Wellington Paranormal Season 3 Episode 6 Review: Fatberg

Wellington Paranormal Season 3 Episode 6, “Fatberg,” boasts a ridiculous premise executed with the show’s signature offbeat humor and creative gags. 

For a show that thrives on zany antics and out-there storylines, “Fatberg” might win as the most peculiar of them all. A congealed, sentient blob overtakes Wellington, absorbing everything from pets to humans. Thankfully, Wellington Paranormal takes this in stride, delivering a hysterical, farcical outing with balls-to-the-wall performances and laugh-inducing one-liners.

MINOGUE: Don’t touch her face! That’s a police face!

This series incessantly pokes fun at cops, and “Fatberg” presents a new running gag wherein each civilian Minogue and O’Leary encounters questions whether they’re the police. It’s hilarious. 

Perhaps part of what makes this show so funny is the almost nonchalance with which our leads approach the supernatural threats plaguing Wellington. Going over the top detracts from the humorous scenarios and snappy dialogue. It wouldn’t work in the hands of any other cast. 

The physical bits in “Fatberg” might be some of the show’s funniest yet, from Minogue and O’Leary immediately removing their hats and offering condolences after a woman’s husband gets flushed down the toilet to the pair watching helplessly as the fatberg swallows the cameraman. 

O’LEARY: We’re sorry to inform you that your husband’s been swallowed by the toilet.

Of course, any time O’Leary and Minogue interact with the camera crew is sure to be golden. Wellington Paranormal breaks the fourth wall like a pro and addresses its outsiders with its usual bumbling buffoonery. 

Maaka Pohatu’s physicality and overall demeanor are side-splittingly hysterical. He infuses Sergeant Maaka with misplaced confidence and false know-how. Maaka might think he knows what he’s doing, but he’s just as clueless as Minogue and O’Leary. His pseudo-machismo makes for great comedy and internal tension. 

“Fatberg” never loses steam in the joke department, constantly doling out delightful gags at every turn. It packs a lot of comedic punches in 22ish minutes. 

MAAKA: Seeing as nobody else knows about this in the entire world, I’m actually the world’s foremost expert on this phenomenon at this present time. 

Overall, “Fatberg” blesses us with an enjoyable story, reminding us why Wellington Paranormal is one of the most underrated, sharpest comedies about ineffectual law enforcement on the market. There’s nothing like it in the world. 

Stray Observations: 

• The “are you genuinely cops” gag is hysterical and even funnier when the citizens assert their beliefs that it’s pretty easy to purchase a police cruiser online. Who knew you could bid on a cop car on eBay? 
• Watching our heroes pat themselves on the back for saving the day while the threat lurks behind them in plain sight will always be hilarious.
• Sergeant Maaka should give a TED Talk on “this phenomenon,” as he’s the “world’s foremost expert.” He’s read blogs about blobs, you know!
• For those not in the know, a “fatberg” is British slang for large masses of waste found in sewage systems that typically consist of congealed fat and hygiene products. It’s a compound of “fat” and “iceberg.” Imagine that sort of thing talking to you.
• Only on Wellington Paranormal will you see a man get flushed down the toilet while everyone around him acts nonchalant as if it’s an everyday occurrence. 

What did you think of this episode of Wellington Paranormal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Wellington Paranormal airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW, with next-day streaming on HBO Max.

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