Escape to the House of Mummies Part 2 - S2 Ep4 Venture Bros. reviewed and rated 

I had never heard of Johnny Quest before I got into the Venture Bros, so this reference completely escaped me when I first saw this episode. I was very familiar with animations being shown out of order, though because of watching South Park on Paramount. Adult Swim used to do the same thing with all their shows too. I didn't mind too much, because they were all self contained episodes. Even The Venture Bros was at this stage, because the major continuity arcs had not yet been developed. I had a healthy mistrust that a TV network might carelessly broadcast the sequel for a 2 part episode without any explanation, but I wasn't aware that it was a well known practice. In response to your comment, I can see how people who have grown up watching US cable might recognise this trope and understand the joke. Thanks for the explanation, it definitely provides context to this episode. Out of interest, I don't think Johnny Quest was ever broadcast in the UK. Over the years I have randomly asked people from various age groups (usually when telling them about the Venture Bros) if they have heard of the show and no one ever has. A lot of US cartoons are very popular here, but that one passed us by.

The use of satire was very effective here. Although unfortunately some people (by which I mean me) just thought the episode was shoddy broadcasting - which was still a thing on Satellite TV in the 00s. The joke worked too well.

I think it was even longer ago than that.

That is a really good point. Rusty's life was all boy adventuring and I like the idea that his escape from the cult of Osiris worked on a metaphorical level. The shrinking competition really works as a metaphor and this adds to it. Billy's lunch box dragged him back to his early life, but he was strangely happy to be reminded of it, which was a nice, heartwarming touch. I remember a quote from a much later episode when he questioned whether he had ever rode a pterodactyl, or whether it was just a scene in the Rusty Venture cartoon. The idea that there is a show within a show happening on the Venture Bros is really brought out in this episode. I didn't enjoy this episode much but I am glad I made this video. People have made some really interesting points about it and whilst it will never be a favourite, I have a new found respect for it.

It's really funny. He literally doesn't give two shits that his sons are in mortal danger.

That must have been confusing , but at least you had enough background knowledge to know that Adult Swim were showing online episodes. I first discovered Adult Swim purely by chance. At the time I was a big fan of South Park and Futurama and I was channel hopping one night and found they were showing animations on an obscure channel called Bravo. I didn't know what Adult Swim was and whenever I mentioned it to people I knew, no one had ever heard of it. Because I used to watch these shows before I went to sleep, it didn't occur to me to Google them. After watching "Tag Sale You're It" I decided I loved the show and I always hoped The Venture Bros would get broadcast. The whole experience was very random, and felt very much like watching old kids' cartoons - which were shown out of order, so it never occurred to me that the "Part 2" thing was a parody of this. I really thought I had missed part 1! Stylistically it is a very clever thing to do and I would have appreciated it, if I had known at the time!

That would have been pretty cool. Especially if it happened many years after this episode. The Venture Bros loved doing call-backs to throw away events from episodes which happened years ago. It would have been a great twist to imagine that this Escape saga had been secretly going on for years but had never been mentioned on screen. I continue to hold out hope that there will be another VB movie in about 5 -10 years time. Maybe this is what it would be about?

I can definitely see why people like this episode. I think I just have bad memories of how I felt when it was first broadcast. Go Team Venture!

That was an absolute classic! "That thing is like a pumpkin!" It's especially funny because Doc Hammer is a massive fan of Poe's writing but reduced him to jokes about his massive head! Welcome to the channel. I am posting a video about the "Ignore Me!" episode next week. I absolutely love that one!

@@FFlynnsArcade Fantastic! 20 years to midnight is one of my favorite episodes. Can’t wait to see your review next week. “Ignore Me!” Lol

That was exactly my experience of this episode! Adult Swim never showed the episodes in order and I never knew when The Venture Bros - or any other show was going to be broadcast. I just used to hope it was on TV that night. Whenever this episode was on, my heart sank a bit and I mentally switched off because I thought I had missed an important part of the plot which I would never pick up. Now I know what is going on here, I think it is a clever joke, but it really bothered me, back in the day. I am glad I am not on my own with this!

I don't think the B plot is supposed to make sense, TBH. I tried to wrap my head around it, but it becomes so strange that it is impossible. Especially at the end of the the episode where they are in the snow and there are cavemen there! I think just running with it is the best choice with this episode. I watched it about 5 times before making this video and I am still none the wiser.

A lot of people say that. I can see why people like the episode because it is definitely a powerful one. I think if I had known it was a fake sequel when I first saw it, I would have really enjoyed it. I always say that "Tag Sale You're It" is the best introductory episode for non fans because it introduces so many characters and concepts. But I can see how this episode is a good intro to the general style of the show.

I think this episode really drives home what is probably happening off screen. They have mentioned ant people, robot dinosaur bones and a massive fight at a Rocky Horror Picture Show, but this is the first time this has been depicted. I am still not a fan of this episode but I can respect what they were trying to do here. I know some people absolutely love it, so I knew this video would be controversial and in many ways I am glad this episode exists. I am pleased that they didn't make another one, though.

@@FFlynnsArcade i think pretty much every fan of this show has at least one episode they do not like. For me, that is "Guess Who's Coming to State Dinner?" This is my favorite show, but even I admit there are some lull points.

@@fenrirhere in the book the page about "Guess Who's Coming To State Dinner" starts with Doc Hammer saying "I don't want to hear a Goddamn word about that episode". I laughed out loud when I read that, because it always gets mentioned when fans discuss their least favourite episodes. I am looking forward to making a video about that one. All the episodes are interesting, but I really enjoy making videos about the deeply loved ones like "Tag Sale...." and the less popular ones like the pilot episode. Since that one is so notorious amongst both the fans and the creator, then there should be a lot to say about it.

It definitely works as a concept. It just frustrated me a lot when I first saw the show all those years ago!

@@FFlynnsArcade lol I feel ya. I waited for YEARS for part 1 to come out, when i was a teenager

I agree. It works as a one off, experimental episode, but if they were all like that, then I wouldn't have continued to watch the show all these years. I hadn't thought about the similarities to Family Guy, but now I think Family Guy cut aways might have been an influence on this one. The only episode I have seen which is in any way similar to this is "Blood of The Father, Heart of Steel". I really disliked that episode when I first saw it. But I watched it repeatedly and really enjoyed trying to piece together what was going on. Now I am a massive fan. I am still not convinced by this episode, though, although I respect the way they took a real risk by making such a strange episode.