Spoilers Below

“What?!” is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of season 7, episode 17, called “Descent.” It’s an incredulous “what?!” It’s a “what?!” that is uttered when a sudden plot twist reveals itself, before cutting to black. (Speaking of cutting to black: RIP James Gandolfini. So talented. So soon.)

I stand by my previous comparison of this show to Breaking Bad, because the “what?!” from the recent Arby N the Chief episode was said the exact same way as I have for many episodes of the AMC Meth Hour, as I’ve come to call it. Starting now.

Even the opening scene, shot in a vague, fragmented, black-and-white style, is eerily similar to the beginning of countless Breaking Bad episodes. So I guess it’s like Breaking Bad meets Halo meets Toy Story, right?

As for everything else that’s not the last five seconds of the episode (you know, those other 9 minutes and 20 seconds) there was some good Arbiter and Master Chief bickering at the beginning. Most of the laughs came from Ch33f being himself, which is something I enjoy watching/listening to more and more each episode. By the way, I’ve caught myself saying “awesome possum” several times in my real life, and that worries me just a tick.

The storyline progressed ever so slightly – Eugene and Tyler eagerly await Brody’s reappearance, Arbiter asks Colin what he owed Eugene that caused him to spare the duo – and honestly I wasn’t even all that interested in it, until [BAM!] Cortana appears. Just like that, everything that previously occurred in the episode (and the quality of it) becomes moot, and final few seconds become everything that matters, and the only thing you’ll remember, thus making it a successful episode. Sure, you may not completely forget the lack of comedy in these plot-heavy installments (especially if you’re reviewing them for some cartoon site) but as long as the ending makes you go, “OMG I needz the nu episode naoooooo,” then the show has done its job.

 

(8/10)

 

Twitter me hardcore: @Gonzo_Green