After some incredibly plot-heavy episodes during the first half of this season, it’s fun to get an entry that kind of just revels in the show’s silliness and governing rules. There isa story here and there are still plenty of revelations that get dropped in this episode, but the pacing is a lot more casual this time around and there’s absolutely a reduced sense of urgency. This episode’s conflict is a debate, not a bank heist.

The circumstances that bring Dr. Venture and his family back to their old home is that a summit between the OSI and the Guild of Calamitous Intent is taking place there for the Second Treaty of Tolerance. Rusty is chosen as the impartial mediator between these two super organizations as he carries out the same duties that his father enforced decades ago. There are a number of responsibilities that Rusty has inherited from his father, but this is a role that he fills quite well, even if he may be bored out of his mind. Rusty has seen so much through his life and it’s wonderful to get his unbiased opinion on both of these factions. He doesn’t hold back on either of them and gives zero fucks on the manner. It’s why he’s such a perfect figure for this mediation.

While there’s actual work to get done at this summit, the meeting also makes for an excellent excuse to throw a number of extraordinary characters together and watch the magic. Dr. Mrs. The Monarch gives Dean insightful tips for how to navigate through college and its Greek life, Phantom Limb gets to complain about handgun models with Shore Leave and Brock, and Hank awkwardly mingles with Hunter Gathers. It’s a very fun environment to set an episode. The installment underscores how rare these “civil” mediation sessions are for these characters so it’s sure to make the most out of this unique setting.

Rusty’s summit technique starts off rather dry. He proudly recites coalition boilerplate as he acts as the intermediary between these two groups. The discussions may begin quite slowly, but it’s actually kind of fascinating to see how these organizations come to terms with the nitty-gritty laws that govern them. The Guild and the OSI argue over arching minutiae like how many OSI agents should be allowed for various levels of villainy. The two groups trade examples of precedent and lay into former heroes and villains who are now long gone as they attempt to negotiate what is “fair.” Even the intrinsic nature of who the “good guys” and “bad guys” are in these hyperbolized situations gets broken down.

“The Inamorata Consequences” also touches on the other extreme of ceremonial traditions that are endlessly steeped in the past. At one point Phantom Limb and Shore Leave have to resolve a dispute in ridiculous “pool battle” fashion because it ties back to some old charter custom whose significance no one can quite remember. The Venture Bros. is smart enough to understand that an episode that’s purely set within the arguing summit meeting would be too much, so it knows when to shy away from the bureaucracy and only features the most worthwhile talking points. The running joke where everyone’s debate language launches from lame idioms like, “you’re pissing on my shoe and telling me it’s raining,” also works surprisingly well. It only continues to get funnier with its overuse.