American Auto Season 2 Episode 12 Review: Dealer Event

American Auto Season 2 Episode 12, “Dealer Event,” raises the narrative stakes when the team unveils the Payne Pika to disastrous results. It’s one of the season’s strongest outings and a breath of fresh air after the show’s midseason slump. 

“Dealer Event” pushes our core cast to their limits in a make-it-or-break-it unveiling that’ll put their jobs on the line. It remains on theme regarding the season’s overarching narrative: keep Payne Motors in business. If you recall from the season premiere, the board almost fired Katherine and the team before our CEO offered them six months to turn it around. 

KATHERINE: What adults like Mickey Mouse, Dori, other than f**king freaks? 

Of course, with the Pika unveiling a failure, we’ll undoubtedly circle back to that in the season finale. “Dealer Event” also doles out some of the funniest jokes and gags of the season, from Dori getting Katherine high so she’ll drive the Pika while surrounded by bunnies to Sadie, Cyrus, and Elliot scrambling to compose a slideshow that appeals to all facets of America. It hilariously comes together thanks to clever writing and tight performances. 

Wesley and Jack’s scenes find Jon Barinholtz and Tye White going toe-to-toe comedically, with both holding their own. This season has explored the pairing of Wesley and Jack as unlikely pals. Well, more like Wesley foisting himself upon a reluctant Jack. 

Jack plays the perfect straight man to Wesley’s outlandish antics. Wesley even pushes Jack to something of a breaking point, even though the latter still doesn’t fully let loose. I’d love to see that happen in the season finale, with Jack exploding on Wesley in some fashion. Hilarity would ensue. 

CYRUS: We need a guy with a long, unkempt beard with a camo bandana. This guy knows multiple bird calls. 

“Dealer Event” humorously pokes fun at the ins and outs of marketing to a broad audience and how difficult it is to make something appealing to rural and city folks. In true American Auto fashion, Sadie, Cyrus, and Elliot’s brainstorming session with the hapless Greg slowly devolves into chaos, as what starts as a full-fledged slideshow culminates in a simple smiley face on a black screen. It’s inoffensive!

Dori interacts with the lower-level Payne employees, and it’s always a good time when American Auto brings them into the narrative fold. It makes this world feel like a fully fleshed-out, intricate part of the Spitzer-verse (that’s what I’m calling Justin Spitzer shows, so here’s hoping it catches on). Naturally, the lower-level employees prove to be just as wacky as our leads. 

“Dealer Event” ends in catastrophe because it’s the American Auto way. With everything going spectacularly wrong, it does make one wonder what the fallout will bring in the final episode of the season. Most likely more comedic chaos and hijinks. I wouldn’t want anything else. 

Stray Observations: 

• I loved seeing Kaliko Kauahi back in the Spitzer-verse as Tammy. You might know her as Sandra in Superstore. 
• I feel personally called out by Katherine’s scathing remark against Disney-loving adults … as a Disney-loving adult. 
• There’s nothing better than a good ole-fashioned Katherine Hastings explosion. Ana Gasteyer is a force of nature. 
• Something tells me Greg will need to keep his distance from Cyrus for the foreseeable future. 
• Perhaps if they constructed a half-truck, half-car hybrid, the team could appeal to every American. What could go wrong? 

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

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American Auto airs Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.

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