Venture Brothers – “The Revenge Society” Venture Bro
But Phantom Limb didn’t give up. He mounted a massive attack on the Monarch’s wedding, using the occasion to try and assassinate the Sovereign and take control of the Guild of Calamtious Intent. Season Two ended with the fantastic two-parter “Showdown at Cremation Creek”, wherein 
the Ventures teamed up with the Monarch and David Bowie to bring the Phantom Limb down once and for all. Brock Samson led a squadron of henchmen into an aerial battle, David Bowie killed Iggy Pop and Klaus Nomi, and the combined forces of good (and evil) prevailed. After his jet crashed, they found only the Limb’s invisible arm, leg, and equally invisible genitalia. We saw a brief glimpse of him in the Season Three Premiere, but this is his first real comeback.
the Ventures teamed up with the Monarch and David Bowie to bring the Phantom Limb down once and for all. Brock Samson led a squadron of henchmen into an aerial battle, David Bowie killed Iggy Pop and Klaus Nomi, and the combined forces of good (and evil) prevailed. After his jet crashed, they found only the Limb’s invisible arm, leg, and equally invisible genitalia. We saw a brief glimpse of him in the Season Three Premiere, but this is his first real comeback.Back before he was Phantom Limb, he was a professor at the college that Dr. Venture, Brock Samson, the Monarch, Mr. White, Baron Underbheit, Dr. Girlfriend, and the Monarch all attended at one time or another, and he shared an office with Professor Richard Impossible. (Hank: “You guys all went to college together? Where? Super-crazy no-way college?”) More importantly, when Billy Quizboy was forced into serving OSI, he worked with Brock and Hunter Gathers to prove that the Limb was up to some illegal super-science. A lab accident had Billy accidentally blowing up the Limb’s Doomsday Machine and turning him from a guy with stunted limbs into a guy with invisible limbs. And in a sidenote, the Monarch began his career as one of Phantom Limb’s henchman, as did the late 24. Who was still numbered 24, even then.
Historically, Phantom Limb has been said to the grandson of Fantomas, a recurring villain in early 20th-century French crime fiction. And this is important because of the Orb…
The Orb – Last season, we met the original Guild. Founded in the late 1800’s, the members included Lloyd Venture, Fantomas, Eugene Sandow (the father of modern bodybuilding), Samuel Clemens, Oscar Wilde, and Aleister Crowley. While the Guild seemed to have formed in order to battle the mad schemes of Nikolai Tesla, it was indicated that Fantomas started a splinter group that would become the Guild of Calamitous Intent.
This Guild created the Orb. While its true purpose is unknown, Lloyd Venture claimed that it’s power was endless and self-sustaining, and could be used for the betterment of mankind. Last season, it was implied that Sandow killed Lloyd Venture when Venture attempted to use the Orb. Further, we found out the Orb is the reason that OSI assigned a bodyguard to Dr. Venture. The Venture bodyguards have been covertly tasked with killing any Venture who attempts to activate the Orb. While we’ve never seen how Jonas Venture died, his bodyguard Kano implied that he was the one who did it. Brock didn’t know that this was his responsibility, and was relived when Doc chose to leave the Orb alone.
I know that’s a lot of backstory, and I really don’t think it’s necessary to know it all in order to enjoy this (or any other) episode. I do think that it makes the story both richer and funnier if you have the background, though. Plus, I find their world-building absolutely fascinating. I think Venture Bros. does a better job of any show (except Lost) of building up an elaborate mythology and making the characters feel like they’re part of something bigger. And yet, I think it’s an incredibly easy show to just start watching. The fact is, even if you’ve never heard of Phantom Limb, a guy using a toaster to dismantle deathtraps and then sewing two heads onto the same body for no good reason is just entertaining.
And with that, we’re ready for The Revenge Society!
“Are we even in the same building?” – Councilman 9
We open in a long and foreboding hallway. A shadowy figure slides a toaster all the way down the hall, and pulls it back slowly by the cord. Occasionally, it shoots toast into the air, triggering death traps. When the traps are triggered and the toaster is retracted, he hurls a piece of toast, like a throwing star, into the control panel at the end of the hallway. He also calls the toaster “Chuck”. As he runs through the hallway, the man (who is wearing some sort of Revolutionary War outfit) destroys a robot hound with his touch. Meanwhile under a bridge, a spectral figure is engaging in an unseemly business transaction with two besuited men. When the deal goes wrong, he kills them, strangling one from the inside. He then swallows the item they fought over, and we see it’s an image on a video screen. It’s the Intangible Fancy, and the Guild of Calamitous Intent has him on trial. The Council, who appear in shadow via video screens, state that the penalty for smuggling contraband is beheading. As they discuss how to behead a ghost, Councilman 8’s screen clicks on, leaving him in full view. The mystery figure knocks him down and announces that his name is “Revenge”. Councilman 3 is the next to appear, and Revenge drops through the ceiling with him. Councilman 8 joins the fight, but Revenge makes short work of them.
–For long-time fans, it’s pretty clear that Revenge is the Phantom Limb at this point. I’m not even sure it was meant to be a secret, actually. It’s not clear what Intangible Fancy was doing that landed him in trouble, but it doesn’t really matter, since it’s all set-up. Interesting that the Guild of Calamitous Intent actually has prohibitions against smuggling (but are lenient toward murder). They really do more to keep villains in check than anything else.
Intangible Fancy first appeared in Season One’s “Tag Sale – You’re It”, and shows up in most of the big villain scenes. The Council first appeared in last season’s premiere, when they put the Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend on trial. They have only been seen in shadow, and usually on separate viewscreens. As one says “I don’t even know where you guys are.”
“I can’t hear that. And if I did, I have a very bad memory.” – Billy Quizboy
Revenge, now seen out of costume (with a robotic left arm and an invisible right arm) is in a dingy operating room with a blood-covered Billy Quizboy. Billy is working on something covered by a sheet, as Revenge threatens him. Revenge rants in a paranoid fashion, and then blames Billy for taking his limbs. Billy sheepishly backs up into a sack, and say Revenge can knock him out and bring him back now. The thing under the sheet wakes up, and it turns out to be Councilman 3 with Councilman’s head grafted to his shoulder. Revenge introduces himself, but 8 immediately recognizes him as Phantom Limb. He tells them he saved them for a very important reason.
–Yeah, Phantom Limb is crazy now. He’s also much scrawnier than last time we saw him, and all his hair has turned white. Things have been rough for him. I love Billy in this scene – he actually climbs back inside the sack and ties it shut. He wants no part of this. We learn that Councilman 3 and 8 are named Red Mantle and Dragoon, respectively. I’ll just call their joint existence The Councilmen from here on out. Their appearance seems to be largely based on the movie The Thing with Two Heads, which is the most hilariously awful and racist movie ever. And I can’t help but notice that Revenge’s robot hand looks kind of cruddy – only four fingers and kind of low-tech. Billy has a much better robot hand.
“Pay no attention to the handsome and ageless rock star hiding behind the couch.” – The Sovereign
David Bowie is reading a magazine in a futuristic living room when Guild Members Watch and Ward enter. He hides behind the couch and turns on his Sovereign disguise, but they assure him that they know who he really is. They explain that Phantom Limb is back, abducted two Council members, penetrated the Chamber Sub-Rosa, and stole the Charter. David Bowie transforms into an eagle and gets ready for action.
–Oh yeah, David Bowie is a changeling on this show. The two Guild Members in this scene, Watch and Ward, are usually pretty funny. They’re the Guild version of 21 and 24. Don’t bother keeping track of which of them is which, as even Jackson and Doc don’t bother. They reference security devices called “Diamond Dogs” and “The Ever-Circling Skeletal Family”, both of which are Bowie songs. Also, we learn that his wife doesn’t know about his secret life – “Call Iman, tell her I’m on tour.”
“I have a list of inappropriate behavior. Number one – this. Don’t do this.” – Dr. Venture
In Revenge’s hideout, the Councilmen are trying to read the charter, but fighting over who gets control of the right hand. (Billy, still in his sack, is sitting next to them.) They offer to tell Revenge about his grandfather, who was previously revealed to be Fantomas. Their recollections are murky at best, but Revenge prods their memories with talk of the Orb. Billy reveals that he knows where the Orb is – in a safe at the Venture Compound. At that same compound, Sgt. Hatred is weeping violently in the bathroom because Hank hates him. Doc gets a message that a whole lot of people are at the door, so he leaves Dean to talk Hatred out of the bathroom. Hank excitedly announces that the entire Guild is on their front lawn. Hatred comes out of his funk long enough to send them to the Panic Room.
–This is great. Although their flashback is muddled, since it starts in 1659 and suddenly becomes 1959 (Billy tries pointing this out), it clearly shows that Councilman 3 and 8 are Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. I don’t know how much we can trust that, especially since they also claim that Fantomas started the Guild as a sousaphone band. That seems unlikely, but really funny. And you have to love Dean as Sgt. Hatred’s AA sponsor.
“So, what? Those guys are here to kill you because God forgot to?” – Hank Venture
Back in the hideout, the Councilmen are running in place to try and figure out how shared muscle control works. They end up fighting with themselves. Revenge returns and introduces the rest of his team: “Wisdom – the fix-it man… and spiritual heart of our team” (a coffee mug with “Wisdom” written on the side), “Chuck – he’s the muscle” (the toaster from earlier), and “Lady Nightshade – she’s spoken for” (a high-heeled shoe). He even talks to the inanimate objects. At the Compound, Hank and Hatred watch the front lawn from the safety of the surveillance room. Hatred thinks the Guild has come for him, in revenge for giving up Guild secrets.
–I love Revenge’s “team” so much. Also fantastic is Hatred trying to explain pedophilia using the birds and the bees. “And some birds like eggs…” Plus, they mention Batman a whole lot, and determine that Hatred betraying the Guild was “not very Batman”.
“Teenagers are cruel and they will undoubtedly taunt us because our trousers are not in style anymore.” – Councilman 3
Watch and Ward approach the front door, while Hank and Sgt. Hatred hassle them over the intercom. Sgt. Hatred claims they have the wrong Compound, and they seem to believe him. Dean has a panic attack and throws up on himself. Doc tells him that as super-scientists, they have to clean the puke off and get back up again. Revenge watches from the road (in his Accord with a ghost painted on the hood). He sends Billy (still in the sack, Chuck (still a toaster) and the Councilmen to get the Orb.
–Good stuff here. First off, Watch and Ward believe it when Hatred tells them they have the wrong address, even though it says “VENTURE INDUSTRIES” on the building that they’re standing in front of, and there’s a golden statue of Jonas Venture behind them. Dean and Doc have a legitimately sweet moment, with Doc confessing to fear and also getting into exactly what keeps him going. (And who knew that Action Man used to put guns to Rusty’s head? Creepy?) And the scene in the car made me love Councilmen 3 and 8. I was not a fan of giving so much screentime to newcomers when Brock hasn’t had a line in four weeks, but their old-man complaints are hiliarious.
“You and Brock Samson – two of the most Batman fellas you could ever meet.” – Sgt. HatredWatch and Ward are happy to see that “Eon and the Warm Jets” have arrived. Meanwhile, Doc and Dean are laying down on a moving sidewalk inside the compound. Doc says that the Guild has gotten into the compound. Hank and Hatred zip around through a series of tunnels, with Hank promising he has a plan.
–“Eon” as we’ll see later, is actually Bowie producer Brian Eno, and “Here Come the Warm Jets” was the title of his first solo album. Nice scene with Hank and Hatred – Hank is clearly just taking advantage of the situation to get to an ice cream cake and Doc’s stack of Playboys, but Hatred inadvertently shames him into coming up with a plan to save the day. Hatred’s admiration of Brock is kind of cool – they were in OSI together at one point.
“What is this, an episode of Gilligan’s Island? Everybody gets hit once and they’re instantly unconscious?” – Councilman 8
The Councilmen and Billy find their way to Doc’s Rec Room, and there’s a Guild soldier waiting for them. They knock him out by throwing Chuck at his head, but also knock Billy out by dropping his sack. They find the Orb in the safe. Outside, Revenge accuses Wisdom of being the Sovereign in disguise. Doc gives Dean lessons in practical cowardice before they run into a much older version of Doc. He is, of course, David Bowie in disguise, just messing with them.
–My favorite line from the Season Four Preview “I’m you from the future!” And when paired with Dean’s prog-rock visions, it seemed apocalyptic.
“In the name of chaos, dominion, and organized havoc, I dub thee Sovereign, lord of the Guild of Calamitous Intent.”
Hatred and Hank find Billy in the sack, and Hatred assumes the Guild’s trying to trap him with a
sleeping boy. Revenge forces the Councilmen to announce him to the Guild as the rightful Sovereign, now that he possesses the Orb. But then Bowie arrives and announces the rightful heir, Dean Venture. Lloyd Venture was actually the caretaker of the Orb, while Fantomas was a usurper. Defeated, Revenge prepares to unleash the awesome power of the Orb.
sleeping boy. Revenge forces the Councilmen to announce him to the Guild as the rightful Sovereign, now that he possesses the Orb. But then Bowie arrives and announces the rightful heir, Dean Venture. Lloyd Venture was actually the caretaker of the Orb, while Fantomas was a usurper. Defeated, Revenge prepares to unleash the awesome power of the Orb.–Revenge smashed his coffee mug, and then when Bowie shows up, he vows to avenge Wisdom’s death. We also see in a cutaway that Lady Nightshade is actually on of Dr. Mrs. The Monarch’s shoes. And this would seem to make it clear that Lloyd Venture is the true founder of the Guild. Since the real purpose of the Guild seems to be to mire villains in red tape (“Organized havoc”), that’s actually pretty cool. Plus, Dean got to be Sovereign for ten whole seconds.
“I want to go back in my bag!” – Billy Quizboy
We go to a flashback – Lloyd Venture attempts to activate the Orb, and we see the clip from last season where Sandow reaches out and destroys something with his bare hands. But now we see what actually happened, and that Sandow broke the Orb, rather than kill Lloyd. He’s angry at first, until he finds out that Sandow’s orders were to kill him. Back in the present, the Guild takes the traitorous Revenge into custody. In the final scene, Billy wakes up in bed with Sgt. Hatred.
–Wow! All this time, the Orb has been useless! That’s a fantastic and unexpected reveal. Very cool. And man, do I ever feel sorry for poor Billy. (And his adorable “Rusty Venture” pajamas.)
I’ve already gone on for too long, but this episode was such a great blend of action, humor, and continuity. I’m a sucker for Billy Quizboy, the Doc and Dean scenes are really great, and the fate of the Orb was a legitimate surprise. I really hope we see Councilman 3 and 8 again, too. Nice job all around!
Next week – “Self-Medication”. If the scuttlebutt is to be relieved, we’ll see the return of Action Jonny and John Hodgman’s much-anticipated appearance. And thanks to the good folks at Coke Zero, here’s a clip. I did not know that I wanted to see 21 fight Sgt. Hatred, but now that I’ve had a taste, I think it might be the only thing I want.
