If you want to know how the fifth season of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (ATHF) has been thus far, I have only one word for you: “Dickesode.”
The latest adventures of Master Shake, Frylock and Meatwad have featured some of the most off-the-wall antics in the history of food items who solve crimes. The episode in question – the season premiere – contained numerous references to the male genitalia, as well as actual depictions of said organ. This is certainly a shift from the usual ATHF fare, which has featured gratuitous blood and violence, but has been rather light on the sexual side. The offenses in “Dickesode” were not confined to that installment. The events of the second episode centered on the hypersexual rapist creature Hand Banana (the episode is named for it), who is a clone of Master Shake’s hand. In another episode, pornographic actress Tera Patrick suggestively eats corndogs.
How do I feel about this new, improved and dirtier ATHF? I love it, but there has been more than just scandalous material for the fan to digest. In one episode, Frylock is diagnosed with melanoma, undergoes chemotherapy – all of his fries fall out, and he wears a hat – and sinks into a depression.
Cancer is not funny in real life or in cartoons. ATHF is no exception. The episode is very sobering and contains bizarrely poignant scenes. For those sitting around the tube waiting for some joke or a bit of comic relief, very little was provided. This was something different, and it did not go unappreciated by this fan.
Have no fear, though – little has changed. Master Shake is still an ass, Meatwad is still dumb and Frylock still saves the day, and oh yes, the Mooninites are back. There have been drug references in ATHF before, but nothing on a level with the fifth-season episode “Moonajuana,” in which a “Moon Bong” is used, and Meatwad reveals he needs all of his energy for crack cocaine. Fantastic! If there has been one episode that was displeasing to me – and you’ll find the back of my hand very displeasing – it would have to be “Global Grilling,” which was somehow supposed to be political and did seem to refer in some way to global warming, but it was horribly jumbled and populated by disgusting mucus men.
Are there any real complaints one can voice about ATHF season five? The opening montage has been removed, making the episodes about a minute longer. You can tell. Some of the dialogue seems drawn out, and the use of the “awkward silence technique,” for which there has been little or no time in the past, is a bit much. Other than that, this season will go down as one of the wackiest. Catch the episodes at 9:30 p.m. Sundays on Cartoon Network.zzzz