Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel

"Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel"
	The Venture Bros. episode
Episode no.	Season 4; Episode 1
Directed by	Jackson Publick
Written by	Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick
Production code	4-46
Original air date	October 18th, 2009
Episode Chronology
← Previous; "The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together (Part II)"	Next →; "Handsome Ransom"
	List of The Venture Bros. episodes

Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel is the first episode of Season 4 and the overall fortieth episode of The Venture Bros..

Plot

The episode uses a non-linear narrative from two separate points of view. The first follows Brock Samson and commences immediately following the conclusion of The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together (Part II). The second begins several months later, following the Venture family and Sgt. Hatred at the Venture compound, but it is told in reverse chronological order, such that every scene of the narrative begins earlier than the previous scene.

Each of Brock's scenes begins with a brief comic image taken from Marvel Comics #1, placing Brock in the image and connecting to the scene. Each of the Venture compound scenes is preceded by a brief chyron, displaying a CGC Rating and a monetary value; the rating declines chronologically from 9.6 to 0.0, establishing the continuity of the scenes. The two narratives are re-synchronized in the epilogue.

"The Human Torch" (1st scene of cold open)

A brief flashback shows the final seconds of The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together (Part II) and the explosion of the Monarch-mobile. The view shifts to Brock in the first person view, and is apparent that he has been seriously injured by the blast. An inconsolable Henchman 21 sobs as he cradles the severed head of Henchman 24, while an O.S.I. agent tries to revive Brock as Hank Venture looks on in shock. Brock wakes up briefly in an operating room as O.S.I. doctors try desperately to save his life, and he finally loses consciousness.

CGC Rating 0.0: $0 (2nd scene of cold open)

Sgt. Hatred is positioned on a ridge overlooking the compound with a scoped rifle. He sees Dr. Venture tied to a chair, surrounded by three unknown figures. Hank Venture, also positioned on a separate ridge with a rifle, radios Hatred to say he has a "clean shot". Hatred radios Dean Venture to ask if he has "stabbed him to death yet" but Dean says he lost his knife again. Hank believes he has a perfect trick shot set up, but an unimpressed Hatred begs him not to shoot his father.

Dean and Dr. Orpheus are sitting on a taxiway in front of the X-1 which is heavily covered in mostly Monarch-themed graffiti. A large, agitated dog, perhaps a pit bull, sits on Dean's lap as Hatred radios that Dean has to "kill Hitler". When Dean refuses, Hatred radios the order to H.E.L.P.E.R. and it becomes clear that "Hitler" is actually the dog. H.E.L.P.E.R., rebuilt in the form of a giant spider, activates its guns. Dean tries to restrain the dog, but it breaks its leash and charges at H.E.L.P.E.R. Dr. Orpheus steps in front, commanding Dean to shut his eyes as he activates a magical staff. A massive bolt of energy leaps from the staff to H.E.L.P.E.R., zaps Hatred through his radio, then travels throughout the compound.

Dr. Venture is tied up in the cloning lab and is surrounded by three men who appear to be neo-Nazis: two are dressed as brown shirts and the third is dressed as an SS officer. As they are about to kill Dr. Venture, the energy bolt enters the lab and destroys all the clone tanks before killing the three Nazis. The energy bolt subsides, knocking out the compound's electrical power. Hank, believing he has "hit every light with one shot", tries to communicate his imagined success but is zapped by the residual energy in his two-way wrist communicator watch.

Opening Title Sequence

Sgt. Hatred is included in the opening title sequence for the first time.

"The Angel"

A heavily-bandaged Brock suddenly awakens in a hospital bed. Exiting his room, he overhears two doctors discussing what to do about a "traitor" who "quit the agency", but has "20 years of news we can use" if the doctors can contain "certain anti-social behaviors". Brock realizes he is on the O.S.I. hover ship and immediately suspects the doctors are talking about him, but actually they are talking about Sgt. Hatred, who has been captured by O.S.I. and is about to be administered an injection to control his pedophilia.

Brock walks through a hallway when a doctor yells "stop him!" O.S.I. agents turn a corner, aiming their guns in Brock's direction. He takes cover but it is soon clear that they are not after him; the agents fire paint balls to detect and subdue an unknown invisible character. The doctor notices Brock, asking cheerfully why he is out of bed, but Brock immediately threatens the doctor, saying he "knows the kind of [stuff] you do on this level" (alluding to the mind wipe of Billy Quizboy in The Invisible Hand of Fate).

The doctor tries to placate Brock as he suddenly clutches his chest. Ripping off his bandages, Brock sees that the earlier explosion has embedded H.E.L.P.E.R.'s head square in the middle of his chest. Pushing the terrified doctor aside, Brock opens the escape door and jumps out without a parachute. Brock skydives onto a patrolling O.S.I. jetpack, ejecting its occupant, and makes a hard turn.

CGC Rating 1.0 (P): $850

Hank, Dean, Dr. Orpheus and Sgt. Hatred are in the bathroom. Hank thumbs through a comic book while Dean applies makeup to Hatred's face. The group discusses how to kill the Nazis in the compound, while Dean demands to know why they have to kill "Hitler" (conflating the dog with the historical figure). As Dean runs away crying, Hatred inspects his makeup, clearly disappointed in Dean's idea of "camouflage". Hank asserts that he will kill "Hitler", saying he has killed hundreds of Nazis, although he is actually referring to the video game Medal of Honor: Heroes 2. Orpheus points out that "Hitler" must be killed with a golden dagger and that Dean is the only person who can get close enough. Hatred orders Orpheus and Hank out of the bathroom, saying he "needs to wipe". Orpheus is disgusted to learn that Hatred has apparently been using the toilet the whole time, but Hatred asserts "this is how it's done on the front line, soldier!"

"The Sub-Mariner"

Mr. Cardholder is seen in the hallway of the compound, annoyed with Hank for using the toilet when Hank asks him to get more toilet paper. Cardholder walks off to search and O.S.I. cleans up the mess outside. As they depart, Brock emerges from the fountain in front of the compound.

Dean is sitting on the couch reading a "Giant Boy Detective" book while Mr. Doe watches. Dean asks Doe to read along, but the impatient Doe skips to the final page of the book and reads the ending, surprising Dean. Brock sneaks up and knocks out Doe with his boots, prompting Dean to rejoice, but Brock stops him, saying he doesn't have much time. Cardholder descends the steps and confronts Brock, but is knocked out when Brock throws the book at his head. Brock gives his wrist communicator to Dean, says he needs to borrow H.E.L.P.E.R. for a while, and exits the compound to begin his life on the run.

Hank, having finally resolved his bathroom situation, comes down the stairs, where Dean tells him about the encounter with Brock. Hank scoffs, thinking Dean has made up a story, but he is nearly driven to tears when Dean shows him the communicator, proving Brock was just there.

CGC Rating 1.5 (FR): $8,000

A match cut shifts to Hank grimacing as he plays a video game. He hears the X-1 outside and is excited because it could be Brock, but is disappointed to see that it is only Henchman 21 along with his LARP crew, the "Orchard Street Wolf Pack". Dean sits on the couch with the dog, whom he has named "Giant Boy Detective". Dr. Venture confronts 21, seeing the graffiti on the plane for the first time, and demands to know what happened. An unmoved 21 says that Dr. Venture is lucky the plane was returned at all, pushes Venture aside and strides purposefully towards the compound saying he has business to attend to. Dr. Venture walks after him, pleading that he is in big trouble with the O.S.I. for having an illegal clone farm, but 21 accuses Dr. Venture of deceiving him despite 21's offer of a "priceless family heirloom".

21 proceeds to meet with Dr. Orpheus hoping that the necromancer can bring his friend Henchman 24 back to life, but is disappointed when Orpheus tells him there is nothing he can do. Orpheus is interrupted by a commotion from the next room and walks over to see Dean's dog using one of Orpheus' relics (the Holy Arm of St. Moses the Black). Orpheus notes that the dog has a "great evil" within him, while 21 suggests it is the dog's owner's fault. Orpheus asks Dean for the comic book he is holding and throws it to distract the dog and get it to drop the relic. Orpheus tells Dean that the dog is the "spawn of hell" and that Dean must kill the dog. Orpheus astral projects and disappears as Dean and 21 look on admiringly, before 21 nervously asks what comic book was just used.

"Jungle Terror"

An army tent sits in the middle of an unknown jungle, with a generator and gas cans nearby. A voice states "he is highly unstable in this state" as the camera pans into the tent, showing animals in cages and a surgical operating table. The two Nazi brown shirts push a covered table away and their SS leader tells Dr. Vulcano that he will be rewarded in the Fourth Reich, but the surgeon scoffs saying they will soon be "all out of Reichs".

After a brief fight is heard, Brock walks in. His hair has grown out a bit but is still close-cropped, suggesting that he has been on the run for at least a few weeks. Brock briefly shames Dr. Vulcano for working with Nazis, before the doctor remembers that Brock is Hunter Gathers' friend and they have met previously in Assassinanny 911. Brock says he needs an operation fast, and the doctor chuckles thinking Brock wants a sex change to be able to get revenge on Hunter. Brock declines and shows the doctor where H.E.L.P.E.R. has taken the place of his heart. The doctor asks Brock what will stop him from killing Brock while he is under the anesthetic; Brock pulls the safety pin from a hand grenade, places it inside H.E.L.P.E.R.'s mouth and simply says, "Him."

CGC Rating 2.0 (G): $22,000

Hatred tries to earn Hank's respect by having Hank shoot him. After a few misses, and one hit on the comic book, he hits Hatred with a wild ricochet.

"Burning Rubber"

Brock has been convalescing from his surgery at the remote cabin of Steve Summers and Sasquatch. He has been out of action for many months, as evidenced by his fully-regrown hair and his significant weight gain. Brock packs a suitcase and prepares to leave, planning his revenge. Steve tells Brock to renounce violence but Brock rebuffs him, knowing he will never be left alone. As a parting gift, Sasquatch offers Brock a black ski mask. Brock has been performing art therapy and gives Steve and Sasquatch a painting of their portrait.

CGC Rating 5.0 (VG): $53,000

Dr. Venture is confronted by the Nazis in the clone lab. They give Dr. Venture the dog, which has the DNA of Adolf Hitler, and demand that Dr. Venture create a clone for them.

"The Masked Raider"

Molotov Cocktease and Hunter Gathers are discussing business for the The Black Hearts. Brock infiltrates through the ventilation ducts but runs into a S.P.H.I.N.X. operative. They tussle in the ducts and then crash through the ceiling. Brock confronts Hunter and dares him to shoot, but instead Molotov shoots Brock, knocking him through the window to the street below, where S.P.H.I.N.X. operatives grab Brock and spirit him away in a van.

CGC Rating 9.6 (M): $500,000

Henchman 21 begs Dr. Venture to clone Henchman 24 and offers a near-mint condition copy of Marvel Comics No. 1. Hank walks in with a box from Brock, containing Brock's coat and H.E.L.P.eR.'s head. Dr. Venture gives Hank the comic book, and as he removes it from the sealed package and begins to thumb through it, the value on screen begins to drop precipitously.

"The Adventures of Kazar the Great"

Brock is captured and interrogated. Hunter reveals that he is now the leader of S.P.H.I.N.X.

Closing Credits

Epilogue

Dr. Orpheus finishes his spell. On the ridgeline with his rifle, Hank is attacked by the dog. A once-again fit Brock tackles and kills it with a dagger. Hank tries to use his walkie-talkie but is silenced by Shoreleave. Brock promises Hank he'll always be around, but right now S.P.H.I.N.X. needs him more. As Sergeant Hatred approaches, the two agents disappear, and Hank takes credit for "killing Hitler".

Brock and S.P.H.I.N.X. do not return until "Pinstripes & Poltergeists", although a much-younger Brock has a non-speaking flashback cameo in "Perchance to Dean".

Chronological Scene Order

The order above is the viewing order of the scenes in the published episodes.

The chronological scene order, or continuity order, is:

"The Human Torch" (1st scene of cold open)
"The Angel"
"The Sub-Mariner"
"Jungle Terror"
"Burning Rubber"
"The Masked Raider"
"The Adventures of Kazar the Great"
CGC Rating 9.6 (M): $500,000
CGC Rating 5.0 (VG): $53,000
CGC Rating 2.0 (G): $22,000
CGC Rating 1.5 (FR): $8,000
CGC Rating 1.0 (P): $850
CGC Rating 0.0: $0 (2nd scene of cold open)
Epilogue

The order of scenes 1-7 is clear, as is the order of scenes 8-14. The specific continuity of scenes 5-7 with 8-12 is not entirely clear; it is possible that some of these are interleaved or contemporaneous. However some inferences can be made:

Scene 4, where H.E.L.P.eR.'s head is removed from Brock's chest, must occur before scene 8, when Hank opens the box containing Brock's jacket and H.E.L.P.eR.'s head.
Scene 5 shows Brock having gained significant weight, with full facial hair and a restored mullet, implying the passage of some months between scenes 4 and 5.
Scenes 5-7 appear to be closely connected in time; scenes 6 and 7 may even be directly connected in time.
Both Hank and Henchman 21 show considerable hair growth from scene 8 onward, implying the passage of some months.
Scene 9 shows the Nazis still bruised from their encounter with Brock in scene 4, implying that scene 9 occurs shortly after scene 4 (but still after scene 8). The Nazis demand that Dr. Venture provide them a clone within 8 months, and they return in scene 13.
Scenes 13-14 are directly connected in time, as Hank remains on the ridge with his rifle, and are the final scenes in the timeline.
Brock is recruited into S.P.H.I.N.X. in scene 7, but would clearly need some time to get back into shape, implying that scene 7 is well before scenes 13-14.

Thus, a plausible alternate scene order might put scenes 5-7 sometime after scene 9 but still well before scene 13.

Episode Cast

James Urbaniak: Dr. Venture
Patrick Warburton: Brock Samson
Mike Sinterniklaas: Dean Venture
Chris McCulloch: Hank Venture, Sgt. Hatred, Doe, Hunter Gathers, Steve Summers
Doc Hammer: Henchman 21, Cardholder, Shore Leave
Steven Rattazzi: Dr. Orpheus, Fritz
Brendon Small: Surgeon, OSI Scientist, SPHINX Agent 1
Mia Barron: Molotov Cocktease

First Appearances

Fritz (deceased)
Hitler/Giant Boy Detective (dog, deceased)

Cultural References

Adolf Hitler

A group of Nazis charge Dr. Venture with cloning Adolf Hitler from a dog that contains his blood.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

The "Submariner" segment contains a shot of Brock Samson's head emerging from the water, a visual homage to a similar scene featuring Martin Sheen in the 1979 Francis Ford Coppola film Apocalypse Now.

Babe Ruth

Colonel Gathers refers to Brock as "Babe Ruthless", a play on the name of baseball legend Babe Ruth.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

When Brock finally returns home, Dean hugs him and says "I knew you couldn't quit us!" One of the most famous lines of the film was "I wish I knew how to quit you."
A critical scene in the movie has the protagonist tenderly caressing his deceased lover's denim jacket. Hank, who idolizes Brock and has been pouting since he left, receives Brock's denim jacket in the mail from Argentina and becomes obsessed with it--wearing it everywhere and eventually writing a song about it with Dermott Fictel in Operation P.R.O.M.

CGC Rating

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is a Sarasota, Florida comic book grading service and the first independent, impartial third party grading service for comic books.
The linear continuity of this episode can be determined by the CGC Rating displayed: the higher the rating, the better the condition of the comic and the earlier it is in the episode. As the timeline within the episode progresses, the condition of the comic diminishes and the CGC rating declines from 9.6 (M), worth $500K, to 0.0, worth $0.

Charles in Charge (1984 - 1990)

When Hank contests that Sgt. Hatred is not the boss of him, Hatred counters that he is, "[F]ull on Charles in Charge of you", referring to the American sitcom television series starring Scott Baio. This statement by Hatred later proved to be somewhat prophetic as Scott Baio would be accused by a fellow cast member in 2013 of alleged child molestation beginning when she was just 14 years of age. Mr. Baio has vehemently denied the allegations.

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan (2004 - 2012)

Dr. Orpheus states that, "Not even the great Cesar Millan could whisper this Hell Hound", in reference to Dean's dog, Hitler. Cesar Millan is a Mexican-American dog trainer known for his television series Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.

Highlander (1986)

Henchman 21 offers his condolences to Hank calling him "Highlander " and stating that he'll never see the Quickening, implying that Hank is no longer "immortal" as all of his clones were now destroyed, so he has no more additional lives left.

Iron Man (2008)

When Brock asks Dr. Vulcano to remove H.E.L.P.eR.'s head from his chest the doctor asks him what changed his mind and states that he's installed a lot of those that year. He then points out that, "Ever since the Iron Man, everybody wants the robot hearts".

Lee Harvey Oswald

Sgt. Hatred reasons that, "[I]f Oswald can squeeze off three hot slugs in six seconds, old Hatred can drop evil Nazis in half that time", referring to Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas in 1963.

Live Action Role-Playing (LARP)

Henchman 21 arrives at the Venture compound on the X-1 with his LARP crew in tow, the Orchard Street Wolfpack, in order "to keep the peace".

Marvel Comics #1 (1939)

In 1939, pulp-magazine publisher Martin Goodman expanded into the newly emerging comic book field by buying content from comics packager Funnies, Inc. His first effort, Marvel Comics #1 (cover-dated Oct. 1939), from his company Timely Publications, featured:
- The Human Torch: an android with fire-based powers, created by writer-artist Carl Burgos
- The Angel: a costumed detective created by artist Paul Gustavson
- Namor The Sub-Mariner: an aquatic antihero created by Bill Everett
- The Masked Raider: a Western hero created by writer-artist Al Anders
- Ka-Zar the Great: a Tarzan-like jungle hero; writer-artist Ben Thompson adapted the pulp story "King of Fang and Claw" by Bob Byrd for this comic
- Jungle Terror: one-shot story about an adventurer named Ken Masters, written by the quirkily named Tohm Dixon
- Now I'll Tell One: five single-panel, black-and-white gag cartoons by Fred Schwab on the inside front cover of the comic
- Burning Rubber: a two-page prose story by Ray Gill about auto racing
Each section of this episode is named after a different story and/or character from the comic book Marvel Comics #1.
Henchman 21 gives his mint condition copy of Marvel Comics #1 to Dr. Venture as collateral in lieu of the half a million dollars Dr. Venture would charge him to clone Henchman 24. 21 says the comic is a family heirloom passed down from his father, who in turn received it from his father.

Medal of Honor: Heroes 2

Hank claims to have killed hundreds of Nazis, many with a grenade launcher, to an incredulous Sgt. Hatred and Dr. Orpheus. He then clarifies that it was while playing the video game Medal of Honor: Heroes 2.

Memento (2000)

The 2000 Christopher Nolan film Memento also utilizes a dual narrative structure, with one sequence running forward in time and the other backward in time.

Pillsbury Doughboy

Colonel Gathers refers to an obese Brock Samson as "Poppin' Fresh", which is the name of the Pillsbury Company mascot, more widely known as the Pillsbury Doughboy.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The opening sequence employs heavy references to the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Dr. Orpheus is wearing the same ceremonial robes that Belloq wears when they open the Ark towards the end of the movie.
Also referenced is when he tells Dean to "not look at it, no matter what happens." This is the same instructions Indiana Jones gives to Marion when the Nazis open the Ark.
When Dr. Orpheus unleashes the magic lightning from his staff, his destruction of the Nazis holding Dr. Venture hostage mimics the scene where the Nazis are killed by the Ark of the Covenant. The two guards are pierced by the magic lightning and their leader even exclaims "It's beautiful," just before his face melts off in the same manner as Toht.

RuPaul

Upon seeing Dean's camo paint scheme on his face Sgt. Hatred states that he should have had RuPaul paint it. RuPaul Andre Charles is an American drag queen, actor, model, singer, songwriter, and television personality.

Who's the Boss? (1984 - 1992)

When Hank contests that Sgt. Hatred is not the boss of him, Hatred counters with, "I'm Tony Danza to your spunky Alyssa Milano ", referring to the American sitcom television series Who's the Boss?.

Wilhelm Scream

A Wilhelm Scream is heard when Brock jumps out of the O.S.I. Hover-Quarters and lands on a trooper using a jetpack.

Production Notes

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel

One of the animation directors (Kimson Albert) has a "nickname" inserted into his credits. The nickname is an unusual line or word from the preceding episode. For Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel the credit reads Kimson "Babe Ruthless" Albert.

Trivia

Dean names the dog containing Hitler's blood "Giant Boy Detective" after his favorite series of books.
Dean reads aloud from GIANT BOY DETECTIVE and The Haunted Mine to Mr. Doe, annoying the O.S.I. agent to the point of giving him a migraine. Doe snatches the book from Dean, flips ahead five chapters to the end, and reads him the conclusion to shut him up.

Goofs

When Brock returns to the Venture Compound and asks where everybody is, Dean replies that Hank is in the bathroom with Mr. Doe. Mr. Doe was actually in the room with Dean and Brock (though unconscious, having just been knocked out by Brock); Mr. Cardholder was the one guarding Hank.

	Preceded by: "The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together (Part II)"	The Venture Bros. episodes Original Airdate: October 25, 2009	Followed by: "Handsome Ransom"