Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 8: Murph/Uncool World

The Weekenders Disney 

             Previously, vengeance is hard,  relax instead  here

Episode 8a: Murph 

        There's a big event coming  called Sidewalk Sunday which is on Sunday on the sidewalk ,everything has half priced, not the food though.  This episode's plot is a "Oh no! Someone doesn't like me how can that be?"  Tino is worried that a boy named Murph doesn't like him and this drives him mad.  This is a hard plot to enjoy, so let's see where this one goes, maybe this show can pull it off well. (let's hope!) 

            There's also a running gag about how the friends talk about how Tino makes noises when he reacts to something.  It's pointed out that Tino doesn't like Murph either so he's deciding to let it go, not really no.  He starts trying to get Murph to pay attention to him at the Pizza shop but it doesn't work. (high desperation)  Tino's mom actually doesn't help here at all this time, she makes it worse by saying that there are people who aren't going to like you there might more than one. (good going , we trusted you Tino's Mom you have forsaken us!) 

            He takes the message of having a poll of the entire city to see who likes him and doesn't. Which I don't think is helping.  Pretty much everyone likes him but there's like a few people who don't.  Also Carver is not helping as he gives him a stupid idea to go find the people who said they don't like him and (take them out?)  make them like him. Great, Tino is losing it.  He kind of succeeds, even mows an old lady's yard.  He also paints Murph's house because he's lost it.   Tish suggests that Tino should ask why he doesn't like him, but Tino won't. 

            The friends decide to help make Tino more likeable.  This is is really not going well, when they point out his flaws.   Like I said this don't go well and he kicks his friends out the house. Later, it's the sidewalk day. The friends see he's still depressed, and they ask why he doesn't like Tino.  Murph says it's because in third grade Tino poured milk down his shirt.  But in a twist it was actually a kid named, Tony Tortilaro. (what?)  But Murph still doesn't like Tino , then Murph asks does he like him. Tino realizes that not really no.  They just don't like each other.  Tino is happy.

            It think this show pulled off the plot well. As a stock plot it's not of the best stock plots and I think shows don't do it anymore. It message is simply that sometimes someone isn't going to like you and there's no reason. Here, it's handled well  because it's working in Tino's personality well. He does get hung up on things and he is likable as a character.  It's also interesting that Tino says he doesn't like the boy in the first place then says it again, and he didn't have a reason so it was like he knew the answer all along. The twist of Tony Torilaro was funny and the episode doesn't make Murph and Tino friends, it's more about Tino letting go.  It's fine, probably one of the better uses of this stock plot.  I give it 7/10. 

        Anyway, see you after the jump or SATURDAY  

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 7: Tickets/Vengeance

The Weekenders  Disney  

Previously,  We Tished up a good idea to write a post  here 

Episode 7a:  Tickets

           It's a tickets episode! You that plot where someone gets tickets and has friends all interested in the tickets but only has a small amount of tickets, so he's going to have to decide and feel bad.  That could go a few ways, so let's see how this show does it, because you can take a tried plot but it's how it's executed. 

                The band the gang likes called Chum Bucket is coming to town. (They are going to see Plankton, and Karen)  The gang can't get tickets because they are really hard to get.   None of their attempts have worked.  This episode isn't about  them trying to get ticket so.... they get some food and Carver was the 1 millionth costumer and wins a t-shirt, their secret chili recipe, and a toy, then Tino gets to be their 1,000,001th customer and he wins two tickets.  

            I love how goofy this show can be. Uh oh he only got two tickets to paradise, but has 3 friends.   (The only solution is to have the other three play Russian Roulette, at least twice)   Tino doesn't know what to do. He decides to have the other three play rock paper scissors which turns into a mess.  The new plan is apparently to drive Tino insane.  Adding to the fun some cook kids come over to also bribe for the tickets. (Show also does a subtle joke about something)  Also, also so does a bully comes over, because sure.  Though his offer is take me to the concert or I'll beat you up, not very bright. 

      I do have to admire that Tino refuses even the cool kids.   It's the next next day and the friends still show up and annoy him.  He can't take it anymore and decides to throw the tickets and walks away.  It's later in the day, and friends show up to give him the tickets and say he has to go, and they tell him he can pick anyone and they won't be mad.  He decides to pick Carver using a smart question. 

        Now there's a twist, those aren't tickets, they are passes and worth two tickets, what a twist. So everyone gets to see the group.  Tino tell us the morals and yes always read the fine print.   (like this one:  By reading this blog post, you agree to continue reading the whole post) 

               As I started, this was a tickets episode, and it plays it well. I think what works here is that Tino didn't try to make his friends compete  or do something where it makes him look bad. You can see he was really worried about picking a friend and having the rest hate him.  It really puts the ball in the friends' court and it was nice to see they realized the stress they put Tino through.  The twist is kind of  easy one, but it happened after the friends were willing to accept that only one of them could go and it gives Tino a nice win there.  Good 7/10.

More after the jump, I've got two tickets in my pocket. 

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 6: Taking Sides/To Tish

The Weekenders  Disney 

Previously, Tino, I'm not your Father  Here 

Episode 6a: Taking Sides 

    

          Tino and Carver were playing pool and Carver being Carver likes to make it a show and they end up losing. This causes the two buddies to get into a fight. Carver is telling this to Lor and this makes Tino think that she's on Carver's side and he runs to Tish to make sure Carver doesn't "contaminate her".  Carver runs to try to get there first. For note, Lor thinks they a both stupid.  Tish calls them Germany and Russia and kicks them out. (As you do) 

            Tino and Carver go to work to make sure Tish would be on their respective sides. They make things a mess and worse. They go to bother Lor instead. The two girls run to get away from the guys because of their annoyance. Then, it ends up getting bad for them because they get into a squabble about who should just apologize. Lor has Tino and Tish has Carver. It actually causes a whole theater to fight. (that's funny) 

          Tino's mom has been watching the show and knows everything that happened.  It's the next day and Lor is standing Tino's room eating cheese snacks until Tino wakes up. Tino realizes that his mom was right and wants to fix Lor from not being mad at Tish so he lies to her that he and Carver made up so she'll make up with Tish.  A sweet move.  She's going to tell Carver that she's his friend again too and  Tino races to make sure he gets to Carver first so Lor won't know he lied. 

         He finds out that Carver did the same thing with Tish and then they real make up.  Then we find out at the end that Carver and Tino had a rematch in pool and won this time.  

         It's a nice episode with a simple and again well done plot. I like how Tino doesn't want his fight to affect his other friends' just because of how silly it was, and decides to make sure they stay friends. It could have easily been a different outcome and drag out Tino and Carver being happy that they have someone on their sides. I think that again that's this show's strengths of  not fully following the treated path and does a good use of its characters.  I give this one 7.5/10

more after the jump

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 5: Dixon

The Weekenders Disney 

           Previously, I still haven't found what I was looking for  here  

Episode 5: Dixon

     This is the first fill the half hour timeslot special episode of the show.   It also opens up something that show really hadn't touched before Tino's Mom and her being divorced.  The episode eases into that with a different storyline first.  The gang want to visit a park that's reopening called Tesla Park and only 100 people can come in for the re-grand opening with tickets.  Anyway, at dinner, Tino's mother tells him she has a date the next night. 

            Tino is a little unsettled by the news, of course,  and we even get a strange dream sequence where the man and his new Dad is actually a slug monster (I'm scared) and Martian Van Buren shows up. (I would want William Henry Harrison, but he is a really quick cameo)  The next day, Tino tells his friends that his mother is going on a date. The friends are more happy about this news and they make Tino realize that he might be overacting. 

       I find that that the episode not having it be Tino be worried the whole episode or him trying to sabotage the date or something is refreshing.  The weekend gang (not calling them that) goes back to the other plot of working to get tickets for the park. They are working on making chairs and meet a named Dixon who is apparently good at making such things. (chairs are weird) Tish is impressed with him because he's an English major.  When they have to move cinderblocks, Lor is impressed that Dixon did the Scottish Games. (nice callback to a past episode there).I'm just going to say that Dixon is somehow able to connect to all them in liking some stuff they like. He also mentions he has a 14-year-old daughter. Also hmm I wonder why Dixon is in this episode? 

        Dixon ends up being the guy Tino's mom is going on a date with. (What a Twist!)   This is a two-part episode so..... join us after the jump.

Valentine's Day: Arnold's Valentine

Valentines Day  The Flashback  Nickelodeon 

          It's another holiday. That's right it's President... sorry it's Valentine's Day.  (Great, I thought we were doing a President's Day special, boo!)  I haven't done anything with Hey Arnold  in some time and it does have a Valentine's day half hour (with ads) special just laying around so let's go!

        This episode came out on February 12, 1997 . meaning once again I've missed a big 0 or 5 anniversary moment (par for course here).  This is from season 1 of the series, unless you find this on Paramount Plus they stuck it in season 2, Wikipedia says this episode episode is from season 1 and is episode 20, the production code says it's season 1 episode 24,  I've seen it called Season 1, episode 25, Hulu calls it season 1 episode 20, so things are going great.  It's an episode , it exists. 

         

           Hey Arnold is a series where romance does have its place, especially Arnold who has shown crushes and Helga being madly in love with Arnold. A Valentine's day episode seems to be fitting.  This is from the period of the show where 4th grader Arnold has a crush on a 6th grader named Ruth McDougal.  The class is making valentines because it's the day and it's something to do. (like sleeping) Arnold makes one for Ruth -signed anonymous because he is a coward.  Helga works on making one for Arnold which is hard. She overhears that Arnold wants to give on to Ruth and gets jealous.

     The teacher gives out the plot device to the episode, letters from their foreign pen pals.  Arnold has a pen pal from France named Cecile and Helga decides to commit mail crimes by opening his letter to read it and add a line to the letter where Cecile  says she's coming for one night only.  (Good thing the letter came the same date she was coming or that'd be odd)   Arnold sees the letter and is anxious, but he's also made a date with Ruth, so... oh no it's a dual date episode.  

He likes they have same head/ Copyright Paramount 

        Time for one of my silly tangents (oh great!).  I like how in  Arnold's city they have two French restaurants right next to each other.  There's Chez Pierre and Chez  Paris, they were also used a later plot because they similar naming.  So for some reason someone made a French restaurant then someone else decided to also make one - have it be next door to the other one and have a similar name because what? Sounds like bad business.  Back to the episode, Arnold is going on a date with Ruth at Chez Pierre and Cecile or I mean ' Cecile' wants to meet with him at Chez Paris. Good thing they are next to each other.  (We don't ask if he an Italian pen pal) 

It's a war!  Copyright Paramount

        So the plan, of course, is Arnold runs back and forth like a mad man.  I'm also glad a 9 year old has money for a French restaurant or wants to to go to one.  

            Helga continues her plan of whatever this plan is supposed to do, by pretending to be the French girl Cecile.  She does quick French learning, so it won't be very good.  Then she does a make over, which I mean I'm glad Arnold won't be able to tell.  This  episode has some funny moments in it, but have to laugh that Helga is so pushy that she won't let the man  at the salon tell her that it's a dog salon and makes him do a haircut.  (a bark life) 

Ruff hair cut/ Copyright Paramount 

            Gerald helps Arnold with the Ruth part of the date by trying to give him pointers.  It's funny how Gerald pretends he knows all this stuff.  Ruth as a character isn't very interesting, but that's not really matters; Arnold like her mostly because he likes how she looks. This special does a good job at pointing out that Arnold really doesn't know anything about her.  

        That's the first half. It is all set up for what the 2nd half will do. While the idea of having two dates and going back and forth is old, and was old when this episode was made, it does set up something funny for this show to do. The little jokes so far were great. It's also doing some good things with characterization like  how Helga just can't tell Arnold how she feels so she'll do an elaborate plan to do it instead. Arnold wanting to go on a date with a girl he doesn't know really, probably doesn't have a chance with, while he also wants to meet a pen pal. Gerald being his best friend and doing things to help prep his friend and also pretending to be a ladies man, even when some ladies tell him to leave them alone, all works together well. 

Weekendering: Weekenders: Season 2: Episode 4: Super Kids/Crevasse of Dreams

The Weekenders Disney  

        Previously, The TV characters try to act like TV characters ...read here 

        Episode 4a: Super Kids 

               The gang ends up going to a seminar because Carver had to go because his parents wanted him to go because reasons. (because alot)  I like how they agreed to join him just because free donuts.  The speaker is a 12-year-old boy who wrote a book and his advice is to have a goal and work until you get it.  He asks our gang  what they planned for the weekend and doesn't like their plans.  This makes them want to go something of "worth" for the weekend.  They try some random things, but eventually they decide to try out different goals separately. 

             Lor's goal is to set the record for the most consecutive baskets in basketball. Tish is trying to make a whole symphony. (as on does) Carver is trying to the ultimate athletic shoes. Tino being Tino is more angsty on an idea.  His mother , comes in  and tells him to just maybe he should just keep the goal of hanging out with his friends and relaxing for the weekends. (We wouldn't have a plot for this episode then, Tino's Mom)   

 

     They go see the 12-year-old Tripp Nickerson again for his book signing. They kind of figure he might be a little unhappy and unhinged. (I'm scared, help me) Tino asks if he would like to hang out with them and he agrees.  They sit together and watch the sunset. 

 

    One of the things about this show is that plots are simple sometimes, and this one is that, it's a nice simple plot. The idea that yeah it's good to have good goals, but also just to appreciate time and friends. I like how Tino asks Tripp to join him and his friends and we just get a nice simple ending. It's a well done episode and does a good job.  8/10

More after the Jump

Oh Yeah! Cartoons: #32: Herb

Nickelodeon 

     Previously, Don't be a big baby [Here]

    #32  Herb 

Season 2, Episode 10b

              Herb was created by Antoine Gulibaud  a man who has worked on lot of things even created a series called "Get Blake!". It has the voice acting of  Clive Revill , a prolific New Zeland actor. Maile Flanagan is also a voice in this, you may know her as the voice of Naruto in 2000's dubs of "Naruto".  Mona Marshall is here too, you might know her as the voice of Izzy in Digimon Adventure's dub. and Doraemon in the 2014 dub of that series.  Leon Russom whom you might know from The Big Lebowski. 

        There's a boy named Melvin and his mom took 6 weeks to make a lunch. (Umm what?)  He tries to present his lunch to his friends but there's nothing there. Then a boy, a boy with no name, mentions that the cafterea food made him grow this living thing from his back (disturbing) The girl, a girl with no name, tells him to go see Herb. (Hey it's the name!) 

    Herb is  green figure and decides to help Melvin and gets him a nice new lunch. The principal seems to be a cranky man and makes sure that the school food doesn't have good taste since it costs money. The principal suggests that Herb should make lunch for the school the next day - or he's fired! 

     The three kids from earlier help him.  It seems the principal really wants Herb, who was being the janitor, fired because reasons. It's fun to see how Herb makes the food.  The principal really feels the Herb is going to fail and looking for replacements. It's lunchtime, and the principal is surprised to see that lunch has been accomplished and the cafeteria looks like a fine dining establishment.  Things are going well and the principal is not on the list and gets kicked out for being a jerk. 

      It's a very simple story, but that doesn't make it bad. It does seem to feel to be a sample of idea for what could have be a series that might have had maybe 11 minute episodes or something to make a full story.  Here it feels random the principal doesn't like Herb for some reason, but also has him working as a janitor there.  It does give it a bare bones feel, but the story is enjoyable enough and it probably would have been a fun series if it had made it to be one. 

      It has a classic toon dynamic of a character, a good guy, and an antagonist who gets defeated just by default. It's also nice contrast with Herb being a guy on the side of the children.  I wish there was more to say, but it's nice and simple check it out. 

That's it for now, tune in next time when we get a nice seat and try a meal from Herb. 

        

Those PSA episodes: It Hits Different When You're Little

PSA 

             The Littles was an animated series on ABC produced by DIC that ran from 1983-1985. It's about a boy named Henry Bigg who knows little human-ish creatures called The Littles. It was based off books.  One day I will probably do a post about the series, but this time I'm going into an episode that was because, it was the 1980's, about drugs. (Don't do 'em).

      Our Show: The Littles

What is it trying to tell the audience? : The Affects of Drugs/ Prescription Drug abuse/ Addiction 

            The episode we are looking at this time is "Prescription for Disaster" which aired on November 12, 1983.  When the Littles would re-air on other channels like Toon Disney, this episode was skipped, because it was too powerful. (That's our reason at least)  It was the first season of the show.  Explaining the show a little, there are these little humanoid creatures that try to keep hiding from the humans, like us, and only one human they allow to interact with them, that's Henry.  Also for this episode, Henry won't be in it. (Things are going great)  The main Little characters are  a boy named Tom, and his sister Lucy, their grandpa named Grandpa, and older cousin Dinky. This episode focuses more on them having a story and no Henry, but there will be some human characters, coming up. 

         Grandpa, Dinky, Tom, and Lucy are going to some cousins' house for a get together supper.  That's when the one cousin, Mimi, decides to show her room and pet mouse, which is funny because there was an episode before the one before this one, that had them running from rats. Anyway, they hear a noise and  Mimi  tells them the important part of this plot:  There's a girl named Angela and her mother named Emily, both humans.  They look sad because of the drugs.  I'm ripping that line from the episode, Mimi says it because of the drugs. Episode is not hiding it , at least.  

I like Pills with my coffee grrrr!/ Copyright Wildbrain

        Emily was taking medication for something unexplained  for months now and it seems to gotten to the point where it now causes her to be withdrawn, lacking of energy, ignoring Angela except when she gets all angry and yells at Angela.  Emily then goes and gets more of her pills. There's also a subplot of Dinky eating all these pies like a madman which leads into what will be the other part of our drug themed episode here.  Emily gets her pills and drops them on the floor, one of them falls down the vent, breaks open the powder hitting one of the pies, and yes that means Dinky ends up accidently getting some drugs.  (Remember kids, always check your pie for drug powder before eating them)

             This causes Dinky to hallucinate and freak out. Since he's a Little and about a few inches high the drug takes quick effect.  Grandpa figures out that he's on drugs and follows behind Dinky when he tries to run away from the danger he's thinking is around.  

The drugs have caused him to see your soul/ Copyright Wildbrain

            Interestingly, and there will be more on this later,  the episode having a message isn't being used to go out of its normal structure of what one would expect for an episode of this show.  Grandpa usually ends up being the character who has to wrangle Dinky for an assortment of reasons. For the other part, Tom and Lucy do take interest in human matters and sometimes have the instinct to help.  

            Going back to Angela trying to tell her mother she's worried about her but the mom says she's fine before she passes out on the bed. (That's fine) Angela decides she should take some of the pills too and maybe that'd help.  Lucy, Mimi, and Tom decide to help stop her before she makes the very bad decision.   

            Dinky's plot gets harrowing because he thinks Grandpa is a monster and they end up a baked goods factory and all this happening could have gotten either one of them or both of them killed. The Little kids try to hide the pill jar but it spills and Angela is coming. Lucy ends up trapped inside the jar.  Again, still staying in the hallmark of the show where characters have to be rescued.   

            Grandpa is able to get Dinky to safety and out of his drug filled rampage.  Now the two of them are there to help the others with  getting Lucy back.  I'm also glad Angela is being slow with the drugs showing her worry about even doing the act.  The pet mouse is used as a distraction so the Littles can get Lucy, then they try to hide the pills, but they have to run away from Angela before she finds them.

  

         They still have to help her before she takes the pills so they have a plan B. Yes, being found out is still a risk worse than stopping a girl from taking dangerous pills. Anyway, they dress up as pill bottles and pills to get to the mother whom they wake up and make her think she's in a drug induced nightmare.  Emily staggers to the bathroom thinking that another pill would help stop her from being pill induced. (That's not the smartest plan) The Littles warn her that Angela is danger. She washes her face and notices that they're gone and that her pills are missing. She runs to her daughter's room and stops the girl from taking them. 

            Emily realizes that's not been doing the best recently and apologizes to her daughter. Angela asks her why doesn't she stop taking them, the mom throws them away and she promises that she'll stop, but it will take some work she says and asks if Angela will help her.  Then the episode ends with a goofy Dinky on the mouse thing. 

            

                  Does this episode work as a PSA?    What I found interesting about this episode is how not ham-fisted it was. Like I've seen and written about media that gets it's message out and tries really hard to  make it feel forced.  Here, it's simple yet effective in it's own way. It also still keeps into what the show normally does. To answer the question, yeah, I think so. It's interestingly toned down for an 80's episode about drugs, while still showing some effect on how it hurts people and those around them.  The pills getting to Dinky  is also a good way to show not being careful , even if not addicted, with medication can end up harming someone else, if they end up taking it or a young kid being unaware eats it.  The episode also takes the approach of focusing on legal prescribed drug abuse instead of random illegal drugs, that is a topic that should be brought up and showed how it can become addicting and a type of crutch.  It was also  a good touch to show the mom saying she's going to work to get over her problem and ask for help instead of being like "I'm better now."  It works as a resolution to a self contained episode of a mostly self contained show.  

            That's it for now,  tune in next time when we wonder