Review: YOLO: Crystal Fantasy “Bush Doof”

 

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Sarah and Rachel find another one of their attempts to let their hair down and have some fun spiral into a considerably more dangerous situation that not only puts their own lives at risk, but the lives of dozens of others. Their escape to a bush doof dance party is supposed to get their minds off of their responsibilities, but Sarah and Rachel get pulled in different directions. Before they know it, a pair of bush wizards are engaging in magical warfare that brings zombies, monsters, and possums into the fray, all while Rachel’s dreams of a yummy t-shirt seem further from reality.

Our Take:

At this point in YOLO: Crystal Fantasy it’s no surprise to see the evergreen bond between Sarah and Rachel get frayed in some significant way. The series has done an excellent job establishing that despite the show’s weird and wild universe, that matters of the heart and relatable insecurities over acceptance and identity are what really drive these episodes forward. So even in an episode like “Bush Doof” where Rachel and Sarah begin as a strong, unified team, it’s not at all surprising when the cracks begin to show and they’re pushed into separate self-serving directions. The previous four episodes of YOLO have greatly tested Sarah and Rachel’s commitment to their friendship, but “Bush Doof” pushes them the furthest in this respect since they’re not only at odds with one another, but they’re actively forced to become enemies. Then again, there’s nothing quite like the allure of a fancy new t-shirt, is there?

No episode of YOLO has been lacking in terms of craziness, but “Bush Doof” is an especially busy entry that really packs a lot into 11 minutes. The premise of Sarah and Rachel retreating to an outdoor dance party is actually rather simple, but the episode catapults from one manic set piece to the next in a way where nobody—whether it’s Sarah, Rachel, or the audience—gets a chance to catch their breath and question the chaos that’s in play.

It’s been interesting to witness how so many episodes of YOLO: Crystal Fantasy revolve around dance parties, yet still manage to cover very different territory. Sarah and Rachel’s impromptu visit to this celebration conjures the energy of Lewis Carroll and Dr. Seuss freebasing bath salts together. Both Rachel and Sarah just want to unwind, but they’re repeatedly confronted with confusing anomalies like Peleeken, Mischief Maker (who fluctuates between looking like a monster and a derelict vagrant). The subtle detail that he’s largely used his trademark dream catchers to fix the car’s wheels is also a nice touch.

 

 

“Bush Doof” trades in massive fatalities, mysterious creatures, and a dangerous feud that’s been thousands of years in the making, yet underneath all of this the episode actually manages to hint at some self-awareness regarding Sarah and Rachel’s friendship. There have been many weird characters that have appeared in YOLO: Crystal Fantasy so far, but it’s pretty amazing that a bush wizard-turned-possum is the one that’s able to so elegantly articulate the dynamic between Sarah and Rachel that keeps them going as friends. Sarah’s ability to consistently tolerate such a toxic personality only reinforces what a kindhearted person she is and how both she and Rachel balance each other out.

“Bush Doof” continues the trend of YOLO: Crystal Fantasy’s incredible debut season that effortlessly combines the surreal with the emotional. The repeated premise of Sarah and Rachel’s bond being tested while they find themselves in some strange party world is nothing new for the series, yet “Bush Doof” doesn’t feel like a retread of past material. The series’ ability to surprise and delight as it remixes its own greatest hits is one of the show’s greatest assets. Much like a possum that turns out to be a bush wizard or a silent disco that’s actually a hostage scenario, YOLO: Crystal Fantasy carries on as this unique entity that’s both familiar and unpredictably original.