Moonbase 8 (1×02) Rats Review

For our review of the last episode of Moonbase 8, click here.

Synopsis: Rook’s video correspondence with his family leads to a serious case of homesickness that has him contemplating leaving the team. Meanwhile, Cap becomes obsessed with catching a prowler and Skip comes up with some creative solutions to help the team suit up more efficiently. (Showtime)

After last week’s semi-chaotic series premiere, this week takes a step back and continues to flesh out our faithful trio of aspiring moonmen. The series’ deadpan-feeling, low stakes sense of humor won’t be for everyone but continues to still somewhat thrive thanks to the chemistry of our three leads. While Reilly’s Cap essentially got the first episode, Rats was Heidecker’s Rook’s turn for the spotlight here.

Rats explored the relationship between Rook and his comically large family as it began with him recording a video for them which introduced their base. The b-plot of the episode saw the team dealing with a potential intruder (who could be anybody) but their main issue was their inability to suit up in time to catch them before they got away with more and more stuff. If it hasn’t become abundantly clear by now, their solutions to that problem weren’t exactly the greatest or most efficient but you can’t fault them for trying though they were often hilarious to watch. These storylines found a way to merge as Rook’s homesickness paired by his perceived lack of appreciation by the rest of team left him a little distracted.

Overhearing Rook’s admission of his feelings to his family, Cap essentially put Rook on the spot which was a position he was definitely not ready for. Meanwhile. the best of the team’s questionable ideas was the insufferable jazz alarm Skip had concocted. By the time Rook shared his feelings with the team, Skip was oblivious while Cap’s plan was to reverse psychology the situation by throwing him a going away party (Cap wanted to keep the mission going, revealing his ulterior motive of being homeless and in debt).

The party got interrupted by the team’s labrat P-93/Jeremy escaping and the jazz alarm being tripped outside. Cap chased the intruder which was a local man named Wally (Joshua Davis) looking for recyclables while the others searched for the rat, Skip gave Rook a pretentiously tone deaf speech about why he should stay while Cap chased Wally though gave up, A deep man, Wally connected with Cap and agreed to give them their things back.

Ultimately, it was a video from Rook’s family and a night of prayer that convinced him that he should stay. It took a second for the others to get it.

It wasn’t without its moments but the pace has been a detriment through the series first two episodes. It doesn’t look like that will change but hopefully the writing picks up balance-wise.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.