With the template and concept of the show already sorted out Epic Meal Time (EMT) is now free to deal with more thematic elements. This third episode pushes idea on the possibilities of an epic meal. To this point, their creations have been semi-homemade, however they now go full-force into creating the entire food themselves. Not only that but they choose to dominate a fast food creation that some would already declare “epic”.
Format
With a conducive format already set up by the second episode, this one followed the same sequence for the show. For the most part, the Introduction phase and the ingredient list phase are merged together, creating a more streamlined viewing and also decreasing the duration of the entire episode. In the course of three episodes, the time frame had gone from almost 3 minutes to 1 and a half minutes. The slimmer time frame led to more information-pertinent cooking and usage of only the best of each shot. Another potential benefit could be the ease of viewing for newcomers who, perhaps, did not want to spend three minutes on their first visit.
An additional technique to note about the editing is that each phase is divided by additional and often humorous comments by Harley.
The Food
“Who's the Colonel now? Us.”
This quote sums up the cooking decision of this episode. Previously the foods had been a combination of fast food items using a few cooking techniques, this foray, on the other hand, is almost completely homemade.
The Double Down is a bread-less chicken sandwich that KFC started selling early 2010. It was massively blogged about as being a tremendous hazard to the health of the public. EMT, on the other had, chose to go the less traveled route and declare it “an overrated little, b***h!”. What they created was an item far exceeding the double down in all possible ways.
Originally, the Double Down consisted of chicken, bacon and cheese. The Double Kill, in addition to the previous items, includes burgers, mac & cheese, onion rings and buns. The additional items seem to fulfill further expectations of that a vertical sandwich could become. Buns serve an ironic role as they are present, yet not used on top or below the sandwich.
Characters
In this episode we are introduced to the bold version of Harley Morenstein. Through the course of this episode Harley makes no statement that could be construed as apologetic. Each statement is decisive and screams confidence in both the food and the shows concept. Another new aspect of Harley in this episode is the glazed-eyes expression that Harley uses. This expression can almost certainly be paired up with some of Harleys most impressive improvised statements in the show.
We are also introduced to Tyler Lemco. Tyler is a hip-hop musician and prominent character in the EMT show. He and Ameer both don black t-shirts and perform the feast. Sadly, this episode is void of Alex Perrault (Muscles Glasses). Perhaps at this time, he had not become an essential aspect of EMT, but he would soon return.
Creativity and Humor
Alcohol has always been a shadow in the corners of each EMT episode, but in this episode it is directly brought to the conscious as Harley states “Yeah! We got drunk again!” in a matter-of-fact manner. Harley then commences to give some of his most well delivered humorous phrases during each phase transition.
This episode, like the previous, retain the dialogue during feasting. We soon see that Tyler is also capable of humorous commentary along with Ameers “I want it all in my mouth at once.”
Visuals
This episode features better set design than before. The angle, painting in the background, composition and lighting show the furthered progress in visuals the show is taking. This improvement bleeds unto the table display as we see each item in a clean table spread contrasted by colorful napkins, potted plants and an abstract painting. Costuming is also better. This is the second episode that Harley dons a hoodie of sorts. The loud yellow and green colors tops of his contrast from the solid black t-shirts of Tyler and Ameer as they exude a serious aura.
Much attention is paid to the detail shots of the cooking and eating phases. One very interesting shot shows the best detail of the Double Kill while artistically using depth of field. The feasting shots are surprisingly able to strike a balance that prevents them from becoming gross while also showing them actually eating the food. Another thing to note is that some of the shots are given dramatic flare such as the one at 1:20 when the camera moves into a close up at the very moment Tyler takes a bite. This is one of the few ways they give grandeur to the shots.
Sound
The music of EMT was truly made part of the video in this episode. The spots in which it is used are precise and very evocative of an epic. Even more impressive, is the beautiful choreography between the music and the images during the preparation phase. An example is the early stage of the feast as the music plays subdued by the narrative and peaks into the feasting stage proper. The song might not have been made for this particular episode but they made them match better than one could wish.
Summary
EMT has, to this point, been all about fast food. However this episode shows the domination of fast food and essentially warps the way we view unhealthy food. The items sold at fast food restaurants are generally declared unhealthy and fattening. However they pale in comparison to the capabilities of a determined chef. In essence, one who can cook for themselves can dominate anything made for public consumption. A chef is free to test the limits of taste combinations on his own and will not have to consult food regulations like the food service industry must.
Most children would opt for a MacDonald Hamburger, before they considered a homemade one. This has more to do with perception and miscellaneous feelings towards the fast food company as opposed to the value of the product itself. On the other hand, most adults choose fast food either because they are unable/unwilling to create the dish themselves. EMT falls in their own category.
EMT use fast food when they wish to conjure the emotions attached to the restaurants. That is the truth. Their goal far surpasses the constrictions of what is already made and pushes forth to the unknown where the crafting must be manual in order to truly derive the control they need.
Memorable Phrases
“Yeah! We got drunk again.” - Harley
“What's the Double Down? The manly sandwich on a fast food menu or nothing but an overrated b***h?” - Harley
“...cheese, buns, ketchup, rum, friends, and we're going to do it proper this time.” - Harley
“Who's the Colonel now? Us.” - Harley
“That Bite just hurt my jaw.” - Tyler
“I want it all in my mouth at once.” - Ameer
Additional Information
This episode features the first glazed-look Harley and consequently the first improvised rhyming.
This episode censors the word “b***h”. A practice that would be abandoned in future episodes.
This is the first episode not to utilize fast food items in the final product.
In this episode, Harley has long grown hair and a almost-full beard.
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