the writing about Adventure Time is a lot more nebulous than traditional criticism. People are having a hard time putting their fingers on why they like it.
I was talking about it with Emmett the other day, comparing it to Phineas and Ferb. Phineas and Ferb is a show that's so insanely formulaic that most of its jokes are callbacks, catchphrases and the writers busily hanging lanterns on everything in sight. But, it's so good hearted and kind to its characters and witty playing with its own strictures and has such catchy songs that it's still highly entertaining.
Adventure Time is at the far other end of the spectrum from Phineas and Ferb, in that it's tonally weird, sad and terrifying at times, heartbreaking and goofy and has purposefully off narrative beats including the frequent use of jarring tags.
My biggest insight into Adventure Time actually came from a bit of fanart that rendered all the characters realistically and I realized it's a total freaky horror show but it doesn't seem that way because Finn is so relentlessly optimistic and Jake doesn't give a shit. But it's really a nightmarish world full of damaged characters.
Ooof, that Bronies episode of Bob's Burgers was some kind of genius stuff. Anything Tina-centric is usually a win though.
Damn it, last night's episode? We were busy eating lamb cake with Tim's family. Must hit up iTunes. (This is particularly funny because we had a discussion about bronies at dinner.)
Yeah, last night. Must See! Tina's Equestranauts fanfiction! Bob going undercover at Bronies convention, in costume. Louise gleefully cackling as she conspires to reverse a ripoff. Tina moaning "Non-canonical! Non-canonical!"
Wasn't that last week's? It was wonderful, whenever it was on. Last night's was ambergris and the bathroom remodel. Also good, but not quite as stunningly amazing. "Non-canonical! Non-canonical!" was so so perfect. I can't even.
Batman animated feature based in the universe of the Arkham games: [link]
Suicide Squad!
Normally I'm not a fan of the character designs in the Arkham X universe, but they're using the one, true Amanda Waller, so they're forgiven.
Animation-related (because you might not read the comics thread): Bee and Puppycat comic book next week: [link]
Bee and Puppycat comic book next week
Cool!
I feel disloyal to Rebecca Sugar, but I'm way more into Bee and Puppycat than I've been into Steven Universe.
I am enjoying Steven Universe but Bee and Puppycat has that extra bit of pizzazz.
Speaking of which, I've been digging the new season of Adventure Time even as poor Finn suffers poor parenthood and mayhem.
Last season wasn't just strong, but really took a lot of narrative chances. That whole Lemonhope two-parter at the end was so sad and epic and strange. A rather dark and philosophical journey ("Nightmares again. That's freedom for you, I guess.")
Psyched that Bob's Burgers Season 3 is up on Netflix, so I've been watching that and S4 as it comes up on Hulu.
I think it was Entertainment Weekly that had a piece on the ten funniest shows on TV recently, and had both Archer and Bob's Burgers on there.
Anybody watching Dan Harmon's cartoon? Morty something?
