Animated Atrocities: King Nermal

Show: The Garfield Show
Episode: 6a
Year: 2009

Writer(s): Julian Magnat
Director(s): Phillipe Vidal

So, let's talk about The Garfield Show. I never expected the series to be as popular as it is, to be quite honest, at least compared to Garfield and Friends. I personally don't really have any problems with the show itself; I mean the CGI looks kind of wonky at times, and Garfield talking by opening his mouth takes a lot of getting used to, but the show is pretty average for the most part, although lacking compared to Garfield and Friends what with its slower pacing and more character driven stories and all. I'm still surprised this managed to last 4 seasons, and it's currently getting a 5th in the future, that's actually pretty impressive. There are some episodes I'd consider admirable and might do in the future if I'm up to it.

 

One problem I do have with the show though is Garfield himself: I just don't feel the same love for him I had back when he had a mean streak and caused trouble with his wild antics. He seems way too toned down in this show for the cat who will not hesitate to mail Nermal to Abu Dhabi or kick Odie off the table, and as such, his methods of getting back at others when he gets screwed over comes off as weak. I think it's the CGI, but this show just lacks too much energy to really be that entertaining (again, with some exceptions). Having a protagonist that's a jerk isn't a bad thing, especially when they actually manage to be funny with their jerkiness like Rick Sanchez from Rick and Morty or Dan from Dan Vs. They're the types of assholes we WANT to see succeed when they're justified, and when you screw up karmic retribution on them when they DO deserve punishment, it can be very cringey.

 

Another problem I have with this show is Nermal, the "cutest kitty in the world". In the original comics and Garfield and Friends, he was a sickeningly cute kitten with a girly voice that juxtaposed Garfield's cyclical nature, and for the most part, he was a nice guy, and while he did retaliate sometimes and could be a dick, it was understandable, and he did suffer karma for what he did. Here, Nermal is a vain smug asshole that only cares about being the cutest and most lovable thing ever! Having him now voiced by Jason Marsden using a more boyish tone doesn't help him either, and it just makes him unbearable. In most every appearance, he makes you just want to see him get shipped to Abu Dhabi in a crate full of broken glass! But it's very rare he suffers consequences for being a smug asshole. Hell, he once tried to REPLACE Garfield by going back in time and taking his place getting adopted, thereby taking over the show and his history! And it's this episode where everyone notes Nermal just being a douchebag of the highest caliber.

 

I mean, this episode starts out typical enough, Nermal's staying for over a week and Garfield won't have that shit, but then he throws him out of the house and he feigns a broken leg to get Garfield in trouble. Jon doesn't even bother to really check if Nermal's leg is broken because he's so cute and is obviously biased towards Garfield. I could understand this from Jon in a way; considering this is how Garfield normally is, I get what they're going for here. The problem, however, is just how far Nermal takes abusing Garfield while his "leg is broken". He is absolutely obnoxious, he's got Jon under his thumb and is just using Odie and Garfield like slaves not giving a shit!

 

And when Garfield discovers Nermal’s leg isn't really broken? NOTHING! He tries to prove the truth to Jon, but Nermal keeps pulling the 'wounded gazelle gambit'! All the while with a perfectly normal leg! I've seen this type of plot done better in many other cartoons, and in those, the guy faking the injury ends up with a real injury or learns not to be such a lazy fuck after a beating! I mean, Jon even SEES NERMAL STANDING for a brief second and when he turns back, he's all, like, pretending to be weak and stuff! How stupid are you, Arbuckle? It's no wonder Liz won't get into your pants! And that god-awful face Nermal keeps making! Not quite the troll face Garfield makes in this show, but it's one you just want to punch. And in the end, Nermal ends up getting away with feigning, and it's GARFIELD AND ODIE who ends it with broken bones! God, this episode was stupid.

Cringe-Inducing Audio: 3
Cringe-Inducing Visuals: 2
Lackluster Writing: 6
Annoyance: 7
Distrubing Content: 2
Unnecessary Cruelty: 8
Rancid Morality: 0
Low Procution Values: 1
Unfortunate Implications: 3
Character Derailment: 6

Final Score: 38/100


The Garfield Show is owned by France 3, Paws Inc and Jim Davis.

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