User blog:Justsomeordinarydude/Deal Me Out: A Reaction.

Deal Me Out

This was another serviceable piece of television. Honestly, the most intriguing parts of this narrative were related to the first act, which provides us with some very fun and interesting content regarding Lincoln and Clyde’s early friendship, including the moment they first met. That was a pretty awesome moment and a very insightful peak into the origins of the relationship of our main duo. I honestly believe this story would have been stronger if it were about that. Also, that option would have given us the opportunity to see more of the younger Louds (like the brief cameo of several year old Lynn Jr).

Instead, what we got was a rather generic story about the duo learning the Aesop that they’re never too old to enjoy something they like. In a predictable fashion, Lincoln and Clyde are told by two “cool” kids that Ace Savvy is something for little babies, so they decide to abandon the interest entirely, and then take up other interests which they think are considered more age appropriate, even though they dislike them. Finally, they begin breaking down and going behind each other’s backs to secretly enjoy Ace Savvy, confess they never really stopped liking it, and then learned that it’s ok to be older and still like something that others might see as “kids stuff”. This type of plot has been done before and done in grander, more special ways. Still, predictable and redundant doesn’t mean bad by any means, just unremarkable.

As I said, the story is at least serviceable. It has its moments, like the flashback scene, and the ending, while predictable, is still satisfying enough to see. After watching Lincoln and Clyde struggle with abandoning their love for Ace Savvy and have an identity crisis concerning their age and what they are supposed to like at that age, and then have them interact with a group of older kids who share their interests, providing them with a sense of relief and reassurance. Lincoln and Clyde are still as likable as ever, and while Clincoln McCloud is an overused element in this show in the eyes of some, it’s not a deal breaker for them to be the main focus by any means.

I guess this episode is fine. It’s solid television and at least accomplishes the minimal requirements for it to be considered passable as a segment of animated entertainment. However, like with The Mad Scientist, it doesn’t really go beyond that. I guess there’s technically nothing wrong with that, but for those with higher expectations, you might be left wanting a little more. Again, maybe if the episode instead focused on the ideas conveyed within the flashback segments of Lincoln and Clyde as small children, first meeting and forming their friendship, it could have been much stronger and far more memorable as a result. Still, based on what we got, and not what it could have been, I award this story with the following score…

Final Rating: 6/10