Synopsis: Gunge by accident turns into the king of the Doozers, and his greatest pal Philo feels lonely and deserted. Philo comes up with a scheme to interchange Gunge on the throne, however it doesn’t make anybody happier.
Unique air date: Could 27, 1985
It’s all the time nifty when a long-running TV present nudges the highlight away from the common solid to give attention to a supporting character for an episode. On a office present, this could possibly be an episode that follows the protagonist’s co-worker house for the primary time. On a household present, it could possibly be an episode that lets us see what sort of shenanigans the next-door neighbor will get as much as on their very own time.
In Fraggle Rock’s “Gunge, the Nice and Wonderful,” it means a complete episode dedicated to Philo and Gunge, the rats who grasp round with the Trash Heap. The Trash Heap herself isn’t even an everyday solid member, precisely, so you would make a fairly strong argument that that is an episode concerning the supporting characters of a supporting character! We normally solely consider Philo and Gunge as sidekicks to the Trash Heap, so this episode’s exploration of their friendship with one another is a pleasant change of tempo.
I hadn’t seen this episode shortly, however I remembered the entire collection of occasions the place the Doozers assume Gunge is their long-lost king, after which Philo is bitter about it and methods them into considering he’s their long-lost king, earlier than the rats each understand life as a king is boring and so they’d be higher off being being common civilian buddies.
However I hadn’t retained one of many morals of the story: It doesn’t make sense to like anyone simply because they’ve a elaborate title or they put on a elaborate crown (or they went to a elaborate school, or they drive a elaborate automobile…). Standing and accoutrements don’t make an individual extra fascinating or likeable than anybody else. After which it hit me: This episode is a scathing criticism of the British monarchy!
Give it some thought. The British authorities spends some huge cash on sustaining the approach to life of their kings, queens, princes, princesses, and so forth. On this episode, the Doozers focus all their efforts on making their king(s) comfortable. On the time this episode aired in 1985, the royal household was consistently within the information and the tabloids. Folks all around the world watched their each transfer.
However why have been folks so — as a result of the royals have been gifted actors, singers, athletes, authors, pastry cooks, or jugglers? Nope. Simply because they have been born right into a sure household.
When Gunge stumbles into the Doozers’ cave, they instantly give him a crown and a particular seat and begin dedicating their lives to pleasing him. It’s not as a result of they assume he’s a swell man. They don’t even know him. It’s simply because he appears like a sure drawing.
Fraggle Rock’s message is evident: Abolish the monarchy!
Okay, okay. Clearly that wasn’t the present’s intention. However isn’t it a extra attention-grabbing studying than “Generally it’s higher to be a rat with a buddy than a king with no pals?”
Strongest Second: It’s fairly humorous when Philo convinces the Doozers that he’s their rightful king simply by drawing a second tooth on their historical cave drawing. You’d assume Doozers can be higher with consideration to element.
MVF (Most Invaluable Fraggle): Wembley and Crimson (and Touring Matt) are the one Fraggles seen! Wembley is humorous in his restricted display time… However I’ll give the title of MVR (Most Invaluable Rat) to Philo. He learns a priceless lesson about friendship, and he learns it faster than Gunge does.
Musical Spotlight: Gunge tries to liven issues up by singing “Gonna Get together! (Saturday Night time),” a music that will be at house on any playlist of high-energy get together songs. It additionally raises the query of how Gunge and the Doozers know the idea of Saturday evening.
Coolest Puppetry Impact: When the Doozers placed on a circus to entertain Gunge, it’s filled with terrific puppetry. Three Doozers experience a bicycle throughout a tightrope! One walks alongside on a seaside ball!
Fraggle Lore: This one is full of Doozer lore. Not solely did they used to have a king — there was additionally a time earlier than they constructed issues, once they have been into festivals and singing and dancing!
Obscure Character Watch: As of yesterday, Muppet Wiki stated, “That is the one episode to characteristic the puppets that will later be recycled, and Seussified because the Sneels for The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss.” However after I revealed this evaluation, Muppet Wiki admin Tony realized it’s not true. The Sneels appeared elsewhere on Fraggle Rock. So Muppet Wiki doesn’t say that anymore.
One Extra Factor…: Earlier than his encounter with the Doozers, Gunge sings a music known as “I’m Gonna Be a Star,” about how he’s destined for greatness. It consists of the rhyming strains “Nobody is aware of how nice I’m/’Trigger nobody offers a very good door slam.” I like that. Have been folks utilizing “Shut the entrance door” as an alternative choice to cursing but in 1985?
Okay, One Extra Factor…: In Doc and Sprocket’s storyline, Doc indulges Sprocket’s want for an upscale model of canned pet food known as Rover’s Royal Repast. But it surely prices $6.99 a can — as a lot as per week’s provide of Sprocket’s typical meals! In accordance with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, that may would price $20.84 in the present day!
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by Ryan Roe – [email protected]
