Ep 7. What Goes Down, Must Come Up

As Hank and Dean Venture search for a missing video game, Dr. Venture and Brock Samson accompany Sergeant Hatred on a mission to infiltrate a top-secret compound. Meanwhile, The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch attempt to strategize their next move against their arch-nemesis, Dr. Venture. The episode takes the classic Venture Bros mix of action, pop culture satire, and character-driven comedy to further heights with a dash of shocking twists. Hank and Dean's search for the missing video game takes them on a wild, nostalgic ride through the history of console gaming, complete with witty references to classic and not-so-classic titles. Meanwhile, Dr. Venture's subplot brings him face-to-face with a former flame in a series of awkward and hilarious situations, all while he grapples with his own inadequacies as a scientist and a father. Brock, ever the stoic and capable bodyguard, must navigate a series of obstacles and confrontations as he and Sergeant Hatred work to achieve their objective, all while dealing with his own personal demons.

Meanwhile, The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch continue their own game of social and political maneuvering, hoping to outsmart Dr. Venture and rise to the top of the villainous heap. Their scenes together crackle with a tense energy as they balance their shared affection and mutual respect with the cutthroat underworld they inhabit. Fans will be delighted by nods to both classic superhero comics and beloved genre films as the couple schemes and plots their next attack.

What really sets this episode apart, however, is its deft handling of character development and emotional depth. Each subplot delves into its characters' insecurities and desires, from Hank and Dean's ever-evolving dynamic to Brock's haunting past and Dr. Venture's ongoing struggle to prove himself. Even minor characters like Sergeant Hatred and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's henchman 21 get moments of surprising depth and pathos, adding to the richness of the show's world and the complexity of its inhabitants.

All in all, What Goes Down, Must Come Up is a standout episode that further cements The Venture Bros as one of the most clever, inventive, and emotionally resonant animated shows of all time. With its blend of humor, action, heart, and surprise, it's an episode that will leave fans laughing, cheering, and eagerly anticipating what comes next for our favorite characters.