Summary
Reboot continues to work at a consistent level, with clever running gags and an easy-going vibe. This is a reliable comedy that always seems to deliver.
This recap of the Hulu series Reboot season 1, episode 5, “What We Do in the Shadows,” contains spoilers.
Reboot season 1, episode 5 may be called “What We Do in the Shadows”, but don’t go expecting any vampires. In the fifth installment of Reboot, Hannah (played by Rachel Bloom) tries to help out her fellow cast members, starting with Zack (played by Calum Worthy) and his aggressive ex-girlfriend. Bree (played by Judy Greer) and Clay (played by Johnny Knoxville) go on an adventure, while Reed (played by Keegan-Michael Key) and Gordon (played by Paul Reiser) attempt to bury the hatchet one final time.
Reboot season 1, episode 5 recap
After Hannah came out in Reboot season 1, episode 4, her relationship seems to be improving with father Gordon. She compliments him on some script changes, but he then goes and ruins all that positivity by upsetting Reed. The pretentious actor wants to go over some script rewrites and Gordon just walks off. When Hannah confronts her dad about this horrid behavior, he tells her that actors are like bottomless pits of need, constantly whining and complaining. Hannah vows to support her cast members no matter what and tries to help out Zack first.
Zack is in the middle of a custody dispute with his ex over their pet dog. Hannah promises to help Zack solve this problem, hoping to become a better showrunner than her father was in the process. She sets up a meal with Gordon, although it is all an elaborate trick. She gets Reed and Gordon into a room together to discuss their discrepancies. Gordon thinks that Reed is too serious and an over-thinker. If he didn’t get in his own way he could be a comedic genius of his era. Whilst Reed thinks that Gordon is also a comedy genius, but one that is surprisingly smart as well. Reed believes Gordon should dig deeper and produce something more profound.
While the many subplots get underway, Bree and Clay are involved in their own mini adventure. Bree ditches a self-discovery party high on mushrooms and gets lost in the forest. Clay rushes to her aid and struggles to coax her back into his truck. He asks to stop off at a meeting along the way home. This happens to be an AA meeting, with Clay announcing that he is 30 days sober.
Hannah and Zack go to his ex’s house and the child-actor demands to see his dog. The couple get into an argument and Hannah tries to play the mediator. The ex eventually agrees to sharing custody, with Hannah offering to care for the dog when Zack is in the middle of rehearsals. Just before Hannah meets the dog for the first time, Zack starts to apply thick gloves. I was expecting a rather large dog to appear next, but instead it is a yappy, wiry one.
Gordon and Reed seem to be bonding nicely and walk home together after their drinking session. Gordon sees the Hollywood star of enemy Chuck Lorre and moans about the writer stealing all his limelight. In protest, he attempts to urinate on the star, but can’t muster the strength to pee. Reed urinates in his place and is subsequently arrested by the police.
The next day all the cast members awkwardly mingle on set. Bree and Clay reconnect after last night’s antics. Bree thanks Clay for saving her during her mushroom trip and congratulates Clay on his sobriety. He admits that this reboot has given him a second chance and he wants to do things right this time around. Clay is pleased to see Bree being more laidback and experimental. It’s interesting how they have almost swapped roles and see a new side to one another as a result of this late-night adventure.
The ending
Hannah and Gordon have similar results to Bree and Clay. Hannah tried to do the right thing, against Gordon’s advice and learnt a hard lesson. She sees that it is difficult to tend to everyone needs and regrets helping out Zack in the first place. Gordon sees things from Hannah’s point-of-view too, actually being grateful of the ruse to get him to talk with Reed. The father and daughter agree to go for a proper meal in the future and Gordon adds that he’s offered a police officer a role in the production.
The episode ends with a crew member asking to speak with Hannah in private to discuss his crumbling marriage. Zack had recommended her as somebody to talk to about such matters. Hannah regrets her actions but endeavors to help these co-workers out anyway. They go to her office to talk, but she is met by aggressive barking from Zack’s dog. Hannah must now live with her choices, but may pay her father more heed in the future.
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