Episode Discussion: The Buck Swaps Here (05/18/2007)

[Ub3rD4n]

An okay episode. More of an ensemble than a true Eduardo-centric episode. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I absolutely LOVED the Madame Foster/Mr Herriman routine. Although Madame Foster's later reactions would seem to reinforce the spectulation that she's not all that nice of a character. I think now that she's a lot like Bloo: selfish quite often, but a REALLY brave and kind person when the situation warrants. Which would explain her comments to Bloo in the first episode.

I agree with the corniness ending letdown thingy, but what really got me was Wilt being all dehydrated. I can't even bear to look at him suffering like that. The whole time I was trying to laugh but kept thinking "Here Wilt! I got some water! Have some!". I know this makes me a total sap. And this isn't a complaint either. I'm fine with Wilt "torture", and it can be funny, like in Mac Daddy, when he was unable to help Cheese with his cereal. It just tore him up inside. But seeing Wilt so....wilted, just creeps me the (expletive deleted) out!

So, yeah. It was good. Quite good. Not as good as Cheese A Go-Go (prepares to be bricked) but still, what we expect of Fosters. And I'm sure more Wilt-friendly episodes are on the way.

[Chaos Wielder]

I have to agree with Ub3rD4n here for the most part. I thought it was ok as well (well...that might have been because I was FORCED to keep the sound down since people were asleep at that time and whatnot, so I didn't really get to enjoy it to its fullest). It was quite a hectic episode with everyone trying to get the 100 dollar bill from Eduardo and everything. Of course, that was one of the good things about it, after all.

Hmm...personally the ending didn't really bother me all that much...except I had no idea as to WHY Wilt would even apologize! I mean, the poor guy didn't even really have a reason to do that, after all. I must admit that I felt a bit bad seeing him all dehydrated and everything, but that's probably just because he's my favorite character. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it when bad things happen to the characters sometimes, but that seemed to be a bit much.

But overall, I thought it was quite a decent episode. Not too great, but definitely not bad, either. Oh, and the Mario and Luigi cameos had me giggling a bit. I definitely liked that part.

[Ub3rD4n]

Wilt apologised because he WAS pressuring Eduardo, even if it WAS completely justified. He's just that kind of guy. I may be pointing out the obvious, but he's very apologetic. Which is one of the things I love about him.

[Chaos Wielder]

Yeah, that is true, he IS a chronic apologizer, as we all know! XP But I, too, love that quality-it makes him seem so caring and respectful.

But still, to stay on topic, I thought it was a pretty fun episode. I wouldn't mind watching it again sometime if I had the chance, but right now I need to get off of here because I'm tired! Good...er...morning, everyone!

[Ditchy McAbandonpants]

FINALLY! After waiting a whole week, MySpleen finally got the episode online!

My belated verdict? Pretty good. Like "Cheese A Go-Go", it was pretty crazy, with a lot of a loud and hectic humour and most of the characters acting at the nuttier ends of their personality spectrums. For my money, this one trumped "Cheese" by virtue of having an actual plot and structure, even if that plot was fairly predictable; I mean, it was clear from the outset that once Ed got the money, everyone would find a reason to want it for themselves, go crazy over it and then eventually see the error of their ways and give it back to Ed, but it was still funny seeing it pan out. I wasn't so keen on the chase sequence/the pickpocket's comeuppance (a bit too broad and cliched to me), but it rallied well for a good ending after that with Bloo's arrest, the safe of riches and the excellent credits sequence with Ed's financial advice. I also enjoyed the Mario and Luigi cameo, the "Store Wars" reference, and Frankie unleashing her inner Bloo (in her expression, animation and delivery) when she goes crazy over the Zambini GS12. My favourite bit, though, was Ed's reaction to Bloo's "deathbed" speech:

Bloo (feeble): "Life...slipping away...need...cobra...magic...agh! Goodbye...Ed..."
*dies*
Ed (nonchalant): "Oh. Bye-bye."



Overall, a decent start to Season Five. Some of you have seen "Say It Isn't Sew" already; I hope it can continue to build on this good start.

[Chaos Wielder]

Originally Posted by Ditchy McAbandonpants

My favourite bit, though, was Ed's reaction to Bloo's "deathbed" speech:

Bloo (feeble): "Life...slipping away...need...cobra...magic...agh! Goodbye...Ed..."
*dies*
Ed (nonchalant): [i]"Oh. Bye-bye."

Yes, that was great! I really wonder what Bloo would want with that cobra, anyway? I guess he's just obsessed. I almost forgot about this part, but I also liked the "Store Wars" reference ("Rip off artist!" XP I never get tired of hearing that!).

But yeah, the fate of ol' Mr. Pickpocket was a bit cliched and he really didn't seem to have much of a purpose in the episode other than to be an old shady guy (at least after the beginning, anyway. We all know what his purpose was there. ). Oh well, it's not really that big of a deal to me because I still enjoyed the episode. Although it wasn't really that surprising it was still filled with good humor.

[Ub3rD4n]

Hey, that mongoose/cobra statue was cool! I'd certainly like one if I had the space to put it.

[taranchula]

After getting my Internet back on track (I was having some connection problems all last week.) I finally got to see this episode.

Overall it was another great romp with pop culture references and previous episode call backs gallore.

Notes:

Yeah I agree with what some others have said, they totally could have ditched the character of "Picky McPocketstein" and the main story wouldn't have lost all that much IMHO.

Bloo has great taste in art, Cobras vs Moongoose statues rock.

I can totally see where Frankie is coming from in this episode, I too would like a Zamboni based cleaning device. (But then again being Canadian, I would like a Zamboni based anything....Or even just a Zamboni. )

Yay, another Benny Hill styled chase scene, and this time it was more of a full on paraody of BH, then the one the did in Season 1. (Bloo in the DEVO hat, had me in stitches)

Eduardo totally needs his own financial advice show on MSNBC, It could be called "Loco Money!" perhaps?

That's it for now.

[jekylljuice]

This episode just aired on Cartoon Network in the UK (as the Season Five premier. I guess we're skipping over Cheese A Go-Go for the time being, which is fine by me).

I tell you, part of me strongly believes that the inclusion of the stuffed cobra/mongoose was intended as a tip of the hat to Ghost World, in which such an item (albiet with only one cobra) serves as a brief conversation piece for Enid and Rebecca at Seymour's garage sale. Here's a picture of the reptile and the mammal of the hour, at any rate:



Possibly a coincidence, but I thought it was worth mentioning all the same. It would be very out of character for me to miss an opportunity to bring up Ghost World.

My thoughts on the episode itself? I agree that was generally good with some nice allusions to previous episodes (additionally, I noticed that at one point they re-used some of the music from "the Sweet Stench of Success", which provoked a deeply bittersweet tingle in me), though the climax was probably a bit too slapstick and pratfall-heavy for my tastes. My favourite moment was easily Coco's fascination with the drinking birdie. I have one of those things myself around here somewhere - never been able to get the obstinate little blighter to work quite as he's supposed to though.

[Sparky]

Oh my goodness, I haven't seen Ghost World in so long...good movie. I guess it could be a coincidence, or maybe that particular taxidermy arrangement is/was at one time more popular than we know.