Hazbin Hotel Temporada 2 Episodio 4 Reseña – ‘Es un trato’

      Ricky Church reviews the fourth episode of **Hazbin Hotel** season 2…

      At last, after three episodes of being sidelined and grumpy, Alastor takes center stage in "It's a Deal," unveiling his backstory while intensifying the conflict in Vox's media campaign against Charlie. This episode is delightfully entertaining, featuring some of the series’ catchiest songs and important revelations about several supporting characters who, while not the main focus, are still significant.

      Anyone familiar with **Hazbin Hotel** or its fandom knows that Alastor is a key attraction, known for his obsession with radio, charming 1930s demeanor, and capacity for great malevolence towards those who displease him. In episodes 1 and 3, Alastor had minimal screen time, still brooding over his defeat to Adam in the season one finale. This was evident when he quickly left the hotel upon Vox's arrival in the previous episode without engaging him. The latest episode immediately illustrates Alastor’s uncharacteristic disarray and distress over a healing battle wound. His inability to handle Lucifer’s taunts, coupled with his abrupt announcement of quitting, clearly signals that he is not okay.

      This prompted significant revelations when Alastor confronted Rosie, the demon to whom he owes a debt, demanding his release. It was confirmed that, despite his charm and politeness towards Charlie and others, Alastor is quite despicable, prioritizing his own power over Charlie’s welfare and remaining at the hotel out of obligation to Rosie. A flashback to his days as a serial killer highlighted his cruel and manipulative nature, demonstrating that he made his deal knowing he would eventually end up in Hell, preferring to continue killing rather than endure torture.

      The episode also provided insight into Rosie’s character, revealing that beneath her sweet demeanor lies a cunning nature akin to Alastor's, raising several questions: why is she interested in the hotel, what are her intentions for Alastor, and why did she instruct him to stay hidden for seven years (the exact timeframe of Lilith’s absence and the Exterminations, which certainly fuels various theories). Their duet "Don't You Forget" is incredibly catchy and effectively reveals Rosie’s scheming side and Alastor's disdain for being controlled. The episode masterfully blends answers with more questions, advancing character development alongside enjoyable musical moments.

      However, the true standout scenes revolved around Alastor and Vox’s rivalry, featuring a visually stunning fight sequence that delved deeper into the origins of their feud. The choreography and animation of the fight were impressive, enhanced further when Nifty and Husk joined in. Numerous tense and humorous moments marked the battle, leading to Alastor appearing to be defeated as he made a deal with Vox to surrender in exchange for Husk, Nifty, and Charlie's safety.

      Vox's triumphant reaction to his success included amusing visual gags, like displaying Alastor as his captive, which provided deeper insights into his character through a flashback where he offered Alastor a partnership. This surprisingly generated some sympathy for Vox and underscored that Alastor should not be viewed as a hero, hinting at his true motivations behind the surrender during the reprise of "Don't You Forget."

      While Alastor's A-plot took precedence, the B-plot involving Charlie was also engaging. Determined to clear the Hazbin's name, she opted to appear on Katie Killjoy’s show, mistakenly believing she could outsmart the Vees, disregarding Vaggie and her friends' warnings about the poor choice. Her eagerness is becoming a liability, pushing her character development forward, albeit in a regressive way as she ignores solid advice. This season offers a compelling arc for her, highlighted by her entertaining exchanges with Katie and Nifty’s debut single.

      The fact that Charlie thought Nifty would be her best ally during the interview served as a red flag for its potential failure, yet "Clean It Up" turned out to be a hilarious song, particularly when it shifted into a K-pop style tune that, while not enhancing Charlie's image, ironically showed Nifty’s genuine support for her and the hotel’s mission.

      As the season reaches its midpoint, "It’s a Deal" significantly raises the stakes and answers some of the series' most pressing questions while further developing multiple characters. The animation remains visually stunning, and the songs are both entertaining and integral to the season's overarching narrative and character arcs.

      Rating: 9/10

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd discussions.