![]() Though Takeuchi is Asian, it is disappointing that Lizzy Caplan, a non-Asian actress who is doing a great job, is voicing a half-Asian character, especially given fellow animated series Netflix’s BoJack Horseman + Apple TV+’s Central Park’s own similar problematic portrayals. Sometimes the emotional moments feel a bit superficial or resolved in favor of a laugh instead of a more profound exploration (see Reagan’s possible Asperger’s diagnosis + lack of affection by Rand). There are only two BIPOC series regulars out of nine. If “Deep State” is triggering, this may be a no-go on premise alone. Creator Shion Takeuchi (and fellow EP Alex Hirsch) of Gravity Falls definitely take cues from other animated series, probably most especially Futurama to the benefit + detriment of this series. The character archetypes are more expected than innovative, and the supporting characters are woefully underdeveloped, with the possible exception being Glenn but only by a hair more than the others. Some of the jokes are too rapidfire, relying too heavily on cultural references that fly by too quickly. Best of all is Clark Duke’s yes-man Brett, a basic cishet white bootlicker whose basic cishet white bootlicking is the point but whose approachable fratbro-ness contrasts with Reagan’s robot-assisted inflexibility. Chris Diamantopoulos’ ROBOTUS is best when it gets a bit more histrionic in its love of Friends than trying to annihilate the human race. Suzy Nakamura, Alex Hirsch, and Ron Funches all put in nice appearances. is funniest when he’s doing damage control, especially with his Rand rivalry. Andre, and Brett Gelman’s sarcastic mushroom psychic Magic Myc don’t really get much development so far other than one-liners, while John DiMaggio’s half-dolphin supersoldier Glenn gets a bit more to do. Lizzy Caplan is a fun lead as Reagan, giving a lot to her evil genius machinations, navigating toxic corporate culture, and managing her conspiracy theorist dad Rand (a game Christian Slater), whose position she is overtaking. Tisha Campbell’s gossipy PR maven Gigi, Bobby Lee’s narcotics addict biochemist Dr. ![]() As a workplace comedy, the series also criticizes difficult bosses and the overt sexism that makes a company hire an unqualified (white, straight) male help a “difficult” female boss. There are also a group of mysterious overlords + a sentient android meant to replace a moronic president (not visually coded as 45 but certainly not out of line). The animation style also lends itself well to big setpieces like a clone war, a Face/Off style face swap between a human + a mutant, and a lizard person getting his arms ripped off after praising Guillermo del Toro for promoting the lizard agenda with The Shape of Water. However, the series also seeks to comment on the commodification of conspiracy theories for corporate interests as well as government ones. It’s not just zany energy for chicanery but also grounds itself with bits on emotional trauma + family relations. Inside Job assails virtually a great number of hoaxes: Sasquatch the moon landing secret societies/cults famous clones and sheeple, moth-men, and lizard people. Netflix’s newest adult animated workplace comedy is an absolutely bonkers rollercoaster through some of the wildest conspiracy theories out there. Conspiracy theorists have gained even more traction in the era of social media obsession, allowing virtually anyone with an internet connection to say whatever they want as fact.
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