The Amazing World of Gumball Review: The Possession

"We want our refrigerator repaired." "Ah, that old thing's still going?" "Yeah, she is. And she thinks your lifetime warranty still means something."

I can't believe it's been over four months since I've written literally anything television-related, let alone Gumball-related. Sure, there have been several incredibly unfortunate episode leaks, but for the most part, I've stayed loyal to the show's erratic television airing, even if it... annoys me to no end. Nevertheless, as we approach Gumball's last leg, starting everything off on "The Possession" is a great step—this is a fantastic episode.

Gumball is a show that thrives in conceptuality, and "The Possession" is the perfect combination of cleverness and legitimate emotion, starting strong with some good-natured, sharp fun before taking a sweet, emotional pivot. This, truly, is an episode that exemplifies the series at its finest, even deep into its sixth season with only a few more episodes to burn off, and that unrelenting charisma combined with fact that this is a show that could, at any moment, surprise us with an all-time great, has been the key to the series' longevity. "The Possession" is Season 6's poster child of that principle.

It's not like this episode even adheres entirely by the books, either; it's incredibly refreshing, especially coming after some of the more stale entries of recent history. I think the greatest distinction here is, although Gumball and the kids play an important role in helping Richard find a new home for the family refrigerator (the initial crux of the episode), this is very much an episode all about the adults, especially in terms of Nicole and Granny Jojo's conflicting relationship regarding Richard.

Of course, before reaching "The Possession's" awe-inspiring climax, the episode is as reliably funny as any other adventure, even if light on massive belly laughs. Gumball, Darwin, and Anais' attempts at finding a new home for the fridge often devolve into absurdist hilarity, whether that means taking the fridge to a casting agency in hopes of finding it some movie gigs or trying to make it a spectacle at the traveling circus. (Sadly, they already have a cash-cow fridge for crowds to ogle at.) All of this, naturally, reaches a point of glorious insanity when its intended final destination at a recycling center turns out to be an appliance fighting ring, and their attempt to rescue the fridge turns into an adrenaline-fueled Mad Max chase sequence. Say what you will about Gumball's love of pop culture, but you can't argue the show doesn't know how to surprise you.

Meanwhile, Nicole and Granny Jojo advance the plot in terms of trying to figure out how to get a refund—unnecessary spoiler alert: it's from the Awesome Store—all while bickering in pursuit of the upper hand. Things take a turn, though, when it's revealed that, as with literally everything to come out of that unmarked van, their fridge isn't just some normal fridge: it's for the storage of memories and emotions, and Richard's affection for the device is so hardcore that he ends up being sucked into an icy nostalgia-scape that he refuses to escape from.

It's an insane, gorgeous sequence, and it gives the series a chance to explore a theme that it's never really touched base on: the idea of possession, and nostalgia. The family refrigerator has always been there for Richard, through his highs and lows, and he can't envision life without it always been there for him, fearing that if it goes, so will all of his memories. (I'm pretty sure the last thing on everyone's mind when the episode's title was announced was commentary on ownership.)

In the midst of trying to save Richard from his own nostalgia, though, Nicole and Granny Jojo realize that they're saying the exact same things: just because the fridge goes doesn't mean his memories will. It's a startling moment for both characters to realize that, however diametrically-opposed they are to one another, if there's one thing they have in common, it's that they legitimately care for Richard in their own, often weird ways. That turns out to be what snaps Richard into place, too—if you can get both of those two to agree, then you've gotta abide by it, and things quickly go back to normal, mysterious new fridge aside.

It's a simple ending, but "The Possession" takes you on a ride, and even though it ends on a silly note, it doesn't discharge its emotional truth. It's something so simple, yet also something that Gumball has struggled with in the past, but here, it really helps the episode stick the landing, and I'm sure it'll be one we're gonna keep thinking about even once the series is all said and done.

Notes and Quotes:
-Granny Jojo apparently gave Nicole the fridge because it was the only way to move Richard out of his childhood home.
-"It's okay to be sad, Mr. Dad. It's perfectly normal." "Dude, the only place that behavior might seem normal has people wailing and bouncing off cushioned walls." "You mean a kid's inflatable castle?" "No. No I don't."
-"What do people do if they can't get work as an actor?" "Voice actor?" "No."
-"Who throws out a saxophone?" "Pretty much anyone after 1992!"
-Guys, Gumball's hitting puberty pretty hard.
-It's really interesting to think that this episode was written by only three writers—credit to Mic Graves, Tony Hull, and Joe Markham—let alone without Ben Bocquelet at the helm. It really goes to show how great the show's writers are, not matter in what dose. Great job, guys!

FINAL GRADE: A+. Simply put, "The Possession," so far, is Season 6's greatest episode, for however long it carries that title. It's an episode that combines sincere emotions with the sort of smart comedy that Gumball's known for, all while deploying Richard flawlessly. Here's hoping that the series continues to surprise us at every turn over these last few episodes and crosses the finish line as energetically as it started. It's good to be back, show—don't let us down!

For the last Gumball review of "The Silence," CLICK HERE.

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