Review:
The Cleveland Show: Episode Thirteen

113: Buried Pleasure

‘You like watching birds? You like looking at their little bird weenies? Yeah, you do, don’t you? You’re a weird little bird queer, Holt.’ – Lester Krinklesac

For weeks it’s been said – in these very reviews, no less – that Holt was the weakest, least relevant character of the entire cast. Well, this episode aims to completely disprove that statement as Holt finally gets an episode that puts him the spotlight.

After Holt misses both the local fairground and several poker nights due to his curfew time, Cleveland and the guys convince him to talk to his mother. Unfortunately, Donna then witnesses what appears to be Holt murdering his mother during a heated confrontation.

Meanwhile, Rallo wins a goldfish at the fair which Cleveland Jr. accidentally drinks, leading the two of them to have a wacky pregnancy adventure.

Both parts of the episode work really well. Rallo and Cleveland Jr. make a truly excellent team, almost to the same degree as Brian and Stewie in Family Guy, and their hilarious subplot adds a lot of laughs to the episode. Admittedly, most of it comes from watching Rallo and Junior act like an old married couple (again, a lot like Brian and Stewie at their peak), but the way it’s pulled off is so funny that it doesn’t matter.

The main story is also worthy of praise, if only because of the speed with which it moves. The story begins as though it’s going to go down the tried and tested method of Hitchcock’s Rear Window, but mercifully has the sense and foresight to change tack after getting all the jokes out of it that it can. From here, the plot moves at an intimidating pace, building with speed and hilarity before ending with yet another excellent action sequence that demonstrate just how good the animation team is.

As always, Tim the Bear and Rallo walk away with most of the laughs between them. Hopefully the two will be paired up soon enough, because the combination might well be the thing that really makes The Cleveland Show click.