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central park 2.8.1
Photo: Apple TV+

Television

‘Central Park’ season 2 episode 8 review: Unique parodies with depth

Central Park takes on some modern classics.

The current season of Central Park will be divided into two parts and today we hit that midway point before the break. The Tillerman family is at a crossroads with Owen receiving a lucrative offer to design a park for a prestigious university. It is a dream opportunity not to mention all the great perks. It seems like everyone is on the same page but they decide to procrastinate by playing with “Stacksters” to show their perfect futures rather than make a final decision.

This season has shown they’re willing to take risks with “The Shadow” coming to mind. You can add “Sir Bricks-A-Lot” to that list as well. They aren’t the first to do a Lego themed episode (though they couldn’t use the real name) but seeing how fully they commit to the theme is admirable and fun.

The scenes look as if they were made with a random hodgepodge of pieces that came from a big tub. I mean Paige drives a boat car in her segment. Even the use of the avatars is amusing including Molly’s gymnast, Paige’s mermaid and Owen’s superhero and they all move in a stiff hopping manner you’d imagine Lego people move. In addition, the aesthetic really makes it feel the Tillerman’s are escaping to a fantasy world to avoid making a life-changing choice.

The stories themselves use entertaining parodies with a Central Park comedic spin. The Good Will Hunting tale is so almost like an Honest Trailers spoof but tailored towards Molly. Paige aspires to be a famous fiction writer and her future mirrors Misery, which gives us a Legofied Bitsy in the Kathy Bates role. Though it’s not completely clear what Cole’s story draws from, it has an E.T. vibe to it. And leave it to the youngest Tillerman to incorporate other toys with his Stacksters to play with.

central park 2.8.2
Photo: Apple TV+

What separates these great homages from what we’ve seen other animated comedies do, is how they connect it with the overall narrative of the episode and the uncertainty of their futures. They help develop the characters more with an inner look to them and it’s not a parody for parody’s sake. Molly is frustrated with her art teacher, Paige seeks fame, and Cole wants some privacy.

“Sir Bricks-A-Lot” is a great showcase of the Tillerman family dynamic and displays how close and how awkward they are in an adorable way. You envy them a little bit seeing how open, loving and supportive they are of each other.

The musical numbers are good beginning with “Paint the World” from guest writer, Ingrid Michaelson. It’s the most creative, considering it’s during Molly’s future and it’s fun to see the different painting styles of art Legofied. “A Different Paige” is a nice ditty to quickly tell how Paige rose to fiction stardom and to place her in the start of Misery while “Follow Through” is an optimistic song to express why Owen makes his decision.

The season two midseason finale is an enjoyable episode that takes risks and has more depth than a typical parody.

New episodes of Central Park drop Fridays on Apple TV+.

'Central Park' season 2 episode 8 review: Unique parodies with depth
Central Park S 2 E 8 Review: 'Sir Bricks-A-Lot'
The season two midseason finale is an enjoyable episode that takes risks and has more depth than a typical parody.
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Fully commits to its Lego theme.
Fun parodies that develop its characters and connect to the overall narative.
Though the musical numbers are good, they take a back seat to the storytelling.
8.5
Great

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