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A Gummi's Work Is Never Done
Reviewed: 08/28/2011
Even After King Igthorn Is Defeated.....
So; finally we managed to make it to Season six despite losing three episodes to the purge (although there are still two shorts left to account for) and now we are now going downhill as the series is slowly getting exposed for being too dated now that Rescue Rangers has a cult following, TaleSpin debuting to monster numbers in syndication and the popularity of both Ducktales and Winnie The Pooh. . Now the Disney Afternoon was in full swing at this point; this episode was the start as they decided to take one last kick in the can for the Grammi/Gruffi feud simply because they didn't feel that it was milked enough I guess. Considering the writer; I'm not exactly thrilled. So Let's rant on shall we....?
This episode is written by Bryce Malek. I believe this and the Rescue Rangers episode Ghost of a Chance were the only two stories he has ever written; so I'm not confident about this episode already. The animation was done by Walt Disney Animation OZ. Wow; I knew that WD-OZ was coming; but not this quickly. This might explain why the animation turned out uneven at first. Although I'm probably going to find out that it is a misnomer since the studio was originally Hanna Barbera OZ.
We begin this one in the forest and it is windy as we pan over to Gruffi (wearing a red coat (!!)) trying to fix that Gummi Bear trap spring and shivering as he manages to complain and get the job done. Sadly; Gruffi's coat spits buttons and Gruffi whines about Grammi's handiwork. Then Gruffi has to bail as we pan west to see Gad and Zook uprooting trees as per the orders of ultra-cool sidekick Toadie. Gruffi climbs up a tree complaining as usual as Toadie wants the pace picked up; so Gad and Zook screw him by sitting down on the job and blowing him off. Toadie tells them that there is Dukie waiting and Gad grabs the tree with Gruffi in it and swings it at Toadie and misses completely. Gruffi freefalls in the closeup and squashes Toadie flatter than Milo's soda pop in Legend of the Earth Troll. So Gad and Zook think it's a Gummi Bear tree and they run off to find some more as Gruffi bails southwest; while Toadie lies there wondering where it went oh so wrong. So Toadie finally blows them off and we get the SCOOBY DOO CHASE SEQUENCE THE GUMMI BEAR TREE EDITION barely two minutes in and Gruffi pulls the wooden branch on the tree and it allows the upper tree branch to spin around and whacks Gad good in the face. See; this is why sometimes; a helmet will not protect you.
Zook claims that he's not fooled and Gruffi blows him off as Zook trips on the conveniently placed log and that springs the net of doom. So that leaves ultra-cool sidekick Toadie left; or so I thought as Gad runs past him and Gruffi lures him into the spring trap. I called that one thirty seconds before it happened I should note. Nothing wrong with it since the work Gruffi did was paid off....Sadly; Gad destroys the trap as Gruffi is backed up against a cliff wall. Gad wants Gruffi to say goodbye; so Gruffi invokes the vial of roided juice and it's BUTT BOUNCING TIME and we aren't even three minutes in. Gruffi bounces on Gad's helmet (what a shock?) as Toadie chases Gruffi claiming that Gruffi won't get the drop on him as Gruffi lures him into the conveniently place TEAM ROCKET TRAP OF DOOM (you know which one?) and Toadie free-falls into it. No wonder Team Rocket kept using them; since the babyface are just as capable of digging one as the heels are.
So Toadie is shown as we have an ancient bunker which Toadie deduces must have been an unused Gummi Bear hideout (probably Gruffi's old workshop away from the workshop from the looks of it) as Toadie goes to the table and finds some blueprints and blows on it. He soon discovers that it looks like a fancy Gummi machine. Toadie proclaims that Dukie needs to see this as we head to Igthorn's main room as Dukie is at the fireplace using a candlelight to keep himself warm. He blows off the ogres for not bringing those tree logs for firewood to keep him warm. HAHA! See; now the opening scene is totally justified instead of OUT OF NOWHERE. That's actually good plotting. Dukie paces around feeling cold as Toadie enters the room with the blueprints as we get laughable coloring mistake #1 as the blueprints turn black when Dukie grabs Toadie by the ears and blows him off for bringing a crumbled piece of paper. Then turns blue when Dukie throws Toadie away stage left. Toadie actually bumps the candlelight and somehow doesn't get burned as a result. How about that for BS&P RULEZ~! Toadie claims that the blueprints would solve all his problems and the candle flame touches the blueprints and Toadie is forced to blow out the flame completely as Dukie continues to blow him off when Toadie gives him the plans and then he catches himself. We discover that it's an ancient Gummi logging machine.
Dukie puts the plans on the table as Toadie thinks that the logging machine will be awesome for their housewarming needs and it would be easy. Dukie blows him off because he's going to use the machine to scale the walls of Castle Dumbwin...Errr...I mean Castle Dunwyn. Toadie calls it dandy; but it's only the blueprints as Dukie grabs Toadie by the ankles upside down and tells him he's going to built it from scratch. Toadie gets dropped and takes a Ron Tussien sick bump with his neck onto the brick floor. OUCH! The blueprints cover him like Linus' security blanket as Toadie wants overtime for this. I love real comments that aren't supposed to be real comments. Anyhow; we head back to the kitchen as Grammi is using a wooden spoon to unclog the stove again. She's also complaining about Gruffi not being here when she needs him. Grammi also proclaims that the washing machine is broken as she goes onto her stool (NOT THAT ONE!) and decides to do some mending of the basket of clothes she has and here comes Gruffi complaining about almost getting whacked by ogres because Grammi is doing nothing. Oh boy; I do not like where this is going. Grammi blows him off of course because Gruffi is such a defamer and there is no Gummi Bear court. Yet. So Gruffi throws the coat in her face off-screen. HA! I betcha that was revenge for the PASTA HAIR OF DOOM back in the first short that aired in this series too. Gruffi goes to the dirty pot and asks what is for dinner and Grammi calls it leftover stinkweed stew which naturally Gruffi complains again.
Grammi points out that it's Gruffi's fault that she cannot cook a hot meal; so Gruffi blows her off because she's supposed to cook while Grammi counters by claiming that the flu on the roof needs to be unclogged. So Grammi does the Gruffi pose (oh; the irony of it all!) and demands Gruffi to make himself useful. I would prefer Gruffi to not piss away all of his redeeming from Road to Ursalia; but this will do fine too. Gruffi complains some more claiming that he wishes that he had it as easy as she does because he does REAL WORK see. We cut to Sunni and Tummi at the doorway listening to the squabble as Grammi claims that he couldn't do anything Grammi does to save his own life. BURN BABEE BURN! Tummi doesn't like this at all and in a way I cannot blame him. I prefer the conflict with Ursa/Gruffi more since Ursa doesn't look like a stereotype. Sorry Grammi; as they trade dirty looks and words (as BS&P would allow of course) and Grammi dares him to do her job and they both shake hands on the deal. Grammi accepts without a second thought and shoves Gruffi as he has to fix lunch and Grammi fixes the flu. Tummi proclaims that this is one lunch he'll never forget; at least that's his funny feeling. Personally; I think this is a lunch I would rather forget. Prove me wrong Ghost of A Chance writer!
Anyhow; we head back to Drekmore on the sky shot BEFORE HAPPY HOUR (sunset) as we see Gad and Zook building the Gummi Machine and somehow not breaking it despite Zook stomping on top of it the whole time. SOMEONE FIRE THAT MACHINE! Toadie has a blue cap on as he reads the blueprints as we get the old tab A into slot B stuff that sounds like he's trying to put a toilet together. Thankfully Dukie arrives before Toadie can really get crap past the radar. Save that stuff for TaleSpin Toadwart! Eisner NEEDS a justification to cancel that series at 65 episodes. Apparently; the machine somehow gets completed in-between shots as Toadie tells him that they are right on time and he asks Dukie if he wants a demonstration. The nose beep on Toadie pretty much answers that one. So Toadie climbs into the front of the machine with Gad pushes the lever (WRONG LEVER!) and it chugs like a train....or the Iron Vulture normally does in TaleSpin. Dukie rubs his hands in glee as we have our first Steampunk logging machine. Nice to see some of the elements of TaleSpin are infecting Gummi Bears too. And then it dies. Wow; just wow. Dukie whines about it being a lemon and walks off stage left. Toadie climbs down proclaiming that it's in working order just as one of the walker suddenly does the GO-GO-GADGET LEG and smashes Toadie right into the wall on-screen with a MAN-SIZED bump. HOLY CRAP! And no impact stars either! Toadie pops up from the carnage proclaiming that there are a few bugs to work out and then he faints dead away. Nice hole there Toadwart! That'll cause $50,000 in damages.
And since that is too cool for the writers' liking we return to the kitchen as Gruffi complains about Grammi delaying the flu work as Grammi proclaims that it's so plugged up that she cannot see a thing. So he invokes the AIR BLOWER OF DOOM as Gruffi protests and it actually gets the job done as Gruffi is covered in flu ash. Heh. Although that makes no sense since the stuff is usually sticky. Gruffi complains about the mess; so Grammi gives him the RIC FLAIR BROOMSTICK OF DOOM and tells him that it's his job now. Plus; she gives him the long scroll of doom of chores to do for the day and shoves off. Happy Homemaker indeed! Gruffi thinks he can do some real work now; and the scroll is about sixteen pages in length. I guess the animators couldn't animate it going out of the kitchen. Sloppy work guys! So we head inside the kitchen as Gruffi has completed his broom cleaning invention and shows it off to Sunni. Oh and he created an automatic washing machine on the western pan shot as Tummi walks in wanting lunch. Gruffi takes an unbaked pie and puts it into the oven below the stove. Gruffi proclaims that this job is so easy as Tummi hopes that Gruffi's cooking is as good as Grammi. Gruffi tells Tummi not to worry as Gruffi reads off his list and it's time to make Gummiberry juice as he goes into the closet (IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK YOU SICK FREAKS!) and brings out a huge basket of Gummi berries. Sunni proclaims that it will not be easy which is excellent continuity from Secret of the Juice. Gruffi laughs it off because if Grammi can do; he can do it too, only better. Sunni tells Gruffi to be careful because those are the last of the Gummi berries.
Gruffi tells her to calm down because he's in total control of the situation. Sunni claims that she wants to help since she was taught how to make the juice as she tries to remember the recipe but gets all confused like hell. Sure sign of a teenybopper: A lower than usual ability to comprehend that would make Zummi's use of spell notes more useful in these situations. So Gruffi pours them all into a big pot which is smaller than the basket for some odd reason; and he proclaims that it won't be exact; but it will be better. Then we see the juice bubbling in the pot and so far Gruffi doesn't seem to have screwed the recipe much. Sunni tries to point out that the wrong combination could make the juice unstable as Tummi comes in and Gruffi assumes he's complaining about lunch; but Tummi informs him that the broom machine of doom has unwound itself. Gruffi calmly (sort of) proclaims that all it needs is Gruffi power. So we scene change as Gruffi twists the key a little more than it needs to as we are in the living room as Gruffi proclaims that it will run for hours. The broom sweeps for a bit; and then as Gruffi's back is turned, Gruffi takes a broom right to the ass. HAHA! That was good enough for a double! And then it chases Gruffi as I have flashbacks to Roddy Piper going after Sherri on Saturday Night's Main Event. Proven even more so when Gruffi goes into the kitchen. Sunni is watching the pot of Gummiberry Juice Gruffi's Edition as she runs after him with Tummi. Why do that since Tummi is running after the machine? So the Gummiberry juice batch can explode silly.
The chase MUST CONTINUE on as Tummi attempts a leap of faith; but misses the machine by a mile. Gruffi turns his back which is the general signal that he's going to slip on the Gummi berries and that's what he does. Ah; I see they are as slippery as banana peels. He then flies into the clothesline machine, spins around and then lands in the bucket of soapy water conveintly placed on the floor in front of the washing machine. Sunni and Tummi run in and ask if he is okay as Gruffi pops up and proclaims that at least he doesn't have to take a bath today...and damn I'm so good as the rumbling begins and the Gummiberry juice pot explodes and makes a huge mess in the kitchen. HAHA! Called that one five minutes ago. Everyone has juice on their clothes as Tummi asks if lunch is going to be late and Gruffi looks like he wants to pound his fists in anger. So we head to Drekmore as Toadie shows off the logging machine again to Dukie proclaiming that it works this time. Dukie grabs Toadie by the ears of course threatening to throw him into the moat filled with piranhas if it doesn't. He throws Toadie into the front of the logging machine as it automatically starts up and then it dies off as it chugs sluggishly. Dukie tells him to get his swim fins ready as Toadie foolishly climbs down under the machine and it squashes Toadie about eight times (seriously!) and then destroys itself. HAHA! Dukie grabs Toadie again as Toadie slurs that this is a minor setback. Compared to being thrown in the moat Toadie? In that case; I fully agree.
So we head into the forest as there are tools on the ground as she tries to push the spring down complaining that this such be simple while demonstrating that it isn't as Gruffi walks in with Gummi berries in a basket thus rendering Sunni's worry about it being the last batch absolutely pointless. Leave it to the teenybopper to break logic as Gruffi mocks Grammi's work abilities. Grammi blows him off because Mr. Know It All is breathing down his neck. If she's talking about Gruffi; then she's projecting since Gruffi is completely outclassing her in every way. Gruffi decides to leave anyway as Grammi pushes the spring down on the thing and she pins the trap with her hair clip. Seriously; that is what she does. Man; I'm having new found respect for Shellsea now. Grammi proclaims that this wasn't hard as we see Toadie in the foreground (I'm guessing that Toadie got out of the moat somehow when Dukie wasn't looking? I hope so since he is the ultra-cool sidekick after all.) as Toadie notices the tools and thinks she can help them as Gad and Zook pop up OUT OF NOWHERE (I see the ogres overruled Dukie's mandate I see) and they pop in front of Grammi as Grammi yells and tries to go to her vial of roided juice and it's empty. Okay; that is a MAJOR brainfart of logic there considering that we never saw her drink ANY juice before this scene. Idiot writers! The ogres surround her as we end the segment 11 minutes in. And I thought Castle Dumbwin was dumb?! I think we all know where this is going....
After the commercial break; we cut to Gruffi picking red Gummi berries for his pouch as Grammi screams for help. Gruffi takes it as snagging her skirt on the...and then he goes to the bushes and gasps...badly. Grammi manages to dodge the ogres as Gad and Zook have a meeting of the skulls..and it wasn't at the hurricane center. Toadie orders them to get Gummi lady as Grammi stands behind the spring trap as Gad walks towards her and steps on the trap and it does nothing...AND THE ROCK SEZS NOTHING! D'OH! Grammi is in shock as Gad grabs Grammi and Gruffi doesn't like it one bit behind the bushes. Grammi struggles like mad as she is hung by the big ogres as Toadie proclaims that Dukie will be pretty as punch as he orders the ogres to send her to Drekmore. The ogres sell this time as they walk away. Gruffi tries to follow; but foolishly steps on the trap and it actually works as he springs and lands right into the bushes. Boy those traps surely do not like Gruffi today as Gruffi proclaims that Grammi trapped herself as we pan over to a shot of Drekmore castle in the background before we head to Drekmore in front of the steampunk logging machine as Dukie grabs the clipboard from Toadie and Grammi is the new foreman. Grammi does Irony Pose and refuses to help. Now at this point since we are going for Secret of The Juice continuity; it's time to bring out the feather again. She calls Dukie bomber than a bunch of ogres as she slaps the clipboard away and Dukie is PISSED off and the urge to tickle a Gummi Bear to death is rising.
Toadie wants Dukie to let her have it and Dukie backhands Toadie away of course just because Toadie is the bump machine. There is no other reason as Dukie sweet talks and Grammi no sells it of course. So Dukie calls her bluff by proclaiming that he's wasting his time on someone who cannot fix a pothole. So yeah; BS&P RULEZ~! Grammi is pissed off and grabs the wrench and wants at it as she runs in and fixes the machine's foot by screwing it in. Dukie is so pleased as Gad and Zook grab Grammi who has figured out that she got outsmarted in the worst way possible. Grammi claims that she didn't show everything but Dukie blows it off because he wants the secret Gummiberry juice recipe. I wondered when he would get to that. Grammi is taken away by the ogres to the kitchen as Dukie hugs the logging machine in a disturbing manner because he wants to cut Gregor down to size.
So we head to the front gate as Gad and Zook have their spears on guard duty. We pan up to the terrance as Gruffi practices the fine art of not being seen which doesn't work all that well because he keeps blowing off Grammi for not handling his job. And the fact that he slips on a crumbling brick and freefalls into the fountain as Gad and Zook check the fountain; but the POWER OF THE DUMB only allows Gad to check the water and conclude that it's a frog before the ogres leave. Gruffi pops up and blows off Grammi some more for fun as he bails stage right...and we head to Drekmore's kitchen as Grammi is sweeping the floor. She blows off the ogres for the dirt as we see Gruffi behind the locked door as he yells to Grammi and Grammi thanks the heavens he is here and wants out. Gruffi tells her to hold her skirt (in this case it's in the inoffensive context rather than the sexist context used on Rebecca.) and tries to pry open the door; but no dice. Grammi complains that Gruffi cannot open a simple door as Gruffi dares her to fix the door as Gruffi continues to struggle and Zook is right behind him as Gruffi manages to get the door open and Zook grabs him and throws him into the kitchen on his face sliding in safe for an inside the park homerun. HAHA!
Gruffi blames Grammi for the mess of course and Grammi takes exception. I agree with Gruffi on this one madam; your trap setting skills suck ass. Just so you would like to know. Gruffi might suck at making juice; but he can cook and clean decently enough with the right tools. They argue for a while until they hear noises and we head outside to see Dukie working the steampunk logging machine to perfection. Dukie is driving; while Toadie uses the saw blade arms to cut through a tower which squashes Gad and two clones of Zook with a MAN-SIZED bump. Okay; someone in animation is on an illegal substance today. Toadie cuts a K-Tel promo as Dukie calls it a PAR-TIE as he rubs his GOATEE OF LUIFICER because he is going to cut his way to Castle Dumbwin as we cut over to the window as Gruffi wants to know who built that thing and Grammi tells him not to ask her. She does have a point since she ONLY fixed the machine's foot as we see the steampunk logging machine march out of Drekmore as Gruffi proclaims that it must be stopped. NO?! REALLY?! Grammi turns around and then notices her saving grace: THE SOOT BLOWER OF DEATH. You just knew that would get involved somehow as we cut to Gad and Zook who have somehow popped from the carnage and teleported to the door. EEK! Thankfully; Grammi punishes them with the SOOT BLOWER OF DEATH and we have smoke (AND THAT'S BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH, MOVIE RATING AND POINTLESS BICKERING!) as Gad and Zook deduce that there is a fire. No, not really, but close.
So we head to the stove as Grammi is yelling for help while using the SOOT BLOWER OF DEATH on the stove as the door opens and in comes Gad and Zook like a bunch of idiots as they cannot see anything and Gruffi and Grammi practice the fine art of not being seen and tiptoe out of the kitchen as Gruffi slams the door behind him. Finally! One of Grammi's plans actually works! We see Gruffi and Grammi going down the stairs outside as Gruffi wonders where Dukie is and here comes the logging machine (huh? He hasn't left yet?!) as we get a really laughable logic break: When we see him going towards the gate; the machine seems to be going far to the left of the gate and into a wall; but we cut to Gruffi and Grammi's faces and then what happens on the next shot? The logging machine is now right in front of the gate as if it teleported sideways. How about that?! Did Wang Films suddenly take over? We zoom into Gruffi and Grammi's faces looking concerned as we end the segment sixteen minutes in. Not bad all things considered.
After the commercial break; we head to the forest and a pathway as a farmer is riding on a wagon filled with pumpkins as he comments to them with Besty his horse. The horse tries to ride a bit; but then panics as a huge log bumps in front of the wagon and the farmer gets whiplashed a bit. The farmer protests this outrage as we see the logging machine walking about slicing another top of a tree as the horse gallops in a panic; breaks the chain and the farmer goes riding with the horse as the tree smashes the wagon filled with pumpkins. How about that for BS&P'ing? We cut to Dukie and Toadie having fun; well most so Dukie as he destroys some more trees, a wooden fence and a house as the denizens flee for their lives before it happens. Heh. I betcha Steelgreek is thrilled to be outclassed by ancient technology. Grammi and Gruffi climb over logs as Grammi is concerned about Dumbwin being reduced to splinters as Gruffi wishes that he had some Gummiberry juice as Grammi calls him out on being a sucky cook and Gruffi blows it off as he helps Grammi down. Thankfully for Gruffi the downed trees will help a lot in finding Dukie though.
So we head to a tower checkpoint as we cut to the top of a tower as two knights (one of them seriously looks like an ugly heel with the smile and the other one is almost bald) are gambling their lives away. He places the cards on the barrel of laughs as apparently; they are playing 21. FARK IT! He wants the cards cut and the steampunk logging machine gleefully helps him with that literally as the thing slices through the tower checkpoint like hot butter. The knights jump into the grass field where the horses are and they land in a really soft area of tall grass. Wow; they found a way to BS&P that spot without making it look contrived or forced. Well done Business Standards And Practices; you are not totally useless after all. The knights try to get on their horses as the checkpoint falls apart and seemly lands on the horses(!!!). Oooooooooo...No; they escaped unharmed. Toadie is loving this as Dukie calls it a small sample compared to what he will do to Castle Dumbwin as the logging machine marches towards Dumbwin castle and....(one hour later because my stream claims that I watched 72 minutes and must wait an hour. Idiots!) here comes Lazybones and two horses on horseback. Oooooo...Great to see them on the ball despite no true warning as Dukie calls them a welcoming committee.
Tuxford wants them to prepare for the worst as the two knights behind him close their helmets and Dukie counters with the buzzsaw (his words of course) and that cuts about a half dozen trees right beside them as they tumble down on the babyfaces forcing them to retreat like scalded dogs stage left. Dukie tells them to inform Gregor to get his throne ready because the Duke is coming home. We cut back to the checkpoint tower (well; what is left of it anyway) as Grammi and Gruffi run through it as Grammi sums up the obvious to us. They then climb into a fake rock and go underground to the Quick Cars and ride the Quick Tunnels. Grammi wants to really give them something to remember her by as we continue on with the march to Castle Dumbwin with the steampunk logging machine as Dukie is in glee because Castle Dumbwin will soon be his. However; we see Gruffi and Grammi up ahead as they do the Rope Trip Trap with vines. Oh goody; they tied it against trees which should make it easier to kill the trap rather than spring it. I'm calling it right now. Sadly; the logging machine does one better; snap the vine completely as Gruffi and Grammi whiplash back. You know Dumbwin is screwed when THAT happens. Good bump into the tree by Gruffi though as Grammi helps him up. Gruffi blows her off because he's not out as they run in front of the machine and then hide into the big tree about a mile away from Dumbwin as Toadie notices them. So Gruffi and Grammi climb into the big branch as Dukie invokes the BUZZSAW ARM OF DOOM and that cuts the branch; but Grammi and Gruffi freefall and land right on top of the roof of the machine.
So Toadie notices the hitchhikers as Dukie pulls the lever (WRONG LEVER!) as Gruffi and Grammi try to hang on for dear life on the roof. Dukie's soap and water off an ogre's back would have worked if the ogres didn't HATE baths like the plague. Context writers! Context! Learn it well! They hang on as Dukie realizes that and invokes the BUZZSAW ARM OF DOOM. Considering that Grammi's feet were about three feet away from Dukie ; Dukie should have invoked the feather here. I mean; this kills the continuity the writers were shooting for here. Gruffi and Grammi duck on cue as the second sawblade would have missed Gruffi completely even if he didn't duck. Gruffi opens the console panel on top where the wheel is. D'OH! Gruffi wonders what to use to gum up the works; so he throws in red Gummi Berries from his pouch. Yes; this makes perfect sense; but let's just make Grammi weaker than she already is. So the machine spins around and three of it's legs disappear on the first shot; then it sinks and gets all four legs back as the machine is totally out of control. Dukie holds onto the side as Toadie has zero clue what is wrong with the machine. Well; Gummi Bears and Dukie do not mix would be a mighty fine start. Toadie looks sick and he implies that he is throwing up over the side. Didn't see that one coming at all since that spot isn't en vogue until 2000 at the earliest. Grammi finally takes the wrench and unhooks the nuts off the BUZZSAW ARM OF DOOM as Gruffi grabs Grammi and bails into the trees as it is on it's last legs. Because we cannot let Grammi redeem herself now can't we?!
The damage of suggestion is enough for the machine to do the dreaded whirlwind spot that I dislike a lot and Dukie and Toadie fly out and land on their bellies onto the road with wussy bumps. Dukie and Toadie bail as more trees come crashing down as I feel like I'm in a hurricane despite Irene being nowhere near Nova Scotia. Well; not quite, but close enough to make the difference as Gruffi now panics because they can no longer stop that crazy thing. Grammi shows the wrench as she claims that she loosens the bolts and as we see the machine loses it's saw blades and basically buzz saws itself into a million pieces. FINALLY! Grammi does something right for a change. So the saw blades spin on the ground and head towards the heels as Dukie grabs Toadie and is threatening him with violence when they return to Drekmore; but Toadie points out the saw blade and it's the SCOOBY DOO CHASE SEQUENCE THE SAWBLADE EDITION~! Funny how it's okay for the heels to get this spot in it's second run; but when Kit and Baloo faced one in Plunder and Lightning Part Three; they changed it to unstable gaps in syndication. Did I mention that TaleSpin was “filler” in Eisner's eyes?
Anyhow; we pad the running time some more as the saw blade chases Dukie up a tree and splits the tree in half. Good to see Dukie was on the ball to hold onto the branch away from the tree before he got sliced in half. Then Dukie drops down onto the ground and the saw blades chase the heels away stage right as Dukie threatens Toadie with the piranha moat as they get chased out of sight once again. So we jump cut to Gummi Glenn (huh?) as we head to the kitchen as Tummi samples the pot of something and he likes it as Grammi feels happy again. Gruffi proclaims that he fixed the washing machine of course and Grammi thanks him. She admits that the job was hard (Riiigggghhhhtttt. More like impossible Grammi!) but she learned a few new tricks. Gruffi proclaims that he did to including baking brambleberry pie as he panics instantly because he forgot to check it as it rumbles, opens up and spits unbaked pie dough on the babyfaces. HAHA! It broke logic; but Gruffi deserved that one.
Tummi licks the dough as he likes it despite being hit or miss. So Grammi's cooking is a miss? That's embrassing for Grammi as Sunni complains about the dough getting stuck in her hair. A sure sign of a teenybopper diva: Complaining about sticky hair. Sunni asks who is going to clean up the mess and then Gruffi and Grammi tease argument #3645 as they have the RIC FLAIR BROOMSTICK OF DOOM and SHANE DOUGLAS MOP OF DOOM armed. However; Gruffi decides that it's best they both do it and Grammi agrees as they sweep up the magically OUT OF NOWHERE purple juice on the floor and that ends the episode at 21:07. Thank goodness that one is over (no thanks to the video streams one hour disable policy. Free hosting my ass.). It's not a bad episode in terms of the plotline; but making Grammi look like a total clutz and Gruffi somewhat half compentent sure smells like Grammi's character is slowly starting to die on us. Recipe For Trouble pretty much cooked her goose already and it's more difficult to get behind her now that Ursa is around and with Rebecca and Gadget running rings around her character wise. Still; the logging machine was really good in spite of the bad logic breaks and animation mistake. So call this one *** (60%).
THE REVIEW LINE
Our first episode of season six is in the books and it was better than I thought it could be. WD-OZ's debut on Gummi Bears (not sure if this is their DTVA debut overall since they were working on Winnie The Pooh at this point too) looked a bit green in places as some of the animation broke logic. Mostly minor nitpicks; but they were still quite noticeable. Now I would have really enjoyed this episode a lot more if Grammi didn't look like a total clutz throughout most of it; or at least Gruffi trading in the clutz department since Gruffi's spots appeared that he at least had a much better handle on the situation. It seems to me now that the writers no longer like Grammi anymore which is quite sad because in spite of her stereotype (which in the time period the show is in; at least it makes sense no matter how sexist it ultimately is.) she was a decent character. However; her age is showing character wise and after the disaster known as Recipe For Trouble; she was basically on her way out heat wise. Gruffi was good as his improvement has been leaps and bonds over his old character before Road to Ursalia; but I still cannot help if it seems it's being done at the expense of Grammi. It would have been neat to have the conflict between Ursa and Gruffi; but the Barbics aren't exactly going to be in a lot of recurring roles compared to Grammi.
Still; the episode itself was written well; most so with the heels as the Gummi Logging Machine was cool (although as cool as steam punk is; it fits TaleSpin much better and the Iron Vulture is much cooler) and Dukie had a really good machine. Plus; Sunni's continuity with Secret Of The Juice was good to see too. So overall; we have a middling episode which is good for a plotline that I was dreading, but it is not a real good start for Gummi Bears. Next up is Tuxford's Turnaround and finally a Lazybones focused episode for a change. It's about time they did something with Tuxford after all the Calla/Cavin/Gregor combinations. So....
Thumbs in the middle for this episode and I'll see you all next time.