"Lift Your Back"/"Eileen Flat Screen"
A B+
A Rigby Double Feature
I decided to group these two together because they really work well off each other. Both episodes dive deep into the maturity that Rigby has gained throughout this series run. The focus are the two relationships that are the most intimate to Rigby. Mordecai of course and Eileen. The episodes explore into new traits that Rigbys embodies now and points out some things that need to be addressed with his friendship with Mordecai. It is a refreshing pace to see two episodes back to back that give the total spotlight to Rigby. I also have a feeling that it will be quite some time until we have stories like this again seeing that where the last episode left off we are going to head back to the relationships of Mordecai.
“Lift your Back” is a really strong episode because its sole focus is to display how Rigby has genuinely changed over his adventures at the park. While the audience is well aware of this, the fellow employees unfairly still see Rigby as the ultimate slacker. Even Mordecai agrees even though we see him take full advantage of the responsibility that Rigby has gained. To prove a point that he can get a paycheck without the help of anyone, he decides to get another job. However, his lack of education gives him the only option of a back mover. A painful and degrading job anyone would backtrack but as Eileen as pointed out he got heart now and succeeds without the help of his best friend. Showing that Rigby can be a independent..racoon?
The great thing about this episode is that the conflict of Mordecai and Rigby does not make anyone in the wrong. Both bring up valid points of why they treat each other the why they do. Mordecai feels that Rigby owes him for the times where his delinquency has gotten them into trouble. Rigby feels that Mordecai cannot understand that their friendship gets them out of trouble as well. The frustration and confessions of the two main characters provides the chance to bury these conflicts in the past and accept Rigby as the changed man he is. In the end, Mordecai and Rigby's relationship feels stronger than ever even if Rigbys back does not.
“Eileen Flat Screen” or part two. Replaces Mordecai to Rigbys second best relationship in the show Eileen. The greatest element in this episode is that we get to see how much Eileen and Rigbys relationship as grown. If this was season one I totally would of believe Rigby going off with Eileen's tv to temporary play on before he somehow breaks it. However, Rigby plays the chivalric hero as not only does he rescue the tv from her beastly roommate Joanne, but he also vocally sticks up for her. We also hear what we have not visually seen happened with Eileen and Rigby. They have been hanging out alot since Mordecai and CJ got together, going to renaissance fairs or just hanging at her apartment. Which of course makes me happy all over.
Joanne is a figure that everyone has encountered before: bad roommate. Her nitpicks are ridiculous but probably are not so far off to peoples experiences living with someone like that. However, the reveal of Joanne and her tv does not come quite as fun as it should've been. The spirit in television and her heiress did not seems quite as fleshed out. But that does not really matter because the core of the episode was Rigby and Eileen. So I will forgive the anti climatic villain plot and be in total bliss of the start of something great for these two. While it seems a new beginning for Rigby, the return of Margaret questions whether Mordecai truly has begun something new or still stuck in the past.
Cool Things Noticed:
- If anyone can figure out who was replacing the toilet paper with saran wrap Benson has 12 dollars for you.
- I do not want you to think that because the second episode got a B plus because of the villain. I believe the villain might of been lackluster on purpose to provide such a good twist at the end. It was because the first one was really hard to compete with.
- Eileen got rid of a roommate...vacant spot for Margaret?
- I am happy to see Margaret back! I also cannot wait to see how the show plays it out.
- That guy loved Rigby as a son. Also, that guy looked a lot like Rockys coach or am I way off?
Lift with your back shows that Rigby is pretty complex. He is Mordecai's boy but knows when he is being taken advantage of. It was good that focused on this. Eileen and Rigby will grow much closer as seen in the last two episodes.
ReplyDeleteConcerning Margret, I did not see that coming thought it would be a special but it was intriguing. Personally I believe Mordecai and CJ's relationship is very strong but let's see what happnes
Back lifting is a wrecking machine, Rigs! If you wanna lift boxes, you gotta eat thunder and crap lightnin'! I miss Burgess Meredith.
ReplyDeleteIt's episodes like these that make me miss the AV club reviews of Regular Show. I would love to see the commentariat explode upon seeing that Rigby and Eileen's relationship is developing pretty much how we suspected it would: gradually advancing off-screen until Rigby suddenly realizes he's been dating Eileen for months. But since we can't have them, I'm doubly grateful that you're keeping them going here.
I always enjoy episodes where Rigby manages to score a victory. "One Pull-up" and "Bank Shot" are probably the best examples, but the stakes are comparatively low compared to these two. Rigby really showed some character growth in these episodes and I loved every second of it. There are 6 weeks left in this Year of the Rigby, and I have a feeling it's leading up to something big. Between that, Margaret returning, and the Red Dawn-esque half hour special next week, I don't know if I've ever been as excited for this show as I am now.
Margaret's return has a lot of story potential. I hope it's not used as an excuse to drive a rift between CJ and Mordecai, though I wouldn't be opposed to just one episode where they explore the awkwardness of meeting an old flame. CJ's temper could come into play as well, seeing how she might be somewhat insecure after her last encounter with her. My favored outcome would be an episode to get any emotional baggage out of the way, then have Margaret resume her place as part of the extended group. Moving in with Eileen would be ideal for her.
ReplyDeleteAm I alone in wanting to see Eileen's renfaire outfit(s)?
ReplyDeleteThey would make fantastic Redwall characters.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Eileen talking in Molespeak would make my week.
ReplyDelete