1001. See You Space Podboys - Session #22: Cowboy Funk

·56 min·5 clips

Spike keeps getting thwarted by a rich, terrible bounty hunter who rides a horse and ruins his captures.

The episode begins with the hosts humorously discussing horses before introducing 'Cowboy Funk,' an episode of Cowboy Bebop they have differing opinions on. Adam dislikes it for its tonal departure, while Abe appreciates its structural purpose. The plot involves Spike chasing the Teddy Bomber, a terrorist inspired by the Unabomber, but being repeatedly thwarted by Andy, a wealthy, incompetent cowboy bounty hunter who rides a horse. Andy's interventions cause the Teddy Bomber to escape multiple times, leading to property damage. The hosts note that Faye points out similarities between Spike and Andy, angering Spike. They describe key scenes: a masquerade party where Andy interrupts again, a chaotic chase involving a horse, car, and spaceship, and Faye briefly visiting Andy's boathouse for information. The climax is a standoff on a ruined skyscraper roof, styled after The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, where Andy concedes defeat and calls Spike a 'real cowboy.' The Teddy Bomber later monologues about anti-capitalist philosophy before being arrested. The hosts analyze the episode's filmmaking, highlighting exaggerated techniques like fish-eye lenses, extreme angles, and heightened lighting that create a parody tone. They discuss Andy as a funhouse mirror to Spike, revealing Spike's insecurities and hero complex. The voice actor connection between Andy and Vincent (from the movie) is noted as a clever touch. The hosts debate the episode's effectiveness, with Abe arguing it maximizes insight from a simple premise, while Adam finds it too cartoonish. They touch on subtle hints of Faye's feelings for Spike and frame the episode as part of a series leading to the finale, comparing cowboy and sheriff archetypes.

As heard by us

A horse joke becomes a sly reading of Andy's attachment and cowboy farewell.

Cowboy Funk turns a made-up horse into a surprisingly useful test of Andy's priorities. The episode's running joke keeps bending back toward the same question: why does every escape plan still make room for the animal?

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want horse thoughts to collide with a ruined shopping-mall fight, a rigged elevator, and a rooftop cowboy standoff.

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