The third season of Solar Opposites, the sci-fi animated comedy created by Mike McMahan and Justin Roiland, has arrived on Hulu! This season is longer than the two seasons that preceded it. Fortunately, all things serve the beam. Therefore the extra narrative real estate has been used to include as many references to Stephen King as possible. Here are seven King references from Solar Opposites!
DISCLAIMER: Be mindful that you will encounter some spoilers up ahead, so tread carefully!
IT
In the episode “Edamame Duffle Bag,” Korvo (Roiland) becomes obsessed with his new model railroad hobby. Naturally, that means it’s only a matter of time before Terry (Thomas Middleditch) infringes on his territory. Once that happens, Terry adds several action figures to Korvo’s setup, including Pennywise the Dancing Clown, played by Bill Skarsgård in the 2017 & 2019 two-part adaptation of the 1986 novel IT.
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As the episode continues, Korvo transforms himself into an oversized model train. This calls to mind “Charlie the Choo-Choo,” who appears in The Dark Tower cycle.
Cover illustration for The Dark Tower: The Waste Lands by Steve Stone featuring Charlie the Choo-Choo.
Under the Dome
Beginning in the very first episode of the series, “The Matter Transfer Array,” the idea of humans being shrunk and trapped in The Wall is introduced. We soon learn that The Wall is a series of terrariums that allow the Shlorpians to observe the humans trapped inside.
In the final pages of 2009’s Under the Dome, the residents of Chester’s Mill discover that their town has been subjected to the whims of extraterrestrial children. In King’s novel, the humans are able to appeal to the alien’s empathy. The dome is subsequently removed. On Solar Opposites, The Pupa (Sagan McMahan) does seem to be rooting for Cherie (Christina Hendricks), at least.
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Castle Rock & 11/22/63
In the episode “Hululand,” the Solar Opposites visit the eponymous theme park. There, many locations and attractions are named after Hulu programs. Soon we see a map that includes an area based on Castle Rock. We later learn they serve lobster chowder here, which is appropriate for the King adaptation’s Maine setting. Fun fact: Solar Opposites composer Chris Westlake also worked on Castle Rock (not to mention McMahan’s “Space Trek,” Star Trek: Lower Decks).
Elsewhere, “Club 11/22/63” combines the King time-travel adaptation 11/22/63 with Disneyland’s exclusive “Club 33” dining experience. Sadly, we never get to see this location. But maybe next season!
The Dark Tower
The sigil of the Crimson King by Michael Whelan and The Duke’s propaganda from Solar Opposites.
In “The Quantum Ring,” we get a look at life inside The Wall under the reign of The Duke (Alfred Molina). Throughout The Wall. One facet of life is the presence of many propaganda posters warning The Duke is watching. These feature a large red eye.
This image calls to mind the sigil of the Crimson King from The Dark Tower series, a glaring red eye. While The Crimson King rarely does his own dirty work, his sigil warns that his agents must be close at hand. Given this, The Duke’s strategies are a close match.
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The Institute
In the episode “The Gargoyle Ray,” Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) and Jesse (Mary Mack) are mistaken for adults. This leads to Terry and Korvo being taken away from their home by Child Protective Services.
When Terry is identified as having unique abilities, he is sent to an “institute.” Soon, a crew of amoral scientists are testing Terry for special powers. This subplot is a close match for the story of the 2019 King novel The Institute. It also calls to mind elements of Firestarter.
Solar Opposites Episode 5 “The Gargoyle Ray”
The Shining
In the episode “The Cubic Lattice Crystallizer,” the Solar Opposites return to a vacation spot they’ve visited before: “Little Mountain Lake.” The Little Mountain Lodge at Little Mountain Lake is a close match for The Overlook Hotel in the Stanley Kubrick adaptation of The Shining. Soon they discover this location has a suitably uncanny vibe.
Still not enough nineteen? To drive the point home, the Solar Opposites even stay in Room 237, the haunted room from the movie (it’s Room 217 in the 1977 novel).
The Mist
In the third season finale, “The Fog of Pupa,” the Pupa transforms into a fog. Later it is revealed that within the fog are horrible monsters. This leads to the Solar Opposites being trapped inside a grocery store as they cower in fear. This is a close match for the plot of The Mist; the 1980 novella adapted to film in 2007.
The first three seasons of Solar Opposites (plus the holiday special) are available for streaming now on Hulu.
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