Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
You just know that nothing good can remain that way when it comes to Stuart and his friends on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
Sure enough, the latest installment sees them completely destroy a way of life, and there’s an important message within the storytelling for everyone in the real world.
However, I do have to say that seeing Bert get just one moment of happiness was a positive, as the series got back on track with its humor and its focus on saving the world.
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
It Was Always Going to Be Ruined
At the end of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Season 1 Episode 4, the gang ended up in the middle of the woods and came across a tribe.
Sure, this tribe looked threatening as everyone gathered around them, but just one look at the fact that they had no weapons said it all.
It didn’t take long to find out they were peaceful people, more than willing to allow Stuart, Denise, Bert, and Kripke to join them.
At first, I wondered if this was some sort of trap. Would they end up realizing that there was something off about the four?
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
However, I was pleasantly surprised with the way the primitive tribe gathered together. They lived in harmony, supporting each other, and absolutely everything was shared.
Of course, you just know that when Stuart and the others come across something good, they’re going to ruin it.
Most of the time, they’ve ruined a place by accident.
Going back to Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Season 1 Episode 3, they ruined the magical world by accidentally unleashing a demon Bernadette.
How could they possibly know that she was a demon? Isn’t Bernadette too sweet for that?
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
I don’t think we can really blame Stuart for handing over his blood when he thought he was doing it to save the whole universe.
Arguably, they did a good thing in the post-apocalyptic world from the series premiere by getting rid of Kripke as the dictator.
Of course, we’d need to know the bad Kripke did to understand whether removing him was better for the lives of others, but on the surface, it looks like it was a good thing.
They’ve never intentionally gone in to destroy, as at the end of the day, they know there is a mission. They need to get to Sheldon, Howard, and Leonard.
So, I’ll admit that I was pleasantly surprised to see them completely destroy a way of life because they weren’t willing to adapt.
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
Bert made it clear that he wanted a monogamous relationship, while Kripke selfishly took one bowl for himself.
It didn’t take long for their selfish nature to rub off on the others.
Yes, I loved seeing Bert finally get a chance at happiness, but I wish it didn’t have to come at the expense of others’ happiness.
There’s a poignant message in all of this for today’s world, and I feel like the installment purposely conveyed it.
Is capitalism right? Is the way of ownership the best thing for society as a whole?
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
Could socialism be the way to build a prosperous world?
These are questions to ponder after enjoying the episode.
I will say that every single system has its pitfalls. Nothing is perfect, but is there a calmer, happier way of living than the one we currently have?
Stuart Actually Remained Focused
Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was how focused Stuart was. Maybe the time in the psychiatric hospital and The Matrix was exactly what he needed.
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
While Bert and Kripke went off and did their thing, Stuart and Denise focused on fixing the universe-hopping machine.
I’m not sure everyone would even consider putting their hand in bear manure to look for signs, so props to Stuart for digging straight in.
He didn’t second-guess himself, and it shows him stepping up just a little as a leader.
I still don’t quite think Stuart Fails to Save the Universe needs the second season (even though HBO Max has just given it one), but if it means growth for the comic store owner, then I’ll take it.
This sort of growth can help other characters from The Big Bang Theory universe develop, and they desperately need to.
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
Once Stuart realized he needed the red quartz, it became clear that Kripke’s teachings about selfishness would create a problem.
It was also clear that Bert’s dream of getting married would throw him off the plan, because everyone would always feel sorry for him because of his lack of love.
My one wish for the series is that the ending of each episode not feel as rushed as it has each hour.
After spending time developing the pocket world and creating a problem, it’s been a quick fix and push of a button to get to the next one.
Look at finding the small crack in the universe wall while in the scene from The Matrix.
(Photograph by Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max)
It’s just too convenient, and for once, I’d like to see some build-up to them getting to the machine again.
One of the things I look forward to at the start of each installment of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — or anything with an episode of the week story — is how they’re going to get out of the initial mess.
Create a little bit of tension in the humor, and have them all solve a problem together. Maybe that can be at the end of the first season.
We turn it over to you!
We would love to hear your thoughts about the latest episode.
Not only does it stop us feeling like we’re writing into the void, but it also helps to see things we may have missed while focusing on another element of the plot.
So, sound off in the comments to join the conversation.
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You know when Stuart and the gang find something good they’re going to destory it on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
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At some point, I completely lost the plot of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Season 1 Episode 4. It’s my least favorite episode so far.
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Nine years after the scene aired, I still can’t get over why Sheldon’s Hindi was so bad, and why nobody asked Kunal Nayyar to fix it.
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