Episode Discussion: The Buck Swaps Here (05/18/2007)

[Ditchy McAbandonpants]

With Cheese A Go-Go practically upon us, now seems as good a time as any for a topic dedicated to the second episode of Season Five, due to air on May 18th (NOT the 11th, like I originally said). Credit to Ccook50 for finding this info...

From TV Guide (http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=194647&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=6638719): "Eduardo finds a $100 bill on the ground at a swap meet, which triggers greed at the Foster house."

Oh dear; sounds like Bloo might be getting his hands on some cash again. That's never good. :bloocross:

After the slightly controversial Cheese A Go-Go pitch, this episode sounds like a real return to basics; this premise seems to echo of a number of older episodes, notably "Cookie Dough" and "Room With A Feud". That's no bad thing, though; it can be extremely funny when the housemates start going for each other's throats, as those earlier episodes proved. As long as this one serves up a script good enough to keep the familiar concept fresh, we could have a real winner on our hands here...

[Ccook50]

As noted in the original post, The Buck Swaps Here airs May 18th. If you try to tune in at 8 PM Eastern/Pacific on the 11th, you'll be seeing Pokemon: Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew. (The listing of TBSH on that link is in error.)

May 11th's Foster's ep is a repeat of My So-Called Wife at 11 PM Eastern/Pacific.

[Ditchy McAbandonpants]

Darn it! :frankiemad: You did say that and all...that's what I get for not reading things closely. Thanks again, Ccook50, and sorry for relaying wrong info. That's the 18th, then, people.

PS - Ccook50, where'd you get the correct date?

[Ccook50]

Go to the listings at TV Guide, then click the dropdown bar for the date. It should now accomodate May 18th. Click May 18. After the page loads, use the dropdown bar for the time (8 PM, or the correct time in your zone). Click that time. After it loads, scrolldown to where Cartoon Network's listings are then hover your cursor over Foster's and it will give you the episode title and description.

[emperor26]

Interesting episode, based on the premise.

Can't wait to see it.

[Aly23]

Is this the airing date for America? If so, When would it be able for England or Europe? Or if one of you lovely souls would upload it to Youtube.

[Ccook50]

It's the air date for America. We post at YouTube at our peril--third parties representing Time-Warner will have it removed as soon as it goes up. To see when it will air in the U.K., check Cartoon Network's U.K. site.

[bloonuggets]

Okay, users of TV.com now have access to the episode title at that loving web site. *giggles because he is the editor of those pages*

In addition, the episode title is based on the saying made famous by Harry S Truman when he was President of the United States from 1945 through 1953, "The Buck Stops Here".

[antgirl1]

...The Foster's staff should totally use a Gollum priority with the whole "My precioussss" thing. XD

[Invader Bloo]

It sounds interesting.

[bloonuggets]

I just gave this episode a 9.8 out of 10 on TV.com. All in all, a great episode.

[CG]

I loved this episode, even if the only way I saw it was from Sparky videotaping the episode from the CN website. And despite the lags and the grainy imagery the comedy shined like nobody's business.

[Mr. Marshmallow]

In comparison to "Cheese a go-go", this definitely beats it out, while there still suffered a few minor flaws, this was a really enjoyable episode and an accurate one at that. This was a great way to get all of the characters in on the plot and of the episode, and made everyone involved with a different need for the 100.

I myself have been to swap meats before and just like at anime conventions, there really is an ass load of interesting and weird crap to buy. I can totally related with how everyone found something they liked there, even knowing half of this stuff is so amazing they know they'll never be able to afford it.

I loved the fact Eduardo actually asked Mac and Frankie, not being as dim as to do whatever Bloo said, not to mention the fact Mac and Frankie both went crazy which was a real riot :D. I especially loved the fact Mac referenced en episode with the "False movie" toy thing, I love it when shows do it, it's quite rare actually.

I liked the idea of having a "bad guy" around but thing with the arms confused me as I didn't know if he had really small arms and the "coat arms" were just for show so he could steal, or if he had a trained animal or imaginary friend inside helping him. That was just a really confusing part if you ask me.

I also felt weird considering Frankie's "item of choice". The thing looks and is named after a zamboni machine which just like the real machine, is big and large as hell. I like the fact they made Frankie actually acknolwedge how crappy her job has become with cleaning and want to make it easier.

But honestly, I think that thing would be a real pain in the ass to load onto the bus, get it home, and get it INSIDE Foster's, not to mention where she'd store the thing when she stopped using it. It's a minor thing but something that did make me wonder. I also felt Mac had good reason to want the toys.

Bloo screwed him out of everything and he had every right to get those toys, I especially liked how Mac is now standing up for himself and back talking Bloo like with the brain remark (the jar joke was great "No seriously, they REALLY have them in jars" "TEN BUCKS!" 8D.

The Benny Hill chase was all right and I loved Mario and Luigi's cameo. I guess my only beef comes with the "defeat" of the swapper burglar. I felt it was too comical and just too "yuck-yuck" for the show. Bloo getting busted was something I was glad to see, it's nice to see him taking SOME responsibility.

The best part though has to be the ending. Mac and everyone buying that doll house for Ed meant the world to him, and it was a touching scene to make him feel better after all the running around they did with him. And of course, the hilarious (and surprising) freaking little fort Knox Ed has in his safe.

I was REALLY taken back by that, the gang's shocked faces were priceless. Pardon the pun. In anycase aside from a lame villain toppling, this was a great episode and really used the characters well emotionally and physically. Everyone got involved and I was really satisfied with this episode's turn out.

[Cassini90125]

Excellent summary, dude. :D I have to agree with the part about the villain; I was sure there was an IF inside that coat, and half expected a referrence to Orlando Bloo. As for the Zamboni, true, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but neither does a coyote buying high-tech gear from Acme. I just call it cartoon weirdness and smile. And Bloo in the back of the police wagon was priceless. :)

Overall, I'll give it a 9/10. :)

[Mr. Marshmallow]

As for the Zamboni, true, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but neither does a coyote buying high-tech gear from Acme. I just call it cartoon weirdness and smile.

I normally feel the same way, except in Wile and RR's case, they are the only ones who exist in that cartoon series and thus the wackyness is more acceptable. The thing that made me feel weird was just the fact something that was meant for cleaning was so absurdly large.

it's like buying a go kart from a garage sale or something, sure it's fun to ride around in but good luck trying to take that thing home and/or find a place to store it in the meantime.

It's not a bad thing like I said and the episode was still great, it was just something that struck me as weird.

[Cassini90125]

The thing that made me feel weird was just the fact something that was meant for cleaning was so absurdly large.

It's not a bad thing like I said and the episode was still great, it was just something that struck me as weird.

Think of it as a symbolic referrence to the absurdly large amount of cleaning that Frankie does every day. On that level it makes a lot of sense.

[Nyo]

Mario and Luigi's cameo= absolute love :)

This was a great episode. Had me stitches. Did anyone see the Johnny Bravo wig? And Darbie's actually from Dexter's Lab!

[Crash-N-Cortex]

I like this episode! It totally makes up for the previous episode. I like how the gang is trying to get the 100 dollar bill from Eduardo. I also like the Mario and Luigi cameo in the episode. The one thing I didn't like is Bloo being arrested. Bloo hardly cares for his friends and he should be nicer to them, he should try yinging instead of yanging, because the last time Bloo really wants is to spend time in prison, a long time perhaps. Anyway, I give this episode an A.

[One Radical Dude]

Mario and Luigi's cameo= absolute love :)


No kidding. 8D I loved it.

[Ccook50]

It has sucked to be Wilt in the past two episodes.

[Shuvcat]

Poor Wilt!! :(

Ed's little "fort Knox" stash in his room was a lot more far-out than the Zamboni machine. And wasn't there an episode where it was established that CoCo could lay eggs full of *money*?? Why all the fuss over a little 100 bill?

Then again, there'd be no story otherwise, so.... :bloogrin:

[Ccook50]

And wasn't there an episode where it was established that CoCo could lay eggs full of *money*??

That would be My So-Called Wife.

[pitbulllady]

It has sucked to be Wilt in the past two episodes.


It sure has! I don't know if this is like, "OK, we let him shine and have his moment in Good Wilt Hunting, so let's torture him for awhile and relegate him to having very few speaking lines", or what, but just from the last two episodes, Wilt deserves a Hawaiian cruise or something. I sure hope things improve for him and Frankie both, since they both seem to be getting the short end of the stick.

pitbulllady

[Mr. Marshmallow]

It has sucked to be Wilt in the past two episodes.

I SOOOOOOOO knew this was going to come up sooner or later.

["C" the Dragon]

It has sucked to be Wilt in the past two episodes.

Tell me about it. When is Craig EVER gonna make an episode when Wilt had a good time or something?:P

[antgirl1]

You guys DO know that they are Craig's characters, and therefore he can do whatever he wants to do to them, right? I am sure that this "torture a character" theme will end...but probably not for Bloo. I personally wouldn't mind Bloo being tortured, because he most likely deserves it, as to, say, Wilt or someone else. It's almost like only the good characters take the fall, while the selfish-like characters are off the hook, or have no problems at all.

[CG]

Oh please, Wilt SO didn't have it bad in Cheese A Go-Go. Just what happened to him? Failed at being a defence attorney and ended up arrested for who knows what. I don't call that as much a bad day as Frankie, or Eduardo had.

Yes, in Buck Swaps Here he does end up worse for wear but seriously, despite that has Wilt ever gotten that out of shape (literally and figuratively) in the show before? I don't really recall it, off the top of my head.

Wilt hasn't really been tortured at all, I think, as much as you guys are saying he has. We can't all be cheery happy 100% of the time, so just because he's had a bland expression in Cheese A Go-Go, you all assume he's been tortured. I really don't see how that calculates at all.


...hoo. *puts cork back on bottle* Don't let that out again...

[Cassini90125]

Oh please, Wilt SO didn't have it bad in Cheese A Go-Go. Just what happened to him? Failed at being a defence attorney and ended up arrested for who knows what. I don't call that as much a bad day as Frankie, or Eduardo had.

Yes, in Buck Swaps Here he does end up worse for wear but seriously, despite that has Wilt ever gotten that out of shape (literally and figuratively) in the show before? I don't really recall it, off the top of my head.

Wilt hasn't really been tortured at all, I think, as much as you guys are saying he has. We can't all be cheery happy 100% of the time, so just because he's had a bland expression in Cheese A Go-Go, you all assume he's been tortured. I really don't see how that calculates at all.


...hoo. *puts cork back on bottle* Don't let that out again...

Summarizes my thoughts on the matter pretty well.

[Imaginary Light]

Ugh, I'm so mad because I still haven't seen this episode. I was out Friday, so I set my tape for 7, only to get My Gym Partner's A Monkey on tape:P And I've missed every other re-showing (if there's been any). I looked at the schedule for this week, and it looks like I'll have to wait until Thursday to see it. It sounds good from all the spoilers though.

[Crash-N-Cortex]

It would be great if somebody put this episode in YouTube. I've already seen this episode just to let you know.

[Ub3rD4n]

An okay episode. More of an ensemble than a true Eduardo-centric episode. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I absolutely LOVED the Madame Foster/Mr Herriman routine. Although Madame Foster's later reactions would seem to reinforce the spectulation that she's not all that nice of a character. I think now that she's a lot like Bloo: selfish quite often, but a REALLY brave and kind person when the situation warrants. Which would explain her comments to Bloo in the first episode.

I agree with the corniness ending letdown thingy, but what really got me was Wilt being all dehydrated. I can't even bear to look at him suffering like that. The whole time I was trying to laugh but kept thinking "Here Wilt! I got some water! Have some!". I know this makes me a total sap. And this isn't a complaint either. I'm fine with Wilt "torture", and it can be funny, like in Mac Daddy, when he was unable to help Cheese with his cereal. It just tore him up inside. But seeing Wilt so....wilted, just creeps me the (expletive deleted) out!

So, yeah. It was good. Quite good. Not as good as Cheese A Go-Go (prepares to be bricked) but still, what we expect of Fosters. And I'm sure more Wilt-friendly episodes are on the way. :D

[Chaos Wielder]

I have to agree with Ub3rD4n here for the most part. I thought it was ok as well (well...that might have been because I was FORCED to keep the sound down since people were asleep at that time and whatnot, so I didn't really get to enjoy it to its fullest). It was quite a hectic episode with everyone trying to get the 100 dollar bill from Eduardo and everything. Of course, that was one of the good things about it, after all. ;)

Hmm...personally the ending didn't really bother me all that much...except I had no idea as to WHY Wilt would even apologize! I mean, the poor guy didn't even really have a reason to do that, after all. I must admit that I felt a bit bad seeing him all dehydrated and everything, but that's probably just because he's my favorite character. :P Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it when bad things happen to the characters sometimes, but that seemed to be a bit much. :-/

But overall, I thought it was quite a decent episode. ;) Not too great, but definitely not bad, either. Oh, and the Mario and Luigi cameos had me giggling a bit. :P I definitely liked that part. ;)

[Ub3rD4n]

Wilt apologised because he WAS pressuring Eduardo, even if it WAS completely justified. He's just that kind of guy. I may be pointing out the obvious, but he's very apologetic. Which is one of the things I love about him.

[Chaos Wielder]

Yeah, that is true, he IS a chronic apologizer, as we all know! XP But I, too, love that quality-it makes him seem so caring and respectful. ;)

But still, to stay on topic, I thought it was a pretty fun episode. I wouldn't mind watching it again sometime if I had the chance, but right now I need to get off of here because I'm tired! Good...er...morning, everyone! :P

[Ditchy McAbandonpants]

FINALLY! After waiting a whole week, MySpleen finally got the episode online! :bloocross:

My belated verdict? Pretty good. Like "Cheese A Go-Go", it was pretty crazy, with a lot of a loud and hectic humour and most of the characters acting at the nuttier ends of their personality spectrums. For my money, this one trumped "Cheese" by virtue of having an actual plot and structure, even if that plot was fairly predictable; I mean, it was clear from the outset that once Ed got the money, everyone would find a reason to want it for themselves, go crazy over it and then eventually see the error of their ways and give it back to Ed, but it was still funny seeing it pan out. I wasn't so keen on the chase sequence/the pickpocket's comeuppance (a bit too broad and cliched to me), but it rallied well for a good ending after that with Bloo's arrest, the safe of riches and the excellent credits sequence with Ed's financial advice. 8D I also enjoyed the Mario and Luigi cameo, the "Store Wars" reference, and Frankie unleashing her inner Bloo (in her expression, animation and delivery) when she goes crazy over the Zambini GS12. My favourite bit, though, was Ed's reaction to Bloo's "deathbed" speech:

Bloo (feeble): "Life...slipping away...need...cobra...magic...agh! Goodbye...Ed..."
*dies*
Ed (nonchalant): "Oh. Bye-bye."

8D

Overall, a decent start to Season Five. Some of you have seen "Say It Isn't Sew" already; I hope it can continue to build on this good start.

[Chaos Wielder]

My favourite bit, though, was Ed's reaction to Bloo's "deathbed" speech:

Bloo (feeble): "Life...slipping away...need...cobra...magic...agh! Goodbye...Ed..."
*dies*
Ed (nonchalant): [I]"Oh. Bye-bye."

8D



Yes, that was great! 8D I really wonder what Bloo would want with that cobra, anyway? I guess he's just obsessed. ;) I almost forgot about this part, but I also liked the "Store Wars" reference ("Rip off artist!" XP I never get tired of hearing that!).

But yeah, the fate of ol' Mr. Pickpocket was a bit cliched and he really didn't seem to have much of a purpose in the episode other than to be an old shady guy (at least after the beginning, anyway. We all know what his purpose was there. ;)). Oh well, it's not really that big of a deal to me because I still enjoyed the episode. :) Although it wasn't really that surprising it was still filled with good humor.

[Ub3rD4n]

Hey, that mongoose/cobra statue was cool! I'd certainly like one if I had the space to put it.

[taranchula]

After getting my Internet back on track (I was having some connection problems all last week.) I finally got to see this episode.

Overall it was another great romp with pop culture references and previous episode call backs gallore.

Notes:

Yeah I agree with what some others have said, they totally could have ditched the character of "Picky McPocketstein" and the main story wouldn't have lost all that much IMHO.

Bloo has great taste in art, Cobras vs Moongoose statues rock.

I can totally see where Frankie is coming from in this episode, I too would like a Zamboni based cleaning device. (But then again being Canadian, I would like a Zamboni based anything....Or even just a Zamboni. )

Yay, another Benny Hill styled chase scene, and this time it was more of a full on paraody of BH, then the one the did in Season 1. (Bloo in the DEVO hat, had me in stitches)

Eduardo totally needs his own financial advice show on MSNBC, It could be called "Loco Money!" perhaps? 8D

That's it for now.

[jekylljuice]

This episode just aired on Cartoon Network in the UK (as the Season Five premier. I guess we're skipping over Cheese A Go-Go for the time being, which is fine by me).

I tell you, part of me strongly believes that the inclusion of the stuffed cobra/mongoose was intended as a tip of the hat to Ghost World, in which such an item (albiet with only one cobra) serves as a brief conversation piece for Enid and Rebecca at Seymour's garage sale. Here's a picture of the reptile and the mammal of the hour, at any rate:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4421/cobramongoosemx5.png

Possibly a coincidence, but I thought it was worth mentioning all the same. It would be very out of character for me to miss an opportunity to bring up Ghost World.

My thoughts on the episode itself? I agree that was generally good with some nice allusions to previous episodes (additionally, I noticed that at one point they re-used some of the music from "the Sweet Stench of Success", which provoked a deeply bittersweet tingle in me), though the climax was probably a bit too slapstick and pratfall-heavy for my tastes. My favourite moment was easily Coco's fascination with the drinking birdie. I have one of those things myself around here somewhere - never been able to get the obstinate little blighter to work quite as he's supposed to though.

[Sparky]

Oh my goodness, I haven't seen Ghost World in so long...good movie. I guess it could be a coincidence, or maybe that particular taxidermy arrangement is/was at one time more popular than we know. ;)

[pitbulllady]

Those Cobra/Mongoose taxidermy things used to be EVERYWHERE; you could buy 'em at places like Pier One Imports at any mall. Every bar had to have one. Fortunately, they seemed to have fallen out of vogue. They were bad examples of taxidermy, they were tacky, and a horrible waste of a perfectly good reptile and mammal that would have both been better off devouring rats in their native land.

pitbulllady

[WiltsAKGirl17]

It has sucked to be Wilt in the past two episodes.

While I won't lie to you guys by saying I saw "Cheese" ('cause I haven't...), it truly must have been awful to have been Wilt in TBSH. I was almost physically unable to watch it because I couldn't stand looking at him all shrivled up like a raisin. It hurt me inside... :'(

I don't know what happens to you when you get that severely dehydrated, but I imagine it's not a pleasant experience. The whole time I was yelling one of two things at the TV: "Am I the only person who can see that Wilt's dying?! For the love of humanity!" or "Wilt, would it kill you to say, 'I'm gonna take a break and get some water'?!"

<Sorry this is so late on the posting. I have some free time, even though I should be doing some homework... :-[ >

[koosie]

You know I forget Benny Hill had been massive overseas. The french are supposed to be crazy for him too. Everybody watched it when I was a kid but there was only 2 other channels at that point. How strange to see it in Fosters used to good effect.

I bet Wilt going all floppy wasn't too popular. Hehe. Can't believe he had to apologise with everybody else. I felt sorry for Mac again because I had all that stuff when I was a kid too - lots of little dolls really though I certainly never kept them in their box. Never could stand kids who did that but they all had the last laugh when ebay was invented.

Nice to see Americans having what we call flea markets or car boot sales. I sometimes sell plants at these things and its true you don't see the human at its most noble. In fact you get a sense of we're all human-rats scurrying amongst our own rubbish but it's all fun nonetheless.

Can't believe how much money Eduardo has...

[Chaos Wielder]

Can't believe how much money Eduardo has...



Yeah, he should be a banker! 8D

Well, like I said earlier, I also felt sorry for Wilt in this episode....especially when he was all shrivelled up toward the end of it. It made me feel so awful for him that I just wanted to run to a lemonade stand and get him something to drink! At least he was ok at the end of it, though.

I recently watched this episode again on TV and almost forgot about the Mario Bros. reference. That was great! :bloogrin:

[pitbulllady]

You know I forget Benny Hill had been massive overseas. The french are supposed to be crazy for him too. Everybody watched it when I was a kid but there was only 2 other channels at that point. How strange to see it in Fosters used to good effect.

I bet Wilt going all floppy wasn't too popular. Hehe. Can't believe he had to apologise with everybody else. I felt sorry for Mac again because I had all that stuff when I was a kid too - lots of little dolls really though I certainly never kept them in their box. Never could stand kids who did that but they all had the last laugh when ebay was invented.

Nice to see Americans having what we call flea markets or car boot sales. I sometimes sell plants at these things and its true you don't see the human at its most noble. In fact you get a sense of we're all human-rats scurrying amongst our own rubbish but it's all fun nonetheless.

Can't believe how much money Eduardo has...

Actually, here in the Southeastern US, we call 'em "flea markets", too, and some are very popular and have gotten really large over the years. To me, a "swap meet" is a get-together where people who share like interests in a particular thing meet up to swap stuff, like when us Studebaker enthusiasts gather to swap and sell car parts and/or actual vehicles or like when us arachnophiles get together to swap and sell spiders and scorpions. I guess different parts of the country have different names for what I've always called a flea market, though.

pitbulllady

[Sparky]

Us California rednecks call 'em flea markets too, lol. ;)

[Ub3rD4n]

See, I thought that "flea market" was a wholly American term. You don't often hear it down here.