Coming off the high of the season opener, this episode feels a bit more grounded, but it still delivers plenty of laughs. It is a solid follow-up that explores the lengths the guys will go to for Dale, even if their “fake” mercenary mission nearly ends in disaster. While it’s a strong showing for Dale Gribble, it doesn’t quite reach the chaotic heights of his courtroom performance in last season’s “The Trouble with Gribbles.”
The plot shifts gears effectively once the prank turns into a real-life hostage crisis, helped along by an intense guest performance. It serves as a good reminder that Dale’s paranoia is funniest when it collides with actual danger.
7.5/10: Even if it lacks the “grand” feeling of a season premiere, the clock tower standoff provides a satisfying mix of tension and Arlen charm that keeps the momentum of the new season moving.