Welcome back all you Dead End fans! Break out the horns of Gabriel and sound the trumpets of the heavens because we’re back for a second season! Unless this is actually part 2 of season 1 because WOW was that a fast turn around. Why can’t Netflix just announce a 20-episode season split in two? Come on!
And as always, spoilers ahead.
1. Shame! Gordeous, Shame!
I cannot believe I got Gord’s name wrong for the entirety of season 1 and I only found out because I accidentally left the Netflix captions on. Who knew they could be so useful? (They’re not useful when watching anything dubbed, I can tell you that.)
I wonder why I kept getting it wrong though. Maybe it’s because Gorm sounds like a worm from a hell plane? Probably because this is the first episode when anyone even says Gord’s name. Thanks Norma!
I love this strange little creature and if anyone else disagrees, they are wrong. Did you hear its adorable cry and electronic, deadpan scream? So good. So pure. More Gord please.
2. Barbora the Bowler
I know I lead with Gord but Season 2 actually kicks off with Polly’s video will being played, outtakes and all, bequeathing her entire crumbling empire to Barbora. What a great way to keep her relevant and set us up for the next era of Polly Parks. It’s a question I didn’t even know I had: If Polly is dead-dead, then what happens to her park? The answer: big changes! Or at least there will be after mandatory staff bowling night.
Sadly there’s little bowling in the episode. It’s mostly background for highlighting the characters’ interpersonal interactions and then a cool place to have the angel 5 Fingers wreck. Do I wish the episode was actually a send up to either The Big Lebowski or an actual sports movie? A little. But that’s OK. I like it being just a setting too.
Dead End knows how to make the most of its setting and I love it. There’s so much creativity on display with each new location. I feel like I’m actually at the park, even when we only see a couple places at a time. Like this space themed bowling alley! Just like bowling alleys I used to frequent. The only difference is I bet it stopped smelling like stale cigarette smoke 25 years ago and probably has way more expensive food.
3. No Magic. Pugsly only. Final Destination.
So…this was the scariest episode of Dead End so far. The appearance of Master Hand aka 5 Fingers, the angel with a face in its palm, was unsettling at first with a dash of humor but then it started growing more fingers like an out of control coral and all I could think was “Thank goodness this art style is shiny and TV-7.” Imagine if this had been animated like Primal or Courage the Cowardly Dog. It’d make Gravity Falls look like a bright sunny day.
I think it’s also the atmosphere of the episode that helps sell the unsettling nature of 5 Fingers. Like, Courtney’s abject terror and Pugsly being in danger now that he’s powerless sells us on the danger well before Norma smacks it in the face. Also the way the hand’s noodle arm is animated and the way it slithers across the screen? Horrifying.
4. Is that Jello I Hear?
The other reason the episode made me duly horrifying and uncomfortable came down to the excellent sound design. From Gord’s sounds of movement to the GUT CHURNING SQUELCHING of 5 Fingers’ attack on the bowling alley, the aural soundscape is pitch perfect for the spooky season. In fact, it’s so perfect, so memorable, I gave it its own thought over having a second thought about the actual plot and mysteries.
But please Dead End. Keep that “horrifying squelching” sound far away from me for a while. I don’t think my stomach can take it again.
5. Deathsliding Into Bowling Shoes
While Logs & Barney’s interactions are very cute and very nice and I like seeing how they navigate Barn’s anxiety and Logs’ cool dude mood, Deathslide (aka Badiya) and Norma’s are way cuter. Because they’re not an item yet, there’s the “will-they-won’t-they” aspect to their interactions, adding to the ~drama~. Does Norma notice that Deathslide wants to be on her team? Does Norma understand why Deathslide pays so much attention to her and when will it click that these shoes were a gift of love? Will Norma ask Deathslide out first or does she still have a bit to go until she realizes she likes her?
The anticipation is killing me and I’m very excited to see it explored. I hope it happens during another ridiculous game show.
That about does it for now! Thank you all for coming back for what promises to be a very intriguing season. Angels! Mysteries! Courtney’s character growth! New romances! Pugsly learning to be a regular talking dog! (He should call Scooby for advice.) Barbora’s new reign of terror(?)! It’s gonna be great. As with last season, I’ll be continuing the rest of the season over on Boomb Tube. See you there!
