DMV Season 1 Episode 12 Recap: Anna Camp Steals the Show
- Je-Ree
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
In Season 1, Episode 12, titled "The Fourth Wheel," we are treated to a guest appearance that is as perfectly timed as a green light when you’re running late. Fresh off her stint in Scream 7, Anna Camp swaps the slasher vibes for something arguably more terrifying: a bubbly, cookie-toting driving examiner with a hidden agenda.
DMV Royalty Hits East Hollywood
The episode kicks off with Barbara (Molly Kearney) in a state of rare, high-alert excitement (kidding). The branch is welcoming a new examiner, Robin (Camp), who happens to be the niece of Ray Henderson, the Director of the California DMV. In the world of government bureaucracy, Robin isn’t just a new hire, she’s "DMV Royalty."
Initially, Robin is a dream. She’s sweet, she’s baking cookies and she even brings matching shirts for the whole crew. She immediately wins over Vic and Gregg, the latter of whom is completely charmed when Robin calls him handsome. (Hey, even Gregg has an ego that needs stroking). However, the "Fourth Wheel" title starts to make sense as soon as Colette (Harriet Dyer) enters the frame.
The Art of the "Ice Out"
While Robin is busy being the office sweetheart, she’s simultaneously masterclassing the art of the professional snub. Colette finds herself excluded from breakroom cookie sessions and, in a move of petty brilliance, Robin hands her a "matching" shirt that is roughly five sizes too large.
When Colette finally corners her during a road test, the mask slips. Robin admits she is intentionally icing Colette out because she wants to be the undisputed star of the branch. It’s a hilarious turn for Camp, who plays "passive-aggressive villain" with delightful precision. Unfortunately for Colette, Gregg and Vic are too blinded by sugar and compliments to listenuntil the ultimate betrayal is revealed: The cookies were store-bought from Subway.
Rules of the Road (Or Lack Thereof)
The plot thickens when Colette notices something even worse than fake baking: Robin has no idea how to actually examine. During a ride-along, it becomes clear that the Director's niece doesn't know the rules of the road.
Barbara is initially terrified to act; firing Ray Henderson’s niece is a one-way ticket to unemployment but the safety of the California highways (and the integrity of her branch) eventually wins out. After a disastrous knowledge test, Barbara pulls the trigger and fires Robin. The twist? Ray Henderson calls in to congratulate her. Apparently, even her own family can’t stand her and he just needed someone else to do the dirty work.
The Toxic Romance We Deserve
While the office is dealing with royalty, Noa (Alex Tarrant) is busy playing reluctant mediator for Ceci (Gigi Zumbado) and her annoying, recurring customer-turned-boyfriend, Brent.
Their relationship is a beautiful train wreck. Brent likes Ceci because she’s hot; Ceci likes Brent because he’s rich. They are objectively terrible for each other, yet weirdly compatible in their mutual vapidness. By the end of the episode, Noa realizes that if these two aren't dating each other, they’ll just be out in the world infecting other, innocent people with their toxicity. In a moment of twisted altruism, Noa works to get them back together for the greater good of society.
The Verdict
"The Fourth Wheel" is another win for DMV. It used Anna Camp’s comedic timing to perfection and gave us a rare moment where Barbara had to choose between her career and her competence. It reminds us that at the DMV, the person behind the counter is usually dealing with more drama than the person failing their parallel park.
For more deep dives into the East Hollywood branch and exclusive interviews with the cast, keep your browser locked on The TV Cave.
Who was your favorite guest star this season? Let us know in the comments or find us on social media!
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So