Some holidays aren’t to everybody’s liking, as seen in the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day special. The alien family in the Hulu adult animated comedy show are turning their crosshairs to love on Earth when their favorite restaurant refuses to serve their favorite dish because of their Valentine’s Day menu, resulting in an all-out war of unique proportions.
Dan Stevens returns to lead the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day special cast as Korvo alongside Thomas Middleditch as Terry, Sean Giambrone as Yumyulack and Mary Mack as Jesse. Much like the prior seasons, the special leans into the absurdity of its central premise while also delivering one of the most exciting and emotional moments yet for the titular family.
New On Hulu: All 135 Movies & TV Shows Arriving In February
Hulu continues to be a big player among streamers with the arrival of new original programming along with classic movies and TV shows in February.
Ahead of its premiere, Screen Rant interviewed stars Thomas Middleditch, Mary Mack and Sean Giambrone to discuss the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special, Jesse’s bigger role in the episode, Yumyulack’s villainous turn and Terry’s emotional side.
Middleditch, Mack & Giambrone Talk The Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special
Screen Rant: It’s great to see everybody again, I absolutely loved the Valentine’s Day special. Mary, I’d like to start with you, then Sean, then Thomas. This might be the closest we’ve seen the Solar-Opposites to being evil alien invaders instead of quirky sci-fi refugees. I’m curious what that was like for all three of you when you saw the script and saw what was happening with them?
Mary Mack: I think it was a good juxtaposition to have the evilness on the holiday of love. That’s nice. I don’t remember if this was a spoiler or not, so it’s nice that this is like a bounceboard into the next season. I don’t know if I can say that or not, but I enjoyed that it was just a little bit of a glimpse of things to come. I’m going to stop in case I get in trouble, but thank you, good question, Grant. Guys, did I screw up? [Laughs]
Not that I’m aware of, I think you’re safe!
Mary Mack: Okay, so yeah, it’s a good bounce board for the next thing.
Sean Giambrone: I really liked the opportunity to do all the parrot stuff, because I just thought that was a lot of fun. I like birds, so I thought that was cool. [Chuckles] Also, there’s a lot of good love-type stuff this episode delivers for the holiday, but you wouldn’t expect it. It’s kind of like they trick you, and so I like that a lot.
Thomas Middleditch: They trick you with the sour and then give you the sweet. I’m assuming you mean, Grant, that it turns like evil invaders, because they’re turning the Tommy Bahamas into Margaritaville, and you won’t stand for it?
Maybe a little bit.
Thomas Middleditch: Well, I would argue that they just improve things. Sounds like you haven’t had a perfect margarita from Margaritaville, have you?
The one time I went, it was just okay.
Thomas Middleditch: So, do yourself a favor and march on over to Universal CityWalk, and have a nice Saturday evening on me. I know the manager there, I’m on it! [Laughs] But no, you kind of have to progress things, the whole show has this Pupa, it’s like a lovable little baby dog in the background, but is growing in power and consequence. That’s the serialized thing in a genre of, like, every episode’s new, so you kind of got to keep pushing that. I think they should continue to, so any teaser to that is great.
I’m really excited to see what Solar Opposites season 5 picks up with for the Pupa. Mary, I’ll turn to you next. Jesse’s always been kind of the empathetic, optimistic member of the group, but I feel like this special, in particular, really pushes her limits and pushes her to sort of grow. How did that influence your performance side of things for this special?
Mary Mack: Yeah, I told Tessa, who was on earlier, that I have a lot of moments where I forecast what’s going to come, and I enjoy that, because I don’t think I got that in the first few seasons. I’m a voice of reason, and I’m a straight man, and I’m a comedian all at the same time. I feel like I get to work on that serious side a little bit too. Was that the question about performing, or did I make that up? I haven’t slept for two days. [Chuckles] Also, I wanted to tell you that maybe you should go to the Las Vegas Margaritaville, I wanted to add that to Thomas’ point.
Thomas Middleditch: Thank you. [Chuckles]
Maybe that’ll do the trick! But no, I love that they’re really broadening Jesse’s palette for you to play with. Sean, I’ll turn to you next. Yum has never been one to not relish in getting to be a bit of a villain, but I feel like with this special, in particular, there’s a lot more of that. How do you approach that side of things while still trying to keep him as likable as the writing wants to make him?
Sean Giambrone: Yeah, I think Yummy, you can’t hate him because he does it for certain reasons. He’s an emotional guy, so I think he gets a little hurt sometimes, and then he gets unhinged, and he does something big. But then, he comes around sometimes, too. So, how I go about it is when he’s becoming that supervillain, I just enjoy it. I just lean into that relishing that you’re talking about, like a Chicago dog. [Laughs]
I have not heard many people drop that line when it comes to talking about relishing something, so kudos! Thomas, I’ll turn to you next, Terry is someone who I feel like is on both ends of the spectrum, he can easily turn on a dime because he’s emotional, but he can also be sort of the optimist like Jesse can be. How do you find that balance in an episode like this where he is constantly flipping sides in what’s going on?
Thomas Middleditch: Yeah, I think he’s just incredibly sensitive, leading with his heart in all occasions, so if he’s scorned, or upset, he’s going to do that to the max, and he’ll be petty and ruthless. Then, at a moment’s turn, if it’s something sweet and touching, he’s like, “Aww”, like he’s just seen cuddly puppies. I would say a lot of Terry is bordering on — or if not the definition of — manic. He’s like your crazy girlfriend vibes, or your crazy boyfriend. He’s your crazy romantic partner, can we take the gender out of this, Thomas? [Chuckles]
And, as a result, I think at times, he’s infuriating. Like, he’s just so irrational and off his meds, as it were. I don’t know what the term would be — irrational, that you kind of just want to be like, “God, settle down.” But it helps propel things, which is nice. And I think, for me, it’s always nice to return to Terry’s want, which is just love and good vibes and everybody getting along, and for him to not do any work.
Well, I love that it comes full circle for both of those cases by the special. I see I’m almost out of time, so I did have one quick question aside from the special for you, Thomas. I really liked you in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, I was surprised you did not come back for GvK, given how big of a role you had within Monarch and that you survived. Have you had any talks about your Monsterverse future? Are you hopeful that you can come back?
Thomas Middleditch: I would always say yes. But I don’t know if Sam is on the list of characters to return. But I certainly wouldn’t say, “No.” It was the very first and only time that I had been in a big movie like that, and there were a couple scenes where I was like, “Wow, this is crazy.” I would jump at the chance to do that again. It was real fun. Put in a good word for me, Grant. [Chuckles]
I will, we talk to Legendary all the time, I’ll see what I can do! For my very final question for you all, this special and this past season almost went through some turmoil with Dan coming in instead of Justin. Even though that didn’t change much on the writing side of things, I’m curious for all of you, what that was like emotionally having to make that adjustment and welcome somebody new into the family, even if he was playing someone who’s been around for a while?
Mary Mack: I haven’t even met Dan yet, and when I do, people will have to hold me back, because I will want to touch him just softly on the head, because I am a huge British television fan. I don’t know if you saw him as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey, but I’m so excited and so stoked. If we get to go to Comic-Con this year for real, he’ll be a little creeped out, but I’m very excited about it. That’s my answer. [Laughs]
Sean Giambrone: Yeah, I really enjoy his work and haven’t had a chance to meet him. I just think he’s done an incredible job capturing a lot of the Korvo that we’ve grown with, but then also kind of establishing new stuff. I really love the last season and this special, so I’m just excited to see what the next season is going to be like with him. I’m wondering how the writing has been affected now. But it’s been a great, great addition, and he’s really cool.
About The Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special
The Solar Opposites get romantic AF in their very first Valentine’s Day Special!
Solar Opposites centers around a team of four aliens who are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Dan Stevens) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) only see the pollution, crass consumerism, and human frailty, while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love TV, junk food and fun stuff. In Season 4, we pack up the sci-fi and get normal… for a second. Then it’s back to classic Solar chaos, mayhem in the Wall, and some all new Silvercops adventures!
Check back soon for our interview with the Solar Opposites showrunners.
Solar Opposites
Solar Opposites is a Hulu adult animation series that centers on a family of aliens. After moving to America, they bicker about whether the country is better than their home planet. The series was created by Mike McMahan and Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, with characters voiced by Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, and Mary Mack.
- Release Date
- May 8, 2020
- Cast
- Thomas MIddleditch , Sean Giambrone , Mary Mack , Sagan McMahan , Justin Roiland , Tiffany Haddish
- Seasons
- 4
- Writers
- Justin Roiland , Mike McMahan
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- Directors
- Kim Arndt , Anthony Chun , Lucas Gray , Bob Suarez
- Showrunner
- Justin Roiland
