Duncanville Review: Gamer vs. Gamer (Season 3 Episode 1)
Annie drops an accidental confession, and Duncan learns a lesson the hard way on Duncanville Season 3 Episode 1, “Gamer vs. Gamer.”
The show’s season three premiere brings us back into the fold of Oakdale, incorporating almost every recurring character in a way that doesn’t overshadow anyone’s personal storyline.
Sticky Keyboard, Sticky Friend Group
Duncanville could have gone in any direction when it brought in the idea of having an episode surrounding a Twitch streamer. Somehow, the show succeeded in making it funny rather than cringe-worthy — major props to the Duncanville writing team!
Mia, who has almost nothing in common with the rest of the group, especially on this episode, is excited to join despite having no interest in gaming or Slayer.
In grade school especially, it’s difficult to realize when you and your friends don’t share interests beyond going to school together. However, Mia recognizes this, and she chooses every day to be around her friends.
It’s a small gesture, but coming from Mia, it shows how important having friends who love you really is.
Erectail Dysfunction
When Duncan is publicly embarrassed in front of the internet, peers, and teachers, that is the moment he realizes he perhaps made a mistake.
In typical Duncan fashion, it takes him almost dying (or so he thinks) to realize what was wrong and properly acknowledge it, but when he does, you appreciate him more for it.
The way the show integrates Duncan’s storyline with Annie and Jack’s is seamless and more entertaining when Kimberly tells them they have to let the kids keep the dog because they’re criminals.
However, if I were Duncan, as soon as a dog handed me a paper that said “fraud,” I would’ve been on my knees begging to go home.
Don’t disappoint the sad-tailed dogs, Duncan.
Tipper Bore
Duncanville continues to excel at making sure the storylines are family-friendly, both in the jokes and in the way that there are consistent stories for the kids and the adults.
This time, the show brings us into the old ages of the ’90s, when CDs were still being mass-produced, and Spotify came in the form of boomboxes.
The thing we learn about Annie on “Gamer vs. Gamer,” is that she can absolutely keep a secret.
Selling out your husband to the cops and only telling him 30 years later is sincere dedication, and Annie was taking that one to the grave. If that nail had never poked Jack in the butt, Annie would’ve taken that secret straight to the grave. She’s a real one.
Stray Thoughts:
- I really, really hope Jack is up to date on his tetanus shots.
- Annie’s “you were my future” to Jack makes my heart melt. My two favorite animated parents.
- The NXIVM photo made me audibly gasp. Y’all are weird weird.
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What did you think of this episode of Duncanville? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Duncanville airs Sundays at 7:30/8:30c on FOX.
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Laura Wanberg
Laura is a homebody who loves everything about TV. Some of her favorite shows include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and The Morning Show. With her ever-growing list of new shows to watch and books to read, her favorite thing to do is to cuddle up with her cat and get lost in someone else's world.