Episode 209: Class Trip

Cast:
Brendon Small – Brendon Small
Jason Penopolis – H. Jon Benjamin
Melissa Robbins – Melissa Bardin Galsky
Coach Jon McGuirk – H. Jon Benjamin
Paula Small – Janine Ditullo
Mr. Lynch – Ron Lynch
Fenton Mulley – Sam Seder
Walter & Perry – H. Jon Benjamin & Brendon Small
Ken Addleburg – Bill Braudis
Clarice – Valerie Kappa

Synopsis: Brendon’s class goes on a field trip to the hotel. The trio sneaks away to make a movie, Paula tries her best to be a chaperone, and McGuirk gets a job next door at the coffee place (he gets the job under the name “Brendon Small”).

History:
· This episode introduces Clarice. She appeared in Season 3 and she’ll probably appear again in Season 4.

Lawn Gnomes: (Click for picture)
· There is a golden lawn gnome in the safe at the beginning of “The Queen of Diamonds”.

Brendon’s Filmography:
· “The Queen of Diamonds” – Crime drama about a woman caught in blackmail with a mysterious man.

The Movie-Episode Connection:
· At the beginning of “The Queen of Diamonds”, the Queen of Diamonds (Melissa) is trying to steal diamonds without her father noticing. In the episode, Brendon is trying to sneak away on the field trip without Paula noticing.

Songs:
· This episode features the “Bus Guitar Theme” at the end. Acoustic and pretty good.

Random Observations & Facts:
· Melissa shines the flashlight on Jason’s shadow. If she shines a light on something, shouldn’t that get rid of the shadow?
· The flashlight in “The Queen of Diamonds” says “Property Q. of D.”
· Signs in the teacher’s lounge: “Plastic: It’s here to stay!” “Shop Class (Picture of a finger) It’s No Joke”
· There is a note from Eddie in the teacher’s lounge (see Past Episode References)
· When McGuirk is electrocuted, we can see: A metal plate in his head, what appears to be a tail, something metal under his ribs on one side and something round (a marble?) on the other.
· McGuirk first applies for a job at “Bustlin Burger”.
· A kid drools on McGuirk’s arm at “Bustlin Burger”, and McGuirk is seen wiping it up a second later.
· McGuirk gets a job at Galaxy Coffee. Their signs include “Over 1 Billion LifeForms Served” “Come In We Are Open Earthlings” “Lunar Latte”
· Alison blows a bubblegum bubble while waiting for the light.
· Mistake: Jason is one year younger than Brendon and Melissa, yet he goes on their class’s field trip.
· The bus says “Skool Bus”.
· Reactions to Addleburg tossing out Lynch: Fenton looks on with a smug look on his face, Walter & Perry look worried, Paula starts laughing.
· Jason is reading the personals when he’s in the bathroom.
· Ken apparently weight lifted 180 lbs.
· Lynch’s arms look squiggly when he tries to exercise.
· Walter & Perry are on an exercise bike together in the weight room.
· Everyone apparently bought merchandise from Galaxy Coffee: Paula has a mug, Lynch has a hat, Walter & Perry got some biscotti, McGuirk got a mug and a pin, and Brendon got a shirt and a hat.
· Instead of just having the rattling sound during the Soup2Nuts logo, you hear Jason’s line: “Uh…need more T.P.!”

Past Episode References:
· In the teacher’s lounge, there is a note: “Dear John, Doing Better In Arizona. Miss you a lot. Love, Eddie”. This is a reference to Episode 207 – Dad. Isn’t that sweet?
· The cartoonist in Episode 208 – Therapy is seen at Galaxy Coffee. I have a feeling it could represent one of the Home Movies writers/animators.
· Red Eye Whiskey is available in the hotel room mini-fridge. This first appeared in Episode 112 – Law and Boarder.
· The published poet from Episode 108 – Method of Acting makes his third appearance on the show in the coffee shop.

End Credits: “Bus Guitar Music”

Reviews: WARNING: Spoilers

Spectre: I think I have witnessed either the best or one of the best episodes of the season. Everything was so well put together. You know how in nearly every HM episode there is a new movie that Brendon and his friends create? Well, the one in this episode, while not being as classic as the shrinking man one, was indeed classic. A hilarious spoof of Hitchcock films, everything was perfect. As the episode goes on, later segments of their movie get better because of the suspense off the camera -- for fear that -- them, filming in a hotel -- are going to be caught (it's illegal). So you'll be laughing at what seems like unintentional moments to Brendon that are incredibly intentional.

The humor and everything just grew from the start of the episode and began building. I can think of so many good moments. The great, great ending on the bus (featuring Walter and Perry's most uncomfortable moment as of yet; beautiful guitar music and a great way to show our favorite characters in place), Fenton complaining to the guy with the horrible accent about how he can't understand him, Melissa running away from the hotel closet, the movie sequences, Coach McGuirk's name when he works at certain places, etc, etc. Great episode, loved it. Grade: A+

Randomguy: Flawless. A++++ episode. Here's what made this episode a classic:

-As Spectre said, the new film was hilarious. As time went on, its twists got more and more absurd. Jason's "Ok then, let's go to bed" bit that started the episode was insanely funny
-FENTON! Since "The Party" was probably my favorite HM episode, I jumped with joy when I saw Fenton make his second appearance. Just as well done this time around, although he was slightly more subdued. Maybe Coach McGuirk actually did change him a little.
-Walter and Perry. I know some hate them, but I think their little romance subplot is hilarious. I hope they continue to make homophobic viewers feel awkward.
-McGuirk. At first, his subplot was extremely tacked-on, but it endured itself to you. By the end, it came together with the main plot, and brought things full circle.
-The Premise. Having everybody go on a class trip was a great way to get all the characters together within a few feet interacting with some new scenery.
-Absence of Linda and Brendan's dad. I like the new plot with those two, but the brief respite here was welcome.
-Paula. Instead of having her own plot here, she got written in with everybody else, where she's funnier anyway.
-Lynch got some good scenes too. Which elude me right now.
-The ending. It brought everything together, gave all the characters and their relationships a good moment, and came a little closer to confirming my theory that McGuirk is really Brendan's father figure. Creepy though that might be. Their little awkward exchange at the end was very appropriate and strangely affectionate. This was complemented by the AWESOME guitar bus theme, just a simple but beautiful tune with the acoustic guitar. The music this season has been so good (and under appreciated) it's ridiculous. In-between this and Sunset Theme and whatever played at the end of "Therapy", HM NEEDS a CD release. Desperately.

What more can I say? Simply Awesome.

Shnay: I really liked this episode, very solid all around. After the last two "character driven" episodes, this simply focuses on comedy while throwing any logical story out the window (which I'll get to later). It had very good pacing, and stayed pretty funny throughout. Some highlights for me were the opening movie, the hotel manager showing things to Fenton and the kids, and the chaotic confrontations in the coffee shop at the end, to name a few.

Now to nitpick. Why the hell would kids go on a class field trip to a hotel? I thought kids only went to museums or factories. Also, I think Walter and Perry (who, for the record, I find very funny) are supposed to go to a private school, considering they're both wearing uniforms. And finally, why is the sausage guy from "Identifying a Body" managing a hotel? I know he worked another job (which I can't remember now) but seeing him continually appearing as seemingly different characters is kind of strange. But, he's funny, so I'll let it slide.

Pabcool: I felt that even though I wanted to kill Clarice, this episode outdid itself. I enjoyed Fenton's reactions to the very annoying (and very creepy) duo of Walter and Perry. As for the McGuirk sub-plot, it was possibly the best part of this episode. (the Brendon Small thing was genius, and the "don't pay me" line was great) I also enjoyed the throwaway jokes with Alison, ("She was at the airport") and the main plot with Brendon, particularly the actual movie.

I give "Class Trip" An A-.

StrangerAtaru: For some strange reason, when you see an episode like this, a general ensemble episode with various elements we have seen before and stuff you think could be predictable, it should not work. Yet in this case, we have another classic season 2 episode. I'll start with what I consider the weakest link of the situations (even though it was still funny): the whole movie situation with Brendon, Jason and Melissa. While there were some inspired moments, "The Queen of Diamonds" is not one of the more memorable movies to me, partially because it is somewhat confusing to figure out what is going on and where. On the other hand, it is funny seeing those three sneak away and interact within the hotel, leading to some great things occuring. (such as Jason being thought to be a bellhop and the climax of the plot where they have to hide in the hotel room) Paula had some great scenes in this episode with both her son (such as the scene where she reveals she is going on the trip) and Lynch (the list), trying to keep her cool over a situation where some people would find themselves at wit's end. One of the more surprising performances in this episode I thought was Fenton, whom after coming off as "annoying annoying" in "The Party", became more "comedic annoying" here, primarily with his troubles with both Walter and Perry (who had another weird, but funny appearance) and Mr. Addelburg. (unfortunately, this is perhaps one of the only times I actually like Fenton) And then of course is the most problematic, yet comedically rewarding plot in the whole episode: McGurk's part-time job. Although I thought that it was a tad too convinient that he got a job so quickly at a place conviniently placed next to the field trip location in something that got him there in the first place (throwing a coffee machine on the Principal's car), it turned out to be one of the funniest sub-plot of them all. (I mean, only McGurk would steal Brendon's name to have a better background check) Clarise was a tad annoying, but also somewhat funny in saying all of these things that probably had nothing to do with the whole thing. And then, of course, was the classic climax where Brendon goes to the coffee shop.....but I think that part speaks for itself. Overall, a great episode that probably, if someone else tried to do it, wouldn't have been as funny.

DrWeird: Excellent. A flawless episode that combined Season One-style dialogue between characters and Season Two-style scripted lines delivered excellently.

The plot seems so simple and mildly predictable that it shouldn't work, but as StrangerAtaru said...it does. Brendon and "The Queen of Diamonds" was great, especially how Brendon couldn't remember any of his lines...the opening "QOD" sequence was the best ("In the Den?") The trio sneaking around the hotel was well done.

Paula had another good storyline in this one, and the Lynch/Paula dialogues were some of the best out of both their characters. A background character (Alison) got some development (which is always good). Fenton got some interesting moments ("I want to see you kick someone out") and Walter & Perry were at their Walter & Perriest ("I want to be a bell"...that line always gets me). And Ken Addleburg was pretty good...not much to say there.

McGuirk had one of his best plotlines ever. It was not only funny in concept (McGuirk uses the name Brendon Small to pass a background check) but was great in delivery (I love when Paula walks in, Clarice asks who she is, and McGuirk goes, "My mother"). I personally like the character of Clarice, even if just how McGuirk worked off her ("You should try blinking...because blinking shows that you're human"). BTW, I'm almost sure Clarice should be returning in Season 4.

This episode had a great ending as well...first the coffeehouse scene, which got gradually crazier with more than a couple great lines ("Lady, you're not getting coffee!" "Hey, that's a da guy I threw outta my hotel last week" "You're crushing my bladder")...and then the bus scene, which left with a good Paula joke, and good Walter & Perry moment, Jason's unique brand of humor and the most realistic dialogue I've ever seen on TV by McGuirk & Brendon.

One more note, but this episode had a lot of "Did You Notice" type gags, McGuirk's electricution among them (he also has a tail, apparently). For some reason I liked one of these gags...in McGuirk's office during the coffee maker scene, you can see a note on the wall: "Dear Jon, Doing Better In Arizona. Miss You Alot. Love, Eddie" There's something I like about that joke...perhaps more than I liked Eddie in general during "Dad".

So, to sum up, Excellent. A+

Positives: Interesting mix of humor styles, McGuirk as Brendon Small, Fenton & Walter & Perry, the movie, sneaking around, Ending sequences
Negatives: Really can't think of anything big...a tad predictable, perhaps