The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 10 Review: Paint Misbehavin'
Kaitlynn Smith
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The Last Man on Earth is back to its usual self in its winter finale, with a more successful Karl-focused episode than the last.
Karl is introduced to the gang on The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 10, but Tandy is suspicious of his behavior and cannot get anyone else to agree with him. Meanwhile, Melissa believes the gang should stop looking for Jasper.
Because Karl is with the group in "Paint Misbehavin,'" it was much easier to watch than the last episode. Fred Armisen is hilarious and creepy in the role, but I felt that an entire episode of just Karl was exhausting to watch.
The rest of the cast that I love so much balances out Armisen's quirks perfectly and watching him interact with former Saturday Night Live castmate Will Forte was a particular treat.
Armisen also had fantastic chemistry with Mary Steenburgen. Gail's often blunt style of communication was a nice counter to Karl's bizarre behavior.
What's the worst thing a prison guard could find at a wedding? An open bar!
Karl
In the comments of The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 9 review, commenter "abercrombieco2" said they believe that Karl will blow up with the bomb.
As they said in their comment, that would be the predictable route for the show, and I agree that this could easily be Karl's fate.
We know the bomb is coming. They have been pointing the audience to it the entire season. I expect that we will see the end to that mystery soon, and I doubt that the writers will use it to kill any of the regular characters.
For probably the first time in the series, Tandy had decent instincts about Karl. The rest of the gang doubted him, and quite frankly, I would have too if I did not know who Karl really was.
Tandy has always been quick to judge, and his immaturity is always evident in those first impressions. While Tandy is still goofy and childish in a lot of ways, his observations about Karl are an indication of character growth.
Tandy is a father now, and it could be a sign that he is thinking more about the safety of this new family he's created.
Tandy: Remind me, what kind of penis are you?
Karl: What?
Tandy: Pia-NIST.
This episode also brought us back to the missing Jasper plot. I had honestly forgotten about it with last episode's complete focus on Karl.
This show often goes on short, one-or-two week hiatuses, and that makes it difficult to keep every storyline straight.
So, when things began with Erica, Gail, and Carol looking for Jasper, I was genuinely confused for a second.
At the midway point, the audience learned that Melissa knows where Jasper is and is giving him supplies to survive.
I did not predict that this would be the case, but I cannot say I am too surprised by Melissa's behavior.
For a while now, Melissa has seemed to be the most bothered by the gang's situation. Even though she is married to and seems to love Todd, I imagine this nomadic life can feel lonely and depressing.
The last thing he needs is us breathing down his neck. That's what drove him away in the first place.
Melissa about Jasper
Melissa has exhibited some signs of depression in the past. She frequently seems sad and withdrawn from the rest of the group.
Since it was Melissa that informed everyone that Jasper was uncomfortable on The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 8, we can easily assume that she told him to run away while she spoke to the gang.
She was protecting Jasper by letting him go but also ensuring that she would be able to provide basic necessities for him to stay alive. Perhaps allowing Jasper to run away was her way of projecting her wish of running away from the gang onto him.
I was under the impression that the last episode before the show's Christmas break was its winter finale. I apologize for that error because this was the actual winter finale.
Now, we have to wait until the spring to see how the gang reacts to Tandy and Todd's discovery about Karl, but my greatest hope is that the break will be a much-needed refresher for the show.
How about this? Maybe just this once, take that hunch to lunch and give Karl a chunce?
Carol to Tandy
The season started out with so much promise, but recently, I have had to force myself to watch it.
I hate feeling like my television shows are a chore, but the premise of the series and its weird humor have felt a bit stale recently. Hopefully, a long hiatus can reignite my love for The Last Man on Earth.
What did you think of the new episode? What do you think will happen to Karl? Do you think the show is losing its luster?
You can watch The Last Man on Earth online! Once you do, share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
Kaitlynn Smith was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in May of 2018.
