The Venture Bros: O.S.I. Love You, Review

In the very first Brock-centric episode of the season, we get a deeper insight into how things are running at the new O.S.I. under Hunter’s leadership. “O.S.I. Love You” begins with Brock Sampson and the O.S.I. tracking down Molotov Cocktease and Monstroso (or “Molostroso,” the new couple name that Shore Leave christens them) on a fortified cruise ship, after the duo’s disappearance in the season four finale. After they are captured, we then immediately learn the two had orchestrated an escape a few hours after, and so the rest of the episode jumps back and forth in time, piecing together what exactly happened from a number of different perspectives.

Every side character involved is at the top of their game, and the sizzling love-hate relationship between Brock and Molotov Cocktease is as commanding to watch as ever. Dr. Venture and the kids happened to be visiting the O.S.I. hover ship that day too, so Sergeant Hatred could look into some breast reduction procedural options (we actually get to see his bare boobs this time around, and I’m still not sure if that image was hilarious, or downright disturbing). This leads to some standout moments for Hank and Dean as well, with Dean sympathizing with some strange and unlikely captives, and Hank actually saving Sergeant Hatred’s life, before losing his prized female Destiny suit in the process.

It was also nice to get a few somewhat concrete answers from Monstroso about the Council of Thirteen (including one of their actual identities!), and whether or not David Bowie is the real Sovereign. The mysterious and all-powerful “Investors,” also get some captivating screen time, and are beginning to stand out more and more as a true villainous force to be reckoned with as the overall plot continues to thicken.

The non-linear narrative structure of the episode is nothing short of masterful, and the sheer amount of action, intrigue, and humor all dancing back and forth makes it hard to believe that this is just a mere 22-minute episode. I’d also like to call special attention to the editing of the episode as well, especially in the interrogation scenes, where different scenes of Brock and company answering the detectives’ questions are all spliced together in such a smart way, that it comes across like the characters are reacting to each other’s statements despite being in different rooms at the time. Everything moves at such a brisk and exhilarating pace, that I feel like it’s going to take another two or three viewings to catch every clever detail that was slipped in here during these moments.

There were also a few very satisfying plot twists and revelations that emerge by the end of the episode, which I don’t want to spoil here, but will say make me extremely excited to see what’s to come for Brock and the O.S.I. down the road. But all in all, it’s just so nice to see Brock Sampson take the lead in a Venture Bros. episode again, and it feels like so long since we’ve actually had the chance to see his character shine in this kind of forward role. In every sense of the word, “O.S.I. Love You” is quintessential Venture Bros.

Den of Geek Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all news updates related to the world of geek. And Google+, if that’s your thing!