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Today, we’re going back to one of the classic Nickelodeon
shows with possibly the most creative look at modern life ever:
Rocko’s Modern Life (Season 2)
Basic Premise
As someone who vouches for animation to get the great respect
mediums like live-action get, there’s one thing strength to it I can easily
mention in its favor. It is the one
medium where you can bring any idea, no matter how ridiculous or unrealistic,
to life. This includes giving unique
approaches to different activities and off-the-wall after effects all coming
together in an appealing vision. Rocko’s Modern Life offers these aspects
of animation immensely coming off as a work that greatly shows what the
medium can do. In the process, it turns
out to be quite relatable by showing how even the simplest parts of life can be
very challenging. This idea is
especially felt through the simple friendly protagonist living amongst quirky
supporting characters. Now, it’s back at
the forefront for another season’s worth of reviews.
Season 2 of Rocko’s
Modern Life looks to offer more of the tone we got from the first season
with creative interpretations of life’s challenges. However, there’s also going to be quite a bit
of universe expansion through new modern life challenges to explore. Characters who only made a few appearances in
the previous season will get bigger roles. There’s even going to be insightful
reveals of their background. On top of
all this, this season is where we’re going to start getting longer,
double-length cartoons as opposed to just the usual shorter length. A few will further develop characters, but
there’s also going to be a little time spent on holiday cheer. Not only will this give more of the show’s
strengths a chance to shine, but the established universe will also feel bigger and
livelier than ever. After all, the best
reason for a show to have more seasons is to do more with what it has. I certainly can’t wait to see how it all
works out. So with a flick of a big
random hand to the real world, let’s return to Rocko’s life in its second
season. Just don’t forget that review
day is a very dangerous day.
Now on with the reviews:
I Have No
Son
Double-length cartoons are an interesting part of Season 2,
and they start with its premiere. It brings
fresh new background to supporting characters in a wholesome story. Keeping with the madcap tone, the way to the
reveals is very clever.
There are scenes
from a sitcom about a dysfunctional couple, The
Fatheads. They’re very unpleasant
and harm each other, mostly with traffic meters, and all friendly people. This is a hilarious take on arguing married
couples with ingenious visual gags depicting their rage. Rocko and Filburt are huge fans of The Fatheads and notice its creator is
Ralph Bighead, suggesting the Bigheads have a son.
This is true, and Ed and Bev are mortified by
his show. The Fatheads practically mirror
them (well, Ed anyway). There’s also a
backstory to the tension. Ralph always
wanted to work in the arts, but Ed pushed him to become an executive at
Conglom-O. However, there was a vague event
involving a donut that got between them and tore them apart. The Bigheads’ 30th anniversary is
coming, and despite Ed’s animosity, Rocko sets out to bring Ralph home for the
occasion.
He and Filburt go to Ralph’s
animation studio. The way to Ralph includes
a studio tour from a rhino holding a happy face with light-hearted descriptions
of the animation process. It’s a fun
look, though it’s mostly a detour.
Thankfully, Rocko and Filburt find Ralph at the end of the tour, and
sneak into his office.
Ralph Bighead is
instantly intriguing. His analytical
approach to his show makes him stiff and work-oriented as well as a visionary passionate
for the arts. Being voiced by show
creator, Joe Murray, especially brings this feel. He can be really funny through the wild ways he
says he “NEVER” wants to see his parents again.
That said, he also has a vault holding a half a donut which brings the
untold details of his issues with his parents.
Even after training for Conglom-O and breaking that donut as part of its
ritual, Ralph turned down working there for his true passion. This resulted in Ed straight-up disowning
Ralph. Parents disapproving what their
kids want to do with their lives is a basic cause for tension, but given what
Ed is like, it’s a new low for him. Good
parents should be supportive of what kids want to do. Directing their lives is unfair and talks down
to offspring. Ralph may be in the wrong
for never wanting to see his family, but his reasons feel legit, and him keeping
that donut half shows he still has some love for them.
For that, when the anniversary comes, it’s
nice that Ralph makes a surprise appearance.
Ed immediately lashes out at him despite Bev’s plea for them all to be a
family again. It sets up the reunion to
be depressing and disappointing, but then Ralph reveals that donut half. This moment brings one of the biggest signs
that Ed truly does have a heart. He
understands that even if Ralph never wanted to work for Conglom-O, he does love
his family. The whole conflict resolved
through something as absurd as joining halves of a stale donut is simply a
humorous kind of heartwarming. Ed and
Bev are finally able to enjoy their son’s work, showing their love in their
way. The last scene brings more
hilarious fun from the Fatheads, but it’s hard to determine how to feel about a
stupid Australian beaver named Rollo.
He’s funny, but Rocko really doesn’t deserve to be made fun of.
Nevertheless, this season premiere
successfully blends the show’s trademark humor with an endearing story. Characters develop, jokes bring the laughs,
and the show’s world is expanded.
A
The next Rocko's Modern Life review follows the antics of Rocko's clogged toilet, and there's a truly creative experience out of Rocko getting appendicitis.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Hope This Flies" from OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes.
If you would like to check out other Rocko's Modern Life reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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