Red Oaks (TV Series) Body Swap (2015) User Reviews

Surreal Laughter

[fabianbouvier · 10/10 · 19 February 2024]

"Body Swap" delivers a delightfully unexpected twist to the Red Oaks series, showcasing the ensemble's stellar acting prowess in a plot that ventures into the realm of the absurd. While the premise may seem completely random, the execution is nothing short of superb. The actors fully commit to their swapped personas, resulting in a hilarious and entertaining viewing experience. Despite its unconventional storyline, this episode manages to keep the audience engaged with its humor and wit, ensuring plenty of laughs throughout. Overall, "Body Swap" is a refreshing deviation from the norm, offering a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable installment in the Red Oaks series.

Great Show But....

[dosefade19 · 5/10 · 13 May 2019]

This episode should have never happened. I think most can agree, it was super out of place for the show and I just wonder what the writers were thinking. Every other episode of Season 1 is EXTREMELY good though, loving it. But this episode threw me off quite a bit and I'm sure others felt the same way.

Disappointed

[Sulldog · 2/10 · 27 May 2019]

Really? Big miss. I kept hoping that it was at least a typical cheesy dream sequence.

Bait and Switch

[petewood-59951 · 1/10 · 2 April 2021]

If I wanted to watch a lame fantasy show, I'd watch a lame fantasy. What a huge misfire. Why in the name of God would you change the format of a charming, funny, and authentic coming of age dramedy by inserted a ridiculously out of place body swap plot? There is nothing good about this episode. Nothing.

Horrible idea, great execution

[Med-Jasta · 5/10 · 17 July 2022]

What in the hell is going on here? This show goes fantasy for one episode? I kept looking for clues to indicate that this was a dream but I couldn't find any. Were they one episode short and cooked this up? Now with that being said, this is really funny. Craig Roberts does such an amazing Richard Kind impression, I could actually see Kind's face coming through several times.

If you are watching this for the first time and this episode has made you question if this show is really as great as you first thought, don't worry it is. Just ignore this one or enjoy this 25 minute detour.

Really Weird Episode that did not fit with the show

[steve-575 · 5/10 · 19 August 2020]

Every show seems to have that one episode that just does not fit with the tone of the show as a whole. Mad Men (2007) had The Crash (2013). The Wonder Years (1988) had Of Mastodons and Men (1992). Even Friday Night Lights (2006) had the second season story arc that was more reminiscent of I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997). This episode where David and Sam switch bodies after drinking sake at a Japanese restaurant is that one episode that leaves you scratching your head. While the plot execution had some funny moments, the end result was something that really undermined the integrity and credibility of the show. For the most part, "Red Oaks" was a very realistic coming of age show with entertaining yet plausible story lines. However, this episode reduces the show to the likes of 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) or the later seasons of Family Matters (1989).

The big question is "Was the whole thing a dream?". Later episodes seem to indicate that it was not a dream. If it was a dream sequence, how is it possible that both David and Sam had the same exact dream?

I think maybe the producers were trying to model the episode after similarly themed 1980's films such as Vice Versa (1988) or Like Father Like Son (1987). Unfortunately the little bit of slapstick comedy (David walking around like a middle aged man) and awkward humor (David having to go to bed with his mom) really damage the show as a whole.