizard bishop that was defeated through cannabis use (You must love the commentary in that).

After shit-talking the side plots involving Judith locked in a bunker, I do have to admit that this was one of the more enjoyable episodes. Judith is a tough lady and facing her against the sexist AI, PENUS, was a delightful break from the usual escape attempts.

Additionally, PENUS did drop our first major hint at how this world became the apocalypse that it is. Involving aliens may be a bit cliché, though it could work for this show that already features so many versatile mutants. Though the show hasn’t committed to anything yet, and I would predict that they go in a different direction when it comes to origins.

This was the best episode of Doomsday Brothers yet. There is still plenty of room for the show to find itself and improve. But this episode will help to define the groundwork as the series progresses forward. We have met all the players now; it is time for more interesting and diverse storytelling as showcased in this episode.