Before I start the season, I've already kind of did. The first episode of season 4 was "Nevermore" a Halloween themed episode, and I've written about that episode around a Halloween. (Here)
Let's get to season 4. The series seemed to be on the move through its time it started on ABC then with season 3 it ran on UPN. Season 3 ended on December 2, 2001. Things had happened by this point outside of this show. Disney had decided to purchase Fox Family Worldwide, which included Fox Kids, the Fox Kids block was set to end in 2002, along with that Disney decided that One Saturday Morning on ABC was no longer their main draw. They were premiering new shows and now even new cartoons on Disney Channel instead. It was rebranded as ABC Kids in fall 2002. ABC Kids did premiere a new series that feels like they had a contract and couldn't change the spot, that would be Filmore [also a good show] This show was running on UPN. The Disney One Too block name was dropped and became no named block, but UPN was almost done too. Disney decided to move The Weekenders to Toon Disney, which probably was they were done with it and wanted to burn it off. It's not even Disney Channel.
The final season only has 5 half hours and they seemed to take forever to air it as "Nevermore" aired in 2002, and the rest of the episodes -minus the final episode- in late 2003, then the finale in 2004. This means this show has 39 half hours. We are on the journey of the final season.
Basic premise of the show in case you want to jump into season 4 without reading about seasons 1,2 and 3 is 4 friends hanging out and doing things on the weekend. The show mostly takes place from Friday afternoon to Sunday night. The episodes are about middle schoolers named Tino Tonitini, Lor McQuarrie, Carver Descartes, and Tish Katsufrakis who hang out and life lessons on the best days of kid life.
The episodes are mostly self contained, but may call back to the past things if they want to. So, now let's dip into season 4.
The episodes are mostly self contained, but may call back to the past things if they want to. So, now let's dip into season 4.
Episode 2a: Brian Dead
Tish has gotten a B in her grades. (It's over, there's no hope, turn around) She seems to have accepted it and taken it pretty well. The teacher is even concerned. The others don't seem to be taking it well. This is kind of different to see her not be all be annoyed by this. They are worried that Tish will lose her characteristic. (The show has become self aware run, run run!) Even the parents mention they all have a trait.
Thanks to a dream she starts to worry about if she's not "the brain" what she would be. ( Pinky?) The next day she works on finding a new thing. Bluke has all the jokes here. The panel seems to agree that Tish should be the exotic foreigner. Ooh. I think don't think she likes this idea. (Never ask a panel or hinge your thoughts from a guy who made one of his answers "Hello, I am Bluke")
Her parents like the look, but knows that she hates the look. Her parents decide to help her and tell her a story about her test as a 3-day alive baby. We get to see Tish annoy a doctor. The test said she was the dumbest baby in the world and said her name should be Goosh. That's some test there. They took her home and found she was smart and changed her Petratishconvnya [spelling] which means girl with one nose. She gets what they mean from the story that they didn't want her to be known for one thing (except having one nose, apparently).
She goes back to normal. She tells her friends that she's going to be herself. She then tells her friends they are all more than one thing.
Pretty good episode, I like how it's not Tish going and being worried about her grade for the episode. It's focused on the idea of being known for one thing and letting other characteristics be hidden or pushed aside. It's also layered where the show works that way too. The main group has their characteristics and the show never let one characteristic take out another. Including Tish who is very smart, but also has interests beyond academics, she loves arts, she sometimes gets caught up in herself, and more.
It's a good message and it's an entertaining episode. 8/10.
More after the jump
Episode 2b: Lor's Will
Well, that's a title. We start out of context with Lor being a patient in an ambulance and Tino explaining what's going on here. She took a spill in basketball. She's alright besides an injured leg. She has to get a small surgery. That freaks here out because surgery.
Since she's decided that the surgery is a death sentence, she has decided to write a will. (hence, the title) She leaves stuff to her father, her brothers, Carver, Tino, and apparently nothing to Tish. Tish leaves the room offended (like many of you will be when your great aunt leaves stuff to her cat and not you) If anyone is going to die, Carver will for having a 50 year old pickle.
Carver and Tino find a brooding Tish (the same think many of you will be doing when your great-aunt left everything to her cat) they tell her why doesn't she just talk to her? Beside, we need a plot to the episode, she'd rather not.
Tish has decided that she will expunge anything have to do with Lor in her life. She even removed her from speed dial. (Hard core!) Tish's mom sees her mess and wonders why Tish isn't at the hospital to see Lor. Apparently she changes her tune and decides to tell Lor how she feels , wait a minute, she's doing an evil smile oh no!( hard core!)
Tino and Carver show up to Lor's hospital room. Lor is about to go down and Tish is about also take her down when she hears Lor's fear. Tish ends up telling her something to make her feel more confident about the surgery. Then even throws in a line about how Lor doesn't like Tish anymore. and then Tish mentions the will. She says of course not, there's nothing of her stuff she'd want. Things are fine now.
I liked this episode, it's a mixture of Lor's fear of getting surgery and the idea of Tish being left out of the will. This episode is sweet too, the friends show their great friendship and Tish finally does tell something and it's a sweet answer. A pretty fun episode that doesn't take itself too melodramatically but brings some laughs and heart. Well done. 7.5/10
That's it for now, tune in next time, when we leave you in a will, but you won't like what we left you.
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