Ep 22. Session #22 Cowboy Funk

Session #22 of Cowboy Bebop Complete Series season 1 is titled Cowboy Funk. The episode revolves around the arrival of a rival bounty hunter named Andy, who shares a striking resemblance to Cowboy Bebop's main protagonist, Spike. Andy is a lawless bounty hunter who sees himself as a cowboy hero and is arrogant to the point of recklessness. His carefree attitude and overconfidence put him in trouble more often than not, but the people of the city admire him nonetheless.

As soon as Andy arrives, he challenges Spike to a duel with rubber bullets, intending to prove his worth as a better cowboy than Spike. Spike, who sees Andy as a joke, agrees to the match; however, he underestimates Andy's agility and ends up losing the match after a tough battle. The rivalry between them soon takes a turn for the worse when both of them hunt for the same prize, a notorious gang member named "Pretty Boy" Londes.

Things get complicated when a third party, a group of eco-terrorists, launches a plan to release a virus that could wipe out all the animals in the city. Spike and Andy both come across the same lead, and they end up teaming up to stop the terrorists. However, their contrasting personalities and beliefs clash, leading to a hilarious and action-packed episode that ends in a surprising twist.

The episode Cowboy Funk is an exploration of Cowboy Bebop's core themes, such as the idea of honor, masculinity, and the pursuit of justice. While the episode serves as a lighthearted filler compared to some of the other darker storylines in the series, it is still an enjoyable episode, with plenty of action, humor, and nods to classic Western films.

The episode also offers some insight into Spike's character, as we see him struggle with the idea of being a bounty hunter, a job that goes against his beliefs and values. Throughout the episode, Spike tries to distance himself from the cowboy imagery that Andy and others romanticize, demonstrating that he's not in the business for fame or admiration. He's doing it because he has no choice.

Overall, the Cowboy Funk episode is a fun and entertaining addition to the Cowboy Bebop Complete Series season 1. Though not as intense or thematically complex as some of the others, it's a worthy entry and a great showcase of the series's signature blend of action, humor, and sci-fi.