Solar Opposites has always felt like the little brother to Rick & Morty, considering their similar style, humor, and (once) creative teams, but now it’s starting to feel like a carbon copy of the elder statesman of adult animation. Season 5 of Solar Opposites has a few funny moments but largely lacks the creativity that has made the show a fan favorite.
Solar Opposites Review
This season follows the Shlorpians as they attempt to figure out a family dynamic, made even more tumultuous by the fact that Korvo and Terry are now married (a development from the Valentine’s Day special released earlier this year). Considering the new plot points, it should come as no surprise that Solar Opposites season 5 leans more heavily into the sitcom side of the show. While this leads to a few really funny jokes and satirical moments about domesticity, those looking forward to more weird sci-fi antics will likely be disappointed.
Unfortunately, the show’s other main storyline — the one following the people who live in the Wall — also feels like it is beginning to spin its wheels. Although this subplot was a highlight of the show’s earlier seasons, it has become somewhat unwieldy as it grows more expansive. The interesting parody of dystopian fiction has started to fall victim to the tropes of the genre it parodies, but not in an exaggerated enough way to be effective.
This season also offers far more of the Silvercops storyline, and this is where the show’s pacing grinds to a halt. The Silvercops bits are not funny, and the characters are even less engaging than those in the Wall storyline. Although it would be sad to see the voice talents of Kieran Culkin go to waste, the creators of Solar Opposites would probably be better off cutting their losses and axing this storyline from future seasons.
In his second season voicing Korvo, Dan Stevens continues to nail it, feeling like he’s having a lot of fun. This season also gives Thomas Middleditch many more opportunities to shine as Terry, as his character’s emotional arc is much more pronounced, allowing him to wean away from the character’s schtick. The same goes for Sean Giambrone’s Yumyulack, with this batch of episodes allowing Giambrone to give his best outing yet.
As far as the supporting cast goes, the most exciting addition is Clancy Brown. Although Brown does, in a few scenes, get a bit too close to his Mr. Krabs voice from Spongebob Squarepants, he’s a very talented performer and adds a rugged charm to a character that could have otherwise been incredibly bland. As usual, the season also contains a handful of guest appearances, although this season’s crop is not as memorable as some of past seasons.
The increased focus on the more mundane situations in season 5 also means less opportunity for creativity in the animation. Even the moments that seem like they would be slam dunks feel like pale imitations of other shows (especially Rick & Morty). For example, one episode involves a “what if?” machine, alternate realities being a concept that other franchises have done more effectively. Another bit that becomes an ambitious swing and a miss — an extended action montage — starts funny but overstays its welcome.
Is Solar Opposites worth watching?
Ultimately, this seems to be the fate of Solar Opposites as a whole. The jokes that were once incredibly funny in earlier seasons continue to be milked to a point where the show no longer feels fresh. The elements that allowed the show to stand out from its sci-fi adult animation peers have started to feel derivative, and as a result, one has to wonder how much gas is left in the tank. Given that it’s already gotten a renewal for a sixth season, one has to hope that they get things back on track.
Solar Opposites is now streaming on Hulu. All eleven episodes reviewed.
6/10
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