Dell and Gary

Dell and Gary is an American computer-animated science fiction sitcom created by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for Disney XD and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. The series follows the misadventures of cynical Pixelian Dell Wire and her good-hearted, but fretful human foster brother Gary Graham, who split their time between domestic life and interdimensional adventures. Mae Whitman and Noah Schnapp voice the eponymous characters, while Paul Rudd, Anya Taylor-Joy and Kristen Wiig voicing the rest of Dell and Gary's family. The series has been acclaimed by critics for its animation, visuals, musical score, originality, creativity, and humor.

Premise
The series follows the misadventures of cynical Pixelian Dell Wire and her good-hearted, but fretful human foster brother Gary Graham, who split their time between domestic life and interdimensional adventures.

Main
Mae Whitman as Dell Wire

Noah Schnapp as Gary Graham

Paul Rudd as Michael Graham

Anya Taylor-Joy as Chloe Graham

Kristen Wiig as Kate Graham

Recurring
Kimiko Glenn as Lyra

Denzel Washington as The President

Episodes
List of Dell and Gary Episodes

Comedic style
The general formula of Dell and Gary consists of the juxtaposition of two conflicting scenarios: an extremely selfish, alcoholic blue alien dragging her foster brother along for interdimensional adventures, intercut with domestic family drama. Co-creator Christopher Miller has described the series as a cross between Matt Groening's two shows The Simpsons and Futurama, balancing family life with heavy science fiction. The series is inspired by British-style storytelling, as opposed to traditional American family TV stories. Miller has stated that his inspiration behind much of the concept and humor for the series comes from various British television series, such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Doctor Who. He figures that the audience will only understand developments from Gary's point of view, but stated "we don't want to be the companions. We want to hang out with the Doctor, we idolize the Doctor, but we don't think like him, and that's really interesting."

Philosophy
Dell and Gary has been described as "a never-ending fart joke wrapped around a studied look into nihilism". The series addresses the insignificance of human existence as compared to the size of the universe, with no recognizable divine presence, as described by Lovecraft's philosophy of cosmicism. The characters of the show deal with cosmic horror and existential dread, either by asserting the utility of science over magic or by choosing a life in ignorant bliss. However, as Joachim Heijndermans of Geeks notes, none of them appear able to handle the absurd and chaotic nature of the universe, as Michael gets by through denial, and Dell is a "depressed, substance-addicted, suicidal mess".

Miller describes Dell as a self-interested anarchist, who doesn't like being told what to do. He believes that the character's life on a larger scale has caused her mental illness, and opines that "the knowledge that nothing matters—while accurate—gets you nowhere". Matthew Bulger of The Humanist notes that the creators of the series are trying to communicate the message that we need to focus on human relationships and not preoccupy our minds with unanswerable questions, in order to find a sense of purpose and live a better life. Eric Armstrong of The New Republic notes that Gary represents the audience, as he is "mostly there to react to Dell's deranged schemes". The character is transformed by the truths he discovers during his interdimensional adventures with his adopted sister. However, instead of sinking into depression, Gary accepts these truths that empower him to value his own life.