Can't Ignore It Anymore: Helluva Boss Season 2 Episode 4 Review

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[@SarcasticChorus]

Thoughts on the season so far? Also follow me on twitter: twitter.com/ChorusSarcastic

[@insectostrich4407]

It’s a bit hard to feel sad for these characters with tragic backstories and tense moments when earlier in the show we saw a police helicopter blow up a murder family’s house with kids inside. For laughs mind you. Another example of this is when Moxxie has that flash back to his childhood and we see that his dad drowned his mum, but it’s shown after and followed up by the 20 dildo scene. Plus, the humour in general can come off as very forced too.

[@ManicKiwii]

I won't say I'm starting to fizzle out with the season it's just a little underwhelming. We're only 4 episodes in and i know promises have been made so i holding my breath on that but so far im not confident. 😅🤷🏾‍♀️

[@insectostrich4407]

When a show reveals that it’s much deeper than a simple comedy I like to call that process “the comical vale”. It’s something Red vs Blue did. However, unlike Helluva Boss RvB, at least before season 15, made sure to separate the humour from the more very serious scenes and even justified the non-sensical things from earlier seasons. Like when the team thought they were fighting a war when they were complete idiots: It was revealed later they were secretly selected to be used as training for the actual soldiers, and they were chosen because they were mostly idiots so they wouldn’t be too dangerous or question anything.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Weak. The opener and Moxxie episode were quite good but the other two have been mediocre at best. Also, did the animation look...cheap in this one? A clear downgrade?

[@emilyavila4308]

Idk I liked this episode a lot, but striker felt a little off to me (aside from the voice) and I was getting whiplash during the fight scene, but I have been loving the show so far, and I’m going to continue to enjoy it

[@shusky_master9172]

I legit didn’t realize it’s been 2 whole years since Stryker’s first appearance 💀

[@felixgonzalez5135]

No way that's true 💀

[@ddmacc]

​@@felixgonzalez5135 It is

[@ACeForgot]

Damn I time flies

[@gwyngwyn_2416]

WHAT 💀

[@raindrop650]

Same 💀 This show really makes you think about all the time going by unlike other shows since this is a very small company meaning it takes longer to produce episodes...

[@GandalfTheTsaagan]

100% agreed Stolas' kidnapping feels so serious but everything else is just so goofy, and Loona's appointment was such a missed opportunity for a father-daughter moment!

[@yoknom]

There were father daughter moments, just not spoken out loud. And that seems to be because the VA of Loona lost her partner to cancer around the time of recording (read that in the comments), in which case I think they have done their best to still show the importance of that father daughter bond. 1. Yes she's freaked out the whole time, but she stays with Blitz and doesn't run 2. When she hides under the chairs and he bobs her nose she even smiles for a second, which is a great thing seeing how bad her fear is 3. When he hugs her while he argues in the waiting area, Loona stops shivering and accepts the closeness instead of freaking out more. In her state of fear I'd not except that kind of closeness from someone I don't trust 100% 4. If I understood correctly this was the first time he took her to get her S.H.O.T., and still he understood how bad her fear was. For me that implies they have talked about the severity beforehand. Would it have been cool to see these talks? Of course, but in light of the VA's situation I think this episode still highlightend their bond Blitz may use this appointment to argue he can't rescue Stolas, but his face said he was about to rescue Stolas anyway until the Imps argued they were able to handle Stolas. In this episode so much happened beside the dialogue and that they can still get all of this across even without Loona talking is great work imo. But I was not as frustrated with this episode as many others to begin with so don't know, maybe I am just an outlier.

[@darkwoods639]

​@@yoknom I totally agree with you. Many fans should pay attention to these details.

[@augustuzmoon3814]

@@yoknom I believe it’s a combination of her lack of presence in the couple of episodes and she just sorta hangs around not doing anything and since the last time she spoke it wasn’t on the best of terms with her being either a prick or rude.

[@sotojared22]

I disagree. The episode was meant to develop Stolas and Blitzø's relationship. Loona going to the doctors was a reflection of Stolas being kidnapped, evident by the transitions back and forth between both climaxes. The contrast between something actually serious to something more remedial. Although poorly executed, it adds to the depth when Blitzø realizes Stolas's mortality. How mundane and selfish it all felt to him, drowning in shame, fear, and guilt for not being a better partner as seen by the end. It's really relatable stuff, and sets up an interesting relationship arc where Blitzø might see drastic character development. Let's see if they can deliver.

[@animatordean]

​@@yoknom I agree with you, I had little to no problems with this episode

[@sleather5899]

honestly that "he can get HURT?" from blitz feels like both "oh shit he's not invincible" and "oh shit I can lose him too". Perfect delivery.

[@TheLawlessRogue]

I agree but for me I just want really invested into the episode to feel the actual hurt, which is a shame since I literally had such high expectations for it too

[@raggens]

The problem is that Striker already showed Blitz that these kinds of weapons exist, so that just makes the delivery all the more confusing since Blitz knows that there are weapons that can kill Goetias

[@No_name8374]

Could’ve been a perfect delivery until you realized that wait!? Blitzø already knows striker can kill stolas.

[@benzelwasington4059]

Thing hes blizo dosent even really care 😂😅

[@the-annoyinator]

It makes zero sense for him to say that though..?

[@customarymagic]

I feel like the writers needed to find a reason to keep Blitz away from the Stolas plot and just found a really, really strange way to do it.

[@julias.7534]

Arguably it almost would've been better if Blitz just didn't pick up the phone. Make it a tone piece, just Stolas and Striker as we're forced to slowly go from "Blitz is taking a while," "Blitz wouldn't leave me," "Blitz is a professional," to "Blitz isn't coming."

[@LinkEX]

As mentioned at 11:20, the reason itself is fine. It's the _extent_ to which the purely comedic B-plot switches back and forth with the serious main plot, as mentioned at 9:25. For instance, they could have reduced the B-plot to just the most necessary. Use it for one comedic cut to Blitz, Luna and the doctor chasing each other as the tension isn't quite as high and the M-n-Ms approach Striker. Cut out the whole stuff with the receptionist and the annoyed mom.

[@1slayer959]

I mean is it weird? He doesn't take stolas's kidnapping seriously and he does think of luna as a daughter. It makes sense that he'd treat the situational like this. And as for the tonal difference. This is still a comedy

[@Tsochar]

If Blitz had been the one to find Stolas beaten and bloody, he would not have been able to handle it and noped out of there. If that happened, the ship would be 100% dead.

[@1slayer959]

@@Tsochar ☝️

[@varibunn]

Even for as much as I dislike the tone whiplash, Brandon still kills it with his voice acting. Hes of the reasons I keep coming back. Like that ending "He can get hurt?" BROKE my heart jfc

[@Passions5555]

Yeah, great line read on that one

[@moonoftheblood]

ABSOLUTELY, I adore the voice acting in this show so much bro

[@aidenbenner2723]

yeah it adds more to the plot and added more suspense I was wasn't looking at the time and I thought the episode was going to end on a cliffhanger and then stoles hospital scene ,perfect

[@aidenbenner2723]

Stolas

[@sarahni]

Honestly I don't think Brandon has delivered a single bad line

[@OdenqueenVulpes]

My biggest complaint with this episode is that I feel like they turned Striker into a Chaz clone for some reason.

[@billcipher8645]

THIS! I'm so disappointed but I feel like every male character gets reduced to a Chaz melting pot

[@nerf_or_nothin9551]

I completely agree! Striker deserved better imo

[@SaltedRain]

Chaz with a southern accent

[@crazyluigi6664]

@@SaltedRain But more badass with himself.

[@toadlord8594]

Chaz spirit still lives on, his persona is practically the essence of Helluva Boss all wrapped in a shark face character.

[@danielferrieri7434]

This Episode has two sides Side 1: Stolas is Captured and Striker returns Side 2: Loona gets her Rabies S.H.O.T

[@valentinkambushev4968]

One is awesome, the other... is there, I guess.

[@falconeshield]

​@@valentinkambushev4968 I'm sorry I loved the SHOT scenes. I didn't feel Stolas was gonna die until the very last minute (until the cellphone) so the A Plot going almost there while the B was funny... it worked for me

[@kaykay8855]

​@@falconeshieldI like it too but I got to admit it is out of place.

[@jackchat19]

Why is Loona so quiet? In S2 E2 she didn't say anything in this episode she didn't say anything.

[@kanebarton6212]

Damn didn't know that 😦completely understand why then besides it works for this episode anyway since any dog usually just whimpers when going to the vet

[@alyssamurillo3982]

I can’t even imagine what Octavia would say if she found out what happened to her father and her finding out who caused him this much pain. It’s heartbreaking.

[@blackcat5333]

I kinda wish there was a scene after a credits where Octavia visits her father and when she asks him, "Who did this to you?" Stolas would either say the truth or lie, wishing to protect her.

[@ownerlesscat7523]

@@blackcat5333 Bruv it won't happen. Have you SEEN this fanbases? All they want are shippings. Not an actual good story.

[@Disig]

@@blackcat5333 I feel like he would lie to protect Octavia but Octavia would be able to find out based on context clues. That would be an interesting episode, plus her potentially confronting her mother.

[@I_aint_active_no_more]

I don’t follow the series, so I’m wondering if it would be good is she did find out. What do you guys think?

[@cordyceps7531]

@@Disig nah we can’t do that. It’s too genuinely interesting to happen

[@kappatrappa]

What gets me is that Stella has never been advertised as a "dumb" woman or a bimbo archetype. Just a person who doesn't care for Stolas and would rather see him dead above all else. It rubs me the wrong way that suddenly she's portrayed as dumb and acts dumb when she's never once seemed to care much about getting anything out of Stolas dying than just seeing him dead. Edit: y'all, childish and dumb are not synonymous. you can be childish and not dumb.

[@amandaschott5897]

Yeah I feel like making her petulant and childish instead of just simply rich and heartless was a bad choice

[@EggyBenedict]

Big agree. Stella was always characterized as vindictive and cunning, but never stupid. The sudden choice to characterize her as airheaded and short-sighted feels like such a contradiction to how she was characterized previously. It makes me feel as though they wanted to (for some reason) water down her character in order to sideline her so they could introduce her brother, Andrealphus. He now plays the "shrewd manipulative villian" role in the plot that Stella frankly played just fine prior to this odd writing choice. Nothing against Andrealphus as a character but he feels so redundant and "Stella 2.0, smarter edition".

[@Mike117_]

She was never on screen enough to make a honest assessment of her character to begin with.

[@ThroughtheSkyIFly]

I thik you were reading too much of fanfiction, Stella wasn't "advertised" as anything in the show

[@adamH.1]

How was Stella a manipulative character? She always seemed childish, remember her temper tantrum back in episode 2 of S1? We didn't even see enough of her but we do know that she wanted Stolas to die so baldy she got blinded by her rage, which fits her character. Also she doesn't actually care about Stolas's belongings and heritage, it's Andrealphus who does and manipulates her. That was pretty well established in the episode

[@seandewar47]

To be fair, the reason why Loona hasn't had any line is because her Voice Actress, Erica Lindbeck, is taking a bit of a Grieving period for her Fiance who passed away from cancer. EDIT: OK, Two things: 1. It's possible this is a rumor, looking into it a bit more, couldn't really find anything outright disproving the notion. But it is still possible since the timeline matches up, the episodes were likely in production around the time of Kametz' passing. And given how long making an animated show takes, not that hard to believe that this is likely a factor. 2. I do agree they should have sidelined loona big time in this episode rather than what they did here. If the "Grieving period" thing is true, replacing her would have been disrespectful and just Tone-deaf. Especially since Loona is part of the main cast, and especially considering how much Viziepop respects her VA's she likely wouldn't want to do that.

[@thelordoflemonz]

Wow, okay I didn't realize that was something that happened. That's legit tragic, and explains a lot regarding Loona's lack of dialogue in the last two episodes.

[@gezz5904]

@@valentinkambushev4968what is wrong with you? I mean okay Loona is nowhere near any level of importance to me but Millie is integral to the series, dude

[@valentinkambushev4968]

@@gezz5904 an integral character that they've done only the bare minimum with.

[@alabama4625]

jesus fucking christ man, that's gotta be tough

[@theonetruespice]

​@@valentinkambushev4968 they've stated countless times that a Millie centric episode is in the works.

[@defiante1]

My biggest issue is the tone shifts between characters abilities, in one episode they are highly capable even if prone to goofball antics and in other episodes their either helpless or barely capable. Moxie is always flipflopping between trained assassin and useless guy who is 100% dependant on Millie. Same with Striker, he went from the most badass imp bounty hunter to sort of okay. Stolas is either a Prince of Hell or a damsel depending on their mood. I'd just like a little consistency and it feels like they sacrifice a good story for cheap laughs too often.

[@catbatrat1760]

"and it feels like they sacrifice a good story for cheap laughs too often" ^^^^ THIS

[@NoirRaven]

Sadly, they get rewarded for doing that. The show's never been more popular 😩😔

[@ResearcherKeagan]

Stolas can instantly kill striker, I thought that’s why he had a sniper rifle in the 1st season. For distance, now he runs up on him Willy nilly? Man your right they’ve gotta stop sacrificing story for jokes

[@pie1o1morris46]

​@@ResearcherKeaganHe could instantly kill Striker /if/ Striker didn't have a bunch of holy weapons.

[@pie1o1morris46]

Gonna respectfully disagree here. Moxxie has always been somewhat skilled assassin, just not as skilled as Millie. He just lets his emotions/insecurities get in the way sometimes. In the first episode he didn't want to ruin an innocent family (someone theorized that his not wanting to kill the mom was due to his own mom being killed). In the first Striker episode he was trying to fight with his bare hands instead of with weapons (where his strengths lie) because he wanted to prove himself to Millie's folks. In the exes episode it was because it was against his dad, which understandably is trauma based. And in the summer camp episode his fault was his own insecurities and trying to prove himself, trying to do things his way to prove he could lead instead of listening to Millie. He's still good, just not as good as Millie and still needs to work through his insecurities, which he has been steadily working on throughout the series. Which shows his character development. On Striker I think he was still a badass in this episode, just as he was in his first episode. His success in kidnapping Stolas is proof of that and he would have succeeded in killing him had Stella not called when she did. And keeping in mind just how tough Millie is and that Moxxie was fighting serious this time with his strengths plus teaming up with Millie, Striker keeping them both at bay using almost his lasso alone is proof that he's still just as badass as he was before. On Stolas being a damsel in distress, this is the first time he was seriously in danger. The whole point of the Loo Loo Land thing was that he wanted Blitzø to be his knight in shining armor, a big kink of his as Sarcastic Chorus pointed out. He was perfectly capable of protecting himself and Via the whole time. He just wanted to live out his fantasy with Blitzø.

[@grintheartist647]

My only issue with Blitz’s realization that Stolas can get hurt is that he knew the threat Striker possessed when they had their first fight.

[@gobygal]

Yes! I find the biggest problem with this episode is that this is the second appearance of striker. Imagine if this was the first episode he showed up. How much stronger would it be if we did it the other way around? He could have started as an assassin who is especially bitter towards royals. Then at the harvest moon festival, he isn't just hunting Stolas because of Stella, but because he is starting to execute his plan of taking out the royals. And how much scarier for both Blitz and Stolas as this is the first person to really hurt Stolas and he isn't messing around this time.

[@grintheartist647]

@@gobygal yeah literally in the episode they met Blitz was literally said didn’t like that he was trying to “off” Stolas behind his back.

[@grintheartist647]

If they were going to do this they could have at least not revealed the threat of Angel weapons and that Striker possessed them to Blitz

[@ijionclifton9148]

Yea maybe he didn't realize it or didn't think he could pull it off

[@PlanetZoidstar]

@@ijionclifton9148 Moxxie was aware of Angelic weaponry, I somehow doubt Blitzo didn't know about them. They still have Striker's Angelic Rifle.

[@rezkel7404]

I feel the tone was done on purpose, that we are meant to feel like there is no danger because its Stolas, who is an extremely powerful demon, has never really been in danger before. We are meant to think this is just another time where he is tricking Blitzo to be his Knight in Shining armor, because that is what Blitzo is feeling. He never saw Stolas as a person capable of being hurt either physically or mentally and the thought that he can basically rocked his world view.

[@tayloradams3993]

honestly I do wish it stopped cutting so much to the B plot the moment Stolas got stabbed.. like let it be Stolas all the way through, and then at the end see Blitz and Loona just before we get that "He can be hurt...?" Line

[@justanotherweirdo11]

​@@tayloradams3993 Agreed.

[@ravwoofles3858]

That would only work if they would have stopped cutting away once Stolas realized he was in real danger because Blitz wasn't coming, then only cut back after the rescue to show how unaware blitz was.

[@lovediedin2009]

i dont see why they would do that though ... blitz isnt the main focus of this episode & its not even told through his perspective since he's not even there so iunno why they'd do that

[@sorgius01]

Ummm... Couse it's a juxtaposition between Blitz's - at the time - relatively carefree mindset and the actual severity of the situation, so the whiplash effect on him is more impactful as he realises that Stolas can actually get seriously hurt?

[@Ch1l1C0nCarnag3]

I think the entire Blitz and Loona B plot could have been cut entirely, with only them going to the hospital and them leaving the hospital at the end being shown. Have Blitz be covered in blood and scratches with Loona in her cone to indicate things didn't go smoothly inside, and just have the scene play out as normal. We could have had everything that happened inside the hospital as its own separate short, instead of detracting from the main plot.

[@drallak442]

I fully agree! I think that would have made the absence of Blitz hit all the harder when Stolas realizes his Blitzø isn't coming, and it would have given more time for the stakes to be raised to create a more serious tone to give Striker more credit to his ego.

[@jocelynsmyth6604]

I agree - I think it was a missed opportunity to have him walk in the door of the hospital and have it shut behind him, making him unavailable for the whole episode

[@Midnightsons-Unlimited]

Those text messages on Stolas’s phone are some of the saddest I’ve seen. I think that Blitzø does care, but he’ll need to make more of an effort or at least open himself up more to Stolas.Also, that fight scene between Moxxie, Millie and Striker was awesome! I did squeal with delight at the beginning when Stolas checked his phone and there was a reminder to see Ozzie's in 3 days.

[@geogg2455]

Im actually kind of disappointed with what they’ve done to Stella this episode because it changes her character and tone COMPLETELY. They’ve dumbed her down; being unable to even slightly comprehend the implications of killing stolas and what that would mean for her and her daughter is just out of character and well, stupid. They’ve made her stupid to accommodate for her brother to be the next villain and brains… when she already had what it took to be a fleshed out villain. She has now taken a back seat to her brother. I saw her as a cruel and strategic character who wants to make the lives of those she dislikes a nightmare just because. She was loud but intimidating. Now… I see her as the ‘dumber’ one.

[@jaydajohn5041]

I get what you mean but she’s been trying to kill him with striker since the moon festival in episode 3. Her plan was always just to kill him. She never cared about more money or her daughter. I feel like a lot of people saw her character that way because we didn’t know her that well in the beginning. But she kinda always like that

[@capootiscrepitoos]

@@jaydajohn5041 Yeah, the entire reason I loved Stella was because of how bluntly evil she was, gave me a serious Saturday Morning cartoon villain vibe

[@DenDarEmi]

Same, to me she felt like a Cersei Lannister but with her emotions on her sleeves more, but after this episode, not so much

[@geogg2455]

@@capootiscrepitoosYes exactly! It was hard to take her seriously, and I found her quite intimidating previously. She’s now a comic relief character to another character

[@geogg2455]

@@DenDarEmi Yes! Perfect comparison to be honest. Yeah I found her to actually be strategic, like how she schemed to torment Stolas as much as possible by staying in the house, even if she didn’t want to. She was genuinely evil. I see her as the comic relief character to another character now. She isn’t very intimidating anymore. Same with Striker, they Chaz-ified him a bit too.

[@JamesWillmus]

I am SO thankful for Andrealphus in this episode. At least one character in the show (and by extension, the writers) sees Stella as being cruel and pretty, but also incredibly short-sighted and shallow as a puddle. There's no plan here beyond "kill Stolas" for her character.

[@rashan141]

Ehhh, I think you're giving him too much credit. Stella might be shortsighted but Andrealphus doesn't care that she's being cruel, not once is that shown throughout the episode, he's looking out for himself and that's made clear from when HE suggests getting of Octavia but Stella doesn't see that as an option. Stella petty but she's just that, petty, and not trying to kill her offspring nor get riches while Andrealphus DOES want all those things. It's clear that, most likely, he's going to do something Stella won't agree with. It's painted clear here that he both doesn't agree with her simpler wants and DOES look down on her for this same reason.

[@samitrahill5723]

@@rashan141 Exactly, finally someone who notices that Andrealphus was pushing her in the direction HE wanted to go.

[@rashan141]

@@samitrahill5723 I just don't understand how people miss it. It's extremely obvious that, despite everything with Stolas, Stella isn't on the same page. She just wants Stolas dead, not to hurt Octavia which will likely end up as some sort of turning point. Because if I may headcanon it a bit? I think she really doesn't know the effect she's having on her 'egg' and that's why she's so blatant about it. We ALL need to remember, these are NOT human beings. These hell natives who enact violence, pain, suffering, and sin on the daily. By all metrics, Stella might very well be what a demonic mother is like, she lets Octavia strive on her own but that's where Stolas differs. His father was like that and he wanted better for his own child. I believe that's where we'll get the dissonance between the two. I just can't understand why they're still married unless it was for some good reason. It's not like either of them CAN'T survive a break-up, they're literally both rich, assumably. If anything, there's likely something at play we don't see.... Hopefully.

[@JoaoPedro-eq3hj]

​@@rashan141 People miss it because the whole fanbase wants to make like every character morally better than Stella for some reason even tho most people in the series are actually horrible people? I mean geez, its hell, a wife who treats super badly her husband must be a regular occurance

[@rashan141]

@@JoaoPedro-eq3hj The weird part? It's like the show goes back and forth on how bad it is. Not once before the most recent episodes are we shown that Stolas, apparently, takes drugs or anti-depressants. So, what does this mean? Those kinds of things don't just pop up but are they from Stella? Or are they from Blitzo? Stolas has literally said to Stella he TRIED to make it work but I don't know what that means. He's a good FATHER but that doesn't mean he'd be a great person/husband, we don't know. Like, is this abusive angle new? It's made to seem like this ISN'T the norm. That Stella might have been a bit much, that they had their fights, but she's _NEVER_ gone out of her way to have him killed. I'm not sure if Stella isn't from this an intense amount or not and I hope we get an episode about who she is all the way down.

[@illnessbutmakeitmental8365]

Moxxie's whole "Harder ~" thing feels quite out of character for him imo. It's not that Moxxie *wouldn't* make sexual jokes, but in this particular context, it feels like something Blitz or Angel Dust would say (and is very similar to what Stolas HAS been saying throughout the entire torture scene). We already have hypersexual characters, we really don't need to make everyone else so hypersexual as well. And I also think Striker would not have been so easy to throw off guard with that. "What'cha moaning at me for, little dude? Think that's gonna' stop me after listenin' to that owl describe his entire sex life to me?" seems like a more fitting response he'd give, which not only would serve to keep him as this untouchable, intimidating force of nature, but also it could be a little self-aware quip where not everything can be resolved with an out-of-touch sexual joke.

[@puffimochi]

Dude, facts. Sure it is refreshing to see a character like Striker get uncomfortable at sexual jokes but I mean he literally has a statue of himself with an erection- which is also unfitting- so it's coming at a point for me where they kinda did killed Striker. I do love him being more fleshed out and having his own little comedic moments however this was too much. Also him being more offended, angered easily like a SpongeBob-ish character and listening to Stella's request with no fight back but just him mulling it over a bit just turned this cool ass all-business hitman who CLEARLY has goals to kill all royals... into a regular cartoony goon. I love and hate Striker this episode- which pains me so much because he is literally my favorite character and I spent those two years drawing him and reading cringe fanfics to fill that void. Honestly, hire me as a writer lol. I already have hundreds of ways to fix most of these problems

[@justice8718]

Has anyone ever thought Striker suffers from Genophobia? The statue could represent what Striker wants to be and how his image literally crumbles down when he’s confronted with his weakness.

[@artistanthony1007]

Would be far better if he said something like "Kiss your Mistress' Axx"

[@supersunshine1023]

It’s kinda weird how some eps in this season like Stolas’s backstory or Moxxie’s dad eps have no subplots, have the whole episode for the plot, yet eps that have big things like Octavia running away to the human world or the return of Striker/Stolas in danger had to have subplots crammed in to them?

[@Moonlight.Howlings.666]

I love this episode, but what's heartbreaking was the ending. Since it seems Blitzø has the idea Stolas was untouchable, and is caught off guard that he can have the ability to get hurt. "He can get hurt?" that seriousness in the tone from Blitzø hit me so much in the feels I just wanted to give Stolas a hug. I feel that Stolas brings out the best in Blitzø, you can see in moments of need how much they both care for each other! However Blitzø certainly reserves himself, I feel he wants to avoid meaningful conversations in fear that he will face the realisation that their relationship is more than just an exchange, and gives him something he's worried to loose. But that's just my take! I've loved seeing their development throughout the series!

[@krampus7520]

Striker’s straight panic was pretty strong. felt like Striker turned straight over the duration of his absence.

[@mateleacloverae]

Maybe he just really isn't into Mox? 😅 He was already totally into himself in the Harvest Moon ep, he probably only flirted with Blitz because he was the only one who could keep up with him (they tied in the competition).

[@krampus7520]

@@mateleacloverae yeah, but he seemed more like the type of person to see through that, or just not be bothered by it, but he lost his advantage in the fight because of his reaction

[@justice8718]

Perhaps Striker broadly fears sex.

[@sillysayuri]

@@mateleacloverae Didn’t Striker wink at a male imp in the harvest moon? I remember seeing that.

[@natalies7485]

It definitely could have used more tension. Like it was hard to feel like Stolas was actually in danger, and Striker somehow felt less dangerous? (I didn't even catch the voice actor difference myself.) The S.H.O.T. subplot could have definitely used more substance, as it was purely there for humor. Still loved how everyone gave Striker sass and the fight scene was so good!

[@Kiterpuss]

I can see what the idea with this episode was. The contrast between Blitz's mundane everyday dad duties and Stolas nearly being tortured to death drives home the idea that everyone kind of assumed Stolas could handle himself. The intro to the two plots and that line from Blitz at the end sends that idea home beautifully - I especially loved Stolas defending his daughter as a parallel to Blitz trying to help his in the hospital. Even the duality of the hospital being goofy with Blitz and Loona, but becoming serious at the end with Stolas is cool writing. But the balance and nuance just wasn't where it needed to be in the middle of the episode and we lost the emotional impact because of that. It's as if the climax of the episode was in the last 30 seconds instead of in the middle of the episode, and it makes it feel unfinished.

[@UltimateDurzan]

bingo!

[@Alina_Schmidt]

Good take, mostly agree. But why is it bad if the empotional climax is in the end? I don‘t think so.

[@Kiterpuss]

@@Alina_Schmidt You need the climax to be in the middle so there's a slope of reduced tension afterwards. That's how it's the climax - you can graph the story tension and that is the peak of the parabola. If you have a climax in the plot right at the immediate end of a story, that's what we call a cliffhanger which is also an effective tool. But if you don't intentionally have a cliffhanger and you don't have the appropriate cool down, it lands in this awkward middle space where the story feels like the pacing is wrong or unfinished.

[@moaharbor]

Exactly!

[@onijester56]

Last season, the lesser parts were centered into full episodes... for example, CHERUB feeling like raw filler. In this season, it's more diffused: no single episode is genuinely bad, but almost every episode has something lacking because it's trying to do everything at once. This said, I do appreciate the perspective I saw below about how the "Blitz's Shenanigans" B-plot highlight Blitz's naïve view that Stolas can't be hurt.

[@maybemintmochi_]

I honestly think the doctor's appointment was to create a sense of humor to provide comic relief, I liked it. It gives a reason as to why Blitz couldn't show up and makes Stolas question if he actually cares about him.

[@AMcGrath82]

Exactly. Even in Shakespeare's tragedies, he always included comic relief.

[@potatogamerfiber]

Sure, which is why he mentioned that it made sense to show some clips from the b plot. However, when you get to the height of the tension, continuing to cut to the b plot just ruins the flow & makes striker feel like more of a joke. The b plot felt like it was getting in the way since it was all just the same "chase around the room." After striker seemed terrifying in the last episode, this one just made him seem like a typical chaz with more damaging weapons

[@Lov3lyMoon]

@@potatogamerfiber They've could just show the B plot directly after the phone call with stolas and then switched to the more serious main plot to still show that affect but with better structure.

[@syca5094]

@Alexander Scott comparing Shakespeares concept of "comic relief" to helluva boss is crazy

[@the-annoyinator]

The B plot was literally just so Blitz had an excuse to not save Stolas, which is completely out of character for him to not do

[@drunkenlemon1624]

Really wish Hellova Boss would lay off of "Hahah, sex funny" jokes as much.

[@kysell]

seriously

[@easytokeepquiet]

you've summed up how i felt watching this episode exactly. this season is definitely fizzling out for me but i still really want to see this show succeed and do well. Season 1 showed how capable it is of having great story and character depth and it really felt like it was finding that sweet spot between humor and when to take itself seriously, but it seems to have lost it. I'm still going to keep watching, but I might just have to accept that the show might not be telling the kind of story I hoped it would.

[@easytokeepquiet]

I also get why there was a b plot in the episode, they didnt want blitzø to be the one to rescue stolas here, because he doesnt really think stolas can be in real danger. but they could of cut out the scenes with blitzø and loona in the hospital and just had him take her in at the beginning and exit with her at the end of the episode, without having to cut the intense moments with "shenanigans"

[@halomoon_]

This episode had different levels drama but it all started to connect at the very end when we saw Stolas entering the hospital and Blitzo realizing that Stolas may not seem so strong after all

[@erika3405]

for the hospital scenes, what would’ve made the ep more tense is if blitz hurried the whole thing along, became tense and serious and was on edge. it would’ve made it much more intense and made it seem like stolas really was in danger. yes, he did tell millie and moxxie to get there quick and yes, blitz was speeding and yes, he did basically shove him and loona out the van so that they could save stolas faster but he could’ve showed that same urgency afterwards. also i completely agree with u on the “striker not being scary enough part.” like i expected this ep to be like imp couldn’t defeat him so blitz would have to beg to save stolas’ life like some serious grovelling, but it’s ok. the ep was all around enjoyable and we did get some very important insight on their relationship

[@jessosiyoway]

13:35 There it is. That is, I think, the whole point of the tone. Like Blitzø, the audience has also become very accustomed to Stolas feigning the danger as part of a game to initiate interaction - apparently, when texting won't work! - and that was part of the bit. And they both knew it was a bit. The audience knew it was a bit. We were meant to be as rattled by Blitzø's realization it wasn't cartoon shenanigans as he was, which primed the audience for what immediately came next. ...having our souls ripped out of our chests as the context for how messed up each of their heads and hearts are about their relationship and the perspective they both have, creating this actually well done, believable miscommunication trope combined with... having to be adults. Deal with their lives. The escapism isn't enough for Stolas anymore, the humor won't erase the inner turmoil Blitzø is really dealing with (see the hallucination musical!). If something doesn't happen soon, not only will they break but the consequences of their life choices and their lack of good, honest communication is going to break not just their relationship - but their life's security.

[@gigachad3925]

Yes exactly! Very well said!

[@Rosegirl132]

I think the lack of stakes at the beginning is important, bc Stolas is supposed to be immortal and we’re not supposed to believe he can get hurt, and neither does stolas or the other characters we keep waiting on m&m’s (them getting there should’ve been a b plot which I agree with not the c plot but blitzo needs a reason to be there) leads up to Blitzo’s shock at the end. Also I think the b plot is supposed to be world building (there was probably a slightly different script but Loona’s voice actor was unable to be there due to her grieving a loss.) and provides a reason for Blitzo to think everything is fine and be at the hospital and a reason was needed for him to not come and feel guilty for not saving him.

[@APArtHistory2024]

i get excited for every new episode that comes out because i just love the show so much! so i really liked this episode, i loved the transitions in the fight scene with the m&ms. i feel different about the tension that you mentioned, i was worried the moment striker arrived but that might be because i don’t love striker as much as you do lmao also during the parts when he was stabbing into stolas, i was on the verge of tears in algebra. i love stolas so much and seeing him being tortured made me so sad along with blitz’s “he can get hurt?” at the end bro😭 tears. literal tears. he has stolas on such a high pedestal and it’s so- like- it makes me want to scream if that makes any sense at all. also i never even thought to pause and read the texts until you mentioned them and i started crying because of the effort stolas is putting into their relationship even when it’s so so rocky and blitz isn’t communicating anything about how he feels. i’m so happy it was somewhat addressed in this episode and i cant wait for when they have a conversation/argument about ozzie’s or where their relationship stands.

[@ogrebarberian7187]

i have to say, this has been my favorite episode thus far honestly. it shows so much depth to the characters thus far in the season. this season is building on the relationships between the characters, and i am loving and cant wait to see more from blitzo/stolist. stolist has become my favorite character.

[@Floweramon]

Little surprised you didn't bring up the mild incestuous vibes Stella and Andrealphus had because it certainly a choice to have him describe Stella as "vixen" "minx" and "attractive" (not even pretty, he specifically said attractive) which are not the usual things you expect a brother to call their sister XD

[@ellag3265]

I think maybe he's just kind of sexist? But I agree a LITTLE WEIRD

[@JamesDavy2009]

@@ellag3265 Remember they're royalty-royal families throughout history committed incest if there was no other way to keep commoner blood from mixing with theirs.

[@hsojuu]

With all respect, I really don’t understand this take. I’ve seen ppl talk about this but I don’t get any vibe like this from them at all. To me it just seems like the brother is a bit fruity if you know what I mean, so he speaks to her more like to a bestie/sister. And telling her she’s attractive isn’t weird at all to me. I don’t see anything weird in complementing family members + it was literally actually an insult to her. He called her stupid in a nice way.

[@Floweramon]

@@hsojuu Like I said, it's the choice in words. I know the phrase "you're lucky you're pretty/cute/ect." is an insult to belittle someone's intelligence. It's using the specific word "attractive" coupled with the other words "minx" and "vixen". It's fine if you didn't get that vibe, but his words did not seem familial to me.

[@hsojuu]

@@Floweramon Sure! Agree to disagree. Although I gotta say, I actually think that the words like “cute” or “pretty” are a lot more “flirty” than the word attractive. But I guess that just really depends on the viewer.

[@animatordean]

Honestly, I loved the episode, my only problem with it is that it felt too short

[@M.O.Valent]

I feel like every episode but the one over the ring of lust feels too short

[@the-annoyinator]

I'm guessing Vivziepop could upload 10 minutes of paint drying and you'd say something similar

[@animatordean]

@@the-annoyinator bro, im just saying I love it so much that it feels short, one of those "time flies when you're having fun" situations. I can't get enough of these charecters 🥰

[@the-annoyinator]

@@animatordean Can you name 3 personality traits of Millie that don't involve Moxxie and fighting?

[@animatordean]

@@the-annoyinator •Silly •independent •feisty

[@Mossgraves]

not to mention the scene that heavily bothers me is the "he can get hurt?". alot ppl say it was painful and heart breakiing but i didnt feel anything for it because...DID HE FORGET WHO HAD STOLAS?? he could NOT have forgotten that the one imp in hell he is aware of having angel tech,and that was explained to him IN HARVEST FEST that he has it to kill higher demons. idk how he was surprised when the same person came bsck for stolas and blitz apparently forgot that striker has these goetia killing tools suddenly?? he is aware of their power but acted like he didnt for the realization like blitz was dumb about who they were dealing with. the series has a big problem with remembering sections of its own story and this scene isnt the only one

[@TheLawlessRogue]

Honestly though! Like it just rubbed me the wrong way, especially with how little the stakes seemed to apply for Blitzø. His reaction was jarring to say the least. Not the part where he’s worried for Stolas, just like, the complete 180 of his character

[@Mossgraves]

@@TheLawlessRogue yeah exactly! it felt alittle off indeed

[@namphuongnguyenhoang1562]

Personally imo Blitz's line doesn't really mean "Oh shit he can be physically injured?!", it's more the realization that "Wait, i can lose him...?" but yeah the writing is bad this season:/

[@iwasneverhere2303]

How are people missing the point of that line, it was never just about physical hurt. As the commenter said above me, Blitz finally realised he could may as well lose Stolas. That he's not always this powerful and capable being. Yes, he knew there was a way to kill him but because he built up this mighty of Stolas in his head (due to his own inferiority complex) he didn't actually imagine that he'd ever NOT have the upper hand in a fight. I mean, he'd seen him decimate an entire mob of federal agents in a demonic massacre, and almost every time they were in danger, Stolas could easily defeat their enemy, he just wanted to be a damsel in distress to live out his fantasies of Blitzo (e.g the Loo Loo Land).

[@kimnoir]

1:35 Stella looks so cute when she's smiling 🥹

[@TheRibottoStudios]

If anything, while this episode has its problems, it did leave me wondering....just how did Striker get SO many angelic based weapons? Lassos, knives, guns....I know demons can get them from the cleansing that goes on, but Charlie, is HALF DEMON. Charlie could be at risk from these weapons. And I can see this as being a major plot point in HH especially with an overlord like Alastor around the hotel. So, I'm hoping there's a subplot in working out on getting these weapons away from Striker, or just something related to them. Because it's super fascinating to me that Lucifer would just LET THEM be around despite his daughter being the heiress to Hell. We don't know what her relationship with her parents is like, but I'm willing to bet that even though Lucifer might not agree with her goals, he'd still go Stolas level berserk if anyone tried to hurt his daughter.

[@sallytheuselessbird]

Stella probably has access to them, how I'm not sure, other than the fact she's extremely rich.

[@musical_trash4_your_inform115]

Honestly, I'm kinda surprised that blessed weapons aren't as rare as I thought. Like you're telling me there are weapons that can kill most high-ranking demons, who are pretty invincible otherwise, and not one of them has gone absolutely ballistic, destroying or hoarding them? In fact, there are so many to the point that Stella can get Striker weapons suited to his aesthetic. (Like a blessed lasso? Really??) The blessed weapons are losing some of the power they once had because of how easily attainable they seem to be. Like I get that Stella is a high-ranking demon, but she can't be THAT high priority considering her marred relationship with Stolas, along with the fact that I'm sure some distributor would be kinda suspicious of the Goetia seemingly hoarding a ton of blessed weapons. It just seems really weird that they tried to make blessed weapons this huge deal, meanwhile, there's some guy walking around with FOUR blessed weapons and he had a fifth one previously.

[@philw3039]

Charlie is half-demon. Lucifer is not a demon, but a fallen angel.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@Phil W oh that's right I've edited it. I keep forgetting Luci is a fallen angel lol

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@Musical_trash 4_your_information right? That's what makes this weird. If they're gonna make blessing tipped weapons a big thing, they need to explain how they're ending up in hell and who's getting them. Or make them rare again. In Striker's intro episode, it felt SCARY that he had this carmine crafted rifle, because Moxxie was shocked it existed in hell.... but now he has so many that it just leaves you with questions, not dread.

[@wutzgud1576]

The side plot didn’t really have to be there but once he finds out what happens it gives it more purpose but it didn’t need to be cut back to so much. Also I like how helluva boss cut the whole happy relationship thing and shows a toxic relationship

[@Snow_creature]

“I always feel like, somebody’s washing meeee!”🎶🎶

[@Bordie3D]

I love this show because it's an adult show that doesn't have quantity over quality animation, over reliant on sex jokes. I'm talking about family guy. I like family guy but I could never fall in love with that show like I did this one. I love how they have the sex jokes but don't over do it. There's still cartoony humor and such and that's delightful. It's also made by an amazing artist who partnered with how do I say this, the BEST people.

[@avix303]

I think that the salvagable thing about the B plot is that the fact it's so unserious shows well how Blitz terribly underestimated the danger through the clashing contrast, also making the dark scenes feel like a punch back to the reality that Stolas can be vulnerable too

[@foxsflowers11]

This episode really just made me hate all the god damn sex jokes

[@15Adrie]

You have such a talent for putting into words the things that I feel about these episodes. This one was just a letdown, I’m sad to say. Definitely had its moments but not overall enough to call it one of their best episodes by any stretch of the imagination. I’m remaining optimistic that things will pick up, it’s a bummer that the episodes are so few and far in between, I can’t say I blame them for that due to the ambition and budget struggle. Maybe I’ll go browse their merch selection again..

[@grimsonforce7504]

I wrote a comment about the same thing. I have issues putting my thoughts into words and this was done flawlessly. Season 2 has been overall "meh" for me minus the episode with Moxie. I'll still watch the rest of the reason but I hope it picks up in the writing department.

[@Jay_Vee1]

Glad to know I wasn't the only one bothered by the sudden and repeating tone shifts. Legit whiplash inducing.

[@reiphas]

You summed up my thoughts perfectly. Too much comedy in spots where there shouldn't be comedy. I don't think it's a terrible episode, but it felt very short for me with not a lot of substance to it. Also Striker's new VA caught me off guard so much.

[@kiarranarisse]

What I thought was going to happen (and what should have happened imo) is that Blitz goes in with Loona and takes a backseat to the episode till the end while we focus on the 'race against time' of M&M getting to Stolis. We just see the back and forth there whilst Stryker likely has set traps for anyone who would try to enter along the way to the cave. Some small shenanigans or just shocking shit can still happen. They also could have maintained Stella's previous image while still having her brother be conniving bc of their difference in motivations and goals. She doesn't give a shit about the money or anyone else as long as Stolis hurts. You don't have to make her clueless to the implications. He could convince her that this would hurt Stolis more, which feels a little more interesting. To have a set of brains over one

[@shko_]

*points at striker* look how they massacred my boy😭 Seriously though, it's like they forgot everything that made Striker an interesting character and a genuine threat to IMP. The statue with a big D was totally out of place (felt more like a Chazz thing tbh), him getting mad at the imps singing about him was out of character (he sang an ENTIRE SONG about himself in Harvest Moon Festival and it's been established long ago that man's got a massive ego, the singing should please him, not bother him), but him interrupting the assassination when Stella told him to do so despite his intense hatred of royals definitely takes the cake. He should've just gone through with the assassination anyway, would've been way better for his character since in this episode he's been going on and on about how much he wants to kill demons of higher rankings. Why is money the only thing stopping him from killing Stolas anyway? He seems pretty well-off, with his own private lair and statue and all. Now that Stella paid him to keep him alive we probably won't see him try to hunt Stolas again, therefore he won't have encounters with IMP anymore (unless he wants a rematch with the M&M's or something). That makes me sad. Striker's one of my favorite characters and it hurts to see him go through character derailment like this.

[@redtailarts101]

Important context: Loona's voice actor was going through a *lot* with the death of her fiance, iirc. I think this B plot was probably better initially but had to be hastily changed or thrown together to make up for the fact that Loona's voice actor couldn't voice act at the time

[@breewashere]

B plot should've had its own episode and then they could've coorelated the time zones somehow like combine the episodes like a 2 parter but you already saw most of the events from the previous episode? Something.

[@wolfiegirl83]

The only part in this episode I genuinely enjoyed was the beginning about the divorce meeting and all of Bird Elsa's scenes. His debut is one of the best thing I've ever seen. But the thing that upset me the most was how much they ruined Striker's character. This might seem selfish, but I'm going on a rant here(for the third time now cause I've already said this to my boyfriend and good friend) My first issue was immediately the voice. As soon as I heard him speak my first thought was "this...This isn't Striker..." As much as I love Edward Bosco - especially his work as Alastor - he didn't do the voice nearly as good. It was okay, but didn't have that deep growl full of sex appeal. Second was the cringy and unnecessary boost of his ego. Sure, he already had an ego before, yes. But not an ego that's on Chaz's level. And that dick joke on the statue - and the statue itself - wasn't even funny. It was just horrible and further ruined him. And the theme song made it even worse. Finally - he didn't even seem like much of a threat like he did last time he was in the show. He seemed more like a comedy side character. I waited 2 years for this sexy mf to come back to simp over him more. And what I get is.. A slightly hotter Chaz. He went from screaming sex appeal and being sadistic and hot and perfect for masochists like me to fawn over, to a shoddy performance of an overegotistical guy in a cowboy costume. Aside from like 3 hot angles and the like 2 scenes where he straight up stabbed Stolas, he was just cringy in this episode. And after 2 years of waiting for what I thought would be the sexy cowboy I was looking forward to coming back, I was honestly severely disappointed. After going through this rant two times before, I'm not feeling as hateful towards the episode. I'm glad we got an episode at all and the animation is good as always - I loved the frames where Striker had the shadow over his eyes. And that badass entrance. And the reveal setting in that Stolas can actually get hurt after 2 and a half years of seeming damn near invincible was jarring. But I can't get over the disappointment I felt from Striker's character taking a full 180. And yeah - going from a battle where a main character's life is threatened to..... Loona acting like a child just makes it not so serious and suspenseful. And the music didn't do it any favors. The vibe of the whole scene makes you know Stolas isn't gonna die in this episode. If you've made it this far, I appreciate you reading my thoughts and opinions. And if i upset anyone by hating several parts of this episode, I apologize. Again, these are just my opinions. From my autistic point of view. But it'll take me a long time before I get over my disappointment over something I excitedly waited for for 2 years. Like, when I found out Striker was gonna return, I literally screamed. I hope that helps y'all understand why my feelings are what they are. 😂

[@mistydoca2283]

Nah i agree with you, i also hate when a show or a videogame is not consistent with a character story or personality. Liko bro, you already decided a character's personality is X way, why would you change it in the next season for no reason???

[@gigachad3925]

I somewhat empathize with your perspective, but at the same time I feel like the tonal shift in Striker is not as significant as many people are making out to be. Yes, the dick joke was just cringey and it was Vivzie somehow finding a way to make every character the butt of a sex joke. However, I don’t think the other aspects of Striker’s ego were overplayed. If you really go back and watch 1x5, you’ll see that Striker is already incredibly vain and egotistical. The best example is the song he wrote and performed of himself bragging. Not only was he narcissistic, but wrote that song in part explicitly to spite Moxie, someone he just met who didn’t pose any threat to him, revealing a certain level of pettiness. Then remember his line to Blitzo: “the two of us are above the rest of our kind”. I think that level of ego already rises to what we got in this episode. Trust me, I understand your disappointment (as a fellow Striker simp), but I think the bottom line Vivzie is trying to communicate is this: Yes, Striker can be cool and sexy at times, but also an annoying egomaniac. That’s just his character.

[@puffimochi]

@@gigachad3925 Bro you are a Giga Chad

[@midnightrant7487]

I WAS WAITING FOT THIS Edit: OK so thanks for freezing the text messages. Now I would like to point out a few lines: 14:28 *_"Asmodeus can be very invasive with his humor[...] I found it pretty funny myself. [...] I enjoy being the subject of a jest."_* BABES. You were *NOT* laughing.

[@eatatjoes6751]

One joke I adored from the episode was Stolas beating up on how overly cowboy-themed Striker's lair was. Honestly, if the show had more jokes like that I wouldn't be too upset.

[@silasvanburen4824]

I felt like Blitz not going to the hospital was explained in Oops a couple episodes later where he had a traumatic experience visiting a friend in the hospital for an incident he blamed himself for

[@DareToBeDeviant]

Gas station was weird, too. It was cool to see Moxxie beat up the unreasonably offended motorcyclist, fuel the van, tear the guy's head off with the hose and blowing up the station... but really? Over a hat? Is it a southern thing I'm unaware of, to be insulted if someone's wearing the same headgear as another?

[@spectralumbra1568]

I think this episode would have been a lot better if it was divided into 2 episodes. One episode could be more serious and use more dark humor following the M&Ms rescuing Stolas and end with them getting him to the hospital, only showing their perspective of their arrival. The other could follow the B plot shenanigans, maybe have some kind of bonding moment between Blitz and Loona, then end on Blitz's perspective of seeing Stolas arrive at the hospital and the realization that he was in genuine danger while he was goofing around. I think that tone shift from silly to serious was important for Blitz's realization at the end, but together in one episode, those two plot points are really jarring.

[@theartbirdieowo2743]

perhaps they held the fear for Stolas on purpose, sort of like a gotcha moment, which is absolutely perfect since the most dominating tone for the series as a whole is the tone at the beginning of the episode. you can also tell this episode was the animators having fun with the beautifully aesthetic scenes and that the whole striker taking stolas to his lair sequence was for the fans to simp over him. I totally get why a lot of people don't like the tension of a scene to go from 1 to 100 real quick but personally I enjoy it.

[@o0OJOLONO0o]

I personally wouldn't say that the show has a tone problem. I always felt it was more like and emotional rollercoaster. And I know this is a webseries but I feel this quote can apply to this: "The greatest movies of all time are ALWAYS emotional rollercoasters. A great drama also makes you laugh, a great comedy also makes you cry, and a great horror thriller also gives you moments of levity." - Filmento

[@rahmiamaani-hw1tg]

crazy that millie still doesn't have a single personality trait

[@renyates542]

Literally she’s just Moxie’s wife. Stella is just dumb and abusive, and Loona and Octavia’s characters revolve around few traits and relationships with their dad. I really wish they wrote their female characters better

[@chrisceliaarthur1729]

And Vivziepop statement about her is contradicting

[@DjJ0SHWA]

Crazy that you're choosing to ignore her personality just because she doesn't have a "tragic" backstory. She absolutely has a standout personality but you're choosing to ignore it.

[@Choshako]

Millie's not my favorite character, but claiming she doesn't have a single personality trait is a huge over exaggeration and shallow thinking. Her personality is straightforward and easy to understand, as is her background with her family. She just doesn't have the emotional baggage that Moxxie, Blitzo, or Loona does, and you and many others think this makes her boring/badly written. Millie's comparative normalcy is actually needed in the main cast because she's more or less the only well-adjusted, non-traumatized person of I.M.P. She represents stability in the team, because she grew up with a loving, supportive family, unlike Moxxie, Blitzo, or Loona. They need someone like her as an example of how a healthy, happy family should be, so it makes sense for Millie's symbolism to take precedence over her personality.

[@chrisceliaarthur1729]

@@DjJ0SHWA first of all, no. Second she’s only portrait as moxxie wife and nothing more, your really are blind to see that.

[@ShadowWolfRising]

If Bird Man has an Ice Palace in Hell, that Palace is probably in one of the Deepest parts of Hell.

[@therealdeadend]

A cliffhanger were Striker runs away with Stolas with the whole thing being resolved in the next episode could have been an improvement

[@taylort3674]

Imo i didn't really care for the line "He can get hurt" because while emotion put into it sounded good at the same time "he can get hurt" made me think "well no shit blitz. What do you think Striker was planning to do this whole time?". Because it sounded like something Blitz shouldnt be shocked by the concept of. It didnt really deliver as the idea of Blitzo thinking he was untouchable until now. A better line i think wouldve been "He got hurt?" Becuase its more directly that Blitz thought Stolas would be okay and now hes seeing thats not the case

[@erxn_0nce]

YES especially because Stolas hired Blitzo to protect him at Loony Land or whatever it was called in ep. 2. Why would he do that if not because he could actually be put in danger. Same with episode five, they stop Striker from killing Stolas. What did he think Striker would do with a gun pointed at his head if he thought he couldn't get hurt?

[@taylort3674]

@@erxn_0nce Definitely. Im sure they meant something akin to "he got hurt?" But its specifically one of the moments that took me out of the show. Im supposed to feel for Blitz but then he delivers a line that makes it sound like the writers forgetting their own continuity.

[@howdoesonesocial]

ok, but a positive note about the text messages is that this is the first time we see Blitz be the first to actually send a message rather than Stolas, so that does at least show some change in him.

[@SageIstrans-pw3ds]

I feel that the delayed tension shows us how blitz views stolas on a pedestal and he'll always be ok and have that view ripped from him in a single moment

[@CaramelJupiter]

I think the episode could have worked if we actually had loona talk or see her lean on blizto for comfort. It would have been a nice bonding moment instead of just a flimsy reason to write them out of the story.

[@Corrector1]

Well, she does smile when Blitzo tells her that she won't feel a thing. It's not much, but it's something.

[@camerondodge2070]

They could've done that thing where they split it. The beginning of the episode stays the same, but from IMP arriving at the hospital we only stay with one of them. This episode would focus on the Stolas part, then the next episode would start with Blitz arriving at the hospital with Loona, and we see that side of it. This type of storytelling has been done plenty of times, and was an option they could've gone with. It would fix the tone problems, give more time for the main story to progress in this episode, then give us some comedic relief with the next.

[@nicoalbert1450]

I think that the sideplot was to make clear how less Blitzo actually sees the danger of the situation. It is to create this crazy gap between expaectation and reality of the danger.

[@crab2835]

Honestly, I respect this guy. Unlike other youtubers, he actually creates constructive criticism and advice, instead of hating on it and adding loads of google images to make themself cool and funny. I think this guy is a good person, unlike 99% of reviews.

[@Esther_Kitsune]

my take from the side plot of the episode was that blitz had it in his head that stolas couldn't really be "hurt" in any meaningful way, so he was prioritizing loona over what he thought was stolas being..well, stolas. I'm not sure if he fully realized what a blessing tipped weapon could actually do. it seems like only moxxie really knew how dangerous they are. hearing that stolas could indeed get hurt, realizing that he can (and almost did) lose him because he didn't take it seriously, took away his notions that stolas is invincible. im excited to see the next episode to see where they plan on going with this now, especially after blitz not replying (probably still trying to process what happened?)

[@wildfyah]

I actually liked the contrast of Blitzø having a hard time dealing with Loona vs Stolas's life being in actual danger since that line from Blitzø about Stolas getting hurt brought it back home for me. It reminds me that shit gets real serious in spite of all the random shenanigans

[@blueyedevil07]

Personally, i think the reason it took so long for the tone to drop was because we are in mostly stolases pov, and he's used to not being in danger, he also doesn't know of strikers full intention to kill him and it doesn't set in that he might die up until he first gets stabbed by striker, just my opinion.

[@InnerAtanih]

6:45 uhhhh no it isn’t. This episode fluctuates so wildly between crude humor and its flimsy attempt at “stakes”. They make distant sex and dick jokes throughout this scene 8:39 stoked talking shit makes no sense since Striker doesn’t know blitz that well and I can’t imagine him being bothered by learning how well a fellow imp dominates royalty

[@ellag3265]

Something Helluva Boss always does is every tense scene being undercut by jokes or gags. It's very hard to believe that Stolas is in actual trouble when Stolas is cracking sex jokes in the middle of his torture and Striker has a statue of himself with a giant dong in his evil liar. They even cut what little tension they had in the M&M vs. Striker fight by repeatedly cutting to the 'Loona getting vaccinated' B-plot and having Moxie make the same joke they already put in the Hazbin Hotel pilot.

[@meganhockersmith271]

I'm honestly mainly disappointed how they made Striker a more dangerous Chaz. I didnt really see the point of the statue, honestly; it took away from the scene and wasnt funny imo.

[@DeadBore]

The song for that fight is enough. The fun, goofy song for a terrifying fight-scene is the only thing we needed for comedy. The episode feels like it wasn’t meant to have a B plot, but thought people would be sad if Blitzø wasn’t there

[@DarkAngelAfterLife]

Stella's brother looks like pearl form steven universe so much

[@Lance.EXE_]

The B plot does have a bit of a dark side though In loonas time at the orphanage she most likely saw I lot hell hounds go out and get “shots” and then never return, hence the fear for needles

[@felixhunter589]

Still Kinda confused on how Blizo thought Stolus couldn’t get hurt, let alone be killed when he found out that he was kidnapped by Striker?? The same guy that he stopped from literally killing Stolus in the first place with an angelic weapon. He even admits after the call that he believes Stolus maybe in real trouble this time. So why is he suddenly surprised at the end? It’s still an effective emotional scene, just doesn’t make sense ://

[@lia.e.9749]

I cant imagine dealing with Stella on a daily basis...just... My patience is low... So me having to just see her for a day... I would hire my own Striker

[@SkiggsMoDiggs]

For real, I just never felt the true tension throughout the whole Stolas scene. Even though I basically always know a character in a show will turn out okay in a dangerous scene (Because important character), I still should feel tension. I wish they put more emphasis on this being a race against time, instead of just jokes. The whole Moxxie vs the cowboys thing was totally pointless and the jokes kept killing everything, along with numerous plot issues I've had with Season 2 (I can elaborate in replies if people want to hear it but it's quite long so I won't for now). I just did not get attached to any of this episode really, and like you said, I find myself rewatching highlights, not the whole episode. The second Stryker fight didn't even feel rewarding as I was watching it. The animation was cool and all, but the plot behind the visuals was just not powering it well. Season 2 episodes 2, 3, and 4 have all been major letdowns for me, the extremely quick pacing and lack of proper tone is just killing it for me. At least episode 2 was rewatchable, but episodes 3 and 4 have had no rewatchable appeal for me.

[@twinkl0r]

I’m definitely gonna get hate for this but I don’t get Andrealphus’ design. First off he’s a peacock, prolly the prettiest bird on the planet and he looks really bland. He’s the one character that should stand out and be really colorful. If you look online, some depictions show eyes on his tail feathers and it looks so awesome and creepy. I wish they leaned more into that Also I could be wrong, but nothing about his lore had anything to do with ice powers. He leads a choir singing Satans praises and teaches astronomy and turns man into birds. Prolly shouldn’t bring up his lore cause I don’t think this series really cares about that. Just some missed opportunites.

[@Faith-vg9ox]

With how much of a slow burn this series is, seems I will have to exercise control and just wait for several episodes to come out. Season 2 has been so slow plot-wise and if they really want to get anywhere with the plot, it will have to be 12 episodes at least. We still need Stolitz ship to develop properly, Blitz and Millie background, Loona and Octavia friendship, vulnerable points in M&M relationship, Stella and her brother's plans, Octavia's position in the hierarchy, etc. Sometimes I wish I could find the series when it was at a season 4 or something.

[@sofiaa5255]

I feel so bad for Stollas he is so kind, I love him with all my heart, I dont want him to change and to be cold because Blitz is so bad with him. At the same time I understand Blitz he is scared and doesn't want to be hurt. Im grieving for the episode where Blitzo finally shows his feelings to Stollas. Minewhile I want Stollas to be healthy and happy, I love Stollas is my favorite character

[@CANWEKISSRN]

I’m so glad someone else has pointed this out. The tone issue has left me so out of loop with what's happening in the show. I’ll be invested for a second only to be whipped out once again thanks to some unneeded vulgar or distracting side joke or cut that just doesn't work with the material.

[@codafett]

The show has a lot of problems and they're getting hard to ignore. - Stolitz has taken over the show and it's actively ruining everything else Helluva Boss has going for it. And Stella, the primary antagonist of this storyline, is the worst villain ever because all she does is scream and curse, and I get that she's supposed to be hated but the writing feels desperate to make sure we don't think positively of her at all. Didn't IMP used to be an assassinaton agency? What happened to that? - The dialogue is absolute full of swears and I really don't think the writers realize that that in of itself is not a joke. But also they showed their ass and revealed that for all the swearing and violence, HB is ultimately safe edgy and would rather kill a joke mid-telling than say something offensive. - The characters are absolutely garbage. Moxxie is the only one displaying any real personality because everyone else has a single character trait stretched out for 20 minutes. Loona has officially become a prop because of her VA being gone and the hospital B-plot was horrendous because of it. Stolas is supposed to be the powerful demon lord but also he's a total wimp that can't stop himself from making everything sexual.

[@chocoluver4]

I didn’t hate the B plot, but I agree the episode would have worked a lot better if less screen time was dedicated to it, especially towards the end.

[@magicraccoons]

I think the B-plot serves an interesting purpose. It's supposed to show how even though Blitz is aware Striker, the most dangerous villain they've faced and who they know has angelic weapons that can kill Stolas, isn't really concerned for Stolas's well-being. As the end of the episode showed he was shocked to hear Stolas actually got hurt because while he was dealing with Loona it never once crossed his mind and he continued on his usual BS. Had he for one second thought there was an actual threat to Stolas he'd probably have switched places with Moxie and Millie or skipped the shot together. It all comes together right at the end when Moxie and Millie tell him Stolas is not okay that Blitz had a moment of clarity that he may have prioritized things wrong which is why he sent the initial text, albeit with bad spelling and not replying which just shows how he's still not totally aware of the potential pain Stolas endured. I will agree though the status of himself that was very Chaz-like was unnecessary and dumb for no reason.

[@vilelilman4252]

I’m really appreciating the DBZ abridged references here.❤ That said. I think if they had moved the ‘tragic flashback’ with Loona from the 3rd episode to here, just focused on Blitz’s real fatherly concern over Loona. It would have sold the episode.

[@mm1234Xxx]

I liked the arguments you made. Clead, concise, and not overly focused on Norman Reedus. I think this episode needed to split into 2(a+b) or have a more serious situation with Luna. As you said, it wasnt a BAD episode, but it certainly wasnt one of the strongest.

[@customarymagic]

"This feels like a leftover Chaz joke" describes that statue perfectly. I couldn't place why I didn't like the joke until you put it that way.

[@Huh9631]

That’s exactly what I thought! Striker didnt seem like the kinda guy to own a statue of himself with a 🦴er it reminded me of Chaz

[@Poopoodookieclub]

yeah I really disliked that, it's like vivzie is trying to change villains into more of a "chaz" character which I disliked so much, striker was my literal favorite character and for so long time I waited for this episode. This really broke my heart in a bad way.

[@SS-ui7by]

Nahhh, Striker totally is the I'd-fuck-me type. Last time too we got hints of his arrogant, self-serving personality. He tried to flirt with Millie just for the sake of it, he liked completely shitting on Moxxie for no reason but to rub it in that he's more "manly" and stronger than Moxxie's "weak" self despite his mission having nothing to do with M&M, only to kill Stolas. He literally sang a whole song about how great he is. "Me, I'm totally the best" "With every talent, I'm so much more talented than you" "Me, super cool me, handsome guy Hm, Moxxie, go fuck yourself" Should've seen it coming

[@gigachad3925]

⁠@@Poopoodookieclub To be fair, Striker has always been an egotistical dickhead. Think back to his song in 1x5 where he just brags about himself in the most over-the-top way, in addition to his line to Blitzo: “the two of us are above the rest of our kind”. So, as far as the narcissism is concerned, his character is pretty consistent. Though if you mean the sexual aspect, I definitely understand what you’re saying.

[@Nightman221k]

Striker didn’t seem like the sort to care about validating his own ego like that so it seemed needless.

[@Etx-z9.]

It’s weird to realize how calm and almost cocky Stolas was when he was first kidnapped, but I think it was because he was so confident that Blitzø would save him. (similar to the Loo Loo Land episode). He only got scared when he realized Blitzø wasn’t coming.

[@soldiersgr996]

Not to mention he realised the gear Striker was packing could actually kill him and negate his abilities to escape and harm him. It was check mate it seemed until MnM came to save the day

[@austinslaughter319]

​@@soldiersgr996 , and it was definitely not a "victory".

[@rollforapples6625]

I mean, Striker didn't do that good a job tying him up if he still could use his arms and hands to call Blitz and cold kick.

[@thesavvyverse]

Y'all are forgetting he's a rich guy who's probably never even had a paper cut He sees himself as immortal yes he knows Angelic weapons can kill him but to him that's all in theory

[@zeemmy33]

@@thesavvyverse except that doesn't add up because he's been in vulnerable positions multiple times (ex: the ep where he's human and can't do anything) and has been afraid before. the whole "stolas can get hurt??!" thing has no affect because we already know this and he hasn't been strong enough to where this is a surprise to the characters or us at all

[@bunnyblackwell6107]

Octavia not being at the hospital was such a missed opportunity. 😓

[@Aardydarling]

Why would she be at hospital

[@bunnyblackwell6107]

@@Aardydarling Stolas loves exactly two people: Octavia and Blitz*. He reaches out to Blitz* and gets crumbs back. Octavia giving enough of a shit to show up at the hospital when her Dad's near-murder is front page news provides a counterpoint to Blitz*'s toxic presence, especially important since Stella/Andrealphus' next predictable move to hurt Stolas will be to use his love for his daughter.Episode would have gotten 1000x extra cool points if she sang HIM the "You will be ok" song while holding his wing, IMO.

[@Slowpoke3x]

​@@bunnyblackwell6107she loves her Father but shes still a teenager who's head is still up her own butt. Unless hes dying she's not gonna show for him this is just like him having a cold and has to stay in bed.

[@Noodlewerfer]

I think she might show up at the hospital later, I was under the impression that we were only seeing him right after he just arrived at the hospital. There's a good chance Octavia either hasn't heard about this happening or just hasn't made it there yet. Besides, it would be nice to have an episode where Stolas being stuck in the hospital is one of the main plot points and there's more time to spend on scenes like Octavia being with Stolas.

[@spazzyjazzy3361]

​@@Noodlewerfer I doubt we'll get to see her show up at the hospital. It'll be like the Asmodeus episode. After everything that happened there, it was probably weeks later that blitzø and stolas actually talked again. So they'll probably just do a time lapse to where stolas is fine.

[@ricotheskunk3062]

I feel like it might be fair to mention that around the time voice lines were being recorded for this season, Loona’s VA sadly lost her partner to cancer, leaving her (understandably) too distraught to give her best performance, hence why Loona just growls this episode, and why we didn’t hear her speak in episode 3 either.

[@PRISMSHOWERS_P]

I felt there had a be a reason.

[@RAINBOWNIGTHMAREPRODUCTIONS]

Yet she’s credited

[@ifeeldead463]

​@@RAINBOWNIGTHMAREPRODUCTIONS i mean, that's still her character

[@RAINBOWNIGTHMAREPRODUCTIONS]

@@ifeeldead463 yeah but it’s weird because she doesn’t say anything in the episode. It’s like breaking bad where Walt Jrs actor or Bob odenkirk if credited when he or Saul don’t appear in the ep

[@Makarosc]

All the more reason to cut the subplot

[@confettiveda2460]

Not gonna lie, I thought that the part with Stella calling off the hit would have Striker going, "Sorry, Ma'am, he's already dead," while Stolas thrashes as he wants to torture and kill Stolas more than he wants money. I do very much enjoy everyone slowly coming to the realization that Stolas can legitimately get mortally wounded, and Stolas realizing that Blitzø can't/won't save him every time. And the sad part is that Blitø actually did initially freak out about having to balance between Stolas and his daughter's health and there's the fact that if Blitzø had gone to save Stolas after Loona's shot, Stolas would've been permanently mutilated by the time he got there.

[@aisaciurlea6217]

It's even worse when we remember that Stolas saved Bitzø without even being asked back in Truth Seekers, meanwhile Blitzø didn't help Stolas after he had asked for help

[@72horses75]

I thought the exact same thing. I thought because his whole thing is "down with the rich" and the fact that stolas called him out with him working for a royal. It doesn't make much sense he'd be so obedient for the money

[@lavellelee5734]

​@@72horses75angel weapons and money..... For him to take on the nobles he's gonna need the weapons to actually kill them, and a small army. A full on revolution

[@sailor.thighs8839]

Honestly it would be better if he kinda said fuck the money and killed stolas (as you said). It makes more sense for his character, especially considering some of his lines in the episode he debuted in

[@hehhehhehheh-wn7zz]

​​@@72horses75 ik, when Striker first showed up he was badass, threatening, and followed his own agenda. Now? It was so lame to see Striker let Stolas go. And this show takes place in hell, anything can happen. I got that vibe from episode 5. Stolas COULD die later in the series, Blitz COULD run off with Striker. For a show like Helluva Boss, NEED more moments like Blitz pulling a gun on that Karen's demon kid, or then going on earth missions. The hospital ring was NOT necessary in this episode. I honestly don't care to see that ring. There was so much hype for Striker, he was the ruthless one of the bunch that the show told us to look out for. And this episode could have gone in so many other ways than what we got.

[@thenerdbeast7375]

Personally I feel Striker lost his teeth this episode, going from someone who has his own agenda and is taking this job from Stella because it aligned with his goals to just...Stella's goon. All that classism talk falls flat when you are a lackey to one of the worst Goetia of all, even if you are about to kill one. Striker would have been a lot more intimidating and would have saved face if he ignored Stella's order to be called off and decided to kill Stolas anyway only for M&M to save him.

[@alexadams2734]

totally agree there

[@lisalos7170]

I also found that talk about the goetia weird, I can't really take it seriously, specially when he barely says anything negative about Stella or anyone else in particular

[@justanotherweirdo11]

Definitely

[@birdpersondaniel185]

Such a simple change could have really done somthing for his character, wish I could've thought of it, this show really needs to figure itself out

[@quinnmills3544]

No because i totally noticed how less intimidating he was this episode . The statue, the following orders, was not impressed

[@abbeywoods6846]

I feel like the Loona/Blitz fight was supposed to demonstrate how Blitz was so removed and unaware of the severity with the Stolas situation. He’s super casual because he thought Stolas was untouchable, so he feels like he can still have his typical shenanigans. But at the end of the episode, he realized his terrible mistake. I think he’ll start taking Stolas’s feelings/safety more seriously moving forward

[@lapetitelumierenoire]

I 100% agree with this.

[@Cristin647]

Agreed!

[@SarcasticChorus]

Good Idea in theory. But the shenanigans on top of everything else detracts way more than that idea adds imo. Especially if the next episode isn't a direct follow like say Blitz gets roped in by Fizz for shenanigans or he confronts his sister.

[@josgojiehyp2000]

Hopefully they don't just ignore it like their fight at the end of season 1. Or even worse, start doing it and then ruin it half way through with some sex joke.

[@matthewkoch8322]

@@SarcasticChorus i feel like if the episode was cut differently it works out alot better. Maybe lead with solely the B plot from just Bltiz's perspective and let the jokes out early and after he sees Stolas' feathers at the hospital we cut back and see him getting kidnapped and Moxie and Millie going to rescue him. The problem was the constant cutting back and forth but had they been seperate from the get go the episode coulve had a better tone overall.

[@trinityriordan2943]

My biggest problem, is that I couldn't take striker or the situation seriously, before he felt like a threat now with all the phallic jokes and slapstick comment he just seems more like a joke. And while Stolas was getting beaten down I just didn't feel the fear, especially after Stella called off the hit.

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

Yeah; all the dick jokes really get stale after a while. They can be funny, but they really just bog the story down a lot of the time. We get it, penises are funny, let's get back to the plot.

[@artisticbeautybyhanako6801]

Fr thats one of the more smaller ways Vivzie lowkey comes off as a bit of a Pick Me, pandering for the male audience in the higher ups

[@dionemartins0212]

@@artisticbeautybyhanako6801 most out of pocket thing i've heard today lmao

[@charici]

Besides changing the voice I also felt like they changed Striker his personality. In his debut episode he was menancing, collected and sly. Right now he seems too be way more emotional and easily triggered. He is still very dangerous and cunning but I feel like this change added to this episode feeling weirdish.

[@hsojuu]

Yeah, like even him being put off by Moxxie’s “harder”. It was funny but kind of didn’t make sense to me. He was literally flirting with Blitz last time we saw him, there was freaking sexual tension. Now he’s scared of a little sexual comment? That’s all it takes to distract him? Come on. Seems unprofessional.

[@maxraiola3726]

@@hsojuu I think he only like when it's himself who do sexual joke or when he is the one flirting he doesn't seems to like the other one to do that

[@kimirie-chan44]

There's a lot of factors giving off weird vibes about this episode tbh. When I finished watching the episode, it felt weird for some reason. Unlike the other endings of other helluva boss, I felt something. Like this one wasn't really made the way it usually would've. Sure stolas dying or being permanently scarred did make me feel worried, but as said in the video, it would've been better if the transition scenes didn't happen because it mostly confuses the audience on what to feel in a situation where you're supposed to feel scared for Stolas. Then striker, like you mentioned, in his debut appearance, he felt more menacing than this episode. It could be the voice but it can also be how his personality sorta did change. He was more erratic and easier to piss off. He was normal out of the rest of the imps and stolas though after feeling weird when stolas was talking about blitzo's intense moments in bed and moxxie's sudden pain kink to distract him. He doesn't seem to be into that kind of shit, and I dig for that. But in a way, his vibes just didn't feel like how we first saw him. Seeing his interaction with Stella too.

[@salemcrow5078]

@@kimirie-chan44 The whole episode felt extremely fast tbh. Everything just /happens/ and there's no real lead up. Like it's supposed to be a filler episode but then integral to the plot?

[@rosenrot234]

To be fair I'd be way more emotional if I had someone I absolutely hated right in front of me

[@grease3873]

I dont know why but the tiniest thing in this episode that frustrated me was the nurse saying she cant spell or read then reading blitzø's name right after. I still dont know why 💀 Edit: for those saying it's cause they're in the sloth ring I know, but still it's too real for me how there are actually receptionists that are kinda like this and I'm sure we've all dealt with one. It's both frustrating and exhausting lol

[@kt5e438]

I felt the same way 😤

[@geoffreyrichards6079]

Perhaps that was the joke.

[@grease3873]

@@geoffreyrichards6079 ikik lol, but it just really wasn't for me ya know? ':)

[@Xsabarcorez]

It gave me the feeling of deadnaming somebody😢

[@0XBlondie96X0]

I can't help but think she did that on purpose just to be an ass