Review: Doomsday Brothers “In Rafe We Trust”

 

 

Overview:

A drought has caused the town of St. Zephyr to run out of drinkable water. Causing Rafe and Gabe to reach unexplored territories in search of a new supply. But that also means encountering new creatures.

A parasitic insect, Gord, has attached itself to Rafe’s brain. Gord asserts itself as a messiah here to help Rafe find water and his mother. 

Soon enough the whole town believes in Gord’s guidance and follows him on a religious exodus. However, Gabe and Father Manilla are not so convinced and hope to save their friends from this newfound cult.

Meanwhile, Judith’s drinking has gotten out of control. AENUS hopes giving her a new religion will help to give her new purpose. Although, when she chooses to follow the ways of the Amish, it means that she has to give up modern technology, including AENUS.

 

Our Take:

Here is a little fact: Rick and Morty, arguably the most popular adult animated series currently running, is partially animated in Canada. Bardel Entertainment, also known for Teen Titans Go, and Solar Opposites, is located in Vancouver, BC.

That is what makes Doomsday Brothers such a valuable series for Canadian animation. This show that is produced, distributed, and even recorded bilingually in Canada, is saying a lot about the local industry. That we can make these high-quality products in our own backyard. There is no need to wait for American talent and money. Canada is just as capable of producing primetime animation.

This was an episode that highlighted just how comparable Doomsday Brothers is to the heavy hitter of the industry, Rick and Morty. In May of last year, Rick and Morty released “Promortyus” which also featured parasitic mind-controlling creatures. For context, Doomsday Brothers would have been too far into production on this episode for that to be a direct inspiration.

Sure, brain parasites are not a completely original concept for either of these shows. It is something that appeared in many science fiction stories of old, comic books, and does occur in nature. However, both animated shows can take this loose idea and expand upon it in their own directions. Each of them could be considered equally creative and fitting within their genre.

It is an exciting moment in the early moments of this episode when the parasite, Gord, appears. It is instantly recognizable for what it is and delivers a promise of a familiar theme. Although things get unexpected quickly when the true theme of religion begins to take form.

Rafe as a messiah is a ridiculous enough idea to play with for comedic moments. Never mind adding the impressionable townspeople into the mix. The same townspeople who followed a false religious leader already once this season.

The episode even makes the tactful decision of leaving the more reasonable characters like Danica and Ana absent. Leaving the more ignorant players to follow Gord and Rafe blindly, while Father Manilla steps up his aggression substantially.  

Unfortunately, there is the glaring continuity error ingrained in this episode’s foundation, the drought that caused this whole debacle to begin with. The previous episode “St. Zephyr’s Day” featured a thriving water source that must be accessible considering the number of times it gets visited. 

This is a minor oversight that could have been remedied easily with a line referencing Rafe’s uncomfortable last visit to the waterhole. However, as the series develops further into its anthology plot, these little inconsistencies could cause issues for the viewers.

Regardless, Doomsday Brothers is giving it all in the second half of the first season. Each episode released during this back end has offered a well-defined theme, unique storytelling, and the ambitious artwork that is defining the show. As we approach the final episodes the value of a second season is becoming more apparent. The series is already acting like it has learned from its mistakes and getting to be a well-oiled machine in ways other shows stumble to find within their first few years.