Allen (Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1)

Plot

The newly formed Aqua Unit Patrol Squad, a detective squad of anthropomorphic fast-food items Master Shake, Meatwad, and Frylock, investigates an abandoned house to determine if a man is having a sexual affair with their client. After Frylock leaves due to a debate over the new show's quality, Shake and Meatwad fall asleep. Upon waking, they see a construction worker demolishing the house.

Shake suspects an insurance scam and, donning a beret, fake mustache, and poor French accent, approaches the worker as "Jacques." The worker explains he is tearing the house down on city orders, as it has been vacant for ten years. Meatwad points out they are at the wrong house; the man they seek is small and white, while the worker is large and black. After being ordered to leave, Shake discards his disguise and demands to know what back-room operation allowed the worker to look like that.

Production

Both parts were written and directed by series creators Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro. Part 1 aired on Adult Swim on May 8, 2011, and Part 2 on May 15, 2011; both aired together in a half-hour block on May 29, 2011.

Part 1 features a guest appearance by Steven Wright as Danny, while Part 2 features Matt Berry as the lead character and Allen, with cameos from Michael K. Williams and Donnie Blue. The beginning script for Part 1 was read live by main cast members Dana Snyder, Carey Means, and Dave Willis at the Aqua Teen Hunger Force panel at Dragon*Con in 2010. This is the first episode not to premiere under the Aqua Teen Hunger Force brand, and Part 1 contains the first cold opening since season two's "The Cloning," marking the final appearance of Dr. Weird.

Reception

The original broadcast of Part 1 on May 8, 2011 was watched by 1.846 million viewers and ranked #1 in its time slot on basic cable with all key adult demographics and men 18–34 and 18–24. Part 2 on May 15, 2011 was watched by 1.798 million viewers and ranked #1 in its time slot among adults 18–24, alongside the premiere of Superjail! episode "Jailbot 2.0." The combined re-airing on May 29, 2011 was seen by 1.675 million viewers.

Home release

The two parts of "Allen" appeared on the Region 1 DVD set Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1: Season 1, which came out October 11, 2011. Adult Swim and Warner Home Video handled its release and distribution.

That set bundles seven season seven episodes and the final eight from season eight, with "Terror Phone 3" as a bonus feature and uncensored audio across all episodes. Madman Entertainment put out a Region 4 version on November 30, 2011. You can also get both parts in high definition or standard definition on iTunes, the Xbox Live Marketplace, and Amazon Video.