Review: The Venture Bros. “The Curse of the Haunted Problem”

Get out your kerchiefs and sweater vests, because the bros are back, baby.

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Following last season’s setting shift, which had the Venture family and their indomitable bodyguard, Brock Samson, moving to New York, things have gotten more than a little strange. The Ventures have found their new home possessed by some kind of ghostly computer virus, which is torturing the family in their fully-computerized home, ala “Poltergeist.” Doctor Venture’s realist cynicism chalks it up to nothing more than a computer glitch, but that doesn’t stop Dean from summoning everyone’s favorite necromancer, Dr. Orpheus, along with the Order of the Triad to put an end to the spooky madness.

Meanwhile, Hank is having girl troubles. (When is he not?) He’s dating the daughter of New York supervillain, Wide Wale, and despite his good intentions, is being pushed around by Wale and his henchmen, who do not approve of their relationship. But Hank, ever the persistent one, comes up with a plan. Donning his alter-ego of “Enrico Matasa”, he sneaks into the Wale compound and asks Wide Wale if he can employ his suave skills in the supervillain’s service, hopefully getting him an “In” in the family.

Back at home, shenanigans abound as Dr. Orpheus and the gang try to exorcise the “demon” haunting the Venture building, but things quickly spiral out of control. They, along with the help of Team Venture and Billy Quizboy, manage to find out that its the last piece of the Gargantua space station stored in the building’s lobby, the “Problem” light, that is causing the problem. But when they crack it open, they find a terrible secret that none of them could have expected, which sets us up for next week’s conclusion to this two-parter episode.

Our Take:

At long last, after a two-year drought of The Venture Bros and their gallows humor pop-culture antics, the prodigal sons of Adult Swim have returned. Season seven’s premiere episode continues the show’s seemingly unstoppable winning streak, carrying on where we last left it as if no time has passed at all. Is it good? It’s damn good, but at this point, that kind of quality is the norm, not the exception. If you’re a religious viewer, this episode is sure to satisfy your Venture Bros appetite while leaving you ready for more. If you aren’t already initiated, then welcome to the cult, it only gets better from here.

Jackson Publick’s writing is as witty and sardonic as ever, bringing back that familiar sense of non-stop gaggery that has defined The Venture Bros. for over a decade. The show’s intuitive sense of comedic pacing remains as strong as ever, with lots of chuckle-worthy bits and pieces building to the deliciously dark and absurd final moments of the episode. Yet, it’s not stale, it doesn’t feel like we’re just running through the motions, but continuing a comedic saga that was laying the groundwork to get us here.

Continuity is the name of the game with The Venture Bros., the panacea that has allowed it creates its own genre of animated storytelling and then conquers it. Long-time viewership is greatly rewarded here, with the return of fan-favorite Dr. Orpheus and his “Order of the Triad”, who were sorely missed last season. The episode even makes a callback way back to season 1, taking the “Problem” light from the Gargantua episode and turning that gag into a major plot point in the show’s ever-expanding story. It’s a testament to the longevity of the show that not only did I recognize the “Problem” light from way back in the day, but that I was on the edge of my seat with its reintroduction. When The Venture Bros makes its seasonal returns, you know you’re always in for something good and, almost always, unexpected.

It’s the Venture Bros you know and love, plus a little more. A two-parter episode that’s funny and satisfying to watch. The show’s blend of comedy and story, which crafts a unique animated universe that rivals Marvel’s while simultaneously being a parody of itself, relieves an itch that no one else can scratch. An itch that I didn’t even know I had until I started watching The Venture Bros years ago.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go rewatch the first six seasons.