It might be an understatement to say something peculiar is unfolding at The Chair Company. This becomes particularly apparent after watching “I Won. Zoom In,” where every door Ron opens seems to lead to another bizarre twist. But the oddities aren’t just on screen; they extend to how this show is crafted, setting it apart from anything else I’ve seen lately.

This week’s episode of The Chair Company brings unexpected and hilarious detours that echo the comedic styles seen in Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin’s previous work on Detroiters. There’s a lineage here that can be traced back through shows like 30 Rock and The Other Two, among other Adult Swim series. Yet, none of those series have quite merged sketch comedy timing with a deep, complex story of paranoia, obsession, and isolation like this one. This is a unique claim to fame for The Chair Company, particularly evident in “I Won. Zoom In.”

The fifth episode perfectly amalgamates the show’s sketch-comedy roots with sitcom style. Imaginative sketch ideas like “a regional-theater actor who desires to play Ebenezer Scrooge year-round” and “a dramatic survival story offset by the survivor’s annoyance at not choosing his sustenance” are woven into a revealing road trip that shifts our understanding of Mike. It also captures Ron’s journey perfectly—he sought a mystery and found more confusion and peril than he bargained for. It’s a wild ride, complete with a touch of neon-and-synth reminiscent of Michael Mann, described in the Episodic Medium Discord as possibly the “dumbest version of a David Lynch film.” Amidst this, there’s a soft center: Ron’s new friendship with a guy who enjoys A Christmas Carol-themed adult entertainment and marvels at erotic photo games.

Early in the episode, Mike hints at the oddity of the town they’re visiting—a significant statement coming from him. The episode lives up to this promise. Alberto Isaac, previously known as I Think You Should Leave’s “king of dirty songs,” plays Oliver Probblo, not the CFO he’s mistaken for but rather a life-of-the-party type. His exaggerated portrayal and the revelation that he and his friends are on a cocaine binge explain the high energy and frantic pacing of his scenes with Ron and Mike.

The episode thrives on its characters’ bizarre quirks, or “games,” as an improv coach might call them. For Oliver, it’s his obsession with Scrooge. Ron encounters a man with a precarious relationship with cheese soup, which might seem simplistic, but it’s effective for characters who mainly serve as comedic roadblocks. They deliver solid laughs, highlight Ron’s uneasy situation, and then the narrative moves on.

The structural backbone of “I Won. Zoom In.” might be straightforward—Mike and Ron follow a lead, face repercussions, and grow closer—but it supports a series of humorous and sometimes plot-advancing side stories. Whether it’s Oliver’s backstory or another character’s comical survival tactics, these interludes add layers of humor and intrigue to the narrative.

Everything crescendos brilliantly at Oliver’s apartment. The sequence is a whirlwind of action within a confined space and time, with multiple brawls and comedic callbacks. When Ron crashes through a door, it feels like entering a new dimension, highlighted by starkly different décor and lighting. This escalatory chaos continues as Ron pursues a dealer into a basement maze, leading to more surreal encounters.

There’s a recurring theme of crossing into new realms, made literal this episode, enhancing The Chair Company’s adventurous, almost Alice in Wonderland-like quality. The episode wonderfully blurs the lines between reality and the bizarre, especially as Ron ends up in an emergency room, hinting at deeper narrative layers yet to be explored.

However, it’s the depth given to Mike’s character that truly enriches the episode. His backstory of an estranged daughter adds layers to his otherwise mysterious persona. Despite the surreal escapades, Mike’s storyline introduces a poignant element of unresolved personal history, showing that some journeys, once embarked upon, cannot be reversed.

In stark contrast to the comedic absurdity surrounding them, Mike and Ron’s evolving relationship provides a grounding emotional touchstone. The episode respects their quirks while also treating their bond with sincerity, culminating in a humorous yet touching exchange of texts and a nod to a Dickensian parody.

Despite the unique flair of “I Won. Zoom In,” it reminds me of another bold HBO series, Barry, particularly during its “Ronny/Lily” episode. Both episodes push the boundaries of their respective shows’ realities, suggesting that the deeper the characters delve, the stranger their world becomes. This episode suggests that we’re only scratching the surface of the oddities The Chair Company has in store.

Stray observations

• • Fun fact about The Chair Company: Alberto Isaac is married to Emily Kuroda, who played Mrs. Kim on Gilmore Girls.
• • Jamie’s interaction with her crucifix during the road trip scenes adds a subtle touch, echoed in Douglas’ fridge monologue—a clever bit of prop use by Glo Tavarez.
• • The sound design in Mike’s apartment scene was so realistic, I thought someone was screaming outside my own apartment! It was only after removing my headphones that I realized it was all part of the show’s sound effects.
• • Mike’s apartment revelation: “Ah, what the hell, there’s barf in the sink. Goddamn it.”
• • Isaac’s delivery in the bar scene was spot-on, especially his line about attempting to perform Scrooge in jail.
• • Ron’s back-to-back concussions add a note of concern, with a nurse warning that another blow to the head could cause severe permanent damage.
• • Coincidentally, I received an invite to a local production of A Christmas Carol while writing this recap.