Ep 5. Twenty Years to Midnight

In the fifth episode of The Venture Bros. season 2, titled "Twenty Years to Midnight," the series takes a break from its usual villain-of-the-week format to delve into a deeper conspiracy involving the mysterious organization known as the Guild of Calamitous Intent and Dr. Venture's late father, Jonas Venture Sr.

The episode opens with the arrival of a package at Dr. Venture's compound, containing a strange device known as the Orb. The Orb is said to have the power to destroy the world if activated, and it was entrusted to Jonas Venture Sr. with instructions to keep it safe for twenty years. Now, with that deadline fast approaching, Dr. Venture and his team must figure out what the Orb does and how to stop it from falling into the wrong hands.

Meanwhile, the villainous Monarch and his girlfriend Dr. Girlfriend are also on the hunt for the Orb, believing it to be a powerful weapon that they can use to defeat Dr. Venture once and for all. Their search leads them to the headquarters of the Guild of Calamitous Intent, where they attempt to broker a deal with the Guild's leader, the enigmatic Phantom Limb.

As the various parties converge on the location of the Orb, a tense game of cat and mouse ensues, with each side trying to gain the upper hand. Along the way, we learn more about the various characters' motivations and histories, including Dr. Venture's complex relationship with his father and his own struggles to live up to the legacy he left behind.

"Twenty Years to Midnight" is a standout episode of The Venture Bros. that showcases the series at its best. The writing is sharp and witty, with plenty of references and nods to the wider world of comic book culture. The animation is also top-notch, with a distinct style that sets the show apart from its peers.

Above all, though, what makes this episode so compelling is the way it explores the themes of legacy and inheritance. Each of the characters is grappling with their own sense of identity and purpose, trying to navigate the expectations placed on them by their families and society at large. Some characters are able to rise to the challenge, while others fall short, but all of them are wrestling with the weight of history and the question of what it means to be a hero or a villain.

Overall, "Twenty Years to Midnight" is an excellent example of what makes The Venture Bros. such a unique and engaging show. It combines humor, action, and character development in a way that few other animated series can match, and it's well worth checking out for anyone who loves smart, offbeat storytelling.