User blog comment:Mattalamode/A Second Opinion: Gumball Wiki Individual Appeals: Part I/@comment-30307603-20170908234352

Regarding "The Disaster" and "The Rerun", I still find these two episodes to be the most clever and profound episodes in the series to-date. The episodes are just impeccably written with several layers. Rob simultaneously threatening both Gumball's life and the fundamentals of the show itself was brilliant, especially with how subtle the writers were with the second part to that statement. Rob's nihilistic philosophies and his ambiguous moral compass was brought into question and rightfully called out, but at the same time, the show acknowledges the nuance to Rob's thought process and does not portray him as 100% in the wrong. At the same time, the show makes sure to properly portray Gumball and his point of view. The interactions between the two characters are amazing, and the episodes as a whole are surprisingly heartfelt. They really are my favorite episodes in the entire series after "The Choices".

Not only do the writers prepare some hilarious gags (Rob rewinding into previous episodes, Penny's faux breakup with Gumball, and Gumball's flash forward to name a few), but they go above and beyond their pay grade and create a pair of episodes that really adds some nuance to the Gumball-Rob dynamic and how the show conducts its meta humor. I suppose this is feeding into next week's discussion, but I suppose that is one of the main reasons I am not all too fond of "The Ex" even though it is perfectly average. I am fully aware it's a comedy show and its primary objective is to make people laugh, but something about throwing away all the depth to their relationships for the sake of a mediocre bromance gag seems "off". I'm fine with continuity being bent here and there to suit the episode's plot, but the way "The Ex" went about it felt, for a lack of a better term, "wrong". I digress, though. Great post!

"'they're so brave to tackle such a serious topic as spousal abuse like that'"

Please no. If it's written anything like "The Worst"...

i'm scared