Overall a very mixed season.
Starting was bad, got better, stumbled a bit in the middle, ended on a high note.
And damn, that Japanese Mr. Pickles was absolutely hilarious in this episode.
That was entirely unexpected and I like the fact that he was a non-stereotypical character in that particular scene very much.
Light up the Christmas tree with the truth and it will burn brighter (even if they forgot to plug it in).
That huge line of kids wanting to talk to Mr. Pickles was one of the best moments of the show. Jeff Pickles may be emotionally unstable (for "regular adult standards" - whatever that means), but he can relate to children, and children relate to him back. That scene made me realise that this show is, indeed, suitable for children: our inner child, whom the show knows a lot of us have forgotten about and, occasionally, Kidding is trying to connect with that lost, forgotten child.
AND THE MAN FINALLY SNAPPED!! And it was short and epic! Right after Jeff giving sincere praise to Peter, having the stepfather of his kid asking Jeff if he wanted to smoke a joint, after we've watched Mr. Pickles in a previous scene claiming that saying yes to drugs is a big no-no, was the trigger Jeff needed. I have no idea if this show was just a one season affair, but I would love to see more, particularly how Jeff recovers/moves on from hitting Peter hard with his car. But even if the show ends like this, I don't mind it ending with Jeff's long awaited emotional outburst. I found the very last scene to be quite the sweet metaphor, with Jeff at the bottom of Pickle Barrels Falls, looking up, most likely trying to find his way back there, because he had just hit rock bottom.
EDIT: https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/kidding/276910/kidding-season-2-confirmed
Good news! It seems our inner child will continue to be fondled by Kidding next year.
Haha damn, this show is fucked up and I love it. Both the Christmas tree lighting 'Allah Akbar' part, which I died laughing too in the middle of the night, and the end scene with Jeff just ramming Peter. I really enjoyed this show, can't wait for S02.
Amazing!
Just when I thought ”so I guess it's a closure. Shame there won't be season 2”. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE! break down. I feel kinda bad saying it but it was one of the best "oops"es I heard.
From sliced onions at the beginning of the episode to Mr. Pickles-San. The scene of who every puppet is as a character to the endless line of kids waiting (all with sliced onions in their pockets), Seb's "I'm listening" to the Hanukkah candle lighting with the prayer (in hebrew). And the finalle...
I live this show. Jim did an amazing job and so did the other cast members.
I already said it deserves an Emmy, so I'll be looking forward to it.
Can't wait for season 2.
Review by dewdropvelvetBlockedParent2018-12-28T21:50:46Z
This was interesting for a tragicomedy, but I don't think it needs another season. They did everything possible to explore Jeff Pickles grief, asking the question, where does a Mr Rogers-type icon begin, and where does the actual man end? And what are the uncomfortable spaces in-between?
Apparently, those uncomfortable spaces are filled by: Mr. Pickles murdering a parrot that swear too much, a woman with a terminal cancer diagnosis dumping Mr. Pickles when she learns that the cancer is in remission, adults having an affair where talking is done solely through puppets; the sex equally awkward, an adolescent boy trying to fulfill a bucket list his dead twin made, paying the bills of the driver who killed your son, a showcasing of Mr Pickles pop up dolls that say "I'm listening!" and figure ice skaters.
Kidding was a mix between an edgy comedy like SMILF, and a character-driven exploration into insanity like the United States of Tara. But by the end of the series, the originality of the show, and the grief of Mr Rogers (I mean, Mr Pickles) begins to feel monotonous. Mr. Pickles descent into grief is only so interesting, no matter how well Carrey plays the role.