This episode epitomizes everything that's wrong with the reboot. From the forced metaphor about the dangers of nostalgia to the absence of its most key character, it fails to capture the magic that made the original so beloved.
One of the most glaring issues is the lack of Gandhi. In the original series, Gandhi's character provided a perfect blend of humor and controversy, setting Clone High apart as an adult cartoon that dared to take risks for the sake of free comedic expression. In stark contrast, the reboot resorts to excessive blood and cursing as a desperate attempt to prove its adult-oriented nature.
The episode's message attempts to preach about the dangers of nostalgia and the importance of moving on, paralleling the fan base's need to accept the new version. However, the new iteration falls flat in terms of humor. There are painfully few moments that elicit genuine laughter, leaving viewers grasping at straws for anything remotely entertaining. One scene in particular where Joan enters a lamp store and clumsily breaks things with her "silly legs" is akin to the humor found in cartoons aimed at fourth-grade viewers.
Though the show's foundation still holds potential, it desperately needs Gandhi's return for the next season. His absence is a void that none of the new characters, including Harriet, Frida, and Confucius, can fill. In order to recapture the essence of the original, the reboot must let go of these unsuccessful additions and focus on resurrecting the core elements that once made Clone High great.
Simply put, the reboot lacks the wit, humor, and distinctiveness that made the original series a cult favorite. While there's still hope for improvement, significant changes must be made for the next season to salvage this lackluster attempt at resurrecting the beloved show.