It still blows my mind a little bit when I think about how FOX has become the best basic network in terms of innovative comedies currently on television. I mean, what happened NBC (okay, The Good Place might end up being all right)? Son of Zorn is a traditional family and workplace sitcom that skewers that idea on a jewel-encrusted soul sword since the patriarch of the family is an animated cartoon character. Such an absurd, ambitious project feels absolutely within FOX’s wheelhouse at this point, especially since other groundbreaking shows on the network like Last Man on Earth continue to thrive. Last Man’s success might actually have something to do with Zorn, as Phil Lord and Chris Miller act as executive producers on this effort, too.

The trajectory of “Return to Orange County” largely sees Zorn reintegrating himself back into his son’s life, which means packing his animated bags and hitting the real-world bricks of California. Zorn’s adjustment process is predictably shaky with this first episode taking a lot of the turns that you might expect from something like this. I was surprised at how conventional all of this was. I mean yes, there are giant hawk dismemberments and a team of warriors on Zephyria consisting of fighters amongst the likes of Headbutt Man and Skunk Man (R.I.P.), but this is your basic divorced dad narrative.

The first shots that we see of Zorn in Orange County, awkwardly trying to blend in during everyday settings, like taking the bus or dealing with baggage claim, are a bit of a struggle. They just fall flat and don’t give the right impression of the show’s handle on the technology that it’s playing with. Not everything is as detached as those opening scenes. Obviously I’m not as frame-one in love with the show as I was with Last Man on Earth, but it’s still one of the more unique comedies to come along in a while. It hopefully will evolve into a welcome new slant on the family sitcom.

While I found the first half of the pilot to be lacking, thankfully things seem to settle in and become more confident by the second half. Also, as I just stated, this is a pilot. They are usually problematic and merely a glimpse of what the show’s actual voice will be. We’ve been spoiled lately with pilot homeruns for series like Last Man On Earth or Baskets. Son of Zorn’s premiere perfectly establishes what the show is trying to do, but hopefully future installments will get a little more creative with the “culture shock” between California and Zephyria.