Ep 4. War Next door

The Brak Show season 1 episode 4, "War Next Door," follows the titular character Brak, an anthropomorphic cat-like alien, and his family as they deal with the tensions of their neighbor across the street preparing for war. The episode opens with Brak and his father, Thundercleese, discussing the likelihood of their neighbor, Mr. Thundercleese's nemesis, starting a war. Brak is indifferent to the situation and instead focuses on his father's ridiculous stories of his battles in space.

Meanwhile, Brak's mother, Marla, becomes obsessed with preparing for the war and starts hoarding supplies, which annoys Thundercleese. Marla's behavior becomes increasingly erratic as the episode progresses, causing tension in the household. Brak's sister, Sisto, is shown throughout the episode more concerned with typical teenage things like her appearance and social status than the impending war.

The neighbor, Zorak, is voiced by a former Space Ghost Coast to Coast cast member and his character is the antagonist of the show. He is shown in a command center with his minions, plotting to attack Thundercleese's home. While Zorak is the rival of Thundercleese, he primarily has an issue with Marla as she has reported him numerous times for various infractions.

The episode features absurd humor, such as a fake infomercial for "survival goggles," and an ongoing gag involving Brak and Thundercleese continually forgetting the name of their dog. The war ultimately ends up being a minor skirmish, with Zorak's attack thwarted by Thundercleese's over-the-top defense tactics.

"War Next Door" is an example of the offbeat and surreal humor that The Brak Show became known for, with its bizarre storylines and cartoonish visuals. It is an entertaining addition to the season and showcases the ensemble cast's comedic talents.