Royal Crackers Season 1 Episodes 1-3 Review

Join Swimpedia as we review screeners of the first three episodes of Royal Crackers with minimal spoilers, while still giving you a feel for what the series may be like for you!

[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

Royal Crackers is the latest upcoming Adult Swim original, which follows the highs and lows of the Hornsby family as they try to keep their family business afloat. With patriarch and founder, Theodore Hornsby Sr., falling into a coma, it’s up to brothers Stebe and Theo to fight it out for control of Royal Crackers. Taking a page from Succession, episodes follow the antics of various family members aiming to steal or rescue the company, yet these stories ultimately devolve into fun, wacky adventures in classic Adult Swim style. Additionally, no matter the plot, it’s clear that a character-driven narrative is at the heart, leaving you with a lovable cast that grows on you. If any of this piques your interest, continue reading and check out the three episode premiere of Royal Crackers this Sunday on Adult Swim at 11:00 PM, and next day on HBO Max!

As stated above, it’s clear that Royal Crackers creator Jason Ruiz places immense value on the individuality, perspectives, and growth of his characters, with the story serving their motivations no matter how crazy the plot may become. For example, in the first episode, “Crumbling Empire,” we’re introduced to the general premise of the series, but the establishment of each character, their relational dynamics, and their role in the overall family comes first. At the center of the show are Stebe and Theo, who despite being polar opposites, are trying to find themselves and figure out life in their own ways. Stebe, who is played by Jason Ruiz, comes off as the more serious of the brothers, but also often timid and self-doubting. Theo, on the other hand, comes off as far more confident and likable, yet is quite immature and attention-seeking. This allows for an entertaining dynamic for the series, whether the brothers are pinned against each other, or each carrying separate plotlines.

On top of that, the overall ensemble also brings a real sense of genuineness, which sells the show and further expands on the brothers. Deb, who is Stebe’s wife, definitely loves her husband, but uses her assertiveness over him as a stepping stone for power at Royal Crackers. Their son, Matt, who is voiced by Maile Flanagan, famously known as the dubbed voice of Naruto Uzumaki, plays the part of the innocent child, getting roped into Theo’s shenanigans. Then, there’s also Darby, who isn’t an official member of the family, yet plays somewhat of a dual role, where sometimes he’s a serious lawyer, and other times he may be the zaniest character in the cast. Last but not least, you can’t forget about Theodore Horsby Sr., who is mostly in a catatonic state over the course of the first three episodes, and arguably in his worst condition during the pilot. However, not only does this allow for hilarious physical comedy, but it really serves the other characters to have him silently around. Without saying a word, he brings out many of the darker qualities and characteristics of each of the family members, which is best showcased in a scene from the trailer where they surround him.

Altogether, this first episode establishes the premise and characters, but it also very much embodies elements of Succession. From the comparable theme song and opening to the internal family struggle for control of the future of Royal Crackers, the episode mostly plays out in straight format, but with the occasional out there joke. Interestingly, when it comes to the humor, one common theme is the juxtaposition of these standard attempts at business best practices, with out of nowhere absurdity. These moments in and of themselves would be funny on their own, but the contrast completely adds to the insanity. Additionally, another common comedic trope throughout is the repeating of jokes, whether back-to-back, or as callbacks. This is particularly noticeable in the great physical comedy of Theodore Horsby Sr. that occurs in the middle of the first episode. Lastly, there’s also an enjoyable use of pop culture humor, with the likes of Ninja getting a shoutout. It’s always interesting to think how such jokes will age in the long run, but the ideas will definitely land with viewers today.

Turning to the second episode, “Theo's Comeback Tour,” we’re given a look into how Royal Crackers, the series, really can change up the dynamics of both characters and plots. Unlike the first episode, which was mostly ensemble focused, with everyone set around one goal, here there's clearly a divide. On the one hand, Theo and Matt set off on their own adventure, with an unlikely character that you have to see and hear to believe–you’re not going to guess who they managed to get to serve as the voice actor. On the other hand, Stebe and Deb have a nice night in, with the occasional inclusion of Darby in the mix. Each group really is able to carry their respective plotlines, and arguably you really get to learn more about each character. Ultimately, whether the stories can resonate strongly with viewers is up for debate, but there’s a lot of potential for these characters to become memorable in the long run, especially with the series already greenlit for a second season.

Further putting a spin on the show, the third episode, “Factory 37,” reunites the family to tackle another standard business concern, yet it quickly spirals from there. The previous two episodes featured more believable stories with wacky elements, in combination with Theo doing slightly crazier hijinks. But, the third episode takes this to a whole other level, giving Adult Swim another horror episode to air around Halloween. Here, a typical business concern quickly spirals out of control, giving us amusing, if not sometimes creepy, visuals, and much more unexpected comedic commentary. That being said, the characters aren’t lost in the madness, as it’s clearest in this episode that they come first, story comes second. Overall, Jason Ruiz and the other members of the crew have put a lot of heart into these characters, where I was often more interested in their reactions and feelings than necessarily the individual plots.

Altogether, many Adult Swim fans weren’t sure what to think about Royal Crackers, but it seems clear from the reaction to the early release of the first episode that there’s certainly potential here for a good time. The different types of jokes have resonated with fans alike, and I'm quite interested to see where the Royal Crackers creative team takes these characters–maybe we’ll even see growth over time. If I had any criticism, I do think that the more grounded first episode’s plot was the best executed of the three, and even then I’m far more interested in the characters themselves than the individual stories. Given that the series will go on for at least two seasons, this seems like a prime area to further hone as time goes on. Definitely give the series a try, there’s a lot of care put into these characters and if anything, it’ll answer, what if Adult Swim made Succession?

The first three episodes of Royal Crackers premiere this Sunday night at 11:00 PM on Adult Swim, and next day on HBO Max!