Tuca & Bertie Season 3 Episode 7 Review: A Very Speckle Episode
Tuca & Bertie Season 3 Episode 7, “A Very Speckle Episode,” shines a spotlight on Speckle and the importance of “give and take” in a relationship. Additionally, the outing delves into gender and partner dynamics with the show’s trademark wit and profundity.
We seldom get a Speckle-centric episode on Tuca & Bertie — in fact, “A Very Speckle Episode” might be the first of its kind. Steven Yeun always delivers solid, nuanced vocal performances, brimming with warmth and occasional zaniness. It’s lovely to hear more of him.
TUCA: I thrive in monogamous pairings. One after the other, with no time to reflect.
That said, there’s something about this episode that falls flat. Not all of it; simply an aspect. It’s challenging to articulate why, which perhaps defeats the purpose of this review.
Maybe it’s the lack of focus on our eponymous avian duo, Tuca and Bertie. While it’s great to delve further into Speckle’s story, he doesn’t have the staying power to mostly carry an A-plot narrative. Sure, he’s in almost every episode, but if Tuca & Bertie wanted more Speckle-centric stories, it should’ve leveled the playing field for him.
That’s not to say “A Very Speckle Episode” doesn’t boast any highlights or successfully-executed bits. Yeun is a delight, deftly depicting the ebbs and flows of Speckle’s mental and emotional states.
SPECKLE: My sweetie needs sweet tea.
Additionally, shifting the dynamics between Bertie and Speckle is a nice touch, as we always view their bond through Bertie’s eyes. Here, we see how much emotional labor Speckle is performing. It’s a lesson for all of us — don’t suppress your feelings. Don’t try to please others at the cost of your well-being.
Speckle’s more like Bertie than we thought, and “A Very Speckle Episode” is evidence of that. They both share the same thought processes and nervous ticks. Speckle’s simultaneously anxiety-riddled and assertively-tinged outburst is universally relatable. We people pleasers are chameleons; we become whoever the person we’re with wants us to be.
It’s profoundly resonant and hits close to home for this reviewer. Once Speckle addresses his feelings to Bertie, she course corrects. Instead of “taking,” which is something she was initially unaware of, Bertie gives. She implements the invisible “worry vacuum” to suck Speckle’s (now unemployed) problems away. It’s an achingly tender moment between two anxious souls.
TUCA: Yeah, we’re engaged. We could elope at any minute. That’s a threat.
Overall, “A Very Speckle Episode” checks in with our fave former architect boyfriend. It’s a call to action for men everywhere to focus on their mental health, something you rarely see on TV. People of all genders struggle with mental health issues, and it’s fantastic that Tuca & Bertie advocates for everyone to take care of themselves.
Stray Observations:
- Every time Speckle sits in the bathroom stall to chat with Cliff for his daily requisite 3 pm dumping, we are invited on Aaron’s journey. We notice when he “sucked.” When he’s “working on himself.” We even watch while he’s “making excuses.” We see it all.
- There are three great book titles in “A Very Speckle Episode.” Firstly, the book Draca procures after Tuca decries the efficacy of plant signs and crystals — “Plant Signs Are Real & The People Who Believe in Them Are Smart.” Secondly, there’s the book Speckle’s boss reads after she repeats his name frequently in a conversation: “Good Leadership Is Saying People’s Names a Lot.” Lastly, the book Speckle reads in the bathroom — “Architect’s Absorb.” (A play on Architectural Digest.)
- Eugene Cordero’s voice is so distinct you can quickly tell when he’s voicing a character without resorting to IMDb. It’s a terrific quality to have.
- If Tuca married that stuffed bunny, their nuptials would undoubtedly have a horror twist. That dude’s scary.
- It feels like there was a missed opportunity to call Bertie’s Pico de Gallo “Beak-o de Gallo.” It fits the show’s brand to a tee.
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 12/11c on Adult Swim, with next-day streaming on HBO Max.
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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.