AVargyas

Those were the words (verbatim) that I said to my wife on the other side of the couch when this episode ended.

Let's start by pointing something out, because I don't feel like it gets enough recognition. Series finales are HARD. How do you wrap up a cultural phenomenon in a way that is going to be pleasing to everyone? You really can't, which is why they are so often badly received.

But this was formulaic and fell short. Basically they followed the "let's move the main character from conversation to conversation with the characters who have shaped her and get her to a point of closure with all of them." This was the same formula that Bojack Horseman used, and while that is one of my all-time favorite shows, the finale left a lot to be desired.

Of course it was well-written and well-acted. That isn't the issue. Closure? Yes. Creative? Nah.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, Pixar shorts were simple, understated, and, well...short. Sometimes they even had no dialogue, a charming throwback to the days where the theater's organ player had to do all the story's heavy-lifting.

"Carl's Date" is none of these things. It's overwritten, it tries too hard, and it's definitely too long. Credit where credit is due, Ed Asner does a fine job (Rest in Peace) and if you liked his performance in Up, you'll at least find this watchable. But it's far from one of the best Pixar has to offer. Give me "One Man Band" or "Geri's Game" any time. This? Not so much.