Haiku and Review: Search Party, Season 5

Well, it took me a while to finally catch up to the final season of Search Party. Initially I wanted to see one a week, to dole out these precious episodes because there would be no more, but I have to admit, my forced metering soon became an unforced metering.

My biggest complaint of the season: even though by the end of the show, we are literally talking about the end of the world as we know it, the emotional stakes between the characters couldn’t have been less compelling. Also, there was a curious lack of humor — if not for John Early’s usual brilliance, this season could’ve been purely a drama. And as a drama, well, no. I don’t watch Search Party for drama.

The second and third seasons of this show were the best — the second for dealing with the consequences of the murder, and the third for its comedy. Shalita Grant‘s lawyer character, Cassidy, in the third season was the sixth-man MVP (in basketball parlance) — just thinking about her still makes me laugh:

So if that snippet makes you as happy as it does me, then I’d urge you to watch the first two seasons, and then watch the third just so you can get to this part of the episode. Yeah, it’s that worth it.

I actually enjoyed the fourth season, mostly for the breakout performance of Cole Escola; there’s also a scene revolving around a roundabout (pun intended!) that might be the show operating at its comedic peak.

Anyway, even though the fifth and final season was a letdown, it wasn’t enough of a letdown for me to not write a little haiku for each episode (and two for the last episode ever!). So here they are. All in all, I’m thankful this show existed — I’d never seen John Reynolds, Meredith Hagner, or John Early before Search Party, and now I’m a fan for life.

S05E01
Drew seizes the day.
El and Jeff, baby daddies.
Dory, savior.

S05E02
Dory’s great escape.
Drew and Portia, echoing.
Murderous laughter.

S05E03
D and D, again.
To the “center” of the “Earth.”
A Tunnel’s vision.

S05E04
Portia’s Dory drink.
Very Lyte influencers.
Dory sees the blood.

S05E05
Brunch and the sultan.
Undercover Elliott.
Blue enlightened beans.

S05E06
Colorful foreheads.
Dr. Carpet finds beetles.
Poisons everywhere.

S05E07
Virgin hostage Drew.
Is Elliott hideous?
To Acapulco.

S05E08
Saved by the manhole.
They all take turns with Dory.
Jellybeans of…joy?

S05E09
The Walking Party.
Slowest go-kart in the world.
Dory delivers.

S05E10

Zombies take Brooklyn.
Brain dead Portia, just leggy.
Flame throwing Chantel.

Portia sings the sun.
Dory and Drew tie the knot.
Wall of the missing.