Some people were asking if I was going to review Smiling Friend season 3, and for some reason, I had to think hard about whether it actually ended, which is strange considering it stopped airing months ago. It ended with the same number of episodes typical of other seasons. Spoiler alert: it's good. In many respects, I think it's even better than seasons one and two.
This made me ponder why I was under the impression that it might still be running. There's something about this season that got me thinking about the show's evolution, where it started, and where it's heading. I kind of want to discuss this because I'm curious if others feel the same way. It's not a bad feeling or a failing of the show; it's just a realization while watching it.
Some episodes stick out more, and while some are good, they may not be as memorable. But with season 3, when I look at the episode list, the memories are vivid. The show has a unique type of absurd and wacky humor, drawing from early internet culture and memes, while still possessing its own narrative and characters.
What is impressive about this season is its dive into character development without losing its comedic essence. The show maintains its absurd, bizarre style proudly. The Mr. Frog episode is a standout, possibly the most memorable of the season.
While watching, I got the sense of a formula emerging. Yes, the show is about making unhappy people smile, relying heavily on absurdity and surprise, but eventually, a pattern can emerge. It becomes familiar, especially when relying on absurdity as surprise starts to feel predictable.
That's why I think the next step is for deeper character exploration, giving them unexpected actions or backgrounds. The Halloween episode, while having a surprise element, still stayed true to character exploration. Despite familiarity in absurdist elements, there's still a need to deepen the characters, giving them room for growth or surprising the audience with new facets.
This doesn't mean the quality has dropped; many aspects have improved. The variety in animation styles, humor, and storytelling keeps it refreshing. The show could benefit from exploring deeper story arcs or shocking character changes, continuing to thoughtfully balance absurdity with genuine moments.