To sum up this episode in 5 phrases: Boy, Twitter kinda sucks, huh?
To sum up this episode in a number of phrases:
Here we’re, again for season two, child! Last season, I lined the episode “The Merggle Moon Migration,” which tackled a really fashionable difficulty of misinformation within the digital age (though Fraggles haven’t any computer systems). This season, we’ve gotten a religious sequel within the type of “The Repeatee Birds,” which additionally handles a distinctly digital message in an analog setting whereas not being as blunt with the terminology (though I didn’t thoughts the “Echo Chamber” from the previous episode, I can perceive individuals discovering it a bit eye-rolling).
Today, Boober is internet hosting his annual Radish Razzle, “the only dinner and a show where the dinner is the show.” But, along with radishes, Mokey has introduced again one thing else from the Gorg backyard – strawberries. Despite his very spectacular, hibachi-like talents, Boober finds no person is being attentive to his present, however somewhat are targeted on the brand new strawberries. An unappreciated Muppet in a hibachi setting? Pfff, it’s been accomplished!
But, due to the gusties, a brand new species of chicken has been launched to the rock that repeats what they hear. So, Boober makes use of their distinctive capability to unfold misinformation and disinterest strawberries to get his viewers again. Golly, as an alternative of the seeds of strawberries, he’s sowing the seeds of discord! Hey, phrase play! Gobo additionally discovers the chicken’s knack for repeating issues and tries to counter the anti-strawberry narrative with anti-radish speak. And quickly, Fraggles should select a facet or be compelled right into a musical battle.
Meanwhile, everybody else is doing stuff – Doc is attempting to reprogram her Doc-Bot for a college visitation, Pa and Junior attempt to clear the backyard of strawberries, Travelling Matt crashes a Mexican party, and the Doozers experiment to see what they will do with strawberries from a building perspective. Hijinks abound!
So, in case it wasn’t tremendous clear, this episode is all in regards to the energy of phrases, particularly the age of social media. Again, they’re not utilizing direct terminology this time, however the Repeatee birds are fairly literal stand-ins for Twitter and the way tweets and retweets can unfold info, good and dangerous. I definitely admire their restraint in not making the birds blue. Though, it’s sort of amusing how the metaphor received sort of ruined between filming and launch when Mr. Tesla Man determined to utterly rebrand the web site to one thing even stupider for actually no good cause in any respect.
But that is definitely a great lesson for youths who’re rising up not realizing a world with out social media. Words have that means, and I, like numerous different individuals, have definitely been responsible of utilizing my on-line platform to say one thing unfavorable and get one thing unfavorable in response. And that ain’t a great feeling! But, because the Fraggles display, if we are able to put constructive issues on the market as an alternative, we’ll most likely get extra positivity in return. And that may be a good feeling!
The different plots are a bit of extra tangentially associated than instantly, however are nonetheless good classes. Doc learns to talk extra positively in the direction of one’s self, and that changing individuals with synthetic intelligence is a dumb concept. The Doozers be taught to do your analysis earlier than placing something on the market, in any other case you may say one thing in poor health knowledgeable like “Strawberries are good building material” or “The election was stolen.”
A little bit contact close to the tip that I like is that even after the supposedly completely satisfied ending, one chicken remains to be repeating the anti-strawberry rhetoric, displaying which you could’t at all times take issues again, and that issues on the Internet can dwell perpetually. You gotta watch out about what you share, in any other case Pa Gorg may develop a plot to kill you. That is totally one thing that may occur in actual life, most likely.
In conclusion, this was an pleasant episode! It’s received a great ethical delivered in an applicable Fraggle means, Boober will get many good one liners, it’s received some rockin’ tunes, and an Inkspot in a spa tub.
Strongest Moment: I actually just like the Night on the Opera-type scene the place the Fraggle 5 all crowd into Boober’s “single occupancy hidey-hole,” which results in some good jokes (“Please don’t gasp, we don’t have the air for it.”).
Weakest Moment: The Doozer subplot has a couple of laughs (strawberry hats!), however I don’t suppose it’s particularly memorable. It does enable the episode to finish on an excellent, and becoming callback, although.
MVF (Most Valuable Fraggle): Ol’ Boober Fraggle in fact!
Classic Musical Moment: Much just like the Fraggle Pebbles of yore, we’re regifted a track – “Pass It On!” This model apparently combines the 2 earlier variations, using the counterpoint facet from the unique model, whereas utilizing the altered lyrics from A Muppet Family Christmas. The particular is canon, people!
New Musical Moment: “Radishes vs. Strawberries,” the musical battle (of phrases) between Boober, Gobo, and firm. It’s shot actually cool, with some nice lighting and smoke results. And the Storyteller delivers an particularly nice cameo.
Coolest Puppetry Thing: The Repeatee Birds are neat little guys with some fascinating mechs (for his or her wings and ears) and have simply sufficient of an off-kilter look that helps make them really feel like they’re out of place.
Darkest Moment: The aforementioned authentic musical quantity might be the closest to darkish because the episode will get. Nobody’s life is at stake or something, nevertheless it’s received a a lot harsher tone than the remainder of the episode.
Fraggle Lore: Supposedly, on this timeline, Boober has been internet hosting this Radish occasion for some time. Good for him!
One More Thing…: The Gorg subplots all through the season could not make an entire lotta sense generally, however man, I’m simply glad they’re really using the trio extra, and Ma and Pa aren’t simply caught behind a window the entire time for no cause.
Okay, One More Thing…: Red’s poncho is fitted particularly to defend each her pigtails. A+ costume work, Henson Workshop!
Click here to choose a facet within the strawberry vs. radish debate on the Tough Pigs Discord!
By Shane Keating
