Ep 7. The Killer Shrews

In Mystery Science Theater 3000 season 4 episode 7, our beloved crew of Joel, Crow T. Robot, and Tom Servo find themselves plopped in front of the 1959 horror classic, The Killer Shrews. The episode wastes no time in introducing us to the island where the film takes place, a place where a group of scientists has been conducting experiments on shrews to combat overpopulation. Of course, things quickly go awry when a hurricane forces the castaways (and their notorious hound, Rook) to take refuge in the lab where the shrews are kept.

As always, it's the commentary from our ragtag group of robots and their hapless human companion that steals the show. Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo are in rare form, riffing on everything from the scenery to the dialogue to the questionable musical choices. The jokes come fast and furious, with the trio bouncing off each other in a way that feels both natural and hilarious.

But it's not just the main feature that gets the MST3K treatment. The episode also includes two shorts: firstly, a delightful educational film about dating called "The Days of Our Years," and secondly, a bizarre puppet show featuring an evil, cackling bird named "The Chicken of Tomorrow." (Yes, really.) These shorts serve as perfect fodder for the crew to riff on, with Joel and the bots taking aim at everything from gender roles to puppet politics.

Of course, it wouldn't be MST3K without the occasional musical number, and this episode is no exception. During a particularly slow moment in The Killer Shrews, Joel and the bots break into a rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" that manages to be both absurd and oddly catchy. Later on, there's a hilarious parody of "Moon River" that references both the film and the human struggle to survive in a world overrun by killer shrews.

As always, the standout performances from the episode come from the bots themselves. Crow and Tom Servo are both on top form, with Crow's sharp wit and Tom's nerdy references providing the perfect counterpoints to Joel's more laid-back style. There are moments where the trio's chemistry is positively electric, and it's easy to see why MST3K has garnered such a devoted following over the years.

Overall, Mystery Science Theater 3000 season 4 episode 7 is a true gem. The Killer Shrews is a hilariously bad movie, and the jokes from Joel and the bots only make it better. The episode is a perfect showcase of everything that makes MST3K great, from the clever riffing to the catchy musical numbers to the sheer absurdity of it all. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is sure to leave you in stitches.