This week’s DMV episode asked if Vic can take enough responsibility to own a dog. Despite being a lost cause to society, he has great 'parents' in Colette and Gregg. Here's my recap and review.
The episode finds Vic in a profound state of melancholy following the departure of his best friend, who, in typical Vic fashion, is a twelve-year-old kid. Left without a partner-in-crime to throw random objects into his pool just to clean them up, Vic is visibly depressed. Seeing an opportunity for growth, Colette and Gregg decide it’s time for Vic to find a more age-appropriate companion: a rescue dog. After a foster agent named Howie visits the DMV for a license renewal, the team spots a profile for an adorable pup named Gilbert.
Vic is instantly smitten, assuming the adoption process will be a breeze, but he quickly hits a wall in the form of Howie’s rigorous vetting process. Between inspecting Vic’s chaotic car and conducting a background check that leads Howie to conclude Vic isn't just unfit for a dog, but barely fit for "society," the dream of Gilbert seems dead. That is, until Colette and Gregg step in with some classic DMV-style leverage, subtly threatening to withhold Howie's license until he sees the "potential" in Vic’s home life.
Meanwhile, Ceci attempts to settle her ongoing debt to Barb by helping her manage Noa’s ballooning processing times. Barb attributes Noa’s slow pace to his "HPV"—or Hot Person Vibes—noting that his natural charm keeps him chatting with customers far longer than necessary. Ceci tries to coach Noa into being meaner to speed things up, but his effortless charisma proves impossible to suppress. The breakthrough finally comes when Ceci strategically moves the office’s most annoying employee to the desk directly next to Noa. Faced with an unbearable workspace environment, Noa’s processing speed miraculously hits record highs as he scrambles to finish his shift as quickly as possible.
"Gilbert" stands out as one of the most heartfelt episodes in the first season, showing the core cast as a close-knit family. Watching Colette and Gregg step into caring, almost parental roles for Vic's milestone, like getting a pet, was touching, adding depth to the show’s playful chaos. It combines fun, emotion, and clever storytelling about adoption. The episode highlights that even hopefult characters can shine with team support, cheering each other on, like getting licenses.
The "A-story" showcased Tony Cavalero’s unique comedy, with his infectious "over the moon" reaction to Gilbert making Howie's tense interrogation both funny and emotional. The resolution used DMV-themed "blackmail," which felt earned in the show’s universe. The "Hot Person Vibes" subplot cleverly used Alex Tarrant’s screen presence, turning his casting into workplace comedy. Though lighter, it balanced Vic’s "dark night of the soul."
Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.
What did you think of this week's episode? Now that Vic has successfully 'extorted' his way into dog ownership, do you think Gilbert will finally make him grow up, or is the East Hollywood branch about to become an unofficial pet daycare center? Leave a comment.
You can catch DMV Mondays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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