The sacking of co-creator and Korvo’s voice actor Justin Roiland is a huge elephant in the room that makes it extremely difficult to discuss the upcoming season of Solar Opposites without bringing it up. The creative team behind the popular animated comedy on Hulu chose a more imaginative approach, casting Dan Stevens as Korvo and providing viewers with an explanation from the outset, rather than hiring a soundalike.
Korvo receives his new, tough, self-assured British accent when his replicant Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) uses a voice restoration ray on him after he unintentionally stabs himself in the throat with a dart fired by Terry (Thomas Middleditch). The show presents itself as though nothing has changed and that everything has improved from that point on.
For those who don’t know, Solar Opposites is a television series that centers on a family of four plant-based aliens: their replicants, Yumyulack and Jesse (Mary Mack), and adult Terry and Korvo, who crash-landed on Earth following the destruction of their home planet. Terry is the more laid-back one who is fascinated by human culture, while Korvo is their tough leader.
Solar Opposites Season Four Highlights
Pop-culture allusions and meta-jokes abound throughout the fourth season, some of which work and others of which don’t. Without missing a beat, Dan Stevens assumes the role of Korvo’s voice. The three distinct “storylines” and character groups that the audience can follow effectively divide and maintain the momentum of the season.
It’s a pleasure to be back with this series, and the rumor that a fifth season is already in the works means that more hilarious shenanigans in Solar Opposites will likely occur in the upcoming year. The show was conceived by Mike McMahan, the creator behind Solar Opposites, and Justin Roiland. It quickly gained a following and piqued viewers’ interest. This program has survived because of its excellent writing and each season’s superb execution.
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But what really drew us in was the premise: four aliens try to start anew on Earth after their planet is destroyed by an asteroid. However, Terry and Jesse (Mary Mack) like pop culture, TV, and junk food, whereas Korvo and his replicant, Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone), see only the negative.
Season four resumes where season three left off, with Korvo and Terry working in an office and leading a gloomy home life in order to appease their “child,” the Pupa. Yumyulack drifts off in the teachers’ lounge while Jesse slips into the clique of nasty females at school. The Wall is a distinct subplot on the show, so fans will be happy that the series is giving it a lot of attention this season. You almost wish there had been a whole new series about the various human beings Yumyulack shrunk and hid inside Jesse and his room’s wall.
In The Wall, a holy war is in progress as Sister Susto (Sutton Foster), a nun who transformed into a cult leader, is being challenged by Cherie (Christina Hendricks). Sister Susto believes that Jesse is the divine, but expects Cherie to become a compelling counterpoint. It’s best to experience everything for yourself, but all in all, The Wall has become this show’s gold mine, and what transpires this time around is hilarious. This is the most gloomy “otherworld” to appear on film in a while.
The Wall Subplot Still Remains the Best Part of ‘Solar Opposites’
The extraterrestrial family at the center of Solar Opposites is the main emphasis of marketing and promotional materials, but the subplots are unquestionably the best parts of the show. Even though we now adore Korvo, Terry, Jesse, and Yumyulack, the plot that centers on The Wall—a structure in Jesse and Yumyulack’s bedroom that holds hundreds of individuals that the former reduced down for a variety of reasons—is what keeps this show so captivating. In Season 3, the show debuted a new subplot centered on the SilverCops, a parody of the Green Lantern that is further developed in Season 4.
The Wall’s new storyline centers on Cherie (Christina Hendricks) facing out against Sister Sisto (Sutton Foster), a former nun who is now a cult leader and preaches that Jesse is their god and would allegedly rescue them all from their doomed destiny.
The Wall subplot has developed into an immensely engaging storyline that has only gotten stronger as the series has progressed, which is just amazing. It nearly reaches the point where viewers might find these side stories more entertaining than Terry and Korvo’s antics. This is especially true given that, similar to the previous season, Season 4 has eleven episodes instead of the eight that the first two seasons had.
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The characters’ re-visits to some past plotlines, such as a trip back to The Wooden City and a startlingly moving cameo from the Red Goobler, can be entertaining at times, but other aspects of the new season feel like they’ve been done better before.
Spending more time with Jesse and Yumyulack is always a pleasure, but there are only so many plot points that can be developed to heighten their animosity as siblings. The same can be said of Korvo and Terry’s will they, won’t they relationship, which does give the show an unexpectedly heartfelt touch, but it also has the drawback of constantly making some of the same jokes.
Solar Opposites is still one of Hulu’s finest original comedy programs, despite the fact that it can grow monotonous at times. These most recent episodes could even be the most enjoyable ever. With the recent and impending revivals of Futurama and King of the Hill, along with original series like Koala Man, Hulu is expanding its animation catalog, and whether it is animated or not, Solar Opposites will probably remain one of their greatest shows.
Summary
Solar Opposites Season 4 introduces a creative solution to the departure of co-creator and voice actor Justin Roiland by giving Korvo a new British accent. The season continues to deliver pop-culture references and meta-jokes, with a standout focus on the intriguing subplot of ‘The Wall.’ Despite some repetitive elements, the show maintains its comedic charm, promising a potential fifth season. The series, created by Mike McMahan and Roiland, thrives on its unique premise of four aliens navigating life on Earth after their home planet’s destruction.