User blog comment:ThatGuy456/A Guy's Thoughts: Season 6 - Richard's Rise/@comment-9300845-20190807015646

Wonderful write-up on Richard Watterson! Of all characters, I've never expected you to tackle him.

While I generally agree on your stance regarding Season 6 as a whole, you've missed one of its biggest flaws: its middling execution of satire. While TAWOG once was astute with its usage of satire, I strongly feel it has taken a turn for the worse in Season 6. The only instances where I believe S6's satirical writing is at its best are in (very arguably) “The Candidate” and the first half of “The Stink.” At other times, it either had potential but barely elaborated upon ("The Awareness") or flat out stunk ("The Web" and "The Revolt.") It's disheartening to see writers dropping the ball hard on one of my favorite aspects of TAWOG's writing, especially toward the end of S6's run.

For me, Richard has become one of my favorite characters much earlier in the show, namely Season 2 and its monumental episode "The Job." The season has already done a good job of retooling Richard from his painfully grating S1 incarnation to a more sympathetic new one. The aforementioned episode further cements him as one of my top TAWOG characters. However, I still agree with your assertion that his characterization and episodes still can be hit-or-miss at times prior to S6.

S6's handling of certain characters can get real iffy at times, but there's no denying that Richard has truly shone in each of his major roles that season. I don't have much else to add, except that "The Founder" and "The Slip" aren't my most favorite Richard-centric episodes, let alone S6 episodes. Until now, I wasn't sure why other people were raving over those two episodes. However, I think you've articulated well on why "The Founder" and "The Slip" work (at least for you and other people:) Richard's bumbling but ultimately well-meaning actions, or "sincerity" as you put it.

I suppose my tepidness toward these episodes may be due to my heavy bias toward Richard as a somewhat tragic figure and a loving family man, as exemplified in "The Lady," "The Father," "The Possession," and "The Master," plus episodes with similar premises in past seasons. Even when his usual and tired traits of being dumb and lazy are handled exceptionally well, the end result still isn't too appealing to me. Give me more of his personal struggles with reconciling with his upbringing and finding friends, and his devotion to his wife and children, please.

It goes without saying, but the bumbling dad archetype, especially when played straight, is beyond trite. Thankfully Richard more or less subverts this cliche post-S1, and most especially in S6.

All in all, yet another magnificent character essay from you, and I hope to see more of these in the future!

How come you're linking to Mattlamode's old URL. Get with the times, grampa