My Life as a Teenage Robot -- Episodes 107-108

First Aired: 22 August 2003

"Ear No Evil" (Episode 107)

Directed by: Tim Walker, Rob Renzetti

Plotline

The Krust cousins and their clique were showing off their earrings. Jenny overheard this conversation and said she might look good in earrings...if she had ears. Jenny asked her mom to build ears for her. Mrs. Wakeman refused so Jenny decided to build the ears herself. Instead she ran into Sheldon and he built them for her.

The next day at school, everyone marveled at her new ears. Meanwhile, on the well-to-do side of downtown, the evil Lancer snatched all the people's fancy possessions, like expensive, shiny jewelry. At school during lunch, classmates continued compliment Jenny about her new look. Even the Krust clique show their amazement for the ears (though they really thought the ears looked dorky). When Mrs. Wakeman called Jenny to fight the Lancer, she tried to hide her amusement over Jenny's new appearance.

It was possible that these ears could affect Jenny's performance, especially in flying. Though some dug Jenny's new look, like her mother, others found humor in her appearance. While Jenny and the Lancer were fighting, one ear was destroyed and the other was used as a weapon. In the end, everybody got their jewelry back. It was then revealed that the Lancer was nothing more than tiny critter with big ears with which everyone made fun.

After the battle, Jenny returned the ears to Sheldon and told him how great they were. Sheldon told Jenny that with or without the ears, she looked beautiful either way, preferably without the ears. Before Jenny came home that day, Brad, Tuck, and Mrs. Wakeman agreed not to upset her with the ear subject. When Jenny came home, she was wearing a nose with a ring that Sheldon installed so his feelings could be compensated because Jenny's ears were destroyed.

Trivia

• This episode was the first in what I would like to call "The Proverb Saga." These three episodes occurred throughout the early to mid course of season 1.
• These episodes include "Ear No Evil," (as in "hear no evil") "Speak No Evil," and "See No Evil."
• The title cards in each episode alluded to the Japanese symbol of "the three wise monkeys" that represent the proverbial principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."


• Sheldon, when presenting Jenny's choices of ears said the Van Gogh was half price, "because there's just one." This is because famous painter Vincent van Gogh had only one ear because he cut off his other ear.


• When the Lancer saw Jenny with her big ears, he said "I've seen a peanut stand. I've heard a rubber band. I've even seen an needle wink its eye." This quote was said by the character Jim Crow in the Disney movie "Dumbo" (1941).


• After everyone got their fancy and expensive jewelry and trinkets back after the Lancer took them, it was revealed that the Lancer was this teeny tiny creature with big ears that folded out. Everyone laughed when they saw that. That was another "Dumbo" reference.


• The Lancer said, "Being the Lancer means never having to say you're sorry." The actual quote, "Love means never having to say you're sorry," came from Erich Segal's novel later turned 1970 film, Love Story.

Goofs

• If that was the well-to-do (the rich, expensive) side of town, why was there a panhandler with a guitar and an open case looking for money? Are these types allowed there? Does he just want the rich's money?


• In the scene when Sheldon was building and installing Jenny's ears, I understand him using a tape measure to measure her head but why did it show him drawing what looked like a big circle on the side of Jenny's head. Primitive design? Also, this may not be a goof but was Sheldon going "old school" when doing his calculations? He was using an abacus and an old fashioned-adding machine, the one you pull a lever to find your answer.


• Those elementary-aged kids attempting to start a fire to a leaf using a magnifying glass--were they supposed to be in school or were they just playing hooky?


• In the scene when Jenny entered the classroom after getting her ears, before she sat down and Brad commented, Sheldon was seen on Jenny's left side (viewer's right side), admiring his work. When Mr. Smellhaus announced the beginning of class, saw Jenny's new ears, and laughed, Sheldon (and his desk/seat) were nowhere to be found. It was only something that resembled a small bookshelf toward the wall that you see.


• One of the things the Lancer stole was a tooth from a baby. Is this because a baby tooth for the tooth fairy pays money?


• If Jenny came home after Sheldon installed her ears, she probably didn't talk to her mom that night. If she had found out that Sheldon put holes in her daughter's head, that could have damaged something he might not have known about. Instead of being furious, Mrs. Wakeman laughed when she found out during Jenny's lunch break the next day.


• When Jenny pulled off her ears during battle, notice how they pulled right off, not causing any damage marks to the metal of her head.


• If one ear was destroyed in battle, burned by the Lancer's laser, shouldn't it look burned and ashy and not in good condition? How was the ear found after the battle, especially if it had been singed?

Quotes

Jenny: "Gee, if I had ears, I'd bet I'd like wearing earrings."

Brit: "But you don't, so go away!"

Jenny: "Ok, we'll chat later, gal-pals. Knowledge beacons!"

Brit and Tiff groan.

Sheldon: "Hey Jenneeee (laughs embarrassingly 'hee hel hee hel hulhm')."

Jenny: "Oh, hi Sheldon. I didn't see you. Guess I'm too preoccupied trying to figure out how to build...(boing)...Sheldon, you build all sorts of gadgets and stuff, right? A smart guy like you; so good with his hands. Building a set of robot ears would be a cinch for you."

Sheldon: Robot ears? Sure! I've got everything right here in my garage...uh, uh...workshop.

Jenny: Oh, Sheldon, let's go!

Lancer: (descending, as this is his first scene) "Hear ye! Hear ye! From this day forward, all thine earthly treasures shall be given as tribute; and to me, the great and powerful LANCER!"

Snooty Guy: "Yeah. And what if we don't wanna."

Lancer: "Then ye shall feel the wrath of my mighty lance!"

Lancer sucks up all the people's nice treasures.

Sheldon (confronting Brit and Tiff to argue about Jenny's appearance after installing the ears after dropping his lunch tray): "What! You're just jealous. You can't stand that she's a hero and beautiful. I thought she looked great even before the ears, but she wanted a little extra, I guess. After all, who could deny the majestic elephant, its enticing tusks? Or the gambling ivex, its graceful horns."

TLDR

Sheldon built Jenny a pair of ears so she could wear earrings like the other girls.

"Unlicensed Flying Object" (Episode 108)

Directed By: Rob Renzetti

Plotline

While Tuck was zooming about on this bike, Brad was stewing over the fact that he couldn't zoom off in his dad's new turbo wagon, despite having his learner's permit. Jenny came over and brought the boys jetpacks. Brad couldn't have been more excited. Mrs. Wakeman called to inform Jenny about a UFO sighting. After seeing her jetpacks in the hands of Brad and Tuck and getting angry, Jenny ended the call transmission. Once Jenny flew off to find the UFO, Brad and Tuck followed her.

The trio found the UFO. Despite Jenny's orders, Brad found the key to the UFO, entered, and made his way to the helm. Tuck reluctantly followed. Brad soon made the ship go up then Jenny ordered him to bring it down. The ship went faster and faster unitl Brad pulled the control throttle to stop it. He then figured out how to make it go forward.

Jenny ordered Brad to slow down the ship. Though Brad stopped the ship in mid-sky, he continued to fly the ship at full speed. He was then chased by Skyway Patrol. Brad tried to open the hailing frequencies, only to make the ship seem hostile to Skyway Patrol's persuit. After redirecting Skyway Patrol from chasing the UFO, Tuck let Jenny into the ship. She went face-to-face with the stubborn Brad and told him to stop the ship. While they argued, Tuck attempted to be the hero by stopping the ship himself.

Meanwhile, the alien couple on holiday found their ship missing. Alien Karl, the husband, "beeped" the ship back to where he parked it. It was then he entered his ship to give the "thieves" a piece of his mind. He would have swatted Jenny, Brad, and Tuck to death but his wife objected, much to his dismay.

Mrs. Wakeman found the three and scolded Jenny for everything that happened that day. Though disappointed he couldn't keep his jetpack, Brad took responsibility for all the trouble. Tuck volunteered to hand over his jetpack only to get zoomed again. Jenny chased after Tuck and the jetpack. Mrs. Wakeman wanted to follow after Jenny, but not with Brad driving.

Trivia

• UFO, in real life, stands for "Unidentified Flying Object."


• This is the second and last episode where Jonny Zoom was mentioned. The first was in "Pest Control."


• Skyway Patrol was first mentioned in "Doom with a View." In this episode, we actually see what Skyway Patrol officers look like.


• Multiple "Star Trek" references:
• Mrs. Wakeman told Jenny about the UFO sighting in "Sector 38G." Sector 38G is a region of Star Fleet Federation space.
• When Skyway Patrol was chasing the UFO hijacked by Brad, Brad said he'll just open the hailing frequencies.
• Alien Karl said that the bellboy stole his tricorder.
• Alien Lucille (the alien wife-as named in the ending credits) said she wanted to be in Romulet by a time. This may also be a nod to the Star Trek planet Romulus.


• After Brad told Tuck he could wait outside the ship, Tuck made a "Wizard of Oz" reference ("Lions and tigers and bear...OH MY!").


• Shortly after Brad said he could just open the hailing frequencies, there was a famous zooming sound effect originated from the 1960's cartoon "The Jetsons" (ABC, 1962-1963).


• Did Mrs. Wakeman get a new car since "Class Action"? It's like this other car is a woody wagon.


• Tuck said something about a "Bear in the air." This "Bear in the air at 6:00" he mentioned was CB (Citizen Band) radio slang for police helicopter. In this case, it was Skyway Patrol who was not right above them but right behind them (hence "at 6:00").


• In this episode, Brad called "Mrs. Wakeman" "Dr. Wakeman." This was the first time in the series he did that.

Goofs

• Depending where he lives, why couldn't Brad's dad let him drive? In most places, he could drive as long as his dad was in the car with him. I guess he's just not allowed to drive at all because he's prone to drive so recklessly.


• Observe that in the beginning of the episode, Tuck was riding his bike wearing goggles on his head. After he zoomed off on the jetpack, they disappeared. Did he just throw them off at some point?


• Do those aliens listen to CD's? There was a CD player on that UFO.


• When Tuck was taking cover in the UFO while Skyway Patrol was firing, did the aliens just happen to have a football helmet that fit Tuck's head, pillows, and a teddy bear on their ship?
• For that matter, how did Jenny know Tuck was alive on the ship when she was banging on the exterior for him to open it? An unseen window?


• UFO quickly zoomed a movie theater and barely made it. Shouldn't they have already crashed the UFO before it was chirped back? The UFO must have been going much slower than it seemed.


• Jetpack placement: Where did Tuck's jetpack go? Brad just left his outside the UFO. Brad's jetpack magically appeared toward the end. Where was Tuck's jetpack the whole time?

Quotes

Tuck (on his bike): "It's Johnny Zoom gaining fast, heading into the homestretch. Johnny Zoom moves into first place. But wait, there's a wet blanket on the track! Johnny Zoom avoids disaster (makes "vrooming" noises) The final lap, it's down to the wire, it's...(Jenny shows up)."

Jenny: "Pack up your toy bikes and skateboards, boys. We have...Jetpacks!"

Brad: "No...way...JETPACKS! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! JENNY, YOU'RE THE COOLEST ROBOT GIRL I'VE EVER KNOWN, not that i've ever known another robot girl, but STILL, YOU'RE THE COOLEST!"

Jenny: Uh, thanks. So you guys wanna to try them out?

Tuck: (After finding out Brad is now at the helm of the ship) (Gasp!) Brad, what are you doing? You're gonna to blows us up, or vaporize us, or get us grounded! (Ship starts then rises) ...or get us ungrounded.

Jenny sees the ship taking off from outside the ship.

Tuck: "Get us down! Get us down! Get us down!"

Brad: "I'm trying! I'm trying! I'm trying!"

Ship suddenly stops

Brad: "Did that stop it?"

Tuck: "Nooo, that did."

Jenny: (with her foot on the brim of the ship, suspending the ship in the sky) "I thought I told you to stay put."

Brad: "Well, we tried but then you..."

Jenny: "Put the ship down."

Brad: "That's what I..."

Jenny: "Down!"

Brad: "But..."

Jenny: "Now!"

Brad: "Ooooo-kay."

Brad pulls a lever that causes Jenny to go into a spin and sends the ship to go upwards faster.

Brad: "Well, I think we both learned something here today. You learned to never interfere with the driver at the wheel and I learned to forgive. Tell you what, let me keep the jetpack and we'll call it even."

Jenny: "How about this, hand over that jetpack, and I won't kick your butt."

TLDR

Upset that his dad wouldn't let him drive despite holding a learner's permit, Brad took an alien spaceship for a joyride.

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