Here at Techland, only one television program manages to tie into so many of our geeky obsessions all at once. Superheroes, mythical creatures, action figures and barely believeable sci-fi all flop onto each other on the glorious cavalcade that is The Venture Bros. Cartoon Network’s just started airing the series from the start and Techland’s Hive Mind is taking the occasion to re-watch the exploits of Hank, Dean, Brock and Dr. Thaddeus Venture. Join us as we witness how Venture Bros. evolved over its four stellar seasons.
This week, Graeme McMillan and Evan Narcisse talk about Season 1/Episode 2: “Careers in Science.”
EVAN: I honestly don’t remember the filmstrip sequence at the beginning of this episode. It’s the first mention of Rusty’s dad, which in itself hints that there’s a larger prehistory to the Venture mythos. That little bit makes it seem that the core premise of the series–a dysfunctional Jonny Quest-style boys’ adventure show–just continues a larger continuity and isn’t itself the initial point of departure.
As corny as the shuttle intercourse moment is at the beginning, the looks on the boys’ faces makes that scene work. And, compared to “Dia de los Dangerous,” this episode already feels like it’s got a bigger mix of different textures. The retro-futurism and the notes of space horror along with porn jokes (two of ’em!) and a nod to the famous slo-mo walking scene from The Right Stuff get packed in next to each other in rapid fashion. I also think putting Brock in a Rocky outfit while he pilots a ship a lot like the one from Space: 1999 points at an intentional 1970s vibe that kind of carries through the entire episode. In the decades before we actually got a space station, the idea of one was where anything fantastic could happen.
GRAEME: It’s kind of surprising how quickly the show came into focus in its second episode – All of the characters seem so much more clearly drawn, and the comedy has already become one of embarrassment, disappointment and failure instead of the more obvious set-up/punchline of last week. You’re right that the filmstrip opening really sets the tone – That the show is, as much as anything else, about Rusty failing to live up to his exciting future, and being incredibly bitter about it, but the entire episode is variations on that theme – The entire space station is kind of a shitty version of what the future was supposed to be, with things badly designed, not working and no-one knowing how to fix it.
Also, I love the complete obliviousness of Rusty and Dean throughout the entire episode. “We should look for clues or something!” They really have no idea what’s going on at any time, which makes them all the more entertaining.
EVAN: It’s only dawned on me at the end of the episode that Col. Bud Manstrong is a sort of polar opposite of Captain Kirk. When Brock’s kicking his ass outside of the space station with those stiff Star Trek judo moves, you realize that where Kirk slept with every woman he could in space, anti-Kirk’s practically a Puritan.
GRAEME: I love Manstrong’s accusation of Ana cheating on him with Brock. “Come on! I shook his hand!” “What’s got into me? I know what’s got into you, that’s what’s got into me!” “That’s ’cause you’ve already took it! In the lap! From… not me!”
EVAN: If I can get all metaphorical, this episode slyly keys into the idea of a shiny and glorious future–represented by the space station–not living up to what we hope, especially when built in a troubled past.
GRAEME: Yes! And it’s as if this is where the series realizes that that’s what it’s all about, at least partially. There’s still a lot of things needing to be worked out, but between Rusty dealing with his phantom father – while Hank and Dean think he’s been killed by Phantom Spaceman (And the different attitudes displayed by Hank and Dean – I’m convinced that Dean is the kid we all think we were when we were kids, and Hank the one we probably wanted to be, even though both are equally ridiculous) – and the continued evolution of Brock, who gets to be suave (or, as Suave as Brock gets) instead of just the killing machine of last week, it’s almost like a different season, instead of just a different episode.
EVAN: Speaking of phantom Jonas Venture, I love the different looks he goes through in the bits with Rusty. We get Doc Savage, 1970s astronaut and Sean Connery Bond and, aside from being nerdy Easter eggs, they reinforce the unattainable ideal theme of “Careers in Science.”
Man, my eyes lit up when I saw Ben Edlund’s name in the credits. The mid-’90s Tick cartoon is some of the best superhero spoof ever created. I may have known and then forgotten that he worked on VB, too, and I’m looking forward to seeing how many more times his name shows up as the show goes along.
GRAEME: Again, I’m doing the excited “Yes!” thing. And he did some of the best episodes of Angel, as well. I almost want to watch Supernatural to see if he’s as great on that show as he’s been on almost everything else he’s ever done.
EVAN: My favorite line: “Who lets a 10-year-old build a space station?”
GRAEME: Not the boys’ explanation for why Brock having sex was really fighting? “What’s he doing with his…? Well, of course! What other weapon does he have? He needs his hands free!” One last thing: The blinking light at the end of the episode: Is that a 2001 reference?!?
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