This week's episode of The Venture Bros. was bittersweet.  The episode marked the end of the first half of season four, until the show goes on hiatus until the spring, but it also marked the return of Brock Samson.

Right fromt he get go, "Pinstripes & Poltergeists" started off strong with a scene of Hecnhman 21 and 24 having a classic season three debate thanks to 24's ghost.  From there, we were treated to a SPHINX opening credit instead of the standard Venture Brothers one, which makes sense since Hank and Dean only had a cameo and this episode belonged to SPHINX. 

We've been waiting an entire half season to find out what SPHINX's deal was, and luckily Hunter and crew explained it to Dr. Venture and us.  It's an organization devoted to stopping non Guild-licensed villains from practicing.  Man we love the clever world of The Venture Bros.

The episode didn't necessarily leave us with any cliffhangers to hold on to until the show returns, but it did leave us with the hope that with Brock out of hiding, he will be featured in more episodes.  Also, we can only assume that 21 and Brock got Monstroso to agree to give The Monarch back his arching rights.  We refuse to live in a Venture world without The Monarch.

Now for some of our favorite moments from the episode:

• 21 and 24 making a Hitchhiker's reference?  Excellent.  Making abortion jokes?  Only on Venture Bros.
• After multiple references, we were glad to finally see Monstroso on camera.  Did he live up to the size and hype?
• Love that we got a SPHINX explanation and they stole the theme and name from an evil 80s organization.
• Speedy was back (in ghost form)!  Unfortunately, the poor guy still didn't have his wings.
• How epic was it to finally see Henchman 21 and Brock battle?  Were you also torn on who to cheer for?
• Cigar?

Our favorite Venture Brothers quotes from the episode are after the jump.

Henchmen 24: Ask me any question.
Henchmen 21: Okay, what's the meaning of life?
Henchmen 24: The color twelve.
Henchmen 21: Really?
Henchmen 24: No, idiot, ask me something less Hitchhiker's Guide, dork. | permalink

Henchman 21: Do we have souls?
Henchman 24: Yes, but they're not quite souls, but in Earth's general idea, everything has a soul.
Henchman 21: Crap, so I guess we should become vegetarian.
Henchman 24: No, like everything living has a soul, even spinach. You can't win.
Henchman 21: So that's a problem.
Henchman 24: Here's something. You know how people cry about aborting babies because of their soul? Turns out you don't get a soul until you're like one.
Henchman 21: So, weird, one. Really?
Henchman 24: Or maybe six months. I forget. Either way, you're just this little crying, pooing monster blob until you get your soul. | permalink

The Monarch: Sweet! So let's go with my plan to cover his compound in sticky hot sugar! Leaving him and his family to be devoured by ants! And those little ones...
Henchman 21: You mean gnats?
The Monarch: No.
Henchman 21: Chiggers?
The Monarch: Chiggers!
Monstroso: No, that plan was stupid. My plan is clean, elegant, classic. We take him down as one would take down a Mafia don. Cigar?
The Monarch: No! So then we're going with my plan to just put him in a bag and beat him with a rake?
Monstroso: No, that was also stupid. | permalink

Brock: We had to make sacrifices.
Dr. Venture: Like covering yourselves in rotten eggs. Do you know how bad you smell?
Brock: No, ass! Like living next to the boys for a year and not being able to tell them that they're safe. That kinda sacrifice!
Hunter: I had my pud removed, then reattached.
ShoreLeave: I pretended I became a religious fanatic.
Sky Pilot: I pretended to be in love with ShoreLeave.
ShoreLeave: Oh! And I pretended I liked having sex with him every night. | permalink

Eric Hochberger is the programmer of TV Fanatic, so please forgive his mediocre writing. His programming is far better. Follow him on Twitter and/or email him. Just don't request threaded comments. They're coming.