I had to do this "Pepper Ann" episode not just for Valentine's Day, but also for the fact that this episode is turning 20 this year. As it came out on February 14, 2000.
This is "Pepper Ann" episode 42 .
Pepper Ann doesn't like Valentine's Day. That's set up for this episode that Pepper Ann doesn't like Valentine's Day. They take first the few minutes showing the school really loving Valentine's Day (which is actually the next day) and showing Pepper Ann being really annoyed by it all. This full 24 minute episode is going to be using a plot that's normally used for Christmas, yep, they are going to use "A Christmas Carol".
I'm going to be translucent with you / Copyright Disney
The episode starts with following the normal process you'd find in "A Christmas Carol" to see how they mold it for both Pepper Ann and Valentine's Day. First a ghost visits her warning that she will suffer if she doesn't change her way. Then the first ghost appears, in the form of her first grade boyfriend, to take her to the past. (I like Pepper Ann enjoying that she can fly) The ghost takes her back to a moment of time when Pepper Ann tried to get her parents back together after their divorce. And she tried it on Valentine's Day. Then it takes her to the moment where her mother got her a locket for Valentine's Day. And she does feel bad on how she treated the gift.
I put your locket away/ Copyright Disney
Next, the second ghost from the present. The mother works on her Valentine's cake and never gives up. There's a school bully who really wants a valentine. (Yep) She sees her friends Nikki and Milo are sad that she's not the Valentine's dance.
I also can power 3 cities/ Copyright Disney
Finally, she meets the ghost of future. They keep this one in the grim reaper fashion as per tradition. Instead of Pepper Ann being dead, she's a crazy rich old cat lady. (At least she's rich?) Then they go more to the future (more future-y) the year 2468. There's this couple hiding from Robot Pepper Ann trying to give Valentine's because love is forbidden in the building; she kicks them out.
Robot Pepper Ann is a head of all us/ Copyright Disney
They do whole thing were it takes Pepper Ann takes a while to figure it out that it's her. Pepper Ann says she'll lighten up on Valentine's Day. She goes through the change of heart and embraces Valentine's Day.
Happy Arbor Day/ Copyright Disney
First off, I like this episode going with the embrace of non romantic love for Valentine's Day and focusing on friendship and family. That's not saying romantic love is bad or anything, it's just nice to see Valentine's Day plot line have more than just that kind of love be used. The idea of using "A Christmas Carol" as a basis for the plot is rather creative, for a piece of media that's been used a lot. The ghosts were creative, giving people that Pepper Ann would remember or know.
It has the good Pepper Ann well-written humor that ties everything in a nice package. Valentine's Day is one of those easier holidays to say feels like it was there just for marketing things compared most of the other holidays giving Pepper Ann, the character, kind of a point but, they also give reasons why there's something worth celebrating. That you should appreciate the love around you and try to spread some as well, and I think that's great message.
That's our lookback, tune in next time when we do Saint Patrick's Day: A Christmas Carol style.
Also brought you by the Get Pepper Ann on Disney Plus squad.
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