Ep 22. Robbie Sells Rex

In VICTORiOUS season 3 episode 22, titled "Robbie Sells Rex," the show delves deeper into the life of Robbie Shapiro and his ever-present puppet, Rex Powers. The episode opens with Robbie's friends, Tori, Cat, Andre, and Beck, noticing that he is looking particularly down. When they ask him what's wrong, Robbie reveals that he and Rex have had a falling out and that he's been unable to repair their friendship.

As the episode progresses, the group learns that the source of Robbie and Rex's disagreement is money. It seems that Rex is a rare and valuable puppet, and Robbie has been approached by a collector who is willing to pay a substantial sum for him. Robbie initially refuses the offer, insisting that Rex is his friend and not for sale. But as the group begins to brainstorm ways to earn money to pay for a trip to a theme park, Robbie starts to consider the possibility of selling Rex.

The conflict between Robbie and Rex comes to a head when the collector makes a second, even more generous offer for the puppet. Robbie is feeling torn, but ultimately decides to sell Rex and take the money. However, as he's about to hand over the puppet, Rex suddenly comes to life and begins insulting the collector, revealing that he's been pretending to be dead in order to teach Robbie a lesson about friendship and the true value of their bond.

Despite the somewhat predictable nature of the episode's concluding twist, "Robbie Sells Rex" is a well-executed exploration of the relationship between a person and their inanimate companion. The dichotomy between Robbie's love for Rex and his financial struggles is a relatable one, and the episode manages to present a genuinely touching message about the importance of friendship, even in the face of monetary temptation.

As always, the show's cast is charming and engaging, with Matt Bennett giving an especially standout performance as Robbie. The dynamic between the characters feels natural and authentic, and there are plenty of laughs to be had throughout the episode. Overall, "Robbie Sells Rex" is a delightful addition to VICTORiOUS's roster of episodes, and a testament to the show's ability to deftly blend heart and humor.