Synopsis: On the night time of a rainstorm, the Gorgs’ roof springs a leak. Pa Gorg insists on being the one to repair it, however his hidden concern of heights is aggravated when a damaged ladder leaves him stranded on the roof.
Unique air date: April 15, 1985
Youngsters are afraid of numerous issues: the darkish, monsters, meals that aren’t rooster nuggets. With youngsters being the first target market of Fraggle Rock, it’s logical that a number of episodes contain characters encountering issues they’re afraid of — “The Horrible Tunnel,” “Scared Foolish,” “Boober and the Glob,” “Gobo’s Discovery,” and so forth.
Normally it’s Fraggles who discover themselves dealing with their fears. However not in “The Battle of Leaking Roof!” This episode is an uncommon one, as a result of the Fraggles are barely in it. Except a really transient Uncle Touring Matt postcard, we solely see Mokey and Boober, and so they don’t even present up till virtually 9 minutes into the episode.
This episode is all about our favourite Gorg royal household. With the Fraggles relegated to a minor subplot, it could be unsurprising if this episode turned out to be kinda boring, nevertheless it’s actually not. At instances it will get irritating — seeing Pa Gorg hiding his concern of heights from his spouse, and repeatedly being a jerk to Junior, who’s solely making an attempt to assist him along with his varied roof-related troubles. However it’s by no means boring, largely because of the presence of Junior, who’s at all times loveable and entertaining. That endearing lunkhead helps the episode keep away from carrying out its welcome.
It’s additionally enjoyable to spend time with the Gorgs as a result of the truth that they’re costume-style puppets gives numerous alternatives for bodily comedy that will be tough for the Fraggles to do. Junior even does a Sideshow Bob “step on a rake, get thwacked within the face” gag!
When Pa is caught up on the roof, he’s terrified, however as soon as he’s protected and sound on the bottom flooring, he learns not one however TWO worthwhile classes. After crawling throughout a plank and down a stepladder arrange by Junior, Pa learns that typically once you face your concern, the factor you have been afraid of isn’t as dangerous as you thought it is perhaps. And when he unintentionally admits his concern to Ma, Pa realizes that he ought to have advised her the reality within the first place.
These are good classes for these scaredy-cat youngsters watching the present — and it couldn’t harm for the scaredy-cat adults within the viewers to listen to them too. I don’t learn about you, however I’m afraid of numerous issues. Driving in crowded city metropolis facilities, for instance. I keep away from it once I can, however typically, like Pa on that ladder, I’ve to face that concern to get the place I must go (in Pa’s case, it’s off the roof; in mine, it’s typically a health care provider’s workplace… or my favourite downtown taco joint). And fairly often, I discover that the drive wasn’t as traumatic as I anticipated.
I assume the truth that I simply advised you about my concern means I’ve discovered Pa’s second lesson. Gosh, what a useful present that is! Even when there are hardly any Fraggles in it.
Strongest Second: Ma Gorg makes a garlic radish soufflé however dumps in manner an excessive amount of of varied components, which causes it to develop and tackle a lifetime of its personal, like one thing from a Swedish Chef sketch. When it begins attacking Junior, he grabs a sword and says, “Touché, soufflé!”
Amusing Second: I loved this alternate, from when Junior is making an attempt to provide you with methods to get Pa down from the roof and not using a ladder…
JUNIOR: “You could possibly bounce.”
PA: “Soar?! Are you loopy, Junior? What’s to stop me from squashing like a radish in a nutcracker?”
JUNIOR: “No, no, no. Pay attention: Simply as your ft hit the bottom, bounce up once more and go TA-DA!”
MVF (Most Priceless Fraggle): Mokey dangers life and limb to retrieve Boober’s fortunate hat from the Gorgs’ fortress. What a very good pal!
MVG (Most Priceless Gorg): Pa is on the middle of this episode’s story, however Junior steals the present, as he typically does.
Musical Spotlight: “I’m Not Frightened of Something at All” is sung by Pa Gorg, who tries to idiot his spouse and son and himself by boasting of his energy and navy prowess, at the same time as he spends the entire track getting spooked by odd objects. (In our trendy actuality, cowardly males don’t sing songs about their faux bravery. They submit on Twitter.)
Coolest Puppetry Impact: Pa descending that ladder headfirst is a fairly nice trick, contemplating the restricted visibility inside these Gorg fits! A formidable feat by go well with performer Gord Robertson!
Darkest Second: The entire episode is fairly darkish. It takes place on a stormy night time! But additionally, as Junior appears down from the highest of the roof, he remarks, “If you happen to fell from right here, you’d kill your self for positive!” Yikes.
One Extra Factor…: Ma provides to repair the roof, however Pa initially resists as a result of his mind is all scrambled by old school notions of conventional gender roles. Ultimately, Ma climbs the ladder to the roof — nonetheless carrying her lengthy gown! — and units out to make the restore. Sadly, she finds Mokey in her toolbox, which spooks her and interrupts the job. However it’s good to see her throwing away these old school notions, if just for a second!
Okay, One Extra Factor…: Junior desires to get assist Ma repair the roof, so he asks Pa to observe the soufflé, to which Pa responds, “Actual males don’t watch soufflé!” May this be a delicate reference to Actual Males Don’t Eat Quiche, the 1982 bestselling e book that satirized stereotypical masculinity?
Click on right here to repair the leak within the roof of the Robust Pigs Discord!
by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs.com
