Ep 2. Mother Father Figure

In "Mother Father Figure," the second episode of Corner Gas Animated's fourth season, viewers are invited back into the world of Dog River, Saskatchewan and the quirky cast of characters that live there. As the title suggests, the episode explores the dynamic between parents and their children, a theme that plays out in a variety of ways across the thirty-minute runtime of the show.

From the outset, the episode establishes a thread of tension between father and son, as Brent (voiced by show creator Brent Butt) struggles to get along with his dad, Oscar (Eric Peterson). The two spar over everything from house repairs to TV remotes, and their bickering only intensifies when Oscar's old friend, Moose (Callum Keith Rennie), comes into town. Moose, as Brent observes, is like a "cooler, hipper version" of his father, and their shared history only serves to highlight the differences between father and son.

Meanwhile, Emma (Janet Wright) tries to craft the perfect Mother's Day gift for her daughter-in-law, Karen (Tara Spencer-Nairn), but runs into some problems along the way. When she discovers that Karen has been secretly using one of her prized possessions, a family recipe book, to make her famous muffins, Emma is outraged, and Karen is left trying to patch things up before the big holiday arrives.

Over at the Ruby Cafe, Lacey (Gabrielle Miller) is having her own struggles with motherhood. When a charming young couple stops in for lunch with their well-behaved baby, Lacey starts to feel the pressure to have kids of her own. She confides in Brent's wife, Hank (Nancy Robertson), about her fears of being a bad mom, and the two commiserate over the challenges of parenthood.

But perhaps the most poignant moment of the episode comes when Hank herself steps up to act as a mother figure for Wanda (Lorne Cardinal). Wanda, who has always struggled with feelings of abandonment and rejection, is surprised to learn that Hank has been keeping tabs on her through social media and wants to help her reconnect with her estranged mother. Though Wanda is initially resistant, she ultimately agrees to give it a try, and the resulting phone call is emotional and heartwarming.

Throughout "Mother Father Figure," Corner Gas Animated strikes a careful balance between humor and pathos, never shying away from the bittersweet reality of family life. While some of the jokes may be broad and silly (such as when Brent tries to blame his dad for breaking a priceless vase), the show never loses sight of the complex emotions that underlie even the most mundane of interactions.

Overall, "Mother Father Figure" is a strong episode of Corner Gas Animated that will no doubt resonate with viewers who have experienced the joys and challenges of parenting. With its mix of gentle humor and real emotional resonance, the show remains a beloved staple of Canadian television, and this episode is a testament to its enduring popularity and appeal.