Board 8 > The Venture Bros. is a show, and I am watching it.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I didn't really notice Doc was the voice of the outrider guy, but then I can't even remember what the guy sounded like it is immensely forgettable and unexceptional.

S4E8: Pinstripes & Poltergeists

Sounds like either a gangster or a gang will be involved.

Soul talk with 21 and 24 is a worthy alternative.

Brock sighting! He is now with S.P.H.I.N.X. which probably stands for something overly contrived and they just wanted an excuse to run with an Egyptian theme.

I see where the title is coming in, the pinstripes are Monstroso and his superpowers of paperwork, and the ghost is just 24, no scooby gang required. I half expect Monarch to call it off out of sheer boredom. 24 is managing to be even more entertaining post-death, somehow.

...and in no time at all, the other shoe drops, turns out being a supervillain lawyer makes Monstroso qualified to tackle Monarch as well, as 21 informs him while suffering a crisis of his own.

...well that's a dandy location for S.P.H.I.N.X. to be housed XD

Well, I was somewhat right about the organization...why bother making new designs when you can repurpose old ones?

Lots of pretend going around...any or none of it could be true.

So much teasing as to whether 24 is 'real' or not, but either way, 21 got some legit skills somewhere, it is about as creepy as the Sphinx message giver.

Hooooooly balls, speaking of legit skills, 21 is throwing down with the Worf of this show himself, the Brockster?

He loses of course, but he's also still alive, which is more than can be said of anyone else that has met Brock.

They...get all buddy buddy and team up to tackle Monstroso. I approve of this pairing! <3
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S4E9: The Diving Bell Vs. The Butter-Glider

I love all the perspective shots that can be done thanks to this being a cartoon. This opening scene takes great advantage of that with Rusty and the crew being chased by a Cocoon with 21 calling the shots. Finally the twins burst free from their poopsuits. Maybe now they will transform into good characters?

Can't say I am surprised to see a smart gorilla character. Like quite a few characters, he is a bit on the old side. Unlike most characters, he is now the owner of a "Statutory Ape" T-shirt.

"This is the best 10 million bucks we ever spent!" I agree, it is a cool gag, but you guys are still living in that RV, you could have done so much with 10 million! ...is that the same 10 million that was the ransom a while back? XD

21's got some darn reasonable henchmen demands...body armor and retractable wings.

And then he goes full infomercial with a new suit proposal that looks like it could go toe to toe with Iron Man. One of the missile varieties is "Pain Onion".

On the not-villains side of the coin, they all seem to agree that they should do something to see into Rusty's brain. Because practical suggestions are too boring, they want to shrink a submarine and dive around in Mr. Venture's head. All the great sci-fi shows seem to do something like this at some point, so why not now? I can only think of a few handful of problems with this idea, but maybe these guys will be more capable than their seasons 1-3 selves.

"They discover us every other week, I can't keep doing that..." I love that this is a thing that keeps happening.

The Monarch sure does have some..ah...feelings for his Butter-Glider. Dr. Ms. The Monarch is being quite the sensible one here.

I...probably should not be surprised that there are clones of Dean and Hank in a minithing in Rusty's head. Didn't quite expect that, not that I was really expecting anything.

Bwahahah, a strike as a loophole, I love it!

HELPER IS STILL A WALKING EYE <3<3<3

Way too much halfway legit action going on here at the end, it is crazy! Still a fantastic little action tune they've got.

And so, any problems of size are resolved thanks to Rusty now being a giant and somehow not crushing the compound.
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I love the butter glider
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It is the dumbest best thing. Is it a butterfly? Is it a glider? No, it is a Butter Glider and it is coming to insert a wedge in an otherwise somewhat ok marriage near you!

S4E10: Pomp & Circuitry

Dean has now...graduated? Hank, on the other hand, does what I do when I sleep and plugs his ears and covers his eyes. Granted, he has a superscience bed, while I just dislike outside noise and light.

Hank does not get a diploma...either the bed is extra smart, or it just didn't have enough paper/toner/some other common printer issue.

I...love that the extra head on the councilman is an issue for the council of 13. It is so obvious yet something only a deranged person writing the show would realize is a logical consequence of the events that transpired. Or just a deranged person in general, I suppose. Or anyone suitably versed in the nature of cause and effect.

I am appalled at the lack of organization in the filing cabinets. Truckules, Chairman Wow, Mommy Longlegs, Manta Claus, Dr. Gir...Ms. The Monarch, Tigerrific, The Monarch, Phantom Limb, and so on. No apparent rhyme or reason to it! Disgusting! And then there is a different angle with even more names listed, further displaying the lack of order. When are we gonna see Mr. Polygamy or Flying Squid, hmm?

For maybe half a second I considered the possibility that Phantom Limb might not be completely bonkers. There's just no getting around his lack of sanity though, luckily he's somehow still capable despite it. Even diminished, he's more formidable than most.

...how the devil am I only a few minutes in?

"What college do you think is going to accept transcripts from a talking bed anyway?" the big head midget has a point.

Oh hey, Phage, that was another name on the file wall! It has been too long since we've seen Richard too, he just keeps sliding further along with each appearance, it is delicious. Ol' PL's got plans for him though! Maybe they'll both be better off for it! Maybe today is opposite day!

I swear, PL's costume takes off like, 50 years.

I don't normally spot goofs, but I see one now, somehow Hank's got his tote bag on him after tossing it away and causing the electric problem (which is itself a pretty amusing scenario).

Brisby Corp - GCI - Impossible Science Center. Quite the collection of folks misaligned with Venture.

Hank's back to his old hairstyle. Idk what is worse, Hank being accepted into this fake army, or Hank actually holding his own.

Richard gives a speech, meanwhile PL is experiencing some Metal Gear Revengeance style action.

"Did I mention that you also have to be 18" If only Hank hadn't died all those 14 times...
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SovietOmega posted...

"Did I mention that you also have to be 18" If only Hank hadn't died all those 14 times...

haha that part was brutal. like, soul crushing. after watching him pass all the tests and even evade having his mind wiped... they still basically tell him he can't join. ouch.
---

S4E11: Any Which Way But Zeus

I am wondering which Zeus this is gonna be. Disney Zeus, or 'turn into a duck and violate you' Zeus.

One opening scene later, and...the jury is still out.

The ol' 'kidnap strong warriors and make them fight for your amusement' routine. Neat how villain and hero can group up under the right scenarios.

They sure have some funny protocols though.

And the worst best idea award goes to Hatred and the boys, for 'kidnapping' Rusty.

"Stop fighting and fight!" hah

So many theories about Zeus going around the table, general dude rocks the scene.

Shame it isn't the real Zeus, no, just Captain Sunshine: Golden Age. Not that he's truly the villain here, having been locked up as well.

Hah, leave it to henchman 21 to know his numbers.

So, in this episode we learn again that if you are not henchman 21, you're probably dumb.
---

S4E12: Everybody Comes To Hank's

Hank is having waaay too much fun with this job thing. He almost feels like his old self again.

The show is having waaaay too much fun with Hank having too much fun with this job thing. We're Noir Bros now.

Some rich dialogue going on, that hat's got some magical powers or something, because Hank is completely in the zone when he's wearing it.

Still, the show is still the show at heart, like with the bum and dick comment being specifically highlighted by Shoreleave. It is like it is doing my job for me.

"No, I can barely understand Hank, and you're doing it with a speech impediment" Not been a huge fan of Al, but he is on FIRE in this episode paired up with Hank.

Speaking of pairing up with Hank, dude just got seduce'd.

Speaking of pairing up in general...wtf key. Memory wipe machine finally gets a legitimate use of sorts! Unfortunately, due to reasons, it will also erase the other events too. It is just creepy enough that I kinda wish that we could just go back to the noir stuff and have a good laugh. Too many bad things become possible when you can just magically erase thoughts like this...

Hank's too Hank to let a little thing like memory erasure stop him from knowing the important deets though. But wtf portal. We're Cliffhanger Bros now.
---

It's interesting to see your reactions, since you're watching the whole show all at once.

Since there's so much time between seasons, diehard fans like me have watched each season like three times and obsess over every detail. The constant callbacks and elaboration on series canon are some of the show's greatest strengths. I feel like you miss some of that by binge watching the whole series.

Like, that's not just any intelligent ape, that's King Gorilla, Monarch's old cellmate from season one.

One of my favorite characters from season five is literally just an extra plucked from the background and made a main character
---

Oh right, the ape in the prison, I remember him...gosh that feels like forever ago. The series has definitely grown since then.

S4E13: Bright Lights, Dean City

Lots of things not actually happening in the opening scene here, though interesting in that they are potentialities. Like seeing JJ in space with a new Gargantua, a plan discussion a while back.

Naturally, Dean finds himself working for Richard. Not many other choices for a new york location.

"Hank has a store?" More continuity than usually exists between episodes that are not explicitly two parters.

SPAWM. Speed, power, air, water, magic. The w can be wind and weather. This acronym is dumb.

The human torch is powering Richard's building and constantly in pain. Hah. Was wondering what happened to him.

And would you look at that, New York is home to a friendly neighborhood legally-different-than spiderman.

"What if your name starts with no earthly letter?" green thing's got a point.

Mr. Polygamy...now where have I seen that name before XD

Somehow a Dean moment is also a Rusty moment with this spiderguy and music.

Shenanigans happen and now Rusty is lost in a hole, never to be seen again. Dean helps put out a fire.

Venture Bros has an Earth-2, and Rusty's doppleganger is like him, but better. Just another layer to the show that will probably be exploited so long as Fat Chance makes appearances.
---

I like that Rusty immediately tried to kill Earth-2 Rusty and take his place... aaand he fails at it

really highlights how we got the crappy version in so many ways
---

Alright, Dean and Hank got their fun, I wanna see some Rusty time in awesomeville.

S4E14: Assisted Suicide

Knowing what we know from the post credit scene last episode, the title for this already makes a lot of sense. In fact, knowing it makes sense only serves to heighten the anticipation. I wanna see some quality near death experiences!

Aww, it was just The Monarch, darn.

"I'm sure it was the Rush cassette, Dean" Yuuuup

No, they're not doing illegal mind arching, they're having freaky sex. You'd be surprised how often this switcharoo happens in shows like this. I'm just disappointed that the midgets are back in their pupa suits.

Loving AlbinoThanatos hamming every other line up. Why greek gods are a thing now this season though, who can say?

The show is also inching ever closer to there being a Gary/Dr. Ms. The Monarch ship going on. She even does a little cheerleader cheer for him to cheer him up.

The Rusty sure has quite the harem going on. I remember way back in the early days when this show had about 0 attractive women. My how things have changed.

...now Gary and Dr. Ms. The Monarch are bonding over Star Trek of all things.

Still, this little quest through Rusty's mind, while not what I was expecting, is full of some interesting moments and interpretations of the character. Plus, it is more Orpheus time, which has been a bit lacking this season.

And so the day is saved...thanks to Dean and Hank zombies.

Post credits, story time with Rusty, whose life is basically a nightmare.
---

S4E15: The Silent Partners

I can't say I care much about anything going on, turns out Billy and Albino are much more interesting when they're not themselves.

But I can't not point out that SPHINX traveled halfway around the world in jets so that they could use a boat, as if the X-2 is the only boat in the world. More than likely a cheap excuse for some time with the captain this season.

Rather than, idk, any other sea vessel in existence, the team opt for a ship that would have been laughed at centuries ago.

I can appreciate Billy's disappointment at misreading the situation once the truth is revealed. Poor Billy, doomed to medical business, but at least this time it is legal.

"We have a cool job, Shoreleave" At least Brock is around to salvage the episode some.

But I still say this is probably the weakest episode this season, if not the show as a whole. I mean, it isn't bad, I don't regret watching it, but it just didn't do anything for me on practically any level. Too much side characters, and not even a lot of the elements that make the rest of the show great for me. That said, it is also probably one of the most 'real' episodes. Minus a few flourishes here and there, this could be a plot one might see on a live action hero show.
---

can't believe Billy got to have sex with vampires
---

Billy is a lucky boy.

S4E16: Operation P.R.O.M.

"What are you, Vatred now?" Already off to a strong start. Considering the title and targets, I've a feeling this operation will be a bit more literal than most.

As Hunter and friends are flying in the SPHINX base, it just now hits me that I've seen this thing before in the OSI propaganda video that I distinctly remember pointing this thing out on because it reminded me of White Base. It also occurs to me that we never did learn what S.P.H.I.N.X. stands for.

21's 'solve the mystery of 24's death' plot makes some progress, while Sgt. V and Shoreleave have some fun.

You know that this finale is gonna be serious when The Nozzle gets a mention.

As everyone starts mixing together for Prom malarkey, 24 seems to be definitively revealed to be 'real' in this scene here with other dead people. Every other scene I can think of has always been firmly 21's pov or open to interpretation.

In what might be the creepiest thing to happen on this show yet, Rusty learns what some communities have done to his name. It is definitely a dick move, because I was trying to enjoy some food, show.

"Don't tell Secret President" Been waiting for more reference to this.

As Hunter is chatting with the black guy in the cell, I feel like maybe a bit much of Sgt. Hatred's voice is creeping into him, but the same VA and all.

Oh snap, is 21 officially quitting? And perhaps even switching sides? He could legit pal with Brock if that's the case!

"WE MADE OUT ON TOP OF YOU" I almost feel sorry for The Monarch, but he more or less was asking for it.

OSI general dude shoots himself into space because alien tech has a chance at curing penis cancer. It...makes about as much sense as anything else this show's thrown at us, and will possibly retroactively be the cause of a thing or two that have already transpired. Things are not what they seem, after all.

...although that line more aptly applies to those darn prostitutes.

All in all, quite the notes to end an episode on. I'd have felt sorry for anyone who had to wait years before any more progress was made with all these loose ends dangling, begging to be tied up.
---

PROM was such a great episode.

Be sure to watch the Shallow Gravy and Halloween specials before S5. A surprising amount of plot in those

Also, it's occurring to me that you didn't watch the S1 Christmas special.
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Oh...specials before starting season 5? My bacon keeps being saved by random 'oh yeah, watch x before y' comments.

I guess I really should give that Christmas special a watch now given it is now super old.

Season 1 Episode A Very Venture Christmas

Tiny Joseph!

It is a bit striking to go back to the earlier days, both in how much simpler the relationship dynamics were, and in animation quality.

Not actually much I cared about or that was noteworthy either. The series has grown too much since this special aired.
---

Season ? Episode ?: From the Ladle to the Grave The Story of Shallow Gravy

I think this special wins the longest venture bros title award. Very prestigious.

Every Adversary Dies Gloriously

I like how one of the kid names in the yearbook is Sadiq Fibalakrishnan. It is as if they mashed some keyboard letters and ran with the first thing that looked passable.

"I know what you're thinking" *dramatic glasses look* "I invented Karaoke"

"Viceroy" This new SPHINX member has a really blurry face and sounds suspiciously like 21. Odd.

Finally, FINALLY Helper is getting the family recognition he so rightfully deserves. Hundreds dead, but also a cherished robot. I mean, we all know he becomes a WALKING EYE and is basically turned into a background character, but it is good to hear Rusty express something like compassion for the poor thing.

I wasn't really digging the premise behind this special, even with WALKING EYE and all. But then it takes the twist that it was all the boys' writing which helped bump it up a bit. Rusty hearing the family name of Fictel and giving it thought was expertly done too.

And then we get the actual song "Jacket" at the end. It isn't the worst music video I've ever watched!
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a whole day without venture bros. soon that will be my reality forever. but i still have two more seasons before i have to worry about that, so i can still sleep peacefully at night.
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bump, will watch more later
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mariaposting
---

Alright, guys, just gotta bump this for a few more months until Halloween...

...no?

S?E?: A Very Venture Halloween

I wonder what this episode could possibly be about. I demand some sexy cosplay!

Four years ago...

Igor and Dracula...not the worst attempts either. Ketchup and Pepsi is potentially not revolting?

I see what they're doing here, and two years ago was great, obvious, but well executed.

The present day actually gets me for a bit since WE know that these boys have grown slightly compared to the others, so if any year were to break the pattern, it would have been this one. But then it was all a ruse, with Hatred in on it too. Email could still be legit, who knows. How many babby brothers can one body hold? Of all the things to trick Rusty though, it was the normal stuff.

Diggin' the halloweenofied opening.

"I'm a bag of Hank" Yes you are Hank, yes you are.

Meanwhile, Dean is cosplaying as Future Flash somehow. S3 Flash didnt even exist when this aired!

Bwahaha..."So it's ok when YOU do it, but when I do it, I'm racist" It really isn't that great a line, it just caught me off guard in the best of ways. There was even the setup with the star questions and everything.

Toying with people trying to make it to the door, betting on their failure, and a 'Hunchback' which is a ketchup and bourbon mix. Feels like a venture halloween alright.

Ben's kinda OK as a character so far. He's probably gonna die or something. Can't have reasonable people around, it would be weird.

"pleasure toast" um.....k.

Al wants to raise the dead, and minutes ago we were told there were hundreds of dead people on the property....this will definitely end well.

I was all happy I spied Orion in the sky, such an easy constellation to spot irl, but then the characters have to go and comment on it too :(

"SUPER FUCKIN RUN AWAY!"

..........Santa?!?! Silly amounts of animation budget on these zombie scenes too.

Oh, the master. Finally, sense is restored to this tale about clones and zombies and toying with the lives of kids who just want candy.

"It is the night we discover who we truly are!" As Dean is walking home because clones. I almost feel like Dean got a dose of reality, but then "Beer tastes like pee pee" knocks that house of cards down, although it very well could have been a front for Hank's benefit.

All in all, a pretty standard episode with some sprinkles of future plot tossed in.
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happy halloween
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S5E1: What Color Is Your Cleansuit

Finally season 5 proper.

Oh right, there was that whole cliffhanger of an ending. That somehow completely slipped my mind with the specials and span of time between now and then.

That and every other dangling plot thread too. It is like the specials might as well have not existed. Most notable is SPHINX being turned over to 21 because all the other people in it were invited back to OSI because of what happened with Hunter last time.

Even though Dean's gone emo on us, he's still a goof at heart, as his daydreams about this new chick indicate.

If I were waxing poetic, I could liken it to how the show is at large, for here we have this Gargantua 2 shield plot that is being treated with some odd mixture of seriousness and comedy. Fairly important milestone in their life, but here's Rusty rustling up college slave labor while Hank is plugging his store.

Dr. Ms. The Monarch doesn't know about Game of Thrones. And here I was thinking for some of this time that she was a good character! (but it is neat that the show is now in an era this side of the decade line where references like this are more in vogue)

"He's not a ghost, he's an intern, and he's out of phase!" I appreciate that it actually looks as creepy as Hatred makes it sound, which makes the normality Rusty treats it with that much more rewarding.

The short bowl hair'd money person has the most annoying voice in that it is so transparently a hank voice except the pitch is constantly rather than occasionally lowered and the cadence is slightly more measured.

Student green...too obvious, but I guess that's what happens when you mix radiation and lack of any safety with interns and mix. An underclass of cannibals and a second class of people with two too many arms.

I don't blame Dean for messing up telepathy, what teen wouldn't have similar thoughts under similar circumstances? Telepathy should really come with mental filters as standard, it is the only way it would ever work irl.

21 takes charge, and everyone lets him. Wow. Makes sense, as what better way to fight mutant geeks with the supreme geek on this show? Not that they would see it that way, but it could have been no other way. Literally people who can 'read' that 'language' jeez...

It is about this time that I realize that far longer than 22 minutes have passed, sneaky Venture Bros decided to be a double episode. No wonder plot had some chance to develop.

Now Courtney and a big scary guy have to fight.

"Eat the pennies!" - Billy's nemesis and best friend. Pretty sure 100 pennies would kill someone. Prime opportunity for Ghost Lincoln to appear though.

"Don't take this as an insult, but working for you and The Monarch, it's kinda the same" Line of the episode right here. Too too true.

The rest of the episode is basically just literally everything being stirred in one massive dome of a pot, like what always happens.

"Hey, why do you still have tits?" At least it has the decency to not answer every question.
---

.
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no venture tonight. should be some tomorrow though.
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S5E2: Venture Libre

Dean's gonna be emo for this season, isn't he. Yet he's still Dean under the surface, this sort of half character development is weird.

Helper is not happy being a Walking Eye, which is easily the most unrealistic thing yet seen on this show. How? It is impossible. But Dean can relate a bit.

The rest of the team goes on an adventure to south america to stop a flop. Will be paid for out of pocket by middle fingers. This general doesn't give and quarter.

...that got out of hand real quick XD

Syntax is a little hard to parse, but it seems like Venturestein is saying that superscience loves jungles so much that it was easy to make an army of experimental things. And their demands for the hurt science to be stopped is more than reasonable, really.

All the while, Hank gets a bit jacked up on coffee and nature.

"They called us abomination, and together we build abomiNATION" The nation of URGH, to be exact. Such unexpectedly strong wordplay from Venturestein!

Hank gets so jacked up, he's basically this episode's Brock, handling the jungle patrol. And then Venturestein turns out to be a batman fan too XD

I love how Hatred's desires crumble instantly the second reality kicks in.

*cracks knuckles* "Yeah, I can fix this"

Sadly, he can not, for in the post credit scene, Helper is no longer a Walking Eye :'(
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Hank finally going full Batman and taking on an entire army of superscience jungle mutants is one of my favorite things

also I think Dean fixing helper is an understated great moment as well
---

Both moments were a long time coming, yeah. I liked how Dean, in wanting to be less like his father, ended up taking steps that made him more like him. Hank similarly, took steps to be more like his hero Brock (which stretches disbelief, but belief is barely an afterthought in a show like this...as long as it is reasonably consistent with itself, it's fine).
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bumP?
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S5E3: SPHINX Rising

Sounds like we're in for some 21 focus. Bring it!

Strong opening...poor 21 trying to be a hero, but flubbing it up some. He's basically a main character with credentials like that (also, wtf kind of name for a crime group is Long Division? I mean, I know many people who would consider math the enemy, but not literally!)

"READY THE ACID MAGNET" Even with about .5 seconds to process 21's juuuust said before this comment, who didn't expect this from The Monarch?

"JETTISON THE LUNCHROOM!" I am supremely enjoying 21 narrating this encounter.

Or 'Viceroy' as he seems to prefer being called now. You're a riot, 21. Hank's 200% on board with it though, he was in SPHINX once too, y'know! His record speaks for itself!

Scooby-doo mask scene with The Monarch and Dr. His Wife is weird, the visuals still...match their voices way too well, it is creeping me out.

I wasn't really feeling the whole Destiny gag, but then Hank bursts into the scene in a golden female egyptian ninja getup, and kinda forces me to acknowledge how all-in they went on setting that up.

"Totally forgot it was a strength suit" I was gonna comment on how Hank spent all episode just posing in that rather than doing anything (a kind of commentary of the role of women in the kinds of shows this is spoofing), but then this happened. Such a Hank move.

Monarch has found a photo of him as a kid playing with baby Rusty. I smell a revisit to his origin story. Good heavens that was eons ago.

Interesting how Brock just decides maybe 21 is cool enough to have this...murder weapon that would be evidence in court. I am trying to parse if that was meant to be a setup, or if Brock thinks 21 getting credit for wiping out SPHINX Commander would be a net positive.

It all wraps up with explosionsx2. Poor floating SPHINX HQ, you will be missed.
---

SPHlNX
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S5E4: Spanakopita

It is the little things that make this show what it is...like Hank still wearing that countess getup XD

(all commentary from this point on will be replaced with Spanakopita!)

Spanakopita!

Spanakopita! Spanakopita!

Spanakopita!

Spana...ok, you get the idea. I get the idea. We all get the idea!

Still, this might be the most menacing St Cloud's been yet. I almost might be able to overlook his voice if he keeps going the way he is.

And if the women's kids' hair color is any indication, Rusty isn't the only Venture member whose had fun on this island.

...and then the animation suddenly changed o__o

Billy's got some crazy higher dimensional dreams going on. Yet only some of the people are rendered so. It really is quite surreal, and I am not sure I've seen a blending quite like it.

The rest of the episode is pretty normal by Venture Bros standards. There IS no Spanakopita, I kinda had a feeling. Somehow this grew into a fond memory for Rusty...is that because he really did have fun, or does it just shine in comparison to all the other stuff he's been forced through.

The rising sun bit was well done too...Albino = Vampire for sure.

"There's always next year, right?
"No ****ing way!" "No ****ing way!"
---

Spanakopita is such a great episode. Top 5 for sure
---

It had a solid flow to it, so much so that it was over before I knew it. It might not have been the wittiest episode, but it had a hefty amount of heart. Poor Rusty...

S5E5: O.S.I. Love You

A romance plot with Brock featuring a followup to last season's cliffhanger's cliff hanger plot threads now with more boat.

Show's also playing around with nonlinear storytelling, begging the viewer to ask questions like 'how did the face cut happen' or 'how did a simple capture get messed up? and for what reasons?'

My money is on all of the answers being 'Molotov'.

"Only now he doesn't die when he jumps off the roof" You know, there really has been an unusual amount of male/female intersections outside the norm throughout the show. Hank in that suit, Hatred with two boob shaped problems, Dr. Ms. The Monarch's voice/body, and vast amounts of Hunter's storyline. Just one of those things that can more easily happen with cartoons, I suppose.

Speaking of blurred lines, howabout this conversation mixing that has been carefully crafted to make sense despite all reason not to. Some casual misdirection thrown in too, because why not?

Why hello there, minority report.

Also, gotta say, Molotov has improved so much from her first appearances. The running around in underwear doesn't hurt either.

Speaking of hurt...Hank has destroyed The Nozzle.

Somehow, I did not foresee the stealing of the suit....there was even the golden fortune too (and even a different golden character earlier for misleading purposes).

....ok, so the suit into the turbine was way too obvious, but the investors sure did pull a fast one on me. What a way to end the episode. They even had the goofy third tagging along as a newbie. These guys mean business, a clear contender for 'most competent villain' with only Phantom Limb able to put up a fight. Although, less villain, and more doing what is needed to get their job done, whatever their job actually was. Even as they reveal themselves more, I realize they are still largely an enigma. I expect to see more of them eventually.
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S5E6: Momma's Boys

This might just be the most stupidly normal episode yet. Landline conversations, Teddy Ruxpin misinterpretation by Rusty, all adding up to pretty normal family drama except this is not a normal family so it is kinda weird. Do clones even really count as family?

Dean's explanation of how not-that-crazy Rusty's actions are via highlighting various events we've witnessed over the seasons was a delight.

More 21 can only make this episode more better.

...is 21 being serious here? Is the episode really gonna sell the person behind the voice of Ruxpin as a supervillain XD

...I don't even care any more what this episode is about, can the rest of it just be Hank Hank and his crew of definitely criminals describing themselves?

Or Dean's possible mother could be in the episode, at once raising the stakes and also possibly leading to creepytown.

This episode aired on or around Mother's Day 2012, didn't it...

Orpheus too! Dermott has venture brother presence according to Big O.

Priceless look on Hatred's face when confronted by the real Ted, just when he was going to admit the truth about that one abduction that happened that one time.

It really is weird to have Dermott confirmed as technically a Venture. I still don't really care for him as a character, and now there will undoubtedly be more of him to come.

And how the bloomin' hell can they understand Helper? XD
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Whoops, knew there was something I was forgetting to do today. Got a bit too addicted to other tasks. Will resume tomorrow.
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S5E7: Bot Seeks Bot

I want to say that the only good clown is a dead clown, but this one is dead, and it still isn't very good. Kudos to the show for combining the two elements of 'clown' and 'funeral' though, that's definitely a niche pick. Funeral March clown style was a highlight of the scene.

Vendata seems to be the focus of this episode...his V hat makes me think Venture, I wonder if they'll comment on that.

...three seconds later, it is revealed that Venture Industries built him.

Meanwhile, the poor tech dude is desperately trying to not look at classified intel. Until he's forced to look at a cra...guildlist ad for romance. I see where this episode is heading, blah.

Ghost Robot gets some more screen time, and at least we get some more Council gags. They're always good for a laugh. "I'm on the moon!" *is right next to everyone next scene* indeed.

...ok, I admit, I didn't think robot date would be great, but this pretty quickly exceeded expectations. One doesn't eat, and the other only eats a special paste, negating the whole premise of dining out. Ghost Robot can even do a wink by blinking one of his eye lights...I love that way more than I should.

"Gasp. It is true." I will never tire of robot voice.

And so the day is saved by The Monarch and Guild Law...did not see that coming at all.

Speaking of not seeing coming...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybXrrTX3LuI

Yup...

Even when something is clearly set up, this show is still a master at ensuring it will turn out contrary to expectations. Like, I assumed that the gag might have been that it wouldn't drop because it always drops in everything else, but then WHAM. Right in the Venture. Even with Brock's 'what's the monarch gonna do' statement. Amazing.
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Man I forgot how short the later seasons are. Only one episode (and a special) left in S5
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S5E8: The Devil's Grip

I guess Rusty's going to HFIL, then. Good odds on getting some followup on the Investors, I bet.

The Venture Bros, in the meantime, get new homes with the older venture crew.

Oh...he's still alive.

...how?

"What can I tell you, I spend most of my childhood in a supersonic jet" I am starting to wonder if Rusty does not have some kind of 'slightly better than normal survivabliity' superpower. Nice reference to kidneys though, boy that takes me back.

Beautiful scene with Rusty and The Monarch getting some bonding time after several unsuccessful tortures and a lack of rescuers. The crushing weight of their reality zapping all the joy of their adventurous roles.

I almost forgot this was the season ending episode, it was fairly normal Venture stuff until Uncle Vatred bust out the tank.

"Who the **** is Gary?"

Post credit, the Clone biz fiiiiiiinally comes out, and it wasn't such a big deal in Hank's view, surprise surprise. In true Venture Bros. fashion, everything gets shook up a bit while not fully being resolved.
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ooh boy. Special time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzRvdWH3R_0

Watching this trailer is probably the most hyped I've ever been about a TV show
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That looks like it has just about everything in it.

I knew the Gargantua 2 special was next, but it really does look like it is gonna put the 'special' in 'venture bros. special'.

And then season 6 to follow, followed by an eternal wait.
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one more thing before I go to bed.

Be sure to watch the Gargantua-2 epilogue on Youtube after the special. I think it's only on the Adult Swim YT page, but it's very important for setting up S6
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Yeah, it's weird as hell that they didn't include that with the actual episode.
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nice! you're finally up to the recent stuff.
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Quite so. Feels nice being on current footing with a show.

Was planning to watch Gargantua 2 tonight, but got sidetracked.

I am expecting good things when the time comes, though.
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All This and Gargantua 2

"You must have FAITH!" "Somebody's coming!" "run" Love the integration with the Monarch homecoming scene we've already seen.

On this series where special ops people can go halfway around the globe just to use a boat, suddenly it seems like everybody and their grandma has a spaceship. Not that I am complaining, you WANT there to be lots of spaceships in a episode taking place in space, but it does highlight that this is a universe with a bit more science than ours, superly so.

Also, gotta point out the A+ lighting they have going on with this scene with Brock...I am pretty sure I've seen animated movies that haven't looked this good. Venture Bros has come a loooong way.

I kinda expected the council to be targeted when they were all carpooling in the date episode, but here they are, being picked off one by one. More dramatic this way, tbf.

Meteor/Meteoroid/Asteroid/Satellite Majeure is quite the convenient place to have with there being a Gargantua 2 on team good guys. Makes me think of all the Gundam I've watched, but on a smaller, less competent, scale.

"PHANTOM LIIIIIIIIIIMB" and now, somehow, The Monarch wants to go to space too. All the cool people (and people in general) are doing it. The ones that aren't are either dead or Dr. Orpheus, who has yet to make an appearance.

...and there go the rest of the council, with the possible exception of Dr. Ms. The Monarch with the aid of the Guild Resistance.

On the subject of death, JJ's dying. And it appears the Investors have some silly anti tech trope surrounding them.

Ah, here's Orpheus, paling around with Hared. 21 knowing the compound as well as he does is a treat too. As is The Monarch knowing how to 'think like a Venture'. Who needs skills when you can just press a red button and go?

All that training with Killinger has paid off...some fantastic use of their combined abilities is put on display as Gargantua 2 gets taken over by the Revenge Society. I could remark on the competency of it, but it IS a plan backed by both Phantom Limb and The Sovereign reinforced by Killinger.

...and because this is Venture Bros, it is all apparently to rob a casino. The casino that is for some reason a thing on a super science space station.

"I don't believe it, I've been double crossed...possibly triple" There are quite a few tangled webs somehow, I'm sure fans have parsed them all out by now though.

I was tempted to just let the mixing of all the elements happen as it always does...hulks hulking, asteroids ray shielding, fire trucks crashing, but then the Investors went full Sith with lightsabers. Wut.

"Ah, I think my my hips are broke, I'll only slow you d-" *is scooped up by a robot* Such a fast moment, but such a fun subversion.

So...all this Investor hype these last couple seasons and Killinger just takes them out, as some kind of superior 4th kin? It is a bit much, but it is Killinger, so I guess it's ok.

"Haha, sweet, The Monarch is on the Council of-" "not you"

Then a funeral happens wherein Rusty learns about a New York Inheritance. I am assuming this is the epilogue that was mentioned. It was packaged in with the episode I watched.
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SovietOmega posted...

So...all this Investor hype these last couple seasons and Killinger just takes them out, as some kind of superior 4th kin? It is a bit much, but it is Killinger, so I guess it's ok.

This show is always setting up big world-changing elements and then knocking them down. It's practically a series staple at this point.

Look at the ORB. So many fans were pissed off at that.
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Yeah, ORB was hilarious.

I guess that would mean the plot is as inept as the cast, which is perhaps too fitting, and also means that characters get to survive. Sometimes.
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SovietOmega posted...

I was tempted to just let the mixing of all the elements happen as it always does...hulks hulking, asteroids ray shielding, fire trucks crashing, but then the Investors went full Sith with lightsabers. Wut.

all the lightsaber battle stuff just happened in their minds, if it wasn't clear. it was a psychic battle.

SovietOmega posted...

"Haha, sweet, The Monarch is on the Council of-" "not you"

love that part

DeepsPraw posted...

This show is always setting up big world-changing elements and then knocking them down. It's practically a series staple at this point.

Look at the ORB. So many fans were pissed off at that.

hah, yeah. although it doesn't bother me too much. I like the idea that not everything needs to be some major thing. sometimes stuff just ends. sort of like in real life. the fact that both heroes and villains in this canon are also capable of making mistakes and screwing stuff up is another element which reinforces that fact for me.
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MariaTaylor posted...

all the lightsaber battle stuff just happened in their minds, if it wasn't clear. it was a psychic battle.

Yeah, they showed them doing mind stuff when other folk entered the scene, but I was a little uncertain if the intended thrust was that it was all a psychic battle, or just a mind fight at the tail end. Either way, Killinger is not one to be messed with, as every scene he has ever been in has demonstrated time and time again. If he has weaknesses, they've yet to be shown.
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