Synopsis: The Fraggles discover a radio and imagine the commercials are messages from god.

Authentic air date: April 9, 1984

That is the episode of Fraggle Rock the place the Fraggles begin a cult.

This may be the strangest, but most true-to-life episode of Fraggle Rock. And never unusual in a “Secret Society of Poobahs” type of approach, which leans closely into the “how bizarre can we get?” class. (Extra on that once we get to that evaluation in 2025.) However unusual in a “Fraggles hearken to the radio after which instantly transfer to uproot their lives for no motive” type of approach. Plus, this episode has that killer title, which actually cements how bizarre it may be.

The episode begins as Doc brings residence a brand new radio, which he claims can obtain broadcasts from world wide (not how radio waves work, however okay Doc). It doesn’t work as a result of it’s solely choosing up alerts from the native radio stations (which is how radio waves work), and as Doc leaves the workshop in a huff, Sprocket stows the radio away contained in the Fraggle gap. Gobo finds it and brings the unusual field again residence.

All through the episode, we hear three commercials come over the radio. “Manny’s Land of Carpets,” which ensures happiness; “Bubba’s Burger Barn,” which guarantees all-you-can-eat meals; and “Sally Spotless Cleaners,” with laundry match for a king. The Fraggles unquestionably assume that the voices are from a wish-granting creature (alluded to by Touring Matt’s postcard, during which he meets a mall Santa), and instantly break into sects and shouting matches.

The velocity at which the Fraggles throw warning to the wind and be a part of up with the screaming choruses is spectacular. They don’t know who Manny is, what a carpet is, the place the voice is coming from, or what’s really being promised. However Gobo appears satisfied, and that’s sufficient for everybody else to observe him blindly. I imply, wouldn’t you if assured happiness was on the road?

Giant Marvin has decrease ambitions, forgoing Manny’s assured happiness for limitless meals at Bubba’s Burger Barn. Boober even much less so, predictably following the guarantees of Sally Spotless’s laundry service. Once more, it’s not even clear the place they must go to search out Manny or Bubba or Sally, however they’re all prepared to depart the Rock behind on the drop of Gobo’s hat-of-the-day.

Traditionally, the Fraggles are normally fairly sure about their beliefs. They’re intimately acquainted with their very own historical past, the unusual caves round them, and the magical properties of their world. They not often have to query any of it, as a result of it’s all rooted in actual fact, not perception. Certain, they’ve been led astray earlier than by Matt’s unfocused postcards or scoundrels like the Wizard or Wander McMooch (who’ll make his debut in subsequent week’s episode!), however they not often simply make one thing up after which run with it. Seeing them achieve this at such a velocity is much less enjoyable and extra scary than something.

I believe we’ve all seen this actual factor occur in our lives. Folks hearken to the information and pick the knowledge they wish to hear. They imagine the voices that make one of the best guarantees, regardless of the deceptive nature. The usage of buzzwords and unrealistic guarantees cater to the gullible, inflicting them to make harmful or damaging selections. I don’t suppose I have to spell it out for you on who I’m speaking about, however I’ll say this: It’s an excellent factor the Fraggles got here to their senses earlier than election day.

Ultimately, Gobo does discover readability surrounding his state of affairs by going right into a cave and listening to his echo, primarily selecting to hearken to himself over the unusual voices within the radio. So, the lesson right here is to all the time hearken to an echo chamber, regardless of what that Again to the Rock episode was making an attempt to show us.

Strongest Second: This complete episode is fairly sturdy, due to the scary-yet-not-death-defying penalties of the plot. However for a singular second, I loved the half on the finish when Gobo and Boober return the radio to the Fraggle gap. Gobo tells Boober to not panic, till Sprocket reaches his paw via and grabs Gobo who says, “Okay, NOW panic.” It’s an outdated joke, however it’s efficient.

Weakest Second: I’m gonna break up this between two moments, each of which felt tremendous uncharacteristic of every of its characters. First, Doc appears outraged to the purpose of mania over his malfunctioning radio, inflicting Sprocket to appear fearful for his security. Second, Wembley appears awfully fast to decide on a aspect within the Manny/Bubba/Sally debate. Naturally one among these is a bit more dire than the opposite, however they every raised an eyebrow from me.

MVF (Most Worthwhile Fraggle): Boober! He’s the one one unswayed by the guarantees of the radio… till he isn’t. Nice character work from Dave Goelz right here, particularly when he suggests they throw the radio “right into a crevasse.”

First Look Of…: First – and solely – appearances of the radio announcers, each carried out by the unmistakable voice of Jerry Nelson. Additionally Kathy Mullen as Sally Spotless and Tammy Shrub, who we hear sing the ultimate notes of her hit track, “The Happiest Place within the World.”

Most Traditional Second: The back-and-forth chant of “Manny’s Land of Carpets” vs “Bubba’s Burger Barn” will reside in your head rent-free.

Musical Spotlight: Each songs on this episode are terrific: “Comply with the Highway” and “Goodbye, Goodbye (Only a Rainbow within the Sky).” I choose the latter by a smidge, and I’m happy to study it was additionally featured in an episode of The Animal Present, performed over a montage of endangered animals. Wow.

Coolest Puppetry Impact: Such an extremely minor factor, however there’s a second when Boober factors his finger round a cave wall, and for the briefest of moments you neglect he’s a puppet.

Darkest Second: Oh you already know, most likely all that cult stuff.

One Extra Factor…: Once we first see Boober and Wembley, they’re “laundry watching,” which consists of staring on the laundry because it dries. They see faces within the folds of the sheets, word what components of a shirt dry quickest, and the way moist socks change colours. And actually, they made it sound like a lot enjoyable.

Okay, One Extra Factor…: The radio by some means made it from Doc’s workshop into Emily Bear’s farmhouse. You possibly can spot it within the background of Muppet Household Christmas, and I’m simply going to imagine it went by itself Courageous Little Toaster journey that we’ll by no means get to see.

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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com