[7.3/10] This is a fun, low-key episode after some of the bigger firework and theatrics of the first half of the season. I like the triptych storytelling, and how each slice of the episode features some experienced member of this regularly scheduled insanity tutoring some young babe in the woods through their first arching experience.
The funniest of these is Monarch & Gary coaching up August St. Cloud. We tend to the think of The Mighty Monarch as a bungler, but I like using St. Cloud’s utter ineptitude to show that while Monarch may not strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, he’s at least enough of a seasoned pro to get through the basics. He and Gary walking St. Cloud through weaponry and evil laughs and boasts was a treat, especially as cosplaying geek St. Cloud bumbled his way through it all.
Rusty and Brock teaching a panicked Billy and Pete how protect against being arched was fun too. Brock trying to teach them vigilance was good for a laugh, as were their emergency costumes. Plus their actual confrontation with St. Cloud, replete with boasts, misaimed clouds, and hallucinations, was spectacular, especially with Monarch and Gary on one side and Rusty and Brock on the other cracking wise about whether they were that bad when they started.
There’s also a little more world-building, as we get to see some of the innerworkings of the Guild. Drs. Mrs. The Monarch’s interrogation of brian-dome there was amusingly extreme (as was Dr. Z’s ensuing bad cop/makeover routine.) I like her being large and in charge, and getting S-464 back with his lady love from OSI. I especially like Monarch talking her down from kicking the OSI agent’s behind, and actuallly looking out for her and complimenting her. Again, this has been a season with a little softening, and a little more possibility for success, and that includes their relationship, which is nice.
Overall, this episode is a bit of a breather, but a thoroughly enjoyable one.
EDIT 7/25/2023: On rewatch, I loved this one and would definitely bump up its score. The fun of both Dr. Venture and The Monarch coaching up their trainees was a blast, and the story with Dr. Girlfriend's turning a spy from the Peril Partnership was a great interconnected side story.
Shout by SeanMSUBlockedParent2018-11-06T06:46:52Z
Aaah, I see you've brought your albino. Coward. I left mine at home.