"Animaniacs" Warner's Ark/The Apology/Narf Over Troubled Water/The Warner's Vault (TV Episode 2021) Poster

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9/10
Come for the Warners, Stay for the Mice
PinkyPrincess19938 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I'm surprised that this episode doesn't have any reviews on IMDB because I personally found this to be one of the strongest and most inventive episodes of the reboot. Once again, it's a near perfect Pinky and The Brain segment paired with some pretty fun Warner segments, though those aren't perfect by any means. I would recommend you watch this episode if you want some good slapstick and a catchy song or two plus some great storytelling.

"Warner's Ark" was not the strongest segment from Season 2 but it was far from the worst. The song was very catchy and I found this much better than Noah's Lark from the original Animaniacs. I liked the Chicken Boo cameo at the end and I liked the designs of many of the fantasy animals (especially the return of one of season 1's best characters: Benedict the Dragon). "Is This Egg Yours?" was a very fun song with a great beat and some funny moments, though it wasn't the best in my opinion.

"The Apology" is a very funny satire of the popular apology video trend from YouTube. While many could see the Warners as unlikeable and out-of-character in this segment (and I don't blame you), I personally found this hilarious. It was nothing too special, but it was good for what it was.

The highlight from this episode was definitely "Narf Over Troubled Water." It was easily the best Pinky and The Brain segment from the reboot in my opinion with so many fun moments and a heartwarming conclusion. I loved the song "I Ate a Rock" and found it to be funny, along with it being an catchy melody and a loving parody. The episode also dives into the characters, with some of Brain's vulnerabilities being shown here such as his fear of being disliked and his feelings for Pinky. In a rare case, Pinky is portrayed as morally in the wrong, with him becoming too into the life of the famous and neglecting Brain's opinions. In the end, Pinky does learn that Brain was right and comes back for him. The ending was very sweet with Brain and Pinky running away from a studio in a parody of The Graduate. It was kind of a bittersweet ending since I wanted to see more but it fulfilled me nonetheless. I would highly recommend this segment for anyone.

The Warner's Vault was probably the weakest segment in this episode. While I thought it was a very fun parody of cheesy 70's PSAs with a great art style, the pacing felt slow and there weren't many laughs. Still it was a valiant effort with some payoff.

Overall, I think this episode is worth a watch, if only for the Pinky and The Brain segment alone. The pacing can be slow at times, but this is still a highlight of the reboot for me. If you love Pinky and The Brain, you'll like the episode without a doubt. If you like the Warners, you might be a little underwhelmed but not by much. In conclusion, this was a very enjoyable watch and I recommend it.
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9/10
Episode 25
TheLittleSongbird27 March 2023
Expectations were very mixed for this 'Animaniacs' reboot. The original 'Animaniacs' is one of my favourite animated shows and a favourite overall. Likewise with 'Pinky and the Brain' (not the case with its spin off 'Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain'). Part of me was interested to see how they would work in a contemporary setting, but much of me also questioned its point because it didn't sound necessary to me as can be the case with a lot of reboots.

For me, "Warner's Ark"/"The Apology"/"Narf Over Troubled Water"/"The Warner's Vault" is one of the best episodes from the 'Animaniacs' reboot, and one of the few episodes that are great and where all the segments work in some shape or form (the weakest still being very good). Absolutely loved the premises for all the segments, especially for "Narf Over Troubled Water" (not a surprise as the 'Pinky and the Brain' segments were always the segments that worked consistently), and a vast majority of the time the execution is great.

"The Apology" for my tastes was on the over-stretched and safe side, though it did have some wit and some clever breaking the fourth wall.

Luckily, all of the other three were more to my tastes. "Warners' Ark" was a fun spin on the Noah's Ark story with some cute, luckily not too much so, supporting characters and some zany energy and genuinely funny writing. There is a preference though for "The Warners' Vault", have always liked that kind of premise and despite being predictable it is witty and suitably wacky, not suffering from smugness or playing it too safe. The Warners are not too tame and are suitably zany.

The best segment was definitely for me "Narf Over Troubled Water", the 'Animaniacs' reboot was always at its best with the Pinky and the Brain segments and "Narf Over Troubled Water" is no exception. Which was sharply, smartly and wittily written on the whole and the story had a huge amount of energy and felt fresh even with a premise that is not a new one. Once again, the character writing for both titular characters, especially Brain, is a delightful revelation and indicative of people that loved and understood the characters. Loved the chemistry between them. Love 60s music, so hearing the segment's take on it was very nostalgic.

In regard to the individual components, the animation is bright and beautifully detailed with some suitably wild expressions in faces, eyes and body language, despite preferring the bolder and more traditional look. The music fits well and while it may not enhance the action it adds to it in a way that's appealing and accessible. The theme tune is hip and catchy. The voice acting, done by some of the best and most prolific voice actors in the business now and ever, is impeccable. It was a masterstroke bringing the voice actors back and the right thing to do.

A great episode all in all and one of the better ones of a more settled and consistent Season 2. 9/10.
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