With the forced departure of Justin Roiland and the replacement of the voices for Korvo, Solar Opposites was in a peculiar situation last year, with some uncertainty as to its future. With season 4 having successfully risen to the challenge of replacement, season 5 can go full throttle again without any problems.

As usual, Solar Opposites takes up the ever more extravagant and absurd themes and situations, leaving room for each character to have his or her own episode or personal development. When we say development, we do not mean that our characters evolve substantially. Korvo is still the leader concerned with their situation on Earth, Terry continues to daydream as he immerses himself in Earth culture and society and the children, Jessy and Yumyulak don’t seem to be doing any better at school. However, season 5 does provide a few episodes where our aliens expand on their personal relationship, such as the special Valentine’s Day episode, or the over-the-top What-If episode.

Over the seasons, Solar Opposites has managed to find interests outside the Alien family. Pushing the story and the number of characters from the Wall ever further, the story (which can now be considered a spin-off) now takes place in the backyard of our protagonists. Each season has its own theme, and the outdoor setting is an opportunity to plunge into a western/post-apocalyptic universe between Gavin, a cowboy wanderer with a tumultuous past, and Sofia, a young woman determined to avenge her uncle’s death. This duo plays out an opposing dynamic not unlike that of Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us, though with far less development time at their disposal. Both narratively and physically, the world of The Wall has grown to occupy the entire garden and its various villages. Even simplified, the garden proves entertaining to discover over the course of the episodes, revealing new and forgotten characters.

In addition to this side-story, Dodge (Glen)’s role in the Silvercops is also at stake. Infiltrating the space police unit and befriending Tomblr, Dodge finds himself at the heart of battles echoing those of Starship Troopers. But we soon realize that the inhabitants of the Wall are a more fertile source of story. With the Silvercops getting a special episode and some attention, the show still seems to be looking for its side-story potential in a future season.

With these two side-stories, Hulu seeks to diversify its show and not offer the same thing over 11 episodes. And it’s proving to be very effective: from time to time, development is brought to the characters of the Wall or the Silvercops, and the show avoids repeating itself in the adventures of the Solar Opposites family.

By keeping its entertaining writing and fantastical scenarios on the one hand, and more narrative side-stories on the other, this season 5 of Solar Opposites seems to have found the perfect balance.

Solar Opposites Season 5 – Official Trailer