SYNOPSIS: After a brand new recipe for Doozer sticks is a success, a rivalry develops between Flange and Modem Doozer that threatens the inspiration of the neighborhood as they interact within the historical custom of a tower-building contest.

Unique air date: March 19, 1984

Competitors is in every single place in society, from sports activities groups vying for championships to our free-market financial system to the elections that decide our authorities which you need to ABSOLUTELY VOTE IN THIS YEAR, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD. However it’s true, there could be a draw back to it as nicely. Folks can get fanatical about what they love, shutting out these with totally different opinions. However does that imply all competitors is unhealthy? The Doozers appear to suppose so, however I argue that their troubles stem not from collaborating in it, however from how they view it.

Issues get began because the Doozers experiment with new components to Doozer sticks. Flange Doozer introduces tomato extract, whereas Modem incorporates mustard powder. Each praise one another on their work, however issues get a bit difficult when Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Pink, and Boober cease by for lunch. The brand new flavorings go over like gangbusters, however ultimately, the gang resolve they favor the mustard. For a present with a mission of ending conflict, I suppose it was inevitable that Fraggle Rock would sort out one of many world’s most tense debates, one which has consumed humanity for ages: ketchup vs. mustard.

This offers Modem a lift of confidence, and she or he does one thing that’s thought of a no-no in Doozer society: she takes credit score for the mustard. In a manner, that offers us a detailed comparability between Doozers and communist society in its purest kind, the place all wealth belongs to the collective. On this case, the wealth is social standing, and it’s accrued by taking credit score for private accomplishments. This doesn’t sit nicely with Flange, who feels his personal work with the tomato extract deserves recognition. Modem, alternatively, says the Fraggles’ feedback say sufficient, and the mustard beats all. However quickly, with these opinions going unchecked, jealousy takes over and the controversy degrades into an all-out argument, insults and all. And that is the place competitors begins to point out its darkish aspect. There’s nothing fallacious with having an opinion, however while you begin taking it too personally and viewing those that disagree because the enemy, it’s a slippery slope to alienation. Personally, I like to cheer on the New York Mets, however having a Philadelphia Phillies fan screaming in your face that Mr. Met is the satan incarnate isn’t precisely enjoyable. (In addition to, everyone knows that Devil roots for Atlanta.)

The continued resentment prompts Flange to throw down his helmet and problem Modem to settle the matter of who the higher employee is with the traditional Doozer custom of a constructing contest, the place each contestants will assemble a staff and erect a tower, with Architect Doozer deciding the winner. In fact, the wizened Architect isn’t precisely an enthusiastic participant, predicting that this competitors will trigger a schism among the many Doozers. And certain sufficient, because the groups come collectively, the complete neighborhood is drawn into the rivalry, together with Flange’s daughter Cotterpin, who will get in a battle with classmate Wrench, who occurs to be Modem’s son. Thus, fandom turns into fanaticism, alienation provides approach to bodily violence, and competitors morphs into warmongering.

What began as a easy experiment has gotten manner uncontrolled by the point the competition rolls round. And ever the chief, the Architect finds each towers equally spectacular, refusing to name a winner. Now this might’ve been the push Flange and Modem wanted to get previous their variations and get again to being pleasant coworkers, however dagnabbit, they need a champion! In order that they threaten to maintain constructing indefinitely, however a distinct resolution presents itself: because it began with Fraggles, so shall it finish with them. The gang comes again, however finds the person tomato and mustard towers missing. Solely when Wembley is pressed to make the choice do they understand that the flavors style greatest when they’re collectively. Symbolism!

Naturally, the meat is squashed, and all is nicely as soon as extra with the Doozers. However is competitors so unhealthy that the Doozers ought to ignore it utterly? I don’t suppose so. Competitors could be nice, because it permits individuals to be taught new strategies and enhance themselves as they see what others do. It will probably additionally construct camaraderie, however solely so long as individuals don’t take it too significantly and maintain the great of the group of their minds. Take the Olympics, for instance. When everybody retains the Olympic beliefs of unity via sport in thoughts, athletes can cross the limitations of nationality and are available collectively in a manner their governments can’t. Doozers could possibly be determining new methods to construct towers and new tastes to enchantment to Fraggles, however they’re trapped within the concern that competitors will simply erase the facility of the collective. When it’s used responsibly, competitors could make the collective even higher.

Strongest Second: After Cotterpin’s battle, Flange goes to Modem’s home to name off the battle, however on his manner, he begins desirous about how the opposite Doozers will see him, and worries Modem will say he’s a idiot. By the point he will get to her entrance door, he asks, “who’re you calling a idiot!” Nice improvement and nice payoff!

Weakest Second: Flange is so dismayed on the concept of taking credit score that when Cotterpin asks what credit score is, he passes it off to her mom, Wingnut. Generally it is advisable to put your ego apart to your baby, Flange. Not cool.

MVF (Most Beneficial Fraggle): Consistent with the Doozer splendid, no person will get the glory this week. In spite of everything, you must give no credit score the place no credit score’s due!

First Look of…: Contemplating she’s one of many episode’s focal characters, it’s laborious to consider that this was Modem Doozer’s debut. Crosscut Doozer additionally made his inaugural look, however he wasn’t fairly as vital.

Coolest Puppetry Impact: It’s only a easy bit of fabric added on and a shake of the top, however the Doozers sticking their tongues out nonetheless appears neat. It doesn’t should be elaborate to look cool!

Fraggle Lore: We be taught that Doozers abhor competitors and taking credit score. We additionally be taught that they’ve a ridiculously quick therapeutic issue, as Cotterpin recovers from her accidents the day after her battle.

One Extra Factor…: And now, a phrase in regards to the Doc and Sprocket story: Sprocket will get into an aggressive relationship with the brand new canine on the town as a result of Ned Schimmelfinney gave them a bone, and he plans to battle the brand new canine to get the bone for himself. Doc tells him he’ll should battle honest, and trains him to field. Doc, Sprocket is YOUR canine. Schimmelfinney doesn’t owe him a bone, YOU do. You’re consistently ignoring Sprocket as a result of a freakin’ ant farm fascinates you. Neglect what I mentioned about “The Nice Radish Famine,” I’m beginning to suppose Doc is the true villain of Fraggle Rock.

Okay, One Extra Factor: On this week’s postcard from Uncle Touring Matt, he makes an attempt to scale what he thinks is a big Doozer tower, however in actuality, it’s Toronto’s CN Tower. It’s cool to see the town skyline earlier than the Rogers Centre, residence of baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays, was constructed. There have been so many sports activities competitions in that constructing. Take that, Doozers!

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by Matthew Soberman – Matthew@ToughPigs.com