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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following its full first season drop over two years ago, Michael Cusack (YOLO, High on Life, Hulu’s Koala Man) and Zach Hadel return to Adult Swim for the second season of their animated comedy series, Smiling Friends.
The season premiere’s first episode is titled, “Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director’s Cut)”. The season’s third episode is titled, “A Allan Adventure”. Both episodes are written and directed by Cusack and Hadel.
In this review, I will discuss Smiling Friends Season 2 Episodes 1 & 3. As this article’s title suggests, there will be no spoilers present here.
Note: It might just be that the third episode for the season is actually the second one in the season premiere.
Smiling Friends Season 2 Episode 1 Logline
According to Adult Swim and Warner Bros. Discovery Press, here is the logline for Smiling Friends Season 2 Episode 1—“Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director’s Cut)”.
The classic gang help a disgusting, vile, loser they found on the streets. However, Allan sprays him with the hose.
Smiling Friends Season 2 Episode 3 Logline
According to Adult Swim and Warner Bros. Discovery Press, here is the logline for Smiling Friends Season 2 Episode 3—“A Allan Adventure”.
Allan is tasked with finding more paper clips for the office. *Spits on you*
Discussion
Smiling Friends continues churning out new episodic stories for its characters to help maintain the dark comedy factor that it is known for having. At the same time, the series looks to be leveling up in how it uses the wonders of animation. “Gwimbly…” and “A Allan Adventure” are both examples of the extra steps the series takes to uphold what made it so appealing in the first place.
“Gwimbly…” is a merit-worthy start to the season, not just in its animation techniques but in the message that gets overlooked. The animators introduce two secondary characters, Gwimbly and Troglor (both voiced by Hadel), who come from the video game industry. On the one hand, Gwimbly exhibits a three-dimensional figure and a PlayStation 2 era voice work. Then, there is Troglor, who is three-dimensional as well but takes the form of an action figure made for the episode via stop-motion.
“A Allan Adventure” strays away from the series thesis of making others smile. Instead, the episode follows Allan Red (voiced by Cusack) as he searches for… paper clips. On paper—no pun intended—, it is a ridiculous idea. However, watching the narrative unfold and seeing the beats reveal the twists and turns is something else entirely. The animation here can be disturbing when necessary, like reminding me that Big Foot is uglier than the Big Foot in Adult Swim’s past series, Mr. Pickles, or Allan’s freakishly red human-like hand. Of course, there is a lighter side to the animation, such as an action sequence involving an aircraft puffing out black smoke before crash landing in the midst of nowhere, a sea monster with peach-colored scales and pale barnacles on its hind, or the prop designs of sword sheaths.
Insights and Easter Egg References
Although there are more notes to be taken about the latter episode, “Gwimbly…” offers a great point about the state of modern video gaming. This industry capitalizes on gamers by opting to have downloadable content available to purchase separately from the base game. This means that skins (outfits) for characters, additional stories and maps (location settings), and other complementary elements cost more for the consumer. There is a difference between intellectual property-centric (IP) games and independent gaming, but that is outside my knowledge.
A minor albeit unseen character in the new season’s second episode is associated with the date, May 23rd, 2021. This date comes just a few days after Adult Swim ordered for Smiling Friends to have a full first season, May 19th. Other than that, it probably does not mean much.
A more interesting tidbit is Cusack and Hadel’s apparent love for Super Smash Bros., as shown at the end of “Gwimbly…”. It would be curious if Michael Cusack might be working on an adaptation of the video game franchise in some capacity. I asked this question to his co-showrunners, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, in January of last year during a virtual press junket for Koala Man Season 1. Considering Hernandez and Samit co-wrote the screenplay for 2019’s Detective Pikachu, I would like to think there is something in development that these men are not telling anyone. Who knows!
The Crew Behind Smiling Friends
Smiling Friends is created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel.
Aron Fromm serves as the editor. Hans Van Harken is the series story editor.
Brendan Caulfield scores the music for the series.
Todor Manojlovic serves as the dialogue editor. Keith Thomas does the sound design and mix.
Designers and Animators
Paul ter Voorde is the episode director. Michael Dockery serves as the storyboard supervisor.
James Cunningham, Cusack, Dockery, and Hadel are the storyboard artists for the first episode. Dockery, Jake Ganz, Paul Georghiou, Voorde, and Sheldon Vella are the storyboard artists for the third episode.
Dockery and Voorde are the storyboard revisionists for the first episode. Tijmen Raasveld, Cusack, and Hadel are the storyboard revisionists for the third episode.
Cusack and Hadel are the character design supervisors.
Greg Bartlett is the background design supervisor. Brandy Grikas is the prop designer.
Bartlett, Christina Danelon, Dockery, Maya Dumas, Lucia Lee, Andrew Mai, Jackie Nyugen, and Kasey Uhter are the background designers for the first episode.
Bartlett, CJ Cannon, Anita Chatterton (Koala Man), Danelon, Dockery, Dumas, Charles Kugler, Lee, Joanne Lee-Jung (Koala Man), Mai, Nguyen, Fabiola Raziel Ortiz, and Uhter are the background designers for the third episode.
David Post is the Gwimbly specialist animator and performance capturer.
The Voice Cast of Smiling Friends
Zach Hadel voices Charlie Dompler and Glep, while Michael Cusack voices Pim Pimling and Allan Red. Marc M. voices the Boss of the Smiling Friends.
Hadel also voices Gwimbly, a guest character for the second season premiere; as well as DJ Spit and a computer repair shop owner in the third episode.
Lyle Rath voices the Insane Ground Breaking Games (IGBG) CEO. Josh Tomar voices fictional video game characters Troglor and Count Groxia.
Tomar voices other characters in the third episode. David Dore has a voice role in the third episode.
Final Thoughts on Smiling Friends Season 2 Episodes 1 & 3
“Gwimbly…” and “A Allan Adventure” are praiseworthy evidence that Smiling Friends is back, that the wait was worth it, and that this series is not going anywhere. Hadel has a unique voice performance as the first episode’s titular character. As Gwimbly, he exhibits a kind of voice work that is not ordinary for the series thus far. Looking ahead at what is in store for the rest of the season, it is safe to say that there will be more amusing animated appearances to come.
Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel’s Smiling Friends Season 2 premieres on Adult Swim with two episodes this Sunday, May 12th, and streams via Max the next day!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more animation and comedy-related news and reviews, follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
