User blog:AustinDR/Review: The Butterfly Effect

So, "The Butterfly Effect." Admittedly, this was actually the first episode of The Loud House that I have watched. If it were trying to reel me into check out the rest of the series, then it did. Now, some LH fans deem this episode as the worst that the series has to offer. Well, to that I say it's hogwash; "One of the Boys" is the worst episode that the show has to offer. In all seriousness, I did try to meditate on what other fans had said on this episode, so what are my thoughts?

The episode begins with Lincoln accidentally destroying Lisa's research. Fearing the possible repercussions, Lincoln chooses to not tell Lisa what had happened. However, his poor decision results in drastic changes. For one, Leni becomes a genius after being hit on the head one too many times, Lisa worked at a gas station (what kind of gas station hires a 4-year-old, anyway), Lola falls victim to Lynn's wrath when she gets hit in the face by a soccer ball, etc. Many fans cite the girls' drastic personality changes as the clinch to what makes this a terrible episode. However, I personally was amused by this turn of events. The funniest moments for me includes Luna wrecking a hotel bedroom because it didn't come with a pillow mint, and Leni heading to attend Harvard University. Let's face it, given how much of a sociopathic brat that Lola can be, it's actually somewhat cathartic that she gets injured. Oh, and that car chase scene was also hilarious. In fact, one song spiraled in my mind when I was watching it, but given how it's a foul-mouthed song, I won't provide a link to it.

Many also dislike the episode as it feels like a parody of the Loud House. Again, I can't agree with them on that assumption, as I could get a good idea of what I was getting myself into when I first saw this episode. When I first watched "Butterfly Effect," it gave me a pretty good idea on how the characters' personalities were like, so it did spark my interest in giving the show a shot. I also liked how fantastical the drastic changes were. I mean the situations that the girls find each other in is simply surreal. It's hard to say which was my favorite, but if I had to choose, it'd probably be Lori dumping Bobby and dating Clyde. I literally laughed out loud when Clyde unknowingly kissed that bird. If I had to find anything reprehensible in the episode, I guess it would have to be Lynn. Now, after Leni became a genius -- thus causing Lisa to work at the gas station -- Lynn becomes unhinged after being kicked out of all of the sports teams. In her rage, she sets Lola up to fall by kicking the ball into her face. What's worse is the fact that she didn't feel any remorse for what she had done. Luan on April Fools Day is still more terrifying, though.

So all in all, I have mixed feelings on the episode. While I can see where most of the arguments against the episode come from, I don't consider it complete schlock. However, I don't consider it the absolute best episode of the series either. I loved the fantastical plot line, and some of the sisters' drastic changes due to Lincoln accidentally being the catalyst for these events, but it's ultimately meh. I still hold the episode close to my heart as it served as my introduction to the show, but I can't deny that it's a weird start to an otherwise great show.

Final score:

3 1/2 out of 5 stars