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Before we begin, I think I have some explaining to do because it's kind of crazy how long it's been since my last post. I started this blog with eagerness to share my thoughts on animated shows with anyone anywhere who also enjoys them. In all honesty, this is still the case now, but life has other commitments such as day jobs to help keep bread on the table, and attempts to win jobs I dream of having. You can see what I mean by the latter here, highlighting what I've spent most of last year working on. As a result, certain pastimes have been pushed aside, including these reviews. In addition though, I just don't feel as motivated to talk about animated series whether it's my overall life still having a lot going on, or the current state of the animation medium this decade, or even a bit of writer's block. Nevertheless, I look back at my past reviews with fondness and I do enjoy what I have come up with, so returning to it was always on my mind. Well now, I'm ready to try my hand at reviewing more frequently, with my current goal finishing my current set of reviews for DuckTales and Ed Edd n Eddy. I'm even interested in covering other seasons of other shows like the last season of Hilda. I can't say I'll be reviewing as frequently as I have before, and it could still be inconsistent, but I can try to make more of an attempt to not give up on the blog.
I think that's all there is to say about this, so on with today's review:
The Big Flub
This Fenton Crackshell-focused episode highlights both the likable and frustratingly boneheaded sides of the character. At the same time, it does make a somewhat entertaining point about staying sharp in business.
When a new position opens to be Scrooge’s vice president, Fenton is instantly in it to win it, though clearly to an aggressive extent. He’s constantly showing up when Scrooge least expects it simply asking or even begging for the position which only leaves Scrooge annoyed. This method only lasts for a short time though as Fenton soon learns from Huey, Dewey, and Louie that to get something from Scrooge, he has to cleverly sell himself. Their example is how they convinced him to buy them a three person bike so it would be cheaper than paying for gas for years.
With that, Fenton gets into the selling game himself by putting together a TV commercial. It has several key factors for successful commercials; the atmosphere is appealing, it has a fitting personality to advertise it with Gandra Dee, and even a name, Pep. However, there’s a major deal breaker to Fenton’s strategy that honestly shouldn’t have been too hard to miss; he doesn’t have an actual product to sell. For all his efforts on the commercials and their effectiveness in getting people excited for Pep, not saying exactly what it is does not do Fenton any favors. Interestingly, Scrooge sees Fenton’s strategy as smart because of the excitement it’s built up for Pep; they just need to find an invention to give the name to. In that regard, there’s actually a good lesson about business from this that the audience watching can take from this episode.
As for what Pep ends up being, the problem is solved fairly quickly via an assortment of inventions from Gyro Gearloose. Fenton and Scrooge ultimately settle on gum that make people float when they blow a bubble. Such a novelty is a hit with the public with many indicators of Pep’s huge impact with the product quickly selling out, the gum being a part everyday life, and Fenton getting higher status. Yet in all this success, it’s easy to predict a catch mainly because of Fenton showcasing the gum without paying attention to Gyro’s warning about it not being tested. One doesn’t have to think too hard to see how this is just asking for trouble, and sure enough, this turns out to be the case.
The gum has side effects of making anyone who chewed it float uncontrollably and involuntary. The product that started out as a grand innovation is now a total nuisance, and Fenton’s new status takes the biggest hit. Now everyone who was amazed by his product detests him and everything related to it. Even Gandra has to conceal her identity for being the face of Pep in the commercials and also wants nothing to do with Fenton.
At least Fenton’s mother and Scrooge see his goodness and well intentions and are active in helping Fenton fix everything. When Fenton is stuck floating, they use Pep, a trash compactor, and a tire pump to get Mrs. Crackshell’s trailer airborne to get Fenton his Gizmoduck suit. It’s a resolution that’s as creative as it is heartfelt especially compared to everyone else regarding Fenton. As Gizmoduck, he saves the floating people and attaches them to heavy weights to keep them on the ground, though it’s not clear how they don’t end up floating away again. Moral-wise, it’s at least good that the ending implies that all will be forgiven with Fenton after he sends out enough refunds and apologies.
Overall, this is a solid episode held back by notable boneheaded story and character moments, but still comes out with an amusing take on business ethics.
B+
The Ranking
1. My Mother the Psychic
2. Allowance Day
3.
The Big Flub
4. The Land of Trala La
5. The Good Muddahs
6. Dough Ray Me
7. Bubba’s Big Brainstorm
8. Metal Attraction
9. Bubbeo and Juliet
The next episode follows everyone trying to guess the identity of Gizmoduck.
Next time is a reboot episode, "Terror of the Terra-Firmians."
f you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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