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Blue Collar Scrooge
Considering the usual format of these types of episodes, this one can best be described as refreshing. Not only does it feature the character most tied to the series, Scrooge McDuck, in the lead, but it’s one that suits him very well. At the same time, it also makes for a very interesting conflict that those in the working class can really relate to.
The story takes some of Scrooge's most prominent traits of greed and cheapness, and crafts something that feels right for the character on top of being interesting to dissect. After a general display of him being cheap, it finds a center in one of his many businesses made notable for this episode, a skateboard factory. Now, the work environment doesn’t seem too bad, but there are points of concern, such as everyone making sure they’re rushing to get work done the minute he appears. However, their biggest concern is Scrooge potentially selling off the factory to a man named Mr. Trumpcard. Given this character’s familiar resemblance, it’s understandable why the factory would be concerned and dread him running this business the same way they’d dread him being president. This is meant to depict Scrooge’s greed being so out of line that he’s set up to go through something to show him sense.
Sure enough, he gets that when a skateboard hits his head, and this blow is enough to make him forget who he is, subjecting him to amnesia. From here, Scrooge is given a mandated identity crisis that comes from amnesia. Not only does he have no regard for money or how expensive things like food are in town, but is sincerely sad that he has no idea who he is. He noticeably doesn’t even have his Scottish accent, with his voice sounding more like the natural voice of his original actor, Alan Young. Basically, there are several creative factors to make this identity crisis stand out emotionally.
Soon, things start coming together for Scrooge as he's offered a place to stay by Mrs. Crackshell and later gets an idea that he’s meant to work at the skateboard factory. During his time there, there are notable ways the episode ties into real-world working-class issues with things like very short lunch breaks and no real benefits other than just working. As he gets an idea of the working class, Scrooge goes on to inspire a revolution by convincing the workers to go on strike. At first, it’s because of the conditions he experienced, but he’s particularly pushed to his limit upon hearing about the factory being sold to Mr. Trumpcard. All the while, it’s amusing to see Scrooge act like this, working at a company he actually runs.
Things get even more out of hand when Fenton Crackshell gets really involved in the matter. With Scrooge missing, it’s decided that he should be portrayed by Fenton to manage the passing of the skateboard factory. After coaching him My Fair Lady style, Fenton is convincing enough as Scrooge, accent and all, and to add to that, he gets very into character with his most negative traits too. It can be argued that Fenton gets a little too in character, almost as if he forgets he’s meant to pretend to be Scrooge. Everything comes to a head at the time the skateboard factory is to be sold to Mr. Trumpcard. There’s a clash of mistaken identity with Scrooge, without his memories, leading a revolt against Fenton who’s thinking too much like Scrooge, all to amusing effect. Two characters who clearly don’t feel like themselves are going at each other; it’s the basic definition of a comedy of errors.
It even comes to a notable climax when the police try to subdue Scrooge by arresting him, and the energy of the situation picks up as he runs through the factory trying to get away. This results in another bump on the head which, as is the case with these sorts of storylines, is enough for Scrooge to regain his memory. However, the climax doesn’t stop there as Scrooge and Fenton get into a heated argument about who’s the real Scrooge. As fun as the way these two play off each other is, it’s at this point where Fenton is a bit much, and it’s easy to wish he’d drop the act now that Scrooge is back. Thankfully, everyone comes to their senses when Mrs. Crackshell uncovers that she was harboring Scrooge this entire time. What’s more, Scrooge himself is shown to have grown from the experience by cancelling the sale of the factory, and opting to give the workers better treatment.
There has been a notable lack of the series’ more engaging setups at this point, but this episode is ultimately a breath of fresh air. By taking a familiar amnesia story and working in universal societal themes with solid character moments and high energy, it reminds audiences of what makes this show the joy it is.
A
The Ranking
1. Blue Collar Scrooge
2. My Mother the Psychic
3. Allowance Day
4.
The Big Flub
5. The Land of Trala La
6. The Good Muddahs
7. Dough Ray Me
8. A Case of Mistaken Identity
9. Bubba’s Big Brainstorm
10. Metal Attraction
11. Bubbeo and Juliet
The next review covers a creative look at a reboot episode featuring golf, talking ponies, and petrifying mist.
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