Season Review: China IL Season Three

I feel like China IL season three was the first time Brad Neely and Co. produced a season where they didn’t have to PROVE something. In season one, the series had to move from print comics to that of an 11-minute animated series. Season Two saw China IL double in run-time, and with it double in the amount of dialogue and scripting the show needed in order to meet those needs. Season Three was China IL’s time to shine, most notably Brad Neely’s.

As much as the show creator and sole-writer like to talk up the fact that he likes to introduce and replace characters on an almost consistent basis, Brad Neely has definitely showcased his continuance in the development of the show’s principal characters. Steve’s sanity has grown a bit more unstable this season, but very seldom does he really hold down his own fort on his own as he’s usually paired with another character in which to have some sort of argument or battle with. Pony continues to shed her rationality that season one presented her in, and instead, we see her continue growth in her rather innocuous personality. In season two, she’s in a relationship with a bed bug. Season three she’s leading a think tank to a pathway of destruction that if produced by any other studio other than Titmouse I would say was a rip off of Superjail. Baby Cakes and Frank continue to be the most extreme of China IL’s Four Horsemen, usually helping cause some sort of catalyst that spirals out of control which usually is resolved by other characters showing on cue, but Baby Cakes probably has a reaching point that Frank will never get to. Frank is the one talking to his ass, Frank is Bigfoot, and Frank is Mr. Hyde to Brad Neely’s Dr. Jekyl.

I actually think ‘Gummie World’ showcases the group aspect of China IL better than the finale. Similar to Seinfeld, the episode ends with almost a calm down scene in some rather downtrodden locale. For them, it was a museum exhibit, which anywhere else wouldn’t be seen as such, but this is China IL. Personally, I thought ‘Gummie World’ would have made the better finale as it showcased that the show doesn’t need to write a bunch of songs like in season two nor does the series need to finish on some sort of grand scale. Heck, even the guest star headcount was probably not as endowed as season two, but it really didn’t need to be. A show, that I once thought needed more of The Dean, proved me wrong showcasing the already ripe ingredients that Brad Neely has grown over the years and using them to perfection. Season three was the fruit of that labor, and it tastes just fine the way it is.