Netflix's Deadpan Veterinarian Comedy Triumphs The place It Issues Most

Netflix has a knack for producing loads of fascinating international TV reveals throughout a wide selection of genres. From the sci-fi horrors of Argentina’s The Eternaut to the dramatic pressure within the Japanese musical Glass Heart, 2025 has seen a mess of spectacular sequence from all over the world. Their comedic reveals are additionally stuffed with distinctive approaches that play to their strengths.

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Such is the case with Old Dog, New Tricks (initially titled Animal), a deadpan comedy about Antón (Luis Zahera), a down-on-his-luck farm veterinarian who can not seem to make any cash doing what he does anymore. Nonetheless, when his niece, Uxía (Lucía Caraballo), presents him a job because the vet for her pet retailer, Kawanda, he accepts. However as a result of he is tough across the edges, getting acclimated to his new surroundings is not a simple activity.

What follows are 9 episodes of misadventures and circumstances Antón has to take care of whereas adjusting to his new place, alongside a number of different issues that crop up for him. Whereas a few of these are introduced with seriousness, there’s additionally a deadpan, snark-addled humor all through that defines it as a comedy, and one with loads of impressionable occasions and characters.

Outdated Canine, New Methods Makes use of Character Quirks To Its Comedic Benefit

Anton and Uxia standing next to each other in a field in Old Dog New Tricks — Anton and Uxia standing subsequent to one another in a subject in Outdated Canine New Methods

The strongest component is how Antón and Uxía’s personalities coincide with one another’s, alongside the assortment of characters — from the employees of Kawanda to others the pair crosses paths with. The friction of their relationship is on the story’s core, although, particularly when Antón takes fairly a while to regulate to the expectations of his newfound position.

That is aided by the sequence’ nearly cynical humor. Whereas Antón does take care of loads of memorable animals at his job, his interactions with different persons are what drive even the smallest narratives ahead. For him, animals are like well-oiled machines which have proper and incorrect methods of approaching restore. Making use of that very same logic to folks, although, may end up in some troublesome but humorous situations.

Regardless of being the central character, he is not the one one who will get to bask within the humor. The Netflix comedy series additionally reveals Uxía in a humorous mild, as she finds herself inextricably drawn to each folks and animals she looks like she wants to save lots of. It lands her in lots of a precarious scenario, particularly as extra characters get launched. This not solely makes her comedic moments stand out in distinction to Antón’s, but in addition aids in her character improvement.

It showcases, by means of the interweaving of comedic moments, how dynamic its lead characters are. Whereas some folks they bounce off of are extra one-note, the present’s concentrate on Antón and Uxía strengthens their centrality. It helps that, after they find yourself getting harder circumstances or should deal with extra private issues, the present permits them room to breathe. The method strengthens the present, because it makes all of them the simpler to care about.

Outdated Canine, New Methods’ Solely Misstep Would not Have an effect on The Complete Present

Anton with a couple behind him in Old Dog New Tricks — Anton with a pair behind him in Outdated Canine New Methods

The one flaw Outdated Canine, New Methods falls into is a number of aspect plots that wind up feeling moot by the tip of the story. Whereas these usually do a very good job at centering Antón and Uxía in particular person episodes, a few of them bleed out and in in ways in which aren’t solely essential to the bigger plot. It is an admirable try at giving the present bigger plot threads, however the place it actually shines is within the particular person circumstances and tales.

Fortunately, this does not occur usually sufficient to compromise the fascinating characters and hilarious tales that do play out. By the ultimate stretch, the sequence actually finds its tempo, getting a typically satisfying conclusion. Even with occasional unevenness as a result of some plot threads that overstay their welcome, the present’s core focus by no means falters.

It is due to this combination of compelling leads and deadpan comedy that Outdated Canine, New Methods is such a robust entry in Netflix’s comedy class. The present has a singular quirkiness to it that lends itself to Antón and Uxía as leads, making the vet circumstances they deal with and their private lives hilarious and fascinating. It is a testomony to the kind of distinctive, world TV sequence the platform helps convey to life, and the intriguing tales that may unfold due to them.