How did such a ridiculous show last so long with so little change?
Every character connects with another in their own unique way.
Aqua Teen Hunger Forcejust ended its eleventh and final season, otherwise known asAqua Teen Hunger Force Forever.
It isnt likeThe Simpsonswhere the basics are the same, but characters develop slightly over time.Aqua Teenisalwaysthe same.
Once that was over, things went back to normal and Markula was only mentioned one other time.
No,Aqua Teen Hunger Forcenever strayed away from what it is.
Theyre all pathetic and theyre all dysfunctional.
But having everyone simply hate each other isnt quite enough.
The rules of comedy state that you need some sort of agreement to move everything forward.
The real genius of the show is the intersecting relationships.
Once you add three characters, it all falls apart.
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There are exceptions, but they usually show how bizarre the very idea is.
You have three characters on the same page, but its played up as weird and wrong.
But for the rest of the series, its all about the pairings.
What kinda Christmas is that?!
Frylock:Its okay, Meatwad.
This is all a bunch of bull.
Frylock and Meatwad are the only two characters who seem to legitimately like or even love each other.
Without Shake, the two would live relatively happy lives.
Even their relationship isnt perfect, though.
SHAKE AND CARL
Shake:DONT TELL ME HES DEAD!
Your welfare check come in, yet?
Shake:Payment will be received upon discovery of the body.
You know the contract.
Simply put, Master Shake and Carl get along because theyre both corrupt.
Theyre greedy, womanizing, insulting assholes and theyre able to regularly work together based on being just theworstpeople.
The two would probably be better friends if it wasnt for Shake being an even worse person than Carl.
…That doesnt sound right, does it?
Here, read this.
Frylock:I think you might wanna go the manager about this one, Carl.
Despite his problems, Carl has some semblance of responsibility.
He and Frylock are actual adults and thats what links them together and separates them from Shake.
At the end of the day, the two are the straight men ofAqua Teen Hunger Force.
Theyre the two guys who are almost kind of normal and recognize each other for it.
Its a shame, considering Frylock and Carl have nothing in common and nothing to socialize over.
SHAKE AND MEATWAD
Meatwad:Hi, Im high.
Heheheh, you get it Shake?
Master Shake:You know what we need to do?
Shake antagonizing Meatwad is like 40% of the show and has been since the beginning.
That doesnt mean that the two cant get along.
The reason is simple.
Shake and Meatwad are bothreally, really stupid.
Especially if its in contrast to Frylock being a genius.
Mission accomplished: they got off the hook and didnt have to do any work.
MEATWAD AND CARL
Carl:Okay, time out here.
Meatwad:Thats so sweet.
You tryin to say that you love me.
Carl:Whoa, lets not put people on the spot here.
Carl hates Meatwad and has little-to-no patience for his antics.
Not only because of how his low intelligence regularly causes damage to Carls property (ie.
FRYLOCK AND SHAKE
Frylock:I stole this ultrasound program off the internet.
Shake:Well thats stealing.
Frylock:I said I stole it.
Shake:Would you get meThe Lord of the Rings?
Frylock:I already have that.
Its on my hard drive.
Okay, Meatwad, now
Shake:How bout watchin it?
Its really about Frylock vs. Of all the character combinations, these two are the least cohesive.
Its practically Shakes DNA that all of his actions are there to oppose Frylock.
He regularly puts himself in mortal danger just to counteract Frylocks logic.
Much like how he abuses Meatwad just as much as Frylock comforts him.
Even Shakes sense of being an evil dickbag comes out of that.
Sometimes Frylock will act sketchy and when he does, Shake doesnt congratulate him on it.
He simply calls him out on it like Shake is now the voice of reason by default.
What madness is this?!
He really is just there to negate Frylock 99% of the time.
So why do they coexist so well?
Necessity, I guess.
Frylock even admits in Multiple Meat that he has a serious codependency problem.
Its that problem thats helped the show keep its longevity.
Its the perfect balance of dysfunction and understanding.
Am I overthinking it?
But keep in mind that I just watched all 130 episodes over the course of several days.
My mind is fried, dude.
