Welcome back, everyone! Hope your Easter was fabulous. And if you're not Christian or Catholic, hope your average weekend was filled with hordes of chocolate and candy. If you're not religious and are allergic to chocolate, screw you--I'm just trying to be nice!
And now, full speed ahead to the episode!
Oh, joyous day! Dodie has a "kick me" sign on her back as the opening to the episode! This is for you especially, NoParking Berry:
The shenanigans doesn't end with just Dodie, though. Even Macie gets teased a bit. Seeing as these relatively tame junior high pranks cause so much distress for our three ladies, they bitch and complain about why they're the butt of everyone's jokes. Darren throws out a solid, scholarly reason being that they're different and the popular kids don't want to break from the status quo. Sure, because Ginger, Dodie, and Macie are the only students in that entire school to have ever been picked on. I seriously think the writers of this show were homeschooled.
So, the principal comes in and personally introduces a new student to the school--Laetitia Bowers.
She looks shy. She looks different. We were just talking about how the trio is always picked on. Let me just take a wild guess here and assume Laetitia is next in line for the harassment parade. She seems normal compared to the dilweeds that occupy this school, that is, until she opens her bag and places a damn skull on her desk.
And now, full speed ahead to the episode!
Oh, joyous day! Dodie has a "kick me" sign on her back as the opening to the episode! This is for you especially, NoParking Berry:
The shenanigans doesn't end with just Dodie, though. Even Macie gets teased a bit. Seeing as these relatively tame junior high pranks cause so much distress for our three ladies, they bitch and complain about why they're the butt of everyone's jokes. Darren throws out a solid, scholarly reason being that they're different and the popular kids don't want to break from the status quo. Sure, because Ginger, Dodie, and Macie are the only students in that entire school to have ever been picked on. I seriously think the writers of this show were homeschooled.
So, the principal comes in and personally introduces a new student to the school--Laetitia Bowers.
She looks shy. She looks different. We were just talking about how the trio is always picked on. Let me just take a wild guess here and assume Laetitia is next in line for the harassment parade. She seems normal compared to the dilweeds that occupy this school, that is, until she opens her bag and places a damn skull on her desk.
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| Aw, hell no! That ain't cool! |
During art class at the elementary school, the art teacher fails to see Carl's artistic genius that is an alien bursting out of a tangelo.
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| "I shall submit it to the MoMA." |
She snubs Hoodsey's ironic ashtray sculpture, which I guess is justified seeing as there are so many better things one can create with clay. Higsby trots over on his bed of flowers to deliver invitations for his birthday party. Carl and Hoodsey would rather stick their heads in Dodie's underwear drawer than go to Higsby's party, so they get their hands dirty (literally) and tell Higsby to give them their invites later.
The scene then cuts to Mipsy, Courtney, and other popular girls already talking shit about Laetitia, trying to connect the invisible dots as to why she doesn't have a mother, seeing as her father is a mortician. They wonder why she hasn't spoken yet, and then--whoa! Ginger freaking straight-up tells them that Laetitia probably can't get a word in edgewise because of all the shit-talking the popular girls are doing to ruin the nonexistent reputation she has. I applaud you, Ginger. I applaud you for doing what I wish every other person on every other kids' show would do. So, Miranda challenges Ginger to go talk to Laetitia to disprove the rumors they conjured out their asses.
So, Ginger asks Laetitia if she wants to come to her house after school, and Laetitia agrees, saying that her dad will pick them all up from school and drop them off. Well, that was easy.
Carl and Hoodsey try to sneak out of the courtyard without Higsby seeing them, but they're ambushed by yellow balls, slide right to Higsby and his big, cheeky smile and fake apology. Dick. You totally did that on purpose. I swear, this kid is so desperate to catch these two in a lie that he's willing to break their necks via a bag of lemon balls. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes home every night and ties Mr. Licorice's tail to an oscillating ceiling fan for his entertainment.
But seriously, how did they not see Higsby standing DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM?
Higsby shoves his fruity invitations in their faces and skips away. Carl is dead-set on not going, but Hoodsey thinks otherwise. I think deep down he wants to go, but instead, he gives Carl a bonafide reason they should attend--so that Higsby can return the favor and give them gifts on their birthdays since his family is stinkin' rich and all. Carl likes this idea, of course, and they agree to go.
As Ginger tells Dodie and Macie about Laetitia coming over, Courtney, Miranda, and Mipsy stop by to dump more delicious rumors onto the trio to scare them into flaking out on Laetitia. What really gets to them is not the rumor that Mr. Bowers (Laetitia's father) accidentally embalmed someone who was still alive, but the fact that he drives a hearse. He pulls up in front of the school to pick the kids up, and you can see a casket in the back. Talk about creepy!
Laetitia stands outside waiting for her supposed new friends, looking more and more disappointed a time goes by. Ginger is so spooked by the rumors and the hearse that she pretends that she left something in her locker, and runs off.
After Laetitia and her father leave, Ginger is overwhelmed with guilt, even when Courtney and her friends tell her that it was totally justified that she stood her up--mostly because of the fact that they would have been picked up in a hearse, of all vehicles. Ginger decides that she's going to do the right thing by visiting the mortuary where Laetitia lives and seeing for herself that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Meanwhile, Carl and Hoodsey struggle to find a cheap-enough gift for Higsby's birthday party.
Surprisingly, Laetitia lets the girls in her house, probably because she figures she has nothing to lose. They came to her house, so I guess that makes up for them flaking out. She starts showing them all the cool coffins she has in her house (totally building up an unrealistic stereotype about morticians), which by the way looks to be a very nice Victorian-style one!
The scene then cuts to Mipsy, Courtney, and other popular girls already talking shit about Laetitia, trying to connect the invisible dots as to why she doesn't have a mother, seeing as her father is a mortician. They wonder why she hasn't spoken yet, and then--whoa! Ginger freaking straight-up tells them that Laetitia probably can't get a word in edgewise because of all the shit-talking the popular girls are doing to ruin the nonexistent reputation she has. I applaud you, Ginger. I applaud you for doing what I wish every other person on every other kids' show would do. So, Miranda challenges Ginger to go talk to Laetitia to disprove the rumors they conjured out their asses.
So, Ginger asks Laetitia if she wants to come to her house after school, and Laetitia agrees, saying that her dad will pick them all up from school and drop them off. Well, that was easy.
Carl and Hoodsey try to sneak out of the courtyard without Higsby seeing them, but they're ambushed by yellow balls, slide right to Higsby and his big, cheeky smile and fake apology. Dick. You totally did that on purpose. I swear, this kid is so desperate to catch these two in a lie that he's willing to break their necks via a bag of lemon balls. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes home every night and ties Mr. Licorice's tail to an oscillating ceiling fan for his entertainment.
But seriously, how did they not see Higsby standing DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM?
Higsby shoves his fruity invitations in their faces and skips away. Carl is dead-set on not going, but Hoodsey thinks otherwise. I think deep down he wants to go, but instead, he gives Carl a bonafide reason they should attend--so that Higsby can return the favor and give them gifts on their birthdays since his family is stinkin' rich and all. Carl likes this idea, of course, and they agree to go.
As Ginger tells Dodie and Macie about Laetitia coming over, Courtney, Miranda, and Mipsy stop by to dump more delicious rumors onto the trio to scare them into flaking out on Laetitia. What really gets to them is not the rumor that Mr. Bowers (Laetitia's father) accidentally embalmed someone who was still alive, but the fact that he drives a hearse. He pulls up in front of the school to pick the kids up, and you can see a casket in the back. Talk about creepy!
Laetitia stands outside waiting for her supposed new friends, looking more and more disappointed a time goes by. Ginger is so spooked by the rumors and the hearse that she pretends that she left something in her locker, and runs off.
After Laetitia and her father leave, Ginger is overwhelmed with guilt, even when Courtney and her friends tell her that it was totally justified that she stood her up--mostly because of the fact that they would have been picked up in a hearse, of all vehicles. Ginger decides that she's going to do the right thing by visiting the mortuary where Laetitia lives and seeing for herself that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Meanwhile, Carl and Hoodsey struggle to find a cheap-enough gift for Higsby's birthday party.
Surprisingly, Laetitia lets the girls in her house, probably because she figures she has nothing to lose. They came to her house, so I guess that makes up for them flaking out. She starts showing them all the cool coffins she has in her house (totally building up an unrealistic stereotype about morticians), which by the way looks to be a very nice Victorian-style one!
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| How does a mortician afford such a house? The average salary is only about $36,000. |
Ignoring the fact that the Bowers are supposedly swimming in dough--not from being a mortician, I'm sure--Laetitia and the girls get to know each other. Laetitia totally understands Ginger being freaked out by the hearse, and explains the skull she brought was actually plastic. What's quite intriguing is that she mentions something her mom taught her--to bring an interesting object to a new place to strike up conversation. If only her mother taught her not to do that in junior high if she wants to keep stupid rumors at bay.
So, everything is cleared up, including the embalming rumor. Laetitia explains that she and her dad moved here because they got a great deal on the house (okay, that explains why they can afford such a place), and that it used to be a youth hospital. Or was it youth hostel? I tried to play back what she said a bunch of times and couldn't decipher whether she said hospital or hostel. If someone can leave a comment deciphering what was actually said, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Mr. Bowers comes upstairs after he finishes embalming someone who actually is dead and mentions there's some snacks in the kitchen for the girls if they want. After he leaves, the trio comments on how nice he is, though I don't see how his "wits" and offering of food are exceptional--Lois is nice and gives great advice. Bobby and Bobbie are totally sweet, albeit a bit smothering. Joann is--wait, no, Joann definitely does not fall into this category. Fuck that.
Ginger suggests that Laetitia should throw a house party so that people can get to know her, and Laetitia is all for it. You know, I really like Laetitia--she seems very humble and honest. Although her interests may be a bit strange, she doesn't seem very strange at all. I say kick Dodie out and let Laetitia in.
Ooh, and we get a nice shot of her house. Look at it--original Victorian-style, just like I predicted. Well, it's kind of cliche that she'd have a house like this, but it's a nice change of style from Courtney's ugly modern McMansion and Ginger's boring ranch house.
So, everything is cleared up, including the embalming rumor. Laetitia explains that she and her dad moved here because they got a great deal on the house (okay, that explains why they can afford such a place), and that it used to be a youth hospital. Or was it youth hostel? I tried to play back what she said a bunch of times and couldn't decipher whether she said hospital or hostel. If someone can leave a comment deciphering what was actually said, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Mr. Bowers comes upstairs after he finishes embalming someone who actually is dead and mentions there's some snacks in the kitchen for the girls if they want. After he leaves, the trio comments on how nice he is, though I don't see how his "wits" and offering of food are exceptional--Lois is nice and gives great advice. Bobby and Bobbie are totally sweet, albeit a bit smothering. Joann is--wait, no, Joann definitely does not fall into this category. Fuck that.
Ginger suggests that Laetitia should throw a house party so that people can get to know her, and Laetitia is all for it. You know, I really like Laetitia--she seems very humble and honest. Although her interests may be a bit strange, she doesn't seem very strange at all. I say kick Dodie out and let Laetitia in.
Ooh, and we get a nice shot of her house. Look at it--original Victorian-style, just like I predicted. Well, it's kind of cliche that she'd have a house like this, but it's a nice change of style from Courtney's ugly modern McMansion and Ginger's boring ranch house.
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| It's not my style per se, but I can certainly appreciate its beauty! Yes, I watch too much HGTV. |
Carl and Hoodsey decide to gift Mr. Licorice with Carl's alien tangelo painting. It's the thought that counts, right?
They overhear Ginger and the girls talk about Laetitia's party on Saturday, their ears immediately perking up at the word "mortician." And who are these two to pass up sneaking a peek at dead people at a mortician's house? But the only problem is, both parties are on Saturday--Higsby's birthday party! Carl, Hoodsey, I say drop off the gift, stay for a song and some cake, and run.
Ginger tries to invite Courtney and Miranda to Laetitia's party, but they flat-out refuse to set foot inside a "morgue." I expect this from Miranda, but I'm sorely disappointed in Courtney for her total bitchiness--she comes right out and says that if none of her snobby friends will go to this party, there's no reason for her to go. Why, Courtney? You're so nice to Ginger... why not to everyone else? Will you go to the party if Laetitia dyes her hair red and curls it?
And now Ginger feels like an ass by making Laetitia think she had the kind of social pull Courtney has.
So, Carl and Hoodsey try to back out of the RSVP, aaaaaaand this happens:
In case that makes you want to point and laugh at Higsby, take a look at what Higsby then shows the boys:
I don't know, you guys. I'm conflicted here. On the one hand, I can place good money that Higsby ambushed and almost broke the necks of everyone he gave invitations to, because that's just like him. So he kind of deserves it. On the other, it's rather harsh for everyone to toss his invitations, especially right in front of him with condescending smiles. This is how psychopaths are created.
I mean, I know I hate Higsby so much that it hurts, but I kind of feel bad for him, only because of how this kind of rejection is going to fuck with his brain. Sure, some kids are little shits that need a paddlin', and Higsby is no exception for the way he treats everyone around him. But if I hate him and what he does so much, why do I still feel sorry for him?
So, Carl and Hoodsey talk it over, and figure that Higsby's party will be in the afternoon and Laetitia's party will be in the evening, so they'll only overlap for an hour or so. This makes Carl happy, so he and Hoodsey agree to go to Higsby's party with the secret intention of crashing Laetitia's... if there is going to be one, that is. And now Higsby is happy again, and I can't tell which of his extreme moods is more annoying.
Ginger and the gang try to round up high school kids to come to Laetitia's party, but that fails too. Don't you know you don't crash a younger school's party? That makes you look pathetic!
The scene then cuts to Higsby's party, where Higsby says a prayer, Mr. Higsby films evidence of his son having friends, and Mr. Licorice is bound to the chair against his will:
They overhear Ginger and the girls talk about Laetitia's party on Saturday, their ears immediately perking up at the word "mortician." And who are these two to pass up sneaking a peek at dead people at a mortician's house? But the only problem is, both parties are on Saturday--Higsby's birthday party! Carl, Hoodsey, I say drop off the gift, stay for a song and some cake, and run.
Ginger tries to invite Courtney and Miranda to Laetitia's party, but they flat-out refuse to set foot inside a "morgue." I expect this from Miranda, but I'm sorely disappointed in Courtney for her total bitchiness--she comes right out and says that if none of her snobby friends will go to this party, there's no reason for her to go. Why, Courtney? You're so nice to Ginger... why not to everyone else? Will you go to the party if Laetitia dyes her hair red and curls it?
And now Ginger feels like an ass by making Laetitia think she had the kind of social pull Courtney has.
So, Carl and Hoodsey try to back out of the RSVP, aaaaaaand this happens:
In case that makes you want to point and laugh at Higsby, take a look at what Higsby then shows the boys:
I don't know, you guys. I'm conflicted here. On the one hand, I can place good money that Higsby ambushed and almost broke the necks of everyone he gave invitations to, because that's just like him. So he kind of deserves it. On the other, it's rather harsh for everyone to toss his invitations, especially right in front of him with condescending smiles. This is how psychopaths are created.
I mean, I know I hate Higsby so much that it hurts, but I kind of feel bad for him, only because of how this kind of rejection is going to fuck with his brain. Sure, some kids are little shits that need a paddlin', and Higsby is no exception for the way he treats everyone around him. But if I hate him and what he does so much, why do I still feel sorry for him?
So, Carl and Hoodsey talk it over, and figure that Higsby's party will be in the afternoon and Laetitia's party will be in the evening, so they'll only overlap for an hour or so. This makes Carl happy, so he and Hoodsey agree to go to Higsby's party with the secret intention of crashing Laetitia's... if there is going to be one, that is. And now Higsby is happy again, and I can't tell which of his extreme moods is more annoying.
Ginger and the gang try to round up high school kids to come to Laetitia's party, but that fails too. Don't you know you don't crash a younger school's party? That makes you look pathetic!
The scene then cuts to Higsby's party, where Higsby says a prayer, Mr. Higsby films evidence of his son having friends, and Mr. Licorice is bound to the chair against his will:
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| Maybe "The Big Guy" will give Carl good karma points for actually showing up to this circus? |
So, Ginger tries to apologize for making Laetitia think she was suddenly going to turn into Cady from the house party scene in Mean Girls, you know, with total strangers smuggling booze into your house and all, but Laetitia's like, "Ah, don't worry about it. Sure, I was hoping to become popular, but at least you guys made an effort to be my friend when nobody else would. So you're popular in my book." And then they all clink glasses of soda. I really like Laetitia! I would have totally been her friend in junior high. She's so positive and accepting of reality (well, except for the fact that she hasn't found out about the real Dodie yet). Why can't more shows have this kind of message?
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| And you know, I would have come to this party, too. |
Back at Higsby's snorefest, Carl shows Mrs. Higsby the alien tangelo painting he made, and then Mrs. Higsby says she'll hang it in the guest bedroom bathroom, as hardly anyone goes in there. Okay, that made me genuinely laugh.
So, Carl and Hoodsey decide they had such a swell time that it's time for them to go home and sleep off all the fun. Except when Higsby tries to get them to stay longer, he reveals that his parents think he's popular. Carl and Hoodsey are like, "Say what?!?!?" And then Higsby tells them that the only reason why his other "friends" didn't show up is because they all got into a carousel accident involving an inner-ear explosion or some shit, and if Carl and Hoodsey leave now, his parents will get suspicious and he'll be humiliated. And then he cries on their shoulders. Hoodsey gives Carl the puppy eyes, but Carl's like, "Fuck that, I wanna see dead people." So, in order to keep everyone happy, they invite Higsby to crash Laetitia's party, making Higsby think it's his "second" birthday party. Yeah, let's see how that's gonna go down.
Carl and Hoodsey run into Will and tell him about the party Ginger tried to invite him to. I guess Will thinks Carl is cooler, so he suddenly gains interest in the party. Well, perhaps the party in a mortuary is the clicker for him. I guess high schoolers like dead people, too.
So, Courtney and Miranda sow up at the party after all, mostly because Courtney felt guilty for not showing up, and because she admired Ginger taking a stand against what the other kids were doing. Now that's the Courtney I know and love!
So, Carl and Hoodsey decide they had such a swell time that it's time for them to go home and sleep off all the fun. Except when Higsby tries to get them to stay longer, he reveals that his parents think he's popular. Carl and Hoodsey are like, "Say what?!?!?" And then Higsby tells them that the only reason why his other "friends" didn't show up is because they all got into a carousel accident involving an inner-ear explosion or some shit, and if Carl and Hoodsey leave now, his parents will get suspicious and he'll be humiliated. And then he cries on their shoulders. Hoodsey gives Carl the puppy eyes, but Carl's like, "Fuck that, I wanna see dead people." So, in order to keep everyone happy, they invite Higsby to crash Laetitia's party, making Higsby think it's his "second" birthday party. Yeah, let's see how that's gonna go down.
Carl and Hoodsey run into Will and tell him about the party Ginger tried to invite him to. I guess Will thinks Carl is cooler, so he suddenly gains interest in the party. Well, perhaps the party in a mortuary is the clicker for him. I guess high schoolers like dead people, too.
So, Courtney and Miranda sow up at the party after all, mostly because Courtney felt guilty for not showing up, and because she admired Ginger taking a stand against what the other kids were doing. Now that's the Courtney I know and love!
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| "Though I'm still not entirely convinced." - Courtney "Just pretend they're tanning beds." - Miranda |
Carl, Hoodsey, and Higsby somehow find Laetitia's house and sneak in through the basement. Dumb Higsby thinks it's because he's going to be the one trying to sneak up on everyone else. Didn't he, not five minutes ago, just admit that he doesn't have any friends? Why would he sincerely think this party is for him?
So, something scares the shit out of Higsby. No surprise. He runs out of the basement and out of the house, causing Courtney to leave. That is, until she sees Will and his friends popping in. So, now the house is full of strangers, Ginger isn't even questioning why Carl is here, and Laetitia is popular now, I guess? Oh, well. Let's get those skeletons out of the closet (bad pun) and dance!
I really enjoyed this episode. And it has a sincerely good message, too! I just hope we see more of Laetitia, though I hate to say she's probably just a one-hit wonder of a character.
Lessons Learned From This Episode: don't spread rumors on a girl you never even met; don't judge a rumor by its creepiness; don't attend Higsby's birthday parties
So, something scares the shit out of Higsby. No surprise. He runs out of the basement and out of the house, causing Courtney to leave. That is, until she sees Will and his friends popping in. So, now the house is full of strangers, Ginger isn't even questioning why Carl is here, and Laetitia is popular now, I guess? Oh, well. Let's get those skeletons out of the closet (bad pun) and dance!
I really enjoyed this episode. And it has a sincerely good message, too! I just hope we see more of Laetitia, though I hate to say she's probably just a one-hit wonder of a character.
Lessons Learned From This Episode: don't spread rumors on a girl you never even met; don't judge a rumor by its creepiness; don't attend Higsby's birthday parties
I loved this episode too! : D
ReplyDeleteI knew you were going to comment on that "Kick Me" sign on Dodie's back ; )
Too bad we don't see much of Laetitia no more
ATBG really pulled the strings on their voices (i.e. guess who plays Mrs. Higsby)
I was hoping you'd comment on Milty's comment "Being Principal is such cake" and his "Kick Me" sign
Sally Struthers! I totally didn't recognize her voice.
DeleteWhee! : D
DeleteThe voice talent is just amazing
It's hostel. This is one of my favorite episodes, too!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Thanks for mentioning me, Deebiedoobie! I really appreciate it! And I WAS blessed when this episode started off in one of the most beautiful ways it could, by having Dodie with a "Kick Me" sign on her back! I would be very happy to kick you, Bishop! >:) Though I think it's too bad you didn't mention Principal Milty with a "Kick Me" sign on his back too. I don't like him, either.
ReplyDeleteSay, have you checked out my Ginger Snaps blog yet? http://noparkingproductio.wix.com/ginger-snaps My latest post is about my upcoming review of my most hated "Ginger" episode, season three's "Wicked Game"! I can't wait to see YOU tackle it next month or so. Speaking of season three, can I spoil something for you? Laetitia will make a cameo in the season three premiere!
Right after reading when you're weren't sure if Laetitia said "youth hospital" or "youth hostel", I went to that scene on YouTube, and I thought she said "hospital". Oh wait, Anonymous said "hostel". So I may be wrong.
Something unrelated, I kinda like those twins in Carl's class who are always holding hands! Why couldn't they be established characters? They remind me of the twins from Klasky Csupo's unaired pilot "Psyko Ferret": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSOas2Nfm0s It's written by "ATBG" creator Emily Kapnek.