Before the late 2000s, people didn’t have social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram to connect with loved ones from afar, but every family reunion, there’s still some posturing in order to feel accepted by older family members. Analog Squad takes this to the extreme as Pond hires actors in order to act out the perfect family. It’s… an interesting solution. This premise naturally delivers some comedic hijinks, as lies pile up over time, but it also drives the plot as it creates two mysteries: 1) What happened that was so bad that Pond needed to resort to this? And 2) Who is crazy enough to accept this job? It takes a while to get there, and the story is uneven between the fake family members, but the ensemble charms Pond’s family (and the viewers) with ease as Analog Squad explores how loving families end up being dysfunctional.

Analog Squad, being centered around a fake family of four, has the inevitable task of balancing four separate storylines. Pond’s story naturally is prioritized– it’s his plan to hire the family, and it’s his parents that they visit. When his dad tries to talk with Pond, Pond brings up something about the police, which, of course, increases the mystery. Lily and Keg also have compelling backstories, as Lily’s diagnosis and Keg’s desire to move abroad are understandable, and totally relatable. But it’s Bung’s story that hits emotionally, as her belief in her perfect family is shattered in the middle of their fraud. The show is able to give justice and fully flesh out each story, and the heavy moments work… if viewers manage to stay throughout the show’s slow pacing. The emotions hit later through the series, especially once we find out about Bung, but it can feel a bit of a drag in the first episodes for viewers who aren’t into the slow pace.