The following contains spoilers for Solar Opposites season 5, now streaming on Hulu
Summary
Solar Oppositesseason 5’s shift into a western genre for “The Wall” storyline is fantastic, and sets up an even more epic season 6. One of the most compelling elements ofSolar Oppositesis “The Wall” subplot, which shifts the tone of the series into more dramatic fare. The storyline focuses on the people shrunken to miniature size by Yumyulack as they struggle to survive in a massive ant farm-esque structure. Each season has quietly shifted the focus and style of their story, includingseason 5 ofSolar Opposites.
This season, “The Wall” storyline actually doesn’t take place inside the wall. It instead shifts to the Backyard, where severel characters escaped to during the events ofseason 4 ofSolar Opposites.This sets up an entirely new approach to the storyline going forward, with season 5’s genre shift proving to be one of the most effective yet. It also sets the stage for the next genre shift in a surprising way, and teases the scope and tone ofSolar Opposites' season 6 “The Wall” plot.
You Will Never See Solar Opposites The Same After Season 5’s MCU Parody Twist
Solar Opposites season 5, episode 8 features a parody of a classic sci-fi trope seen in the MCU, but it acts as a huge twist that changes everything.
Solar Opposites' Wall Story Changed Genres In Season 5
How “The Wall” Shifts Gears And Becomes A Western For Season 5
Solar Opposites' “The Wall” storyline in season 5 shifts into a western,highlighting a series-long trend for a compelling subplot. The story focuses on a drought increasingly impacting the backyard communities, with Charlotte Nicdao’s Sofia and Clancy Brown’s Gavin making their way across the desert-like backyard. The entire story is treated more like a western, with the pair coming up against ambitious villains and ruthless killers on their journeys through locations like Gutterville. The desert-like setting and focus on Gavin’s animal companion reflect elements used in westerns for decades, filtered throughSolar Opposites' sense of humor.
This isn’t the first time “The Wall” storyline shifted genres. Season 1 was a violent revolution, while season 2 mixed a grim murder mystery with a “man vs. nature” story. Season 3 embraced horror as the heroes ventured into the depths of the Wall, while season 4 was a dark fantasy epic, in many ways a contrast to season 1, about a corrupted religion and the resistance against it. The western shift is perhaps the most radical, moving to an entirely different environment. It’s also one of the most effective, and breathes new focus into the otherwise consistently compelling storyline.
Solar Opposites Season 5 Going Western Gave The Spotlight To New Characters
“The Wall” Gets New Life With A New Cast Of Characters Like Gavin & Sofia
One of the most exciting things about the Backyard in season 5was seeingSolar Oppositesshift focus to a new cast of characters. Cherie is arguably the most important character in “The Wall” storyline, but she’s absent for much of the season. Instead, the show follows a classic western archetype in Gavin, a well-meaning but unlucky gambling man working as transport across the Backyard. Similar to classic westerns likeTrue GritorShane, Sofia’s influence makes him into a hero. The story is just as much hers too, building to a climactic moment that cements her as a hero.
Cherie
Christina Hendricks
The season also ends up being a great place for returning supporting characters like Mia and Montez, who get to showcase new levels of depth and set themselves up as more important characters going forward. Without Cherie in the lead and by exploring an entirely new world, season 5 is able to focus more heavily on the new characters, giving their growth and actions far more weight within the story. It’s also one of the plot’s few outright victorious endings, even as it sets the stage for a very different season 6 storyline.
Solar Opposites Season 5’s 10 Funniest Easter Eggs & Pop Culture References
Solar Opposites season 5 features all kinds of pop culture Easter eggs and references, and here are the 10 funniest ones from throughout the season.
Solar Opposites' Wall Story Sets Up An Exciting Season 6
Cherie’s Rise In Power Is Going To Be Dramatic
The ending ofSolar Opposites' season 6 sets the stage for the next genre shift in season 5 episode 10, “Terry’s Big Cleaning Day.” Playing a pivotal role in the final battle, Cherie ultimately decides to claim power for herself and becomes Queen of the Backyard. The turn is reminiscent of high-stakes fantasy dramas likeGame of Thrones, seemingly hinting at the direction of the next tone change for “The Wall” storyline. While it’s unlikely the show will go full fantasy,the dark undertones of Cheries’s rise suggest a return to the dramatic stakes of season 1 and season 4.
“The Wall” has jumped across several genres and tones to explore a singular theme— the corrupting influence of power. These dangers are already clear with Cherie becoming Queen, and teased further by the uneasy looks Montez and Gavin have at her rise. With plenty of lingering plot threads to explore (such as the evolution of the Wall in the aftermath of Sisto’s death), Cherie’s declaration of royalty sets the stage for a return to more (miniature) world-encompassing epics. “The Wall” is among the best elements ofSolar Opposites, and it’s exciting to see the storyline poised for another wild shift.
Solar Opposites
Cast
Solar Opposites is a Hulu adult animation series that centers on a family of aliens. After moving to America, they bicker about whether the country is better than their home planet. The series was created by Mike McMahan and Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, with characters voiced by Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, and Mary Mack.
