Onto day two of the Top 12 Countdown, and yes, we’re back in it with this particular show from earlier this year that made the cut. And don’t worry, there’s more after that as the episode countdown progresses. So, let’s begin with one of those episodes from this particular series now that it’s over. And if there’s a reason why this fandom won back-to-back titles as of late in the voting tournament, that is y’all’s fault. Y’all did this. And also, the FOX executives. So, coming in at number 11 is The Great North with “Bots on the Side Adventure.
If there is a word or two or more on what to describe Season 5 of The Great North as a whole, or at least with some episodes that shake up the foundation of the series… well, a shake-up. A shake-up with the status quo. And we saw that a few times this season. The changing of the boat at the start of the season in “The Lies Aquatic Adventure”. Remodeling the guest cabin at the end of “Super Smash Lovers Adventure”, which, of course, fucking robbed of seeing the whole thing aside from the brief glimpse in “Cakeleration of Judependence Adventure” since the show was cancelled back in October. And, of course, the romance side of things. We had two breakups in one season. Two in one. You have one breakup with Beef in “Dial M for Moon-der Adventure”, calling off his trial run of a relationship with Carissa. And, of course, the topic for this spot in the countdown, Ham’s breakup with Crispin.
This was some of y’all’s 9/11 when this episode came out back in March. This was one of the episodes from this season that would shake up the entire status quo of the series, and mind you, this was after we had another status quo change regarding the changing of the boat from the Mighty Kathleen to the Mighty Beef, which was named at the end of this episode, better than naming it Giggles. But the name of the game for this episode was on Ham and his relationship with Crispin, leading up to their breakup. And all of it stems from the situation leading up to that exact moment.
And that is Ham taking up the role of the backup lead singer. He takes up the spot the moment one of the animatronics caught fire via malfunction during a performance at a pizza place, which is literally Lone Moose’s version of Chuck E. Cheese’s, and was ready for the gig. All those times being the lead vocalist for the band Messengers of Chaos really paid off for Ham when being tapped as the emergency lead singer for the week while the animatronic was shipped to be repaired. And while the payment wasn’t too great, since the place could only afford to pay Ham in pizza for the week, it was a gig that he was ready to take on, even if it was for just a few days.
Of course, Ham’s relationship with Crispin and his relationship history, or lack thereof, is the topic of this conversation once Ham starts to fall head over heels for the animatronic yeti, Yeti Van Halen. And, oh boy, this wasn’t easy for Ham when having to share the stage with the guy. Even if he is a robot. The emotions from Ham are playing mind games with him because while he was enjoying his time as the backup lead vocalist of the animatronic band, his heart wants to focus on Crispin and not let his emotions take over, as if he is trying to avoid any mental gymnastics. But he is failing to do that as the week progresses because the more he performs, the more he becomes more attracted to Yeti Van Halen.
And the dream sequence at the start of the third act is pure mental gymnastics for the guy while, again, wanting to keep his heart with Crispin. Mind you, leading up to their anniversary of all the times this had to happen. I mean, yeah, all those feelings have Ham feeling conflicted because, remember, Ham never had a taste of the single life before meeting Crispin. The type that pretty much made Judy envious because he found the right person to spend the rest of his life with, meanwhile, she has to continue riding on the relationship carousel, hoping for Mr. or Ms. Perfect to come around in her lifetime. Let’s not forget that Judy is partially to blame for everything that just spiraled out of Ham’s control when it comes to the topic of relationships. I mean, sure, Ham never had a taste of what it’s like being single before getting an all-expense paid express trip to Crispin-gan, but it’s that conversation alone is where Ham’s mind decides to go haywire the moment he lays eyes on the animatronic yeti earlier in the episode, and especially, after taking up the gig as the emergency lead vocalist.
Thank God that Aunt Dirt happens to be the voice of reason for this episode on where Ham is coming from when dealing with his conflicting feelings while focusing on her own thing, like hoping to win a novelty comb. Having us be shown a flashback of her first 23 years of her 60 hiding inside her bunker when describing what is transpiring with Ham earlier in the episode. Telling him that he needs some “Vitamin B” in his life. Which is pretty much Dirt’s way to say to him that he needs to test the waters of being a free agent in the relationship department before becoming truly committed to Crispin when the time is right. Which is never because the show didn’t get renewed. Seriously, it’s never too late to show your support for the show, legally, of course. Even if Disney decided to go for the AI slop business as of late.
This would tell you that this relationship is pretty much Joever. The moment Ham would succumb to his emotions and lay a kiss at the end of the third act of the episode, and especially with Crispin catching him in the act because it was their anniversary... could’ve picked a worse timing than what he just saw. I mean, the plot synopsis did spoil the outcome, but you’d think that all of this would blow over and would just call it a day and pretend this never happened. Relationship is saved... except, it didn’t. It’s not going to be treated as if nothing happened. A clear giveaway that this relationship is good as over.
And quite the imagery and symbolism that was used at the start of the fourth act, after being caught in 4K by Crispin, over Ham making out with an animatronic yeti. The end sign that Ham has to walk past, and coming across a flurry of guys his age. Not to mention, the forget-me-nots in the background. Of course, happened to be the state flower of Alaska, and the meaning of the flower is a symbol of true love and devotion. Which, of course, symbolizes Ham and Crispin’s relationship as a whole.
But yeah, talk about a massive shake-up for the show to have a relationship that is pretty much one of the foundations, having to call it off at the end of this episode because of everything that just transpired with Ham having conflicting feelings towards someone other than Crispin. It sucks, sure, but you have to understand where both Ham and Crispin were coming from. Not having to experience the single life until this exact moment, when they have to call off their relationship in a mutual understanding. Giving the single world a try before thinking about getting back together. I would say give it a season or two before doing that because you can’t rush this shit… oh, if only the show didn’t get canceled by the network. Be with other people until the time is right to get back together again. However, Crispin did that later in the season in “Ham to Lose a Guy Adventure” when being seen for a bit with Shaun. Ham, on the other hand, in that same episode...
Yeah. Not that good, but at least he got through in the end, despite Judy and Beef in that episode trying to push him back to the saddle because Ham chose the wrong time to fall into a depressive state during Lone Moose’s depressive month of the year. Yeah, that was a rough episode in what was a follow-up to this episode that we’re covering in the countdown.
At least we have this moment in “It’s a Beef-derful Life Adventure” with the two coming across each other when searching for Beef after attempting to take home a dead moose for LERK. Even though they broke up, it doesn't mean he should be concerned for his friend when searching for his father before the weather conditions begin to get worse. Also makes you think if “Serendipi-Beef Adventure” would’ve looked and written differently if Ham and Crispin hadn’t broken up earlier in the season, because the twin comets passing through each other would symbolize romance and securing your future with someone you want to spend the rest of your life with.
And the one concern with the Ham being single side plot, and I’ve been saying it time and time again when doing the reviews, is that it doesn’t turn into a divorce side story from Rick and Morty’s third season. These things take time, and they need to have the right balance and the perfect execution to do just that. It’s a shame that we might not get that because, again, the show got cancelled back in October. Please support the show.
But other than that, it was a good episode and a massive shake-up for the show’s status quo in having Ham and Crispin call off their relationship. Sure, the synopsis did spoil the outcome leading up to the initial premiere, but it was the outcome that no one would expect. Especially in a relationship that looks stable and healthy. But this pretty much tells you that even the most stable and healthy relationships are going to run into a bump or two, where there are going to be some flaws. And there are going to be some relationships where they have to undergo some soul-searching before getting back together. If only the show had continued on, so we could see where this goes, and for the show to play its cards right to have Ham and Crispin back together. But other than that, it’s a good episode and quite the shake-up for the show regarding the relationship between Ham and Crispin. And all it took was an animatronic yeti to come and have Ham’s mind playing mental gymnastics over his heart.
And I am aware that there is a subplot, but the subplot was pretty much the rest of the Tobins competing over who gets to name the new boat before coming together to come up with a unanimous agreement to name it the Mighty Beef. Which is also another status quo change for the show, but the main plot with Ham and Crispin pretty much stole the show for the episode. And yeah, please support the show. Especially since your boy will be doing the discussion series on the Tobins in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned for that.
Day 2 of the Top 12 Countdown of the year 2025 is in the books. What do you think about this episode? Should it be higher, lower, or stay put on your list? Put it in the comments below as we prepare to go into the Number 10 spot of the Top 12 Countdown. Hopefully, I can get through the whole thing for once. Which episode and series will be taking the eleventh spot? Find and see sometime tomorrow. Follow me on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads, and BlueSky for updates and behind-the-scenes stuff. And y’all should know the drill by now...
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