Tuca & Bertie Review: Planteau (Season 2 Episode 2)
Tuca & Bertie Season 2 Episode 2, “Planteau,” is all about bachelorette party shenanigans!
Tuca and Bertie travel to Planteau, a unique vacation destination rife with interesting flora and fauna. If you’ve always wanted to watch buff, statuesque tomatoes stripping for a horde of horny birds, then Tuca & Bertie provides that in spades.
“Planteau” delves into Tuca and Bertie’s respective eccentricities through the lens of their friendship. It also showcases their codependency, and just how far they’ll go to ensure each other’s safety and wellbeing. Bertie decides to refrain from drinking for the weekend to support Tuca’s alcohol-free lifestyle.
However, Bertie is inherently introverted, and she suffers from social anxiety. Alcohol gives her “liquid courage.” Whereas Tuca is a free-spirited toucan with confidence for days and the ability to make friends with anyone. She doesn’t rely on alcohol to release her inhibitions.
Bertie’s decision to drink rubs Tuca the wrong way, and rightfully so.
Bertie backtracked on a promise. But this plot point highlights the very real plight of the introverted friend versus the extroverted friend. How opposites really do attract, especially when it comes to platonic friendships.
The extroverted person tends to take their introverted pal under their wing (in this case, literally). It’s a common dynamic among friendship pairings. Bertie is envious of Tuca’s “life of the party” qualities. Eventually, the roles are reversed when our titular bird buddies are robbed at gunpoint by a slew of intimidating plants.
Tuca cowers behind Bertie while the latter courageously stands up to the gunmen, even rescuing Tuca’s favorite fanny pack. For some inexplicable reason, the adrenaline kicks in and Bertie protects her friend.
This experience adds yet another interesting layer to their bond.
Tuca & Bertie‘s exploration of the facets of female friendship has always been the crux of the show. It’s proof that people (and birds) are multi-dimensional, complex beings. We’re not just “one thing.”
The robbery scene reminds Bertie of this as well.
In fact, it imbues her with more self-confidence. Oftentimes, introverts are made to feel that their internal state of being is all they are. That it defines them. It serves as a mental prison in a way. But Bertie’s quick thinking and her fearless display of bravery are indicative of the extrovert that dwells inside her.
Yes, Tuca & Bertie is an animated comedy. But it’s much more than that, and the past two episodes are proof.
It’s an interesting study of humanity from the perspective of two birds. How we live with ourselves, and how we interact with our loved ones. How we forge (and destroy) relationships.
Overall, “Planteau” delivers wonderful moments like the robbery scene and the dissection of our main duo.
That being said, it’s a step down from the stellar season premiere. It’s too inconsistent and jammed with unnecessary storylines. For example, Speckles and the bachelor party B plot felt forced and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
However, it’s not enough to dampen the core meaning of “Planteau,” and the vital reminder that we as humans can be many things all at once.
What did you think of this episode of Tuca & Bertie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Tuca & Bertie airs Sundays at 11:30/10:30c on Adult Swim.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.