Friday, September 3, 2021

Wish You Were Ed / Momma's Little Ed - (Ed Edd n Eddy Season 3 Episode 1) - 'Toon Reviews 47

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If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you may notice that it takes a long time to return to certain shows long after a look at one of their seasons is complete.  This is mainly due to other shows being on my mind along with managing more of my priorities in life.  However, believe me when I say that there are many shows that I miss talking about almost as much as you miss reading about.  With all that said, I’m pleased to start a new review set on the high point of a favorite classic animated series from Cartoon Network:

Ed Edd n Eddy (Season 3)


Basic Premise

Whenever a show I watch constantly draws me back, that’s how I know it’s something special.  When it comes to old school shows from the famed Cartoon Network, this is definitely true of Ed Edd n Eddy.  This is a show that packs a lot of appeal through its unique visual aesthetic, off-the-wall comedy, energetic music, and some of animation’s broadest personalities.  In other words, it’s the kind of show that’s something all its own and excels at exploring the endless possibilities for entertainment in the animation medium.  Now, it’s back on this blog for an all new set of reviews, but not just for any season, but the season where it hits its peak.

What you are about to witness are looks into the third season of the show, featuring one exciting cartoon after another.  There will be explores of various activities, memorable moments from all the characters, noteworthy animated highlights, and more in just about every cartoon.  As you can probably guess, works of this season are among the first that come to mind when I think of how great this show truly is.  I might even say that this season might be one of the closest to a truly perfect season.  Of course, nothing is ever truly perfect, but with how great the content we’re about to look into is, there will be no better way to describe this season. 

One more thing: like with the previous review set, the rankings that appear at the end of every review will be covering every episode of the series instead of just this one season.  This means you'll be seeing how the Season 3 cartoons rank in comparison to those from the first two seasons.  To make it easier, the titles will be color-coded in accordance to their season, with Season 1 titles being green, Season 2 titles being red, and Season 3 titles being yellow.

With all of this said, that’s enough hype to the season.  Let’s head on down to the Peach Creek cul-de-sac to see exactly what the Eds and the gang have in store for Season 3.  Be sure to keep 25 cents handy.

Now on with the reviews:

Wish You Were Ed

Audiences may come in for the escapades of the Eds, but the fact is, the other kids of the cul-de-sac have interesting stories to tell too.  So, to kick off Season 3, this cartoon builds its story around one of the more endearing sides of one of those kids.  

Among the most creatively written figures in the cast, Rolf has already made a huge name for himself as a character.  He’s the eccentric foreigner with a vast, almost convoluted, past and several customs that go all out with how unusual they are.  While the odd nature of his customs are usually used for gags or creative responses, here we see a more emotional side of Rolf’s status as a foreigner.  He finds it hard to relate to the other kids’ adjustments to modern suburban living, and is constantly reminded of how different and more comfortable his old home was.  That’s something anyone in his position can feel at some point, as I could imagine.  

When the Eds hear of Rolf’s frustrations and homesickness, they’re struck with opportunity on different fronts.  Double D is sympathetic of Rolf, Eddy gets a great idea for a scam, and Ed is just around for the fun.  It’s all a strong example of how all three Eds can be seen as three parts of one whole.  By getting Rolf to smell Ed’s revolting shoe with the promise that it’s a magic wish-granting shoe, the centerpiece of the cartoon appears.  After passing out from the stench, Rolf wakes up in what appears to be his home country, even though one can tell everything is fabricated.  

To keep up the charade so Rolf doesn’t find out the truth, the Eds have to stick around in disguise and operate the fake town’s facilities.  They have the research of Rolf’s old home from Double D to work off of, and taking a part in these odd customs make for some memorable comedic moments.  Eddy runs market stands in hopes of getting more cash only for Rolf to pay with things other than actual money; Double D goes along with the traditional custom of trading on bartering poles dressed as Eddy’s wife despite not enjoying it; and Ed as the village idiot enjoys the company of the chickens Rolf uses as payment.  

After Ed falls in Rolf’s pit comes the most memorable highlight of this scam as Rolf calls for a celebration.  Bringing together this show’s comedic style, wild creativity, and even unique music, the group performs the barbaric dance, “That’s My Horse.”  It’s all about the performers beating each other up as they keep saying, “that’s my horse” all timed to a catchy cultural piece of music.  I always say animation and music go great together, and for that, everything stands out to make this moment such a fun highlight.  

As for the scam, the moment familiar suburb kid, Jonny, wanders into the town, there’s a scramble to keep Rolf from seeing him.  However, it ends up bringing the fake buildings down, exposing the fraud.  While Rolf discovers he was tricked, the retaliation he gives the Eds is also quite fun.  At first you think he’ll just beat them, but then he picks up the jug and performs “That’s My Horse” again.  This has Ed do the beating for him, but the cartoon at least goes out with great music and comedy.  That overall leaves a fun impression on this cartoon centered on a relatable premise and attempts at understanding such an unusual culture.

A+

Momma’s Little Ed

Most of the cast has very unusual ways of living their lives, no doubt including the Eds.  One of the most unusual customs comes from Double D who, since the early days, has been shown to communicate with his parents through sticky notes.  Many may question why this is so, but it’s certainly a clever way of incorporating the unique series choice of never showing adults.  I find it an enjoyably creative setup, personally.  Much of the notes have been shown to assign Double D chores which he seems almost ready and eager to oblige to.  In fact, the start of this cartoon has him engrossed in so many of the chores that it becomes suffocating for his friends, through really just Eddy.  

Frustrated that Double D’s fixation with chores is getting in the way of valuable scam time, Eddy decides to take advantage by tricking him into doing more ridiculous tasks.  Having Ed forge many fake chores in a handwriting that perfectly mirrors that of Double D’s parents, Eddy’s trick proves effective throughout the rest of the cartoon.  The first fake chore is pretty childish and unremarkable with Double D being told to put lint into his belly button, but the comedic outcomes only pick up from here.  One has him put his dad’s nice suit on Rolf’s pig Wilfred which Rolf sees as a monkey suit, prompting him to strike Double D with his hat of discipline, rendering Double D flat.  Another fake chore goes past a lot of standards by leading Double D to borrow sugar from the local creeps, the Kanker sisters.  This would usually really hinder the entertainment given their nature, and being subjected to their many unwarranted kisses isn't pleasing.  However, what makes the scene work is what happens after Double D faces them.  Ed and Eddy are discovered, and Ed manages to beat them back by placing the measuring cup over their heads.  In other words, this is a rare time the Eds actually overpower the Kankers, and since these girls are actually unapologetically bad characters, it really feels rewarding.  

As for Double D, his endurance of the fake chores stops quick enough to not spoil the fun.  Because of how strange the chores he’s gotten are, he quickly jumps to the conclusion that these notes are a sign of the apocalypse.  Therefore, he decides to move in with one of his friends, with Eddy being the much preferred option.  Him making himself at home by aggressively cleaning and showing little regard for Eddy’s space makes him feel like a standard annoying house guest.  However, given that Eddy caused all of this, it feels more like an act of karma towards him as opposed to total inconsideration.  In any case, Eddy snaps at Double D to leave, unsurprisingly.  

It’s after this though when Eddy starts showcasing a rarely seen instance of heart.  Shortly after Double D leaves and Ed starts lamenting, the emotional effects of his prank start getting to Eddy. He, himself, realizes he went too far and now his actions are having heavy effects.  He’s ultimately moved to rush after Double D to let him stay with him after all.  He also tries to come clean, but it’s too late for that as Double D is now a firm believer of the lie.  However, you could argue that he does know the truth and is happily using Eddy as a servant as retaliation.  

Since this is fitting karma for Eddy’s prank, this ending is ultimately acceptable, though for Eddy’s sake, I’d like to hope the truth does get known eventually.  Still, this is an enjoyable cartoon centering on an unusual custom aided by good humor and even heart.

A

Series Ranking

1.      One + One = Ed

2.     A Glass of Warm Ed

3.      Rent-A-Ed

4.      Fa La La La Ed

5.      Urban Ed

6.      Laugh Ed Laugh

7.      Dawn of the Eds

8.      Wish You Were Ed

9.      Mirror, Mirror On the Ed

10.  Ed-N-Seek

11.  Keeping Up With the Eds

12.  Who Let the Ed In

13.  Avast Ye Eds

14.  Flea Bitten Ed

15.  Fool on the Ed

16.  Ready Set Ed

17.  The Ed-Touchables

18.  Who What Where Ed

19.  Dear Ed

20.  Momma’s Little Ed

21.  Hot Buttered Ed

22.  Stop Look and Ed

23.  Shoo Ed

24.  Ed in a Halfshell

25.  Scrambled Ed

26.  Vert Ed Go

27.  Oath to an Ed

28.  Button Yer Ed

29.  Read All About Ed

30.  Rambling Ed

31.  Home Cooked Ed

32.  Honor Thy Ed

33.  Floss Your Ed

34.  Quick Shot Ed

35.  Look Into My Eds

36.  Knock, Knock Who’s Ed

37.  A Boy and His Ed

38.  Eds-Aggerate

39.  High Heeled Ed

40.  Know-it-All Ed

41.  Cry Ed

42.  Eeny Meeny Miney Ed

43.  A Pinch to Grow an Ed

44.  Pop Goes the Ed

45.  Hands Across Ed

46.  An Ed Too Many

47.  Sir Ed-a-Lot

48.  Over Your Ed

49.  A Key to My Ed

50.  It’s Way Ed

51.  In Like Ed

52.  To Sir With Ed

53.  Nagged to Ed

54.  Tag Yer Ed

Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where the Eds show the different ways they operate in life while telling Jonny a bedtime story, and wind up with Sarah's diary.

If you would like to check out other Ed Edd n Eddy reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

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