Elaine finds herself once again in the clutches of The State, only this time, she’s given a platform—albeit a heavily controlled one. In this bizarre new twist, Elaine is forced to host a state-sponsored cooking show featuring the Secretary of Human Rights himself. Together, they prepare a grand feast, including lab-grown tenderloin and luxurious purple mashed potatoes, while grappling with the ever-watchful eyes of The State. As always, Elaine manages to make even the bleakest situations slightly absurd, using food as a way to subtly rebel and stay connected to her humanity. Meanwhile, her old friend Sam makes a brief, but hopeful, appearance, reminding her that there is still light in the dark.
Key Moments:
Elaine begins the episode in a state-of-the-art kitchen with the unnerving presence of the Secretary of Human Rights. Despite her imprisonment, she uses humor to cope with the new “public” format.
Sam struggles to bring in a sack of potatoes, creating a lighthearted moment in the midst of the tension, only to be abruptly dragged away by The State’s robotic enforcers.
Elaine and the Secretary discuss everything from potatoes to power dynamics, with Elaine attempting to maintain her defiance while the Secretary remains unfazed by her charm.
The pair prepare purple mashed potatoes, but not without the Secretary banning several key ingredients and replacing friendly conversation with rigid state propaganda.
In the outro, Elaine reflects deeply on her confinement and what it means to grow complacent in captivity, stirring thoughts of resistance among her listeners.
Purple Mashed Potatoes Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 pounds purple potatoes
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative
Salt and pepper to taste
Roasted garlic (from 1 head)
Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions:
Peel and halve the potatoes, ensuring all pieces are of similar size. Boil in salted water for about 8-15 minutes until tender.
Roast garlic by cutting off the top of a head of garlic, drizzling with oil, wrapping in foil, and roasting in the oven at 400°F until soft (about 30 minutes).
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the potatoes, then add butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency, adjusting seasoning as needed. Garnish with parsley if available.
Tips and Variations:
State-Sanctioned Simplicity: Keep your ingredients minimal, as Elaine's journey demonstrates that sometimes less is all you can get—but it’s what you do with it that matters.
Purple Power: Purple potatoes offer a twist to the usual mashed potatoes, both visually and nutritionally, as they are rich in antioxidants.
Credits:
Written and Directed by: Alli Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
Sam voiced by: Thomas Anthony Jones
The Secretary of Human Rights voiced by: Dan Egan
Courier voiced by: Raechel Wong