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Peppa Pig: Sunny Vacation DVD Rant

Reviewed: 01/07/2018

Peppa Pig! *SNORT* *SNORT*! Peppa Pig! *SNORT* HEE HEE!

Hello back everyone; it's time for the beginning of the second half of the DVD sets as we go on a sunny vacation (cue angry mob!) as Peppa Pig goes to Italy to visit friends there for her vacation. Then from there we get debuts of the Wolf family, Mr. Potato Head, lots of basketball, Grampy Rabbit's debut, the Fox family debuts, pretend desert island using a sandpit, fish dating in an aquarium and Daddy Pig loses his car keys. Woo-hoo! More fun and stuff as we get to the point of the series while the Flanderization and changing of gimmick is more apparent. So, let's rant on shall we..?!

At this point of the series; all the episodes are written by Neville Astely, Mark Baker, Philip Hall and Sam Morrison. Philip Hall started as an animator for Peppa Pig in 2004 before moving to writing and storyboarding the show along with Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom. He also did animation for Charlie & Lola and direction for Geoff, World Destroyer. That's it. Sam Morrison worked on shorts starting with Balls in 1997 in various roles up until Grime City P.D. in 2010. In between those roles, Sam was a story consultant for The Selfish Giant and Little Wolf's Book of Badness in 2003. From 2009 onwards; he worked on Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom, this show, Shaun The Sheep, Games Night, Special Delivery, Hey Duggee, Andy's Prehistoric Adventures and The Octonauts as his most recent credit. The other shorts he worked on are: Greetings, Beastly, Donkey Town, Rocket Science!, Monkey Dust, Emma 18 and Origin. That's all. Animation is done by Astely Baker Davies animation; with the two mentioned creators and Phil Davies.

Flying On Holiday: We begin this DVD set with episode #193-#196 on the animation paper as we head to the house on the hill as George and Peppa are in their bedroom, literally packing their toys into their luggage, causing Daddy Pig to run in and cut them off; telling them to just bring their most important toys. So Peppa and George empty out the suitcases and only bring Teddy and Mr. Dinesaur of course. HAHA! Apparently; this is a learned behavior in this family because Mummy Pig is doing the exact same thing in her bedroom and she is steadfast in not dumping out any of it. Daddy Pig has to close the suitcase of Mummy Pig and this is a failure just waiting to happen as the door bell rings. Peppa answers it with her luggage as it's Suzy Sheep as she wants to play with Peppa; Peppa says no because she's going on holiday to somewhere where there is holidays. You cannot buy amusing circular logic like that. Suzy is fine with this as Grandpa and Grandma Pig arrive parking on the steep side of the hill. They are here for Goldie and Peppa warns them not to feed Goldie too much while on holiday as Mummy Pig runs out and gives the goldfish bowl to Goldie. Then a black car with the name plate "Taxi" on top arrives and Mr. Bull is driving it. So yes; Miss Rabbit is not the only one who has a second job. Mr. Bull parks on an even steeper side of the hill as Daddy Pig comes out and can barely carry Mummy Pig's luggage as Peppa and George's luggage has been written out by teleport. Mr. Bull grabs the luggage and struggles to get the luggage on top of the car; which sounds like a bad idea; especially where they are parked. Mummy Pig insists that this is all important as they all get in; and Mr. Bull's car is Americanized. Surprisely; nothing happens to the luggage as we reach the airport and Mr. Bull gives the luggage to Daddy Pig and wishes the Pig family good luck. Head into the airport with the denizens of this world doing stuff. This would be the second debut for Mr. Raccoon in storyline as we see Mummy Wolf and Wendy Wolf reading magazines. The Elephant family is walking around and I see the Pony adults; but no Pedro Pony.

Now guess who is running the ticket counter and scale when the Pig family shows up? Miss Rabbit. I believe this is the eighteenth job she has been doing so far. Anyhow; Daddy Pig is dragging the luggage onto the conveyer belt and it goes through a trapdoor and we hear crashing sounds off-screen. Miss Rabbit asks: "Anything valuable?" Daddy Pig: "No." Mummy Pig doesn't give two damns at all that most of her stuff was broken due to this. Oh; and the little luggage has been written in by teleport and gets to be on the plane with the kids. This leads to the x-ray machine with Mr. Rhino (in a formal business suit no less) as we check the luggage and have fun explaining a device that sees through luggage stuff. That is no expectation of privacy on this show. Peppa of course calls it magic and Daddy Pig doesn't correct her because that would be a fool's errand. George loves airplanes and cosplays an airplane as Mummy Cat and Wendy Wolf get on before the Pig family. This is a scene where the animators pretty much say: "We have a deadline; just put some random characters in this scene to fill up the plane and not make it look empty." So we board the airplane and the flight attendent is Miss Rabbit by the way. I'm saddened that this show didn't play up the Miss Rabbit/Mummy Rabbit angle more because the misdirection of those two would have made some really funny scenes; even within a pre-school context. Miss Rabbit (wearing an awesome flight outfit) tells them to enjoy their flight and the Pig Family head into the seats; with George and Peppa taking the window seats. And yes; Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig are able to sit in their chairs without needing two; thank you. Zoom out the windows as the cockpit guy is a mole furry in a pilot's uniform, named Captain Emergency. Insert Rescue 911 joke here. Captain Emergency is voiced by Dominic Byrne and according to Wikipedia (DANGER! DANGER!): He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1997, and became part of the team in the zoo format Chris Moyles Show.

As well as reading news, Byrne interviewed many celebrities for the breakfast show including Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Alan Sugar, David Schwimmer, Uma Thurman, Goldie Lookin' Chain, and more recently Reese Witherspoon, William Shatner, Al Gore, Richard E. Grant, Daniel Craig, Bruce Willis, Bono, Adam Clayton, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Jedward, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Cameron Diaz. He also contributed to multiple features, and parody songs, some of which featured on The Parody Album released by Chris Moyles. Elsewhere for the BBC he worked as a newsreader for Fearne Cotton's show on Radio 1. From 2007 he presented the Newsbeat's Oddbox video clip show on BBC News. This was a four-minute video which looked at the week's strangest news, presented by Dominic Byrne (and Natalie Jamieson when he was away). It was available to watch at BBC Online, on the BBC Red Button and on the BBC News channel. It was announced on 6 September 2012 episode that the broadcast on the following week would be the final ever Odd Box.[2] On 14 September 2012, The Oddbox's final episode was shown on BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat Website. In addition, Byrne presented Dragon's Den Online, the online spin-off from the Dragons' Den TV programme.[3] In 2014, he was one of three hosts on Factomania. In December 2011 Dominic Byrne championed the song Dominick the Donkey by Italian American singer Lou Monte on The Chris Moyles Show, helping it achieve a peak chart position of number 3 on the UK Top 40 during Christmas 2011. Byrne has worked on various voice-over projects. He provided the voice of an alien called Zorst in the CBeebies show Space Pirates,[4] and as Captain Emergency on Peppa Pig.

He does voice-overs for the entertainment channel Watch. In 2010, Byrne also narrated children's storybooks for mobile phone applications under the iStorytime brand – the titles which Byrne narrated include Invisible Alligators (written and illustrated by Hayes Roberts), Inca Dink, the Great Houndini (written, illustrated and also narrated by M. Nicole van Dam), and Olivia the Octopus (written and illustrated by Damien Clenet).[5] On 8 March 2013, it was announced that Byrne has joined Capital FM London, to read the news on their flagship breakfast show.[6] On 1 November 2014, Byrne accidentally announced on Twitter that he was looking for a full-time radio role.[citation needed] On 21 April 2015, Byrne announced on his Twitter account that he would begin reading Drivetime news bulletins on LBC radio.[citation needed] On 7 September 2015, Byrne announced on his Twitter account that he would be joining Chris Moyles on the new rebranded XFM, Radio X on 21 September.[citation needed] Dominic Byrne is part of an award-winning comedy folk band Folk Face with Comedy Dave also from The Chris Moyles Show.[citation needed] So; yeah, that's about it. I should note that the airplane looks like a wrapper for a submarine sandwich place; only with red wings on it. So we take off after Captain Emergency gets the A-okay from the passengers and we fly into the sky above the clouds after Peppa and George see clouds and rain from the windows. The sound effects sound like one of those sounds you hear from those cassette tape audio books I often read (and I reviewed two of them for the TaleSpin celeberation a couple of years ago). So the plane is flying above the clouds as Daddy Pig gives Peppa a hint to where they are going and it's sunny there. Peppa shrugs it off and sings on the plane about flying in the sky as this was fine. Peppa giggles as the narrator ends part one saying that everyone is going to a sunny holiday as the rest of the passengers giggle to end part one of this four part special at 4:30 approx. The ED is actually the same song; only with different colors and sunny vacation objects peppered (pardon the pun) throughout. A decent start for the most part. ** 1/2 (50%).

The Holiday House: Episode opens in the sky with the airplane flying to another country as we cut to inside with Miss Rabbit informing the passengers to fasten their seatbelts since Captain Emergency is about to make an announcement as he is landing in the country of Italy. Yes folks; they did a cliffhanger in order to make the children guess where Peppa and company were going. Miss Rabbit is so shocked by this; as if she wasn't told in advance. That's kind of a troll move by the airlines there. So we land after Miss Rabbit calls this nice at the Italian airport; which looks like the color scheme of the airplane. I should note: Miss Rabbit did not sit down or buckled up for the landing and she didn't move once until everyone cheered. Just turned the entire safety thing into a joke. Everyone unbuckles their seatbelts and walks off; but Peppa unintentionally leaves Teddy on the seat. Sadly; this will not be the last time she would do this in this series. I don't know if they did an episode or not; but why is Peppa so attached to Teddy; despite looking like it's on it's last legs? Maybe I'll get an answer sooner or later on this; but for now, I'm confused. So we go through the airport terminal and out with Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig's suitcase on a dolly as it's time to go to the booth to get the rental car as Mr. Stag (an adult male deer anthro with a purple shirt. A lot of men wearing purple on this show I should note.) is at the booth. I should note that they clearly hired an Italian voice talent to do this voice because Mr. Stag speaks Italian and of course, none of the Pig Family can understand what the hell he is saying. I think he said: "Good morning madam; how may I serve you?" in Italian and that is a very poor person's translation on my part and I didn't use Google Translate since I pretty much understood that he was greeting Mummy Pig. Needless to say; Mummy Pig doesn't speak Italian; and this is the same Mummy Pig who could speak French no problem in a previous episode involving Delphine Donkey and her family. Mr. Stag basically says "I don't understand you."; and it's time for Daddy Pig to do the talking, because he's an expert on such things.

I would love it if Daddy Pig speaks Italian; just to pay off the French Mummy Pig angle; but I betcha Daddy Pig will screw this up; because Daddy Pig is dumb. And of course, Mr. Stag doesn't understand English; I don't know why since he's at an airport with international flights going out of the country. He brings out a basket of eggs to prove this is just there to fill the running time. Daddy points to keys; Mr. Stag brings out the most purplist radio he could find playing the most silliest music ever made. Then some flowers as I'm wondering: Is this guy the Italian version of Mr. Fox? Because at least Mr. Fox's store is supposed to be a all trades store. This is a car rental shop. You have one job and Mr. Stag is screwing it up everytime. Oh; and a cyan bluebird gets involved as George makes car noises; and this is enough for Mr. Stag to get the point. See; non-verbal cues matter. So they get the rental keys to a aqua green car as they stuff the luggage on top of the car; with Mummy Pig continuing to insist that she needs the stuff in the car. So they get in the car as Peppa is already ribbing Daddy Pig; claiming that he'll get them lost like always. Daddy Pig is certain this will not happen because the Sat Nav (the computer navigation system's name for all you people outside of Britian) will help them. There's one problem: The Sat Nav speaks Italian. I don't think the usual Sat Nav voice Sarah Roper did the voice here; but Sarah does work on design for this show, Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, Aaagh! It's The Mr. Hell Show and The Big Knights. The World Of Peter Rabbit & Friends is her debut in 1994. She also worked on shorts like Jolly Roger and The Apartment Cat. 9 Animation Department credits, 6 Director credits, 4 Writer credits, 3 Art Department credits, 1 Actress credit and 1 Producer credit (De poetsprins) on her resume. So; yes, Daddy Pig is screwed as there is a sign with the most complex rotary you will ever see, so Daddy Pig decides to wing it. This is a fool's errand.

Mummy Pig questions this because they might drive differently in Italy and Daddy Pig of course dismisses this as he basically drives into traffic. Because you see; in Italy, they drive on the same side of the road as in North America, so Daddy Pig drove the wrong way through an interchange and into traffic. This is why clear picture signs are so important. The Pig Family is completely clueless in this anyway as everyone is smiling and Daddy Pig is talking. Peppa asks why they are honking their horns and Daddy Pig is so clueless that he thinks they are waving hello. Traffic in the middle lane moves to each side; but this was stupid and somehow, no police officer is anywhere to stop it. So we then jump cut to a boring road in Italy as the car is driving at a brisk pace and Daddy Pig is breathing a sigh of relief. Mummy Pig is loving that they are almost there and she can relax (and type more encrypted stuff on her computer); and then Peppa starts to panic. Yes; she finally realizes that Teddy is still on the plane and pleads for Daddy to turn around to go back to get it. And here comes the bad episode police...sort of. It's an otter police officer on a motorcycle as Daddy Pig is forced to stop and the motorcycle cuts them off anyway. Mr. Otter gets off his motorcycle and I'm guessing this is for the "Clueless Ability To Understand The Italian Rules Of The Road"; and I assure you that there is no mafia references in those rules. None whatsoever. The Otter Police Officer and the Mr. Stag are voiced by Frenando Tiberini and I have very little on him; other than being an additional voice in the video game Haze and Sniper Elite 3; along with Age of Heroes and Waiting At The Gate. Daddy Pig claims that if he did anything wrong; he won't do it again. In the real world; that is a confession and you pay for it. Not here! The officer goes to his belt bag and brings out Teddy; giving it to Peppa Pig. Awwwww! My heart melted. Sadly; it will melt a little less each time when this angle is repeated over and over again. So the Pig family drives away and the cop doesn't care.

Yes folks; Daddy Pig got away with law breaking! I don't know if I should blame Daddy Pig for breaking the law or the police officer not enforcing the law; or the writers for being too scared to write an angle with actual consequences attached to it. So we head to the vacation home; which has it's own vineyard, flowers and a swimming pool. The swimming pool looks like a well with a yellow ladder on it. Everyone gets out as Daddy Pig walks in with the luggage and throws it on the bed. What happens next is high comedy: Mummy Pig opens the luggage and brings out a plant, her computer (which I expected), tins of food, winter clothes, the telephone, and thankfully Peppa puts a stop to it before Mummy Pig looks like she packed for World War III. Peppa wants to call Grandma and Grandpa Pig; who have decided to stay at Peppa's house to look after Goldie as it is raining hard at the house on the hill. We head in the kitchen and Grandpa Pig is feeding Goldie fish flakes, and Goldie is now as big as my fist now. She is huge now. Grandma Pig is questioning that this isn't enough and Grandpa claims that she'll need a pinch more. So Grandma Pig's cellphone rings and she answers it . Peppa wants to speak to Goldie and suddenly; when they do the Goldie talking segment, Goldie is literally back to her original size. What a stupid logic break that was?! Peppa claims that she misses Goldie and then hangs up without even a goodbye. Now, that was rude. Peppa and George yawn as the kids are tucked into a yellow framed bunk bed with white sheets; so I should note that it is AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) in Italy now. Which is odd since it's only an hour difference between the two countries; and Peppa's home is still afternoon. So we got two logic breaks within a minute as Daddy says goodnight and we zoom out to a shot of the holiday house on the hill (as the narrator would say) to end part two at 4:30 approx. A funny, but sloppy episode with Daddy Pig being reckless once again. At least they didn't get lost this time. *** (60%).

Holiday In The Sun: Episode opens on the opposite side of the holiday house on the hill as there is a sliding glass door for the back entrance; and more vineyards; plus the swimming pool looks more like a swimming pool now. Oh; and there is an aqua blue lawn chair on the grass; cannot forget that. I should note that the animated sun used here is also used for the opening with the logo for these episodes only. The narrator explains that this is day one of the family's holiday as the sliding glass door opens and out comes Daddy Pig stretching and he cannot see where he is going and splashes into the swimming pool. Yip; Daddy Pig is dumb and his glasses couldn't protect him. In comes a child goat with a teal dress and an adult goat with a purple suit and net. Both appear to be anthro white goats and yes, they baaa as per the gimmick of this show. We meet and greet as I noticed that their arms are posed similar to the T-pose in CGI models; only it's not CGI. It's cel animation. So the two goats I mentioned are Signor Goat and Gabirella Goat and Gabirella Goat is voiced by Sonia Arapi and I have nothing on her. Signor Goat is voiced by Andrea Tran and I don't have anything on him either; although there is a director under that name. In comes the rest of the Pig family for more meeting and greeting. Daddy Pig is protesting the humor of this scene and he loses because he smiles. So there is the greeting of animal noises from the kids and Signor asks if they need anything. Mummy Pig would like to go sightseeing and Gabirella suggests the Italian village; and so they agree to it. Daddy Pig gets out of the swimming pool and returns with teal trunks, a white spotted red shirt and a white hat with a camera around his neck. Was his old gear in his pjs before this? That would have been really stupid. And yes; the car is facing the opposite side of the road; but at least it's on a flat surface now instead of the steepest part of the hill. Daddy Pig gets into the car as everyone except Signor is inside. So we drive down the hill and head into the old village on the hill, complete with bell tower as we drive on the black square stone road and then stop in the village. Everyone gets out giggling.

They run to a large shop on the corner with lots of suns , postcards, plates, carpets and other such stuff. Gabirella explains that this shop is owned by Auntie Goat; so I assume she exchanges notes with Mr. Fox and Mr. Stag. All the suns have smiley faces as Gabirella and Peppa are exchanging notes as Peppa is looking for a postcard to give to Goldie and Gabirella suggests a postcard of nothing but the sea. Daddy Pig is questionning this selection as rubbish as a female goat in a green dress and purple eyeliner blows him off because tourists buy all this stuff. The biggest tourist of them all: Mummy Pig. Damn; she even bought a lawn gnome, just to rub it in. Daddy Pig is protesting this; so Mummy Pig points out that they sell purple suitcases as well. Auntie Goat is voiced by the same person who voices Mummy Pig. So we head to the village square where there is an Italian cafe headed by a grey billy goat anthro with a white coat, white chef's hat and apron as every store has a window booth. I discover that this is Uncle Goat; voiced by the same person who voices the narrator. So Uncle Goat is making pizza as Gabirella claims that it's Italian food. She's partially correct, although the history of pizza begins in antiquity, when various ancient cultures produced flatbreads with toppings. The precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flat bread known to the Romans as panis focacius,[1] to which toppings were then added.[2] Modern pizza developed in Naples, when tomato was added to the focaccia in the late 18th century. The word pizza was first documented in AD 997 in Gaeta[3] and successively in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. So; yeah. So Uncle Goat puts the pizza in the oven after Peppa does a singsong with him while adding the toppings. So let's leave the pizza to cook and go over to the table under the umbrella tree with the adults as it's time to write the postcard of doom to Goldie. Mummy Pig writes the postcard and then Peppa posts it to the conveniently placed golden post chute and waves farewell to the postcard. We return to the table as Uncle Goat brings out the pizza and we eat up because we all love pizza. Peppa and Teddy interact, they like it.

So Daddy Pig speaks his first Italian word and it was less awkward than Peppa speaking certain English words. He loved it and it will always have a special place in his tummy. That's like Ric Flair; where he greets you as someone important and then within minutes after, the thought is gone from his mind. So they all leave; except for Gabirella, and of course Peppa leaves Teddy on the seat...AGAIN! Cut to the rental car on the same boring road...AGAIN! So; I'm not going to bother calling this because the entire commentary for this is in the previous episode. Only this time; there is a purple suitcase on top, and Peppa doesn't panic this time around. So yes; we head to the holiday house on the hill; and park on the steepest side of the hill...AGAIN! Everyone heads inside as Peppa wants to ring up Goldie; and Mummy Pig thinks this is a wonderful way to kill time. So we head back to the house on the hill as it is raining hard still. I put 5:1 odds that the end of this four parter will end with the family jumping up and down in muddy puddles, and being the best part of the whole trip; rendering the trip completely pointless. We head in the kitchen and now Goldie is the size of my head. Grandma Pig is still feeding it fish flakes as Grandpa Pig still thinks it's not enough. This is pet abuse now as Grandpa Pig answers his ringing cellphone and it's Peppa in her pj's with George as they exchange notes. I just love Grandpa Pig already knows Peppa sent Goldie a postcard; despite the first conversation was the last episode aired and before Peppa even bought the postcard. That is a bad logic break. Peppa yawns and says goodbye this time as she hangs up. George and Peppa are taken into their bedroom as we cut to a shot of the holiday house on the hill to end part three at 4:30 approx. Daddy and Mummy Pig are funny; but pet abuse is not. I'm just saying. ** 1/2 (50%).

The End Of The Holiday: Episode opens with the exact same thing that happened to Daddy Pig at the beginning of the last episode; only with the narrator saying that this is the last day of the holiday for Peppa Pig. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I have never seen a scene so cheap; yet so funny at the same time. I should have seen this coming the second I saw them completely recycling the "police gives Teddy back to Peppa after she lost it" scene; but I still cannot believe that they would recycle the funniest scene in the show thus far. Daddy Pig has to be doing this on purpose for a laugh; no one can be this dumb. Also Signor and Gabirella Goat are there meeting and greeting. Daddy claims that he is swimming one last time as Peppa and the family come in with a snort from Peppa. Peppa wants vacations to last forever; and there are some people in this world where vacations do last forever, and none of them being dead. Daddy Pig claims that they cannot last forever and it's time to meet their old friends again. Peppa agrees with the sentiment and wants to call home to talk to Goldie again. So we head to the house of the hill and it's still raining hard as the writers are clearly not even trying to hide the ending to this tale. Head into the kitchen and Goldie has almost overtaken the fish bowl and I ask; how in the world did so little time did this fish get so big? So they have been feeding it without bathroom breaks nor breaks at all? So Grandma Pig answers the phone and she claims that Goldie has been eating well; and Peppa informs her that she is coming home soon. Peppa asks if the postcard has arrived. It hasn't; but it's coming soon according to Grandma Pig and she'll see her soon. Then the doorbell rings and outside is Suzy Sheep with an umbrella and blue boots on; just adding evidence to my bet. Grandma Pig answers the door; tells Suzy that Peppa will be home later today and Suzy misses Peppa. Cut back to the holiday house on the hill as Daddy Pig puts the red suitcase next to the purple suitcase, questionning all this stuff and Mummy Pig's answers: It's all important. Daddy Pig just accepts it and gets into the car. We wave farewell as the car drives down the hill. Signor and Gabirella wave farewell and then Gabirella notices Teddy on the grass. So yes; for the third time in four straight episodes, Peppa has dropped Teddy. This annoys me because...for the third time in THREE episodes; we completely recycle the Daddy Pig/Otter Officer scene on the road. Only in the opposite direction this time. I'm starting to see why critics do not like this show now.

Peppa gets her Teddy back and at least the officer tells her to take better care of the bear this time around. So we recycle the scene on the hill with Suzy ringing the doorbell and Grandma Pig answering it and telling her no. I just love that she already knows Peppa is flying home right now. Cut to the submarine sandwich wrapper airplane flying high in the sky and then a closeup of Peppa singing again. Daddy Pig is hoping that it's sunny at home after the pigs giggle after the song. Hopes are instantly dashed as we cut back to the house and Mr. Bull brings the taxi up and parks on the steepest side of the hill. I was begging for the luggage it slide off the taxi and into some muddy puddles. No such luck. So everyone gets out and we head into the kitchen for the meet and greet. Peppa is not happy at all; because Goldie has become the size of the spotted bouncy ball we see in the show; only it's all orange. They have Donald Trumped Goldie. Peppa calls him out on it and Grandpa claims that Goldie was always hungry. Grandpa Pig needs more training in virtue signaling, I see. The adults come in with various gifts, including the dreaded lawn gnome. I should note that in storyline and in an episode; Grandpa Pig does not like lawn gnomes. Personally; I don't hate them, I just think that their use as a plot device has had it's time and without some twist to the formula; it's time to move on. Peppa asks about the postcard and it have not arrived yet as the door bell rings. Peppa runs to answers it, assuming it's Mr. Zebra with her postcard. It's not; it's Suzy Sheep. Peppa is so disappointed; but Suzy missed her anyway and Peppa smiles, glad to see her. They hug and hold hands as here comes Mr. Zebra and his post truck; and he parks on the steepest side of the hill. Mr. Zebra gives Peppa the postcard from Italy and that causes Daddy Pig to be amused since they got home faster than the postcard. Peppa shows the postcard to Goldie and despite being a bloated mess of a goldfish; Goldie is happy to get it. Peppa asks if Suzy had a nice time; Suzy says no because it rained all the time Peppa was on holiday. Peppa loves this because we all know what this means. We do, don't we? It mean; it's time to jump up and down in muddy puddles. DING! Everyone runs down the hill as Suzy and Peppa jump in first and get muddy; because the payoff to holiday is better than the holiday itself. Yup; the vacation was totally pointless as everyone else jumps into the muddy puddle and we do the backsplash laugh to end part four and the vacation special at 4:30 approx. Which is eighteen minutes total. This was funny; but the cheap work is starting to really show when you are recycling whole scenes outright with little or no variation. Still; that beginning was tres hilarious though. *** (60%).

Potato City: So we head back to Episode #158 on the animation paper and this episode opens on the boring road in Daddy Pig's red car as Peppa asks about Potato City; which is a theme park ran by Mr. Potato Head and the theme is all about veggies; which is hilarious considering the potato is considered a starch food nowadays. Peppa calls this boring of course; because she's not a fan of veggies. Daddy Pig disagrees with this notion and honks his horn. The car horn; not his own. Daddy Pig finally stops at....a field of potatoes with a male raccoon furry with a dark green coat, purple scarf and green beret digging with a shovel for potatoes which is overflowing his wheel barrow. Daddy Pig is dumb. Mummy Pig is questionning Daddy Pig's IQ, again. Daddy Pig asks Mr. Raccoon about Potato City; and he points northwest to the theme park on the hill. Of course! I should note that there are rising helium balloons of various veggie shapes and colors floating around the theme park. This theme park is not very environmentally friendly to me. The gate is a giant mouth of Mr. Potato Head with potatoes as the gate. We see Mr. Rabbit, Rebecca Rabbit, Mummy Zebra, Zoe Zebra, Zaza Zebra, Zuzu Zebra, Mr. Rhino, Danny Dog and Mummy Dog enter the fair grounds ahead of the Pig Family as Daddy Pig apparently did not read the pamplet Mummy Pig had because he thought this would be an educational place; not an actual fun fair. Jump cut to the booths as Miss Rabbit is running the ticket booth; although to be fair, there is Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Goat on the sides with Miss Rabbit. Candy Cat and Mummy Cat are in the background as Mr. Rhino has a child in the foreground with him. There are a lot of anthros I don't know yet. Oh; hello Mr. Fox and Freddy Fox! Hopefully; you won't leave your son behind like you did when you all last appeared. So the Pig Family get their tickets and make some small talk for awhile as it's not busy yet. Jump cut to Peppa's friends: Suzy Sheep, Candy Cat, Rebecca Rabbit, Pedro Pony, Danny Dog, Emily Elephat, Richard Rabbit, Edmond Elephant and the debut of Wendy Wolf (the female wolf with the lavander dress - voiced by Chaniya Mahon. This show and Rosie Fairy in Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom.) Wendy Wolf's debut is odd since her family's official debut is the next episode, actually.

So we meet and greet and then we officially debut the guy from the television we have seen a few times before this; Mr. Potato Head and it's clear someone is wearing a costume because he looks like he's 10 feet tall. He is voiced by the narrator of this show and has a brown hat and a mustache. I should note that after Series 3; Mrs. Potato Head was apparently fired from this show for unknown reasons. He shows off the fair with a small garden. There is a potato Merry-Go-Round in the background. There is displays of pumpkins as well and a potato rocket roller coaster, demonstrated by Mr. Fox, Doctor Brown Bear and Mrs. Donkey. Loop-de-Loop for only 15 pounds (I would say 15 Euros; but Brexit might make that currency be 1.5 Euros). Mr. Bull is the one running the lever (CLEVER CLOGS~!) as all the big kids hop into the first three cars. George hops into the back car; as Mr. Bull proclaims that George is too small to ride; but Daddy Pig is allowed with him, but Daddy Pig is afraid of heights. You know; I am all for George conquering his fear, but why doesn't Daddy Pig do the same? Oh; it's because it's funny, never mind what I said. So we push the lever (CLEVER CLOGS~!) as Daddy Pig wants this to get over with quick; and Mr. Bull assures him that it will be over quick. And then George bawls his eyes out, because he changed his mind. So Mummy Pig comes in and takes George out of the car; as Daddy Pig tries to do the same; but the lever has been pulled (CLEVER CLOGS~!) and Daddy Pig might be vomitting soon enough. They do the spot where the coaster stops for ten seconds and Daddy Pig thinks it's over; but then we go down really fast. Loop-de-Loop for only 15 pounds ensues as Peppa calls this brilliant. No; I call it boring. Daddy Pig is hazy as the ride is over and Peppa just has to act like this was the greatest thing on earth. Daddy Pig acts like he cannot wait for this to be over as we head to the board displays where you can put your head through and look like a costumed veggie. So Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog, Rebecca Rabbit and Peppa are with Mummy Sheep as Suzy Sheep goes behind the tomato display and everyone laughs at her expense.

Rebecca Rabbit picks the carrot man of course; while Peppa trolls on Suzy for fun. Danny chooses the pumpkin one for his own amusement. Jump cut to the jungle scene with the giant Mr. Potato Head as all the kids (minus Wendy Wolf; who has now been written out by teleport. I think someone in creative got confused) see dinosaur train carts as one of them is a red triceratops and a purple stegasauraus. Mr. Potato Head claims that they lived together and finally; we begin for rant purposes, the debut of Edmond Elephant's gimmick: He can talk like a scientist as he blows Potato Head off for getting all the eras wrong. Potato Head is confused as Edmond Elephant claims that he is "a clever clogs"; and then roars with his trumpet nose. I should note that the adults are often like: "Did he just say that?" when his catchphrase comes to mind. Because you see; in British slang; "Clever Clogs" means "Clever Dick"; or as we usually say in North America "Smug Ass". Mr. Potato Head completely ignores him anyway and both Richard and George don't care either as they get on the ride. Suzy questions the connection between this and veggies and Mr. Potato Head claims that dinosaurs love potatoes, which Edmond says "no" the same way George says it. Mr. Potato Head ignores him anyway; so he is anti-science. Which makes sense considering how nonsenscial it is to have Mr. Potato Head be the biggest creature in the episode. So we all jump cut to the Merry-Go-Round (called Roundabout in Britian) which is rides shaped like veggies. Mr. Potato Head cannot even call it that; but the kids don't care as it's Merry-Go-Round time as we zoom out and everyone they can find in Potato City is laughing; except for Mr. Potato Head, who is merely smiling. The narrators sums it all to end the episode at 4:30 approx. The Peppa song was wimiscial and fun too; although it was mostly fun at the fair and nothing else. *** (60%).

The New House: So; here is Episode #159 on the animation paper and we open with a zoom in shot of the house on the hill as we head inside Daddy Pig's workroom; which looks almost like Mummy's office; only the computer is on a table and not on a desk. There is a model white house on the desk as Daddy Pig is drawing up blueprints. Peppa and George come in and Peppa is not impressed with the small white house Daddy Pig is building because it's for small people. Daddy Pig points out that it's a model and shows off his blueprint drawing of the new house, which looks like the same house we see in every Peppa Pig show. So Peppa draws in a swing set on the right side with a blue marker. Daddy offers Peppa a tour of the new home and Peppa agrees to it; so we head on the boring road with Daddy Pig driving the car with Peppa and George as they make it to a hilltop; remembering to park on the steepest side of the hill again. Peppa and George climb out and Peppa is not amused because construction hasn't started yet. So on the opposite side of the hill; we have Mr. Bull, Mr. Labrador and Mr. Rhino with diggers and a cement mixer; one of Daddy Pig's favorite things in the world; because in storyline, Daddy Pig has a love for concrete. At least until the end of Simple Science. Mr. Bull's walking assures the definition of slow moving vehicles. George loves diggers and I just love how the cement mixer is parked on the steepest side of the hill. Daddy points out that he did the hard part (really?!) with the blueprints and Mr. Bull needs to follow his instructions. So Peppa wants them to build the house exactly like the little white house model; only much bigger. And Daddy Pig wants it made out of brick. I realize that making a house uses a diverse set of materials and techinques; but there is a storyline reason for the spot "Straw? Stick? Or Brick?" More on that later. Peppa insists they do not forget the swing, either; and Mr. Bull is fine with this. So we start building with bricks and concrete as Peppa and George put on yellow hard hats; wanting to help.

So we demonstrate the wonders of mortor (the glue to stick bricks togethers, so says Mr. Bull) as Peppa calls it special mud. So, Mr. Bull proclaims that bricks must be straight and level. Sadly; the artwork is not helping on the straight and level part. The next part is also high comedy: Mr. Bull proclaims that you cannot build a house in a day; but it will be finished tomorrow. And he hesistated as a cue to make sure that you were about to hear that it was BS. See what I did there? Daddy says goodbye with hard hat on and the Pig family gets into the car which is in the opposite direction and it drives down the hill. The digger comes up the hill with more bricks as we head back to the house on the hill AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) as the car is now facing the opposite direction already. Good. So we head inside Peppa & George's bedroom as we have the exchanging of notes session with Mummy and Peppa Pig. George is playing with his toy digger and I would suggest that this was done to shut up stupid critics who thought George was a one-note gimmick, which was false even in Series 1. So playtime is over and lights out; with snoring! Morning arises as a cock crows in the background. Peppa, George and Daddy get into their car and drive down the hill. Cut to Mr. Bull and his crew literally having tea in front of the brick house on the hill. Peppa, George and Daddy Pig leave the car as the house is nearly done; but there is the inspection left as the inspector is Miss...POW! OUCH! Ummmm...I mean; it's Mr. Rabbit in his blue car. Wow; I must be cynical at this point since I'm so used to Miss Rabbit doing this kind of stuff. Mr. Rabbit bangs on the brick wall and then gets the stamp of approval. Just like that.

But wait; it's not finished because the swing set hasn't been installed yet. Mr. Bull tells them to think again as Mr. Labrador installs the swing set onto the ground; without nailing it down mind you, and Peppa sits on the swing. Daddy Pig declares that the house is for their new neighbours and here they comes with their blue flat truck: Daddy Wolf, Mummy Wolf and Wendy Wolf. They also park on a slant; although not on the steepest side of the hill. Mr. Wolf sounds like a creep to me since he looks them little piggies. Remember earlier in the episode where they were talking about the straw, sticks and bricks? Well; the payoff is that the Wolf family is literally a gimmicked version of the Big Bad Wolf; only they tease blowing down houses and not deliver. And they are also nice about it, sort of. So we meet and greet as Mr. Wolf tests the house by literally trying to blow the house down; but since it's made of brick, it fails. I would have loved this to end with Daddy Pig having to chase his car down the steep hill; just to prove that it's time to stop parking your vehicles needlessly on steep hills; but it's not going to happen. Which is odd considering that nothing I described would have been problematic in this show. Mr. Wolf turns around and asks about Daddy Pig's house and Daddy claims it's bricks; and nicely tells him to sod off even thinking about blowing his house down. So Wendy loves the swing and gives Peppa the first go; since it was her idea. Peppa asks for a push and Wendy no sells; because she'll blow wind on her and it works. Peppa swings and everyone except Wendy does the backsplash laugh to end the episode at 4:30 approx. That was a funny way to end this episode; as the Wolf family already has a neat gimmick and they felt like stars here; despite having a full minute of screen time. **** 1/4 (85%).

Basketball: Here is Episode #160 on the animation paper as we begin this episode at a basketball court with all the kids in white basketball gear running around, giggling. Today's players are Peppa Pig, George Pig, Freddy Fox, Rebecca Rabbit, Pedro Pony, Emily Elephant, Richard Rabbit, Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Zoe Zebra. Madame Gazelle arrives with the net of basketballs and her whistle. Gazelle explains that there is a special someone to teach them basketball and out comes Daddy Pig in a white shirt. Everyone is wearing red shoes for some reason. Peppa and Suzy think Daddy Pig is only here to pick them up and it's too early, so Daddy Pig has to explain that he's the teacher of basketball. Also known as a couch as he shows off his basketball moves and they're not half bad at all. Peppa calls him clever and Daddy orders her to call him coach; so Peppa calls him Daddy Coach. HAHA! Of course; no kid on the court knows how to play basketball; so Daddy Pig shows off his dribbing skills and shooting skills as he shoots a three pointed from nearly 60 feet and it's nothing but net for Daddy Pig. Geez; I cannot even do that anymore, my body sucks now. Freddy Fox grabs the basketball; calls it easy and under throws it both in the literal and spiritual sense as the ball bounnces off the pole below the basket. Not even close. Daddy Pig explains that being fit is the key to training success; and Peppa calls him out on it because it's DADDY'S BIG TUMMY all over again. Daddy admits that his tummy is big; but it's full of muscle. Well; that's one way to deflect all the fat jokes on you off. Lesson #1: Passing. Danny Dog still needs to get the soccer training out of his system, sadly. Daddy Pig scolds him and then shows off more of his dribbling skills. He is the biggest Stephen Curry fan you will ever see. Suzy Sheep's dribbling skills are so horrible that it's funny. Daddy Pig is fine with it though as we get a lot of kids with pylon cones bouncing the ball. George and Richard are already learning how to pass and not too bad despite being two years old.

Daddy Pig blows the whistle as it's time to do the steal; which is called tackling here. I'm not sure if this is a BS&P decision; or a British term here. Okay; it's BS&P pre-school rule that saying stealing in a show is wrong. What a shocker?! George is right in front of him and I betcha Daddy Pig demonstrates it to George and George bawls right on cue. I check the video...Nope; George steals the ball, travels like there's no tomorrow and throws the basketball backwards right into Daddy Pig's hands. No crying; but some giggling as he needs more training. Everyone needs more training. So it's time to have a practice game and of course; the kids split up as Boys Vs. Girls while giggling. Sigh; I was hoping they would know better; but patriarchy rules the roost, even in the world of Peppa Pig, I guess. Daddy Pig is your special guest referee and Pedro plays the cowardly heel cowboy who cries foul since George and Richard are on their team. So? George and Richard can pass the ball well enough. Danny Dog still thinks they can win because they are a super team. Wow; that's the most absurd attempt to get around the obvious sexism of this angle. Daddy Pig blows the whistle and throws up the ball; and Emily grabs it by her trunk over Danny Dog. Ummm; that's a violation right there since she used her trunk instead of her hands to slap it back to her team mates. Even Peppa thinks this is wrong and unfair. When the biggest troll of the show is correct; you know there is cheating going on. Suzy blows her off because she's on their team and Peppa ignores everything she said and roots Emily on. It's bad enough that they had a boys VS. girls match (which is a shaky plotline in the best of episodes) in a pre-school show; the girls side has to CHEAT TO WIN~! STUPID! They all argue and Daddy Pig stops this by putting them all on one team. So it's Kids VS. Adults now; so instead of sexism, it's ageism. So it's Mr. Rabbit, Mummy Sheep, Doctor Elephant, Mummy Zebra and Mummy Dog VS all the kids in a 10 on 5 handicapped basketball game. The kids don't like this; but Daddy assures them that they can win, because they are trained basketball players.

Mr. Rabbit loves cricket; but has no expertise in basketball; so I'm guessing the children will win this one. So we ready, steady, go (In America, it's "ready, set, go") and Doctor Elephant dribbes the ball with his trunk, because trunks are legal here. Don't ask me why. TURNOVER BY GEORGE~! George is clearly traveling here and does the backwards pass to Zoe Zebra. Zoe bounces the ball through her legs to Richard Rabbit as he travels to Peppa Pig. So yes; the kids traveled twice in the same play with no whistle. The writers clearly do not watch actual basketball games, nor did their research properly here. Peppa underhands the ball and it's nothing but net. This group needs more training; although Doctor Elephant is not bad, all things considered. So the kids cheat to win; and no one cares since it's all Daddy Coach's fault. Everyone laughs as we zoom out to end the episode at 4:30 approx. This was really fun; but there was a lot of cheating that wasn't needed here. *** 1/4 (65%).

Mr. Fox's Shop: Here is Episode #163 on the animation paper and we open with the house on the hill and a zoom in shot of the kitchen table as Mummy Pig is wrapping a present. Peppa and George run in as Peppa asks what the present is for. Well; it's not for Peppa nor George since the present is a glass vase, which Mummy Pig shows. Because you see; it's a present for grownups, also known as Grandpa and Grandma Pig. Peppa and George want to buy their grandparents a gift for their wedding anniversary; but those things cost a lot of that MONEY, MONEY, YEAH, YEAH. Which they have only one pound and two green buttons; also known as Euros. POW! OUCH! Ummm...Also known as not money. Mummy Pig says okay; let's go shopping. So we head to Mr. Fox's shop and inside to the counter with Mr. Fox as we meet, greet and exchange notes. Mr. Fox's gimmick is that he sells everything, like the world's smallest department store, or the world's most sturdy pawn shop, depending on your point of view. Peppa of course trolls on the present being a giant purple/pink patched teddy bear; and Mummy Pig has to cut her off on that. I have a possible alternative ending to this: Grandpa and Grandma Pig are teddy bear collectors and this is a rare one they were looking for at the time. (Oh dear; speaking of trolling...) So the teddy bear is "out" and it's time to wind up some comedy dentures for fun. Daddy Pig claims his parents have lots of teeth; so Mr. Fox decides to bring them into the backroom for some showing off of buckets and spades (shovel in North America) in a "buy one, get one free" sale. Peppa says, no thanks, since they got that already. So we go to his sailing department and I swear; his shop is like a TARDIS. Sadly; no pirate's treasure in this house of everything; and that makes him more honest than Bonkers D. Bobcat and his "House of Everything". At least Mr. Fox has limited quanities of talent. One of them is selling you a bill of goods that antiques are new and plentiful, even though the definition of antique is old and rare. As demonstrated in his Mr. Fox seal-approved products with chairs coming in a set of twelve. And made of plastic oak.

How transparently absurd do you have to be to think these products are antiques?! Daddy Pig sits down on the plastic oak chair; and Mr. Fox yells at him, forcing Daddy to stand up; because antiques are for looking. So yes; this is boring and we head back to the counter as Mr. Fox is befuddled by this. Peppa then goes for the teddy bear again and everyone agrees that it was the best present all along. Oh; and it cost 1 pound and 1 green button when it's ringed in. I guess the world of Peppa Pig; buttons are also a legit currency now. Heh. Peppa asks for a box and we head to the white house on the hill as the family arrives in their car, parking on the steepest side of the hill. Everyone goes into the kitchen as we meet and greet with the present. I should note that they were not exactly thrilled by this present since there were two vases in the background with flowers in it. Peppa calls the present boring and presents the teddy bear and they love it of course. He's cuddley and his name is Eddie The Teddy. Eddie's favorite foods are chocolate and broccoli; two of the most opposite types of food you'll ever hear from a child's mouth. So Peppa and George agree to play with Eddie when they visit; and it ends with the blacksplash laugh at 4:30 approx. It has gotten to the point where the backsplash laugh is a joke; rather than the pay off to the previous joke at this point. That is a sign that a hitaus would not be a bad idea at this point. Episode was cute and fine. *** (60%).

Grampy Rabbit's Dinosaur Park: Here is Episode #173 on the animation paper and we begin this one on a boring road in a bus with Miss Rabbit driving. So inside the bus; we see Daddy Pig, Suzy Sheep, Peppa Pig, George Pig, Edmond Elephant, Rebecca Rabbit, Richard Rabbit, Mummy Sheep, Mummy Pony, Danny Dog, Pedro Pony, Freddy Fox, Mummy Fox, Mr. Zebra, Zoe Zebra, Wendy Wolf, Candy Cat and Granddad Dog. The narrator explains to us as the kids are giggling; that it's Freddy Fox's birthday. Surprisely; Suzy Sheep, Edmond Elephant and George Pig aren't laughing and are smiling like the adults. Freddy Fox and Peppa Pig are sitting together, and hello Emily Elephant, missed you there for a second. So Freddy has no clue where they are going; but is sure to like it anyway as the bus drives into what appears to be a dinosaur theme park. The bus stops as there is jungle music playing in the playground. Everyone gets out as we cut to a blue shirt old rabbit furry with a white beard and a green hat on. I believe this is Grampy Rabbit's debut for rant purposes; who was the original voice of Grandpa Pig before the switchover to David Graham. Everyone is in awe of Grampy's over the top promo of the park. George loves dinesaurs, grrrrr~! Peppa is skeptical about this park already; and Grampy admits that they are all pretend dinosaurs. Peppa breathes a sigh of relief and I wish George would bawl on cue; just to make this scene really funny. Edmond explains that the dinosaurs all died out 65 million years ago; because Edmond is a smugass...ERRR...I mean, clever clogs. Besides; pretend dinosaurs can sing as three mech dinosaurs pop from a conveniently placed bush and they sing a song which I think Ross Bagdasarian Sr. would blush in embarrassment if he cared that this is gimmick infringement; since the dinosaur sing like chipmunks. Everyone giggles; but Suzy calls these dinosaurs small. So Suzy wants them to be realistic, even though the dinosaurs are already fake. Grampy sees this as a dare and he has a real whopper of a dinosaur, as in very big. I'll believe it when I see it as we follow the footprints of the dinosaurs for a while. There are several dinosaurs in the background as the crowd is in awe of this. Daddy Pig is questioning these footprints and Grampy assures him that this is all a work; and the kids don't care either way. I would have thought the yellow pipe called a cave would have been a clue; but I guess not. So; after the not-really-a-cave cave the footprints have stopped. Suzy then notices a bunch of emerald green steps in the shape of a dinosaur's tail. Hmmm; I wonder where this is going.

Freddy Fox goes up first as the kids all climb up and they notice that it's a giant slide. The kids go down the slide, then the adults soon after. Hello, Doctor Elephant and Mummy Cat; didn't see you earlier. Peppa slides down the slide last and we notice that it's a giant dinosaur slide with a large tongue for the end. Oh wait; Grampy is still left to do the slide and his sliding down is like he's calling for Tarzan: King Of The Drapes. So Edmond just has to be a smartass again in correcting the name of the dinosaur as an apatosaurus instead of a brontosaurus. Grampy calls him a clever clog and Edmond says yes. So Grampy don't care either way as we continue on as it's time to find some dinosaur eggs and Peppa thinks this is BS because eggs are little; but Freddy's a fox and foxes are good for hunting eggs. Even though; this is supposed to be Freddy's focus episode anyway. So Freddy is sniffing for eggs as everyone follows him. Freddy apparently; has a really awesone nose according to the narrator. So we find a giant purple egg with spots on it. Everyone is in awe as Suzy asks why the egg is so big. The adults walk in as Grampy proclaims that it's a dinosaur egg; and it's better than real because it's pretend. I wonder if his beard is pretend. The egg cracks open by itself and a giant chocolate cake (the same one from Polly Parrot in Series 1) comes out and we get more chipmunk singing Happy Birthday. HAHA! Freddy is five years old; judging by the amount of candles on the cake as birthday kid gets first dibs on the cake. Oh; and the cake is real. I was going to make a joke about Mr. Proud from The Proud Family and it ending with Daddy Pig scorched by the candle; but considering the amount of horrifying Youtube Poop videos (also known as Elisagate to some), I decided against it. So everyone is popping for Freddy and it's time to dance, dance, dance to their doom. HEEHEEHEEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! POW! OUCH! Ummm...And sing. It's called the dinosaur stomp; which features a lot of stomping and shaking. At least it makes sense this time, compared to all the times the Pig family makes earthquakes jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Grampy Rabbit's singing is completely off-key here, even though it's his own song. Freddy calls this his best birthday ever and they all do the backsplash laugh as the Dinosaur Stomp music plays on to end the episode at 4:30 approx. This was a really good one and Grampy Rabbit was amusing in this one. **** (80%).

Lost Keys: So here is Episode #175 as we open with a far shot of a huge hill with a forest, a parking lot, and Miss Rabbit's gift shop of doom. Cut to the Pig family walking up the hill with Mummy Pig holding the picnic basket. Daddy Pig is tossing his keys freely, like a reckless person on a dare; as we see Miss Rabbit's gift shop booth as she thanks them for coming. It's called the Mountain Beauty Spot and she like to see them back soon. So we make it to the parking lot as George wants the keys; but Daddy no sells because he might lose them, this causes George to bawl his eyes out. This is the point where they are booking George into a "I can get away with whatever I want by crying" character; instead of booking him crying because his feelings were merely hurt (usually by Peppa Pig). Peppa defends George by claiming that Daddy Pig is playing with the car keys. Oh; so that what the tossing was for. I thought it was merely a dare by Miss Rabbit or something. Daddy Pig claims that he's an adult and he will not lose them...and then he carelessly tosses the keys into the conveniently placed grate into the sewer below. And this sewer is way deep. Deeper than most water tables in the area, I can imagine. Mummy Pig packs up the back of the car and turns around as Daddy proclaims that there is some difficulty here and Peppa blurts out the entire thing; and you never seen a more blushed Daddy Pig in your life. You can tell, he really messed up here. Mummy Pig is not happy with that; but Daddy Pig isn't giving up hope yet as he brings out the shortest stick in history. This try fails of course. Daddy Pig suggests a fishing rod with a hook; and then goes over to Miss Rabbit, who was literally looking at the hard camera for her cue before Daddy Pig comes over to her booth. And wouldn't you know it; Miss Rabbit sells fishing rods, despite no lakes anywhere near these mountains. That was in fact funny. So we exchange notes and Miss Rabbit declares that it's impossible to get those keys. At this point; I would call a tow truck, but no one does because Daddy Pig is going to do his damnest to prove Miss Rabbit...right. Because the fishing rod method also fails badly. Yeah. So we get an explaination from Mummy Pig about drains and how they carry rainwater to the sea. Except; today, there's no rain, so the drain is dry. Daddy Pig is shocked and appalled as Miss Rabbit decides to demonstrate how deep the drain is by throwing a stone into it. Now; they are just filling up time now because even Mummy Pig thinks it's a great idea; instead of -- you know -- calling a tow truck.

They count to six; so it's about 16 feet deep, I guess. Mummy Pig wonders what to do now; and here comes Mr. Bull and his construction buddies with their construction vehicles. Including Mr. Rhino operating a crane tractor. Hmmm; I wonder what the next spot will be. George loves diggers and cranes as we meet and greet. We discover that Mr. Bull and company have a day off and they went to the Beauty Spot today. His friends call it very pretty and who are we to doubt them, huh? So Peppa and Daddy Pig ask about using the crane to get the car keys out; Mr. Bull agrees as Mr. Rhino comes in with the crane tractor. Somehow; despite the hook looking bigger than the hole itself; it still slides down the hole without any problem. And....this fails as the hook is exactly four feet short of grabbing the keys. Now; at this point, the logical finish is to call a tow truck and get a new set of keys for the car. However; this is Peppa Pig and that is so boring and stupid. So Mr. Bull's plan to get the keys back....Dig up the entire road. Yes; that is Mr. Bull's gimmick in Series 4; and yes, they are digging up the drain near the beauty spot with the digger. Mr. Labrador sets up barricades, not unlike what happens in Nova Scotia as Mummy Cat, Candy Cat and the dark furred indigo shirt wearing Daddy Cat. I shake my head in part disgust, part amusement as Mr. Bull is lowered into the hole, jumps down, grabs the keys (which have a Mr. Potato Head tag on them) and declares victory as no one cares about the fact that they had to disturb nature in order to get a set of car keys back. Except for Mummy Cat as the entire Beauty Spot is a giant hole in the ground; yet somehow, the gift shop of Miss Rabbit remains untouched. Miss Rabbit don't care about this assault on the Beauty Spot as it's now called The Cave Beauty Spot. Daddy, Mummy, George and Peppa look down at the giant hole as their voices echo and Daddy Pig is blamed...ERRR..I mean; thanked for all this. Thankfully; Daddy Pig shifts the blame to Mr. Bull as he loves digging holes. Everyone loves digging holes...to bury themselves with. The characters at the hole laugh; I doubt the rest will to end the episode at 4:30 approx. Well; this was one of those episodes that had a really stupid finish designed to annoy everyone. * 3/4 (35%).

The Aquarium: Here is episode Episode #188 on the animation paper as we open with the house on the hill and then a zoom in shot to the kitchen table with the Pig Family as Peppa Pig is with her goldfish in the goldfish bowl, as Peppa is feeding the fish with fish flakes. The goldfish's name is Goldie and Goldie won't eat anything as it has a blank stare. Mummy Pig is having tea claiming that Goldie is sad while Daddy is reading the newspaper. Goldie floating down is not a good sign either. Peppa claims that Goldie is lonely and has no fish friends; like I'm supposed to buy that Peppa is a doctor. Mummy Pig suggests taking Goldie to the aquarium; which sounds like a not so good idea; since I'm certain no pets are allowed at aquariums. Then again; seeing that 99.5% of the cast are part animal, part human, I don't think anyone can argue for such a rule and get taken seriously. Peppa of course mispronounces aquarium (as aquarimum; so she's as bad as George pronouncing the word dinosaur as dinesaur.) as Daddy Pig explains what an aquarium and Goldie is smiling and making bubbles; so yes, Goldie wants to go to the aquarium and that is that. I'm fine with this as we head to the aquarium; which looks like a painted and polished water tower on the ground. Up comes the Pig family's car and they park on the top of the hill instead of the steep side of the hill. It's a miracle! Everyone gets out as Peppa is hoping for Goldie to be happy and Daddy assures her that Goldie will be because they have every type of fish. We head inside as the admission counter which has aquarium motifs. Now; I would have laughed at this a lot more if Granddad or Captain Dog ran the aquarium, because it would make more sense since they are supposed to be sea captains. However; this show is not shy in milking a running gag when they see one and guess who is running the counter? Miss Rabbit of course! Apparently; in this show, all women love reading Ezza magazines. That's distressing. So we do the two adults, two children ticket spot as Miss Rabbit's cash register doubles as a ticket counter.

Oh; and the goldfish goes in free and I'm guessing the toy dinosaur does too. Miss Rabbit is already throwing doubt into this aquarium having every type of fish; by saying probably after answering Peppa's question. So we head into the aquarium area with lots of tanks filled with little fish, star fish and various types of plants. George says "fishies"; so he's killing his one word gimmick really fast here. TEDDY RUXPIN SONG OF DOOM ensues, because this plot is too short, even though the episode is four and a half minutes long. Goldie smiles during the song; and then goes back to the blank stare when Peppa claims that these fish are way too small for her. So they decide to enter the next room as we see Candy Cat and her family. Daddy Cat has a much darker shade of fur than the rest. I think the gimmick is that they are an inter-racial family in storyline; but that would have worked much better if Mummy Cat had a lighter shade of fur than Candy Cat. So we meet and greet as Mummy Cat claims that this is better than watching television. They like fish, you see; and their smiling giggling implies that they have some fantasy that I do not want to know about. Daddy Pig looks into the giant glass window and sees "nothing". Daddy Cat has to tell Daddy Pig that there is a fish right in front of them. The hard camera zooms out to reveal that this fish is not only giant, it's the same color as the water. Everyone giggles as Peppa says no, because the fish is too big. So we head into the next room containing a tank with two seahorses; one green, one yellow. Zoom out to see more tanks with seahorses as George mistakes them for dinosaurs. Baby steps, everyone; baby steps. I should note that when they zoom out for Candy Cat correcting George; they are using the exact same poses as in the previous scene. No; I don't consider seahorses to be funny fish. Fish, yes. Funny, no. Peppa says no to this because it's too dinosaury. Even in terms of love; Peppa has to troll on George for no reason. So there is one giant tank left and it is filled with green slime which repluses Daddy Pig.

Mummy Cat points out that it's algae (Mummy Cat pronounces it at al-GA and not al-GEE like most of us North Americans often pronounces it). Daddy Pig is not impressed and sees something swimming in the tank with rabbit ears. 1:1 odds that it's Miss Rabbit in sucba gear (or in Britian, a diving costume) as she uses window wipers to wipe the algae off the glass. So no luck there as all hope is gone for poor Goldie to smile again. So everyone heads into the Aqaurium Cafe; which is a fish motif edition of Tim Hortons and we get a mindblowing spot: Miss Rabbit runs the cafe; and she's wet as hell. They are not even pretending that Miss Rabbit is the only one running this place. Will someone please help her? This is no longer healthy. The dripping only lasts five seconds as this is Daddy Pig's favorite room. You don't say? Miss Rabbit asks if Peppa found a friend for Goldie and Peppa says no. But wait; there is a another goldfish bowl on the counter with a red fish swimming inside when Peppa puts the bowl beside it. It's Miss Rabbit's pet goldfish named Ginger; and wouldn't you know it, the fish is red in color. Yeah. This ends with the fish liking each other and exchanging pleasure thoughts to each other; as everyone is happy. Miss Rabbit offers Goldie to visit Ginger anytime she wants to and everyone except Miss Rabbit does the backsplash laugh to end the episode at 4:30 approx. This was fun; although the Miss Rabbit gimmick is getting much sadder now after seeing this episode. *** 1/2 (70%).

The Sandpit: We conclude this DVD set with Episode #191 and the episode opens with the playground on the hill as Daddy Pig is helping Pedro Pony with the roundabout. Miss Rabbit is with George and Richard Rabbit; Candy Cat is on the monkey bars with a tire swing connected to it. Zoe Zebra is on the swings, Emily Elephant finished her slide run; while Peppa Pig, Danny Dog and Suzy Sheep are playing in the sandpit (not sandspit; that's different and it's not a sandbox because there is no barrier around the sand). Since Peppa is the star of this show we zoom in to Peppa, Suzy and Danny giggling and making sandcastles; mostly Suzy Sheep. Peppa calls the sandpit their desert island and they will live there forever. Not if the adults have anything to say about that. Suzy wants this island to be nice; so the kids in the sandpit make various sandcastles and roads. In comes George and Richard with their dinosaurs as George says his catchphrase. They growl their dinosaurs at the kids and they don't even bother to sell it. Peppa decides that dinosaurs are all right as Emily Elephant walks in asking what is going on. So Emily asks if there are any trees; and Peppa says: no. Emily claims that it would be nicer if the island had trees. Everyone's giddy; so George and Richard are told to look after the island while they look for trees. This is not a good idea. The older kids run stage left cosplaying driving race cars. Jump cut to Miss Rabbit on a swing as we have conveniently placed sticks on the ground. I discover from Danny Dog that this is Mummy Rabbit; no Miss Rabbit. This would have mattered more if we saw both of them were in the park in the first; but there was only one. So they ask about trees, Mummy Rabbit gives them three sticks which magically grow leaves on them when given to Danny Dog and the kids drive away stage right. George and Richard of course are growling with their dinosaurs and destroying the desert island. Geez; I wonder what will happen next here? Surprisely; the kids blame the dinosaurs instead of the kids welding the dinosaurs. Yes; even in the world of Peppa Pig, objects with no agency must learn personal responsibility. That is distressing.

Anyhow; the older kids now have to redo the island as Zoe Zebra and Candy Cat come in wondering what is going on. The desert island is rebuilt and they'll live forever...again. Candy Cat suggests a lake and Danny Dog digs a hole like a real dog. HA! So this leads to the older kids bailing and cosplaying flying airplanes. Jump cut to Pedro Pony is on the roundabout looking like he doesn't give a damn about anything. The sun animation in the background when the kids talk to Pedro is so basic that it had to be done on purpose. The older kids explain it all and they ask Pedro if he has any water; and Pedro proclaims that he doesn't know what they are talking about. The kids say that this is suppose to be pretend; so they need pretend water. The tiny flaw in this whole thing: If it's pretend water, why bother asking Pedro Pony? Just pretend you already have the water and put it in the pretend lake. Easy. So; yeah, Pedro decides to go to a pretend mountain to get pretend snow to get pretend water. Which is a signal for going up and down the slide. Pedro then pretends that the sun has melted the water, and this game is so confusing; that they all give up and realize: Just use the conveniently placed out of nowhere founation Daddy Pig was drinking water out of. So the kids go down the slide like Britian on International Day. Yes; that was an episode of Peppa Pig and consider this: That was before Brexit was a thing. So the kids asks if they can have water -- please -- and Daddy agrees to; and pours water into the bucket. The kids all run to the sandpit; which in a shock, has not been wrecked. I guess Zoe Zebra made sure of that since she was there first. So the water is poured into the lake and then in comes Mr. Fox and Freddy Fox in their green fox truck which their business has been around since 2010! Yeah; I am ranting these episodes out of order, but it's still cute. Freddy literally jumps out of the window through the truck and runs in to meet and greet. I should note that the gimmick of Mr. Fox is that he is a pawn shop owner and thus has everything. At least Mr. Fox has some talent; unlike Bonkers and his "House of Everything".

Out of nowhere; someone says that it needs a flag; I assume it was Zoe Zebra saying this; and Mr. Fox bails to the back of his truck and pulls out a giant storm flag; which Suzy claims that they only need pretend flags. So Mr. Fox brings out a white box with small flags sticking out of it. Peppa likes this as we jump cut to Peppa putting flags on the sandcastles and they shalt live forever on this desert island...until suppertime and then everyone will stop treating this as a work and go home. Peppa snorts and then everyone does the backsplash laugh to end the episode and the DVD set at 4:30 approx. Somehow; during this backsplash laugh; nothing got wrecked at all. This was a fun episode and nothing else; and sometimes that works out great. *** 3/4 (75%).

THE REVIEW LINE

Well; another twelve Peppasodes are in the can for this show and most were fun and all right. Lost Keys annoyed me mostly for the awful finish at the end when they had to dig up the Beauty Spot just to get some lost keys; instead of calling a tow truck like most people do. It was also the point where the flanderization of the characters was starting to take hold. There were moments in the holiday vacation special where the animators recycled entire sequences, although Daddy Pig falling into the swimming pool for the second time in two episodes was hilarious. The New House was great since the Wolf Family at least has a history in fairy tales; and Grampy Rabbit's Dinosaur Park was a fun ride and really gave Freddy Fox some time in the sun over his father. Overall; Peppa Pig is a fine cartoon so far after 48 episodes of fun and mud. However; there are still two DVD sets left to review. It features blackberry bushes, windy castles, perfume, the debut of the Queen and a really funny visual, pirate treasure, wishing wells, puppet shows, balloons, rainbows, tooth fairies, princesses, and much, much more as it ends with the fifteen minute special: The Golden Boots, featuring a rebellous Mrs. Duck, Peppa's boots and the moment when it was clear the creators had totally given up. So...

Thumbs up for Grampy Rabbit's Dinosaur Park, The New House; thumbs down for Lost Keys and thumbs in the middle for everything else and I'll see you all next time.

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