The Boondocks has made it’s long-awaited return to Adult Swim and TVs round the world. This time we open the gate with a Tom focused episode, the hype is real, but you can’t help but feel like you’re in a complete and total redux when watching “Pretty Boy Flizzy”.

Tom and Pretty Boy Flizzy (far right) played by Chronicle’s Michael B. Jordan.

After 5 years, 5 long years The Boondocks has made it’s long awaited, and unfortunately final return to Television. The series started as a comic book by franchise creator Aaron McGruder back in April of 1998. After an unsuccessful pilot pitch to FOX, the series wound up on Adult Swim after President Mike Lazzo suggested that McGruder just tell stories rather than going with his original FOX format.  The series has since made a gradual pace between seasons taking over 2 years (per season) to develop ever since moving animation over to Korea. Season 4 took a tad longer compared to the previous three due to behind the scene difficulties involving Aaron’s schedule. But with the premiere episode “Pretty Boy Flizzy” it proves once again to be worth the wait.

The Boondocks nails it’s Chris Brown parody in an unexpected way.

THE GOOD: As always whenever Aaron McGruder is ready to call someone out and make a point he hits the nail on the head and strikes a ton of nerves. The Chris Brown parody in the form of titular Pretty Boy Flizzy didn’t have a single point miss. From the Rihanna beating to the tiger, everything was to a t. Tom has always been a great support character, but as far as having large roles in episodes he can often be hit or miss. In “Pretty Boy Flizzy” Tom brought some definite laughs, such as Sarah getting sick of Tom’s apologetic, soft attitude., and Tom actually standing up for himself.

Flizzy doing a parody of Chris Brown’s dance.

THE BAD: Tom wasn’t really developed well enough to star in multiple episodes, as stated, he makes a great support character, but as a lead he’s pretty hit or miss. The lack of Aaron McGruder’s presence was strangely felt. Sure there were laughs, but they weren’t as strong here as they were in previous episodes. Hopefully things will pick up once the Breaking Bad parody rolls in. There was also a serious feeling of dejavu in “Pretty Boy Flizzy”. It felt like a complete redux of “Tom, Sarah, and Usher”. Same characters, same story, same scenario, different third wheel in Flizzy.

Tom & Sarah’s marriage on repeat.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: “Pretty Boy Flizzy” was a nice introduction into the five year long return of The Boondocks. As always the parody was on point, and Tom had another big storyline. Unfortunately Tom’s hit & miss development makes it hard to get behind him while in lead roles. You could also see the lack McGruder involvement in this episode, as well as there being a feeling of a redux of “Tom, Sarah, and Usher”. Still “Pretty Boy Flizzy” brought the laughs, and that’s really one of The Boondocks’ main selling points. This season is meant to parody Breaking Bad, so hopefully the series will kick into overdrive in terms of overall quality at that point. Otaku Dome gives the season 4 premiere of The Boondocks; “Pretty Boy Flizzy” an 80 out of 100.