Again, we continue to see send-ups of hip hop culture and its often ridiculous and mishandled appropriation by white people. Chozen’s camp analogy distracts the audience by being funny while perfectly encapsulating the situation and once again pointing out the white, middle class, suburban background which undermines his affected thug persona. This throughline, much like the gay jokes, are present enough to give the show its intended flavor without relying too heavily on them. This was a very strong episode from both a humor and character development angle. The situation is played for comedy and is Sitcom Writing 101; introduce someone who knows the protagonist in a different way from the rest of the cast, sit back, and watch the hijinks ensue. Still, it’s the catalyst for the best character development in the series to date. Funny as it all is, tell me you didn’t feel bad for poor Hunter because of both Chozen’s own shitty behavior and the chaos Jamal added to the mix. And though the story was laced (no pun intended) with jokes, Chozen is legitimately confronted with just how much he’s changed since he got out of prison. Sure, there’s every chance all this will be dashed by the nefarious reset button, but even if it is, that was some quality character action. Chozen isn’t the only one to get some solid development here. Hunter scores a little limelight of his own. His initial infatuation has apparently cooled to the level where glazing over Chozen’s selfish bullshit is becoming something of a challenge all on its own, to say nothing of how the situation is complicated by Jamal’s presence. It’s one thing to acknowledge the depth of the show’s writing and intent, it’s another to see it in the motivations and development of the characters, and for a show like this, and I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised at the treatment Hunter is receiving here. On the subject of Troy and Jimmy’s storyline, good on the writers for their little jab at how male gaze-y video games, even the more highbrow ones, tend to be. Queen Vaginismus, the impregnation of whom is the goal of its own side quest? Not exactly subtle, but definitely spot on. All in all, this episode was very solid. It made use of a throwaway character from the pilot to excellent effect, it was funny, well plotted, and continued to simultaneously subvert and exploit stereotypes. Several comments make it clear that Chozen and Jamal are flip-fucking, and never once are they portrayed as anything but equals, completely rejecting the heteronormative view of gay relationships where one is “the man” and the other is “the woman.” Chozen himself says, “Always have been [on top]… except for those times I wasn’t, but that was a sensual choice.” That’ right. Chozen likes to take it up butt, and he takes it like a man… a man you don’t want to mess with. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all news updates related to the world of geek. And Google+, if that’s your thing!