After a week off for Thanksgiving, the VB team returned with what might be the best episode of the season, “The Better Man.” It’s one of those strange instances where you never thought to ask for something, but you’re so glad to get it. I’ve never given any thought at all to Dr. O’s wife, or Triana’s mother, but what a treat that story ended up being. Really, there was so much good stuff in there that it could have carried the whole episode. Even after all of that though, we also got some very interesting progress for young Dean, and something of a resolution to his romance with Triana.
Starting with the Triad, everything about that story was just perfect. Their reaction to watching Torrid open the portal was only matched by the reaction on seeing the Outrider emerge to save the day. (Side note: According to Marc Ilagan from the Venture Bros Blog, the Outrider is based on Solomon Kane.) And the revelation that the Outrider was the man who stole Dr. O’s wife was a truly OMG moment. I was also a big fan of Jefferson getting to save the day. If for no other reason than he chopped Matthew Lesko in half. Who hasn’t wanted to do that at 2AM on a Saturday morning?
As cool as all of the stuff with the Triad and the Outrider was, the real treat was the return of the Master. It’s not unusual for H. Jon Benjamin to steal scenes, but his turn as the Master in the guise of Tatiana (possibly the hottest cartoon woman ever?) was a truly magnificent example. The taunting is just so mean, but it’s so funny. “Aren’t they beautiful? I mean, you could bounce a penis off these.” One can only hope that this means we’re going to meet the real Tatiana at some point in the future.
The Master tied the two stories together, as he also had a little heart to heart with Triana. His grown-up Dean was well done, as it was obvious right away what the gag was. Even better, this story works out great for both Triana and Dean. I like the idea that she’ll now be away at sorceress school when she’s not on screen, as opposed to just hanging out on the other side of the compound. The possibilities are endless.
On the other side of that coin, our boy Dean has needed to grow up a little for a while. His bumbling attempts at courting Triana have been fun, but they’ve also run their course. It’s good to see him picking and choosing the workable bits of Hank’s no-fear teachings and making some progress. Between the two of them, they have the makings of a successful social persona, I think. We also got a little hint that Hank is figuring a few things out as well, with his surprise that Dermott actually gave Dean some good advice. It would seem that Hank has seen through Dermott’s act and gets what is really going on.
All things considered, I just don’t know how this one could have been any better. Maybe if there was a cut to Brock battling an army of fembot Tatiana clones? Short of that, it was as good as it gets. The only bad news was hearing that next week is the mid-season finale. Balls. Why can’t we just have 52 of these a year?
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Dec 07, 2009 @ 22:00 EST5EDT
What bothered me most about this episode wasn’t the episode itself, but the fact it was pushed back for some stupid AS/HSN stuff going on. Because of that, my DVR cut the show off when the triad were still trying to save the Master.
*POST AUTHOR*
I had that problem too. Fortunately, I record Metalocalpyse as well, so I got the rest of the episode on that recording.
I knew it would be good when it started with the Order of the Triad, but was blown away by just how perfect this episode was. Looking back over the past season, this is definitely the best, most deftly-written sci-fi/fantasy show I watch these days.
Agreed that Jefferson Twilight finding his own magic was the most gratifying development in a jam-packed installment. Even the coda couldn’t be missed.