What Did We Learn in Venture Bros Season 4.1? Part 1

Season 4.1 of the Venture Bros recently ended. The second part of the season is said to begin in spring/summer of 2010. The first eight episodes were packed with questions, answers and many lessons. So, Ventureroos, what did we learn in season 4.1? Here are my favorite bits and "lessons" from each of the first four episodes of season 4.1.

Heart of the Father, Blood of Steel
This one was the big season opener with out of order scenes. We needed to pay attention to Hank's growing hair and the fluctuating CGC rating of 21's mint comic book to figure out what was happening when. We learned that Brock really did quit and 24 is really dead. Sgt. Hatred took over as Venture bodyguard. We learn he's getting some sort of experimental shots to control his "urges." Rusty's secret cloning lab isn't secret anymore. Everyone from Nazis looking to clone Hitler to 21 wanting to clone his best friend comes calling. The Nazis even had a dog to clone Hitler from. We also learned Brock could gain weight and grow facial hair like a pro, even though he really shouldn't. The mysterious organization, SPHINX, is still operating with some familiar Venture Bros character like Hunter Gathers and Shore Leave. Don't forget their newest member, everyone's favorite Murder Machine, Brock Samson. We learn he's always wanted to stab Hitler to death. Now he can cross it off of his "cool crap I thought I'd never get to do list," when he kills the Hitler dog at the end of the episode.

Handsome Ransom
The Monarch kidnaps Hank and Dean and wants 10 million dollars. This stunt catches the attention of Captain Sunshine. We learn he has the power to give instant sunburn and temporary blindness. He ambushes the Cocoon and takes the Monarch to jail. We learn Sunshine doesn't know what "due process" is. While the Monarch was gone, Sunshine comes back and takes Hank, leaving Dean behind. Since the Monarch's henchmen killed Sunshine's last Wonderboy, he wants Hank to replace him. Creepiness and innuendos abound as Hank is transformed into the latest Wonderboy. After much wrangling over counterfeit one-sided ransom money and double-crossing on both the Monarch's and Dr. Venture's accounts, they race to get to Sunshine's NeverLand Ranch like mansion first. We learn that the Monarch can fit into a Wonderboy costume and psychologically abuse Captain Sunshine with hilarious results. Hank decides to return to his family and all is as normal as it can get in the Venture Universe.

Perchance to Dean
Leave it to Rusty not to notice that a deformed Dean clone has taken up residence in the Venture attic. Bent on becoming a "real" Dean, he digs up dead Dean clones to make a suit. We learn that Rusty gets super science inspiration from Progressive rockers like Yes. He's also grooming Dean to be his protégé and punishing the rebellious Hank with a long list of chores. Meanwhile, after Hank hits the last usable dead Dean clone with the car, the clone realizes the only way to become a "real" Dean is to get rid of the real thing. A chase ensues and we learn both Deans are only doing what they're doing to please Rusty. Will Hank and Dean discover they have been cloned numerous times? Nope, thanks to Sgt. Hatred's idea of Venture Compound security, the affection starved clone blows up when he hugs a Rusty decoy statue in the front yard that's rigged with explosives.

Return to Malice
Dr. Mrs. the Monarch tries to convince her oblivious husband that 21 isn't quite right since 24's death. We learn the Monarch's dead cat, Mr. Mostly Mittens, is stuffed and on their mantle. He talks the cat, so whatever 21 is doing to cope must be okay. 21 is talking to 24's skull, a bit more extreme than a stuffed cat. 21 is also determined to figure out who killed 24. Since Hank and Dean are first on the list of suspects, 21 and other henchmen kidnap them. We learn 21 has a tree house where he takes the boys and questions them. Meanwhile, the Monarchs are exchanging the funniest pillow talk I've ever heard. It's interrupted when the Monarch breaks out into a rash, due to their fancy dinner. Back at the compound, Sgt Hatred can't find the boys and sees a Monarch dart. Thinking the villains ordered the kidnapping, Dr. Venture and Sgt Hatred go to Malice to confront them. While the Monarch is in the bathroom hiding his face, his wife quietly smoothes things over with Dr. Venture. We learn Dr. Mrs. the Monarch is a fan of the old Rusty Venture cartoon. 21 realizes the Venture Brothers couldn't have killed 24 and lets them leave. Dr. Venture calls the boys from his watch and sees they're home. In 21's Cocoon room, we see a yellow gloved hand check off the Venture Brothers from the list. 21 walks in after and realizes 24's skull isn't where he left it.....Freaky.

In part two of this series of Venture Bros season 4.1 articles; I will be recapping The Revenge Society, SelfMedication, the Better Man, and Pinstripes and Poltergeists. Read part 2 here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2499313/what_did_we_learn_from_venture_bros.html?cat=2

Sources:

Personal Experience