Space Case
Episode 11
Season 1, 1984
Introducing: --
We cut from shots of Kids Inc. in concert to a toy on a string – I mean a spaceship landing on Earth. The planet it’s from apparently has no doors, and so its inhabitant comes into The P*lace and gets spanked. Don’t worry, he’ll deserve it later. Hey, haven’t I seen you somewhere before?
At first, Renee is the only one intrigued by the visitor, but when he gives her the “I’m from another planet” line, she gives him some Earthling attitude and he stomps off. When she next sees Vong, however, it appears he may not be exaggerating after all.
Naturally, no one is willing to believe Renee – until Vong defends us all from a Two Tigers video game. Yes, he’s from Greeblax or something and thinks Earth sucks.
His reason for visiting is academic – he’s doing a report on Earth, and the highlight of his presentation includes an actual, factual Earthling. Since Renee is the first person he came in contact with, it’s her he plans to nab. When the other kids attempt to stop him, he threatens them…with a spray can.
Except it’s not just a spray can. It somehow manages to transport all 5 kids from The P*lace outside to the Coco Club. As if that wasn’t odd enough, they are all now hilariously trapped inside an invisible mime box. Ah, it’s a multipurpose spray…
The only way Vong will agree to let them out is if Renee relents and goes with him. She agrees, but only if she is allowed to pack a bag of essentials – her records. Yeah, laugh now, but if you’re ever millions of light years away from your planet in some strange place, with air that may not have any oxygen in it and no water or food, you’re gonna need Born in the USA, and don’t come crying to me when you don’t have it.
The kids keep trying to think outside the box, and they appeal to Vong, but with no luck. Years of technological advancement have made feelings obsolete. After a while, Vong decides to check in on Renee, and he finds her moping and tearfully having her solo. He is suddenly moved. I refrain from making a comment about how Renee can move you no matter what planet you’re from.
Renee and The Boss return and Vong begins to contact his home planet via suction cup. To everyone’s surprise, he suddenly reports, “Earth’s not so bad”, and he agrees to let Renee stay. Kids Inc. happily assimilates him.
The episode gets 4 mics. I wanted to give it 5, but I figured you guys would spray me. Obvious toy spaceship aside, it’s too cute to do otherwise. You have to admit, though, Renee’s a good mime and good with the ballads. This is her first big tearjerker episode.
Guest star: John Franklin as Vong the alien
Invention count: still remains at 0
Vocab:
“space case”
“the pits” (2)
“nerd (5)
Continuity, gags and themes:
The kids having to explain feelings to someone
Space themes were big this season. Star Wars is most likely the main cause of this.
A repeat guest – but this is the only time the guest’s episodes are aired back-to-back
New Locations:
Renee’s room
Pop culture references:
Bruce Springsteen
Buck Rogers
Luke Skywalker
Solos:
Gloria (1) = 7
Renee (1)
Mickey (1) = 8
Episode total = 3
Total: 26
Performance outfits:
Denim/purple
Red with purple
- When “You Keep Me Hanging On” first starts, several kids are hanging out of the “box”; Kid has to back up in order to be in it. Stacy’s feet are poking out over the side a few times, and she steps out when Aaron hits the box with a bat (right before her verse).
- When Renee is lecturing Stacy (that finger is all-purpose, too, trust me), Stacy imitates her.
- Watch towards the end when it appears Vong is indeed taking Renee with him. Is The Kid crying, or did Rahsaan suddenly have a laugh attack and Martika took drastic action?
- He sure learned Earthling English fast. I guess it's an elective up there.
- Apparently, aliens communicate with suction cups, have spray can transporters, spells to knock out electrical devices, and mime wall sprayers.
Things Renee has in her room:
A Winnie the Pooh lamp
yellow rocking chair
Taz doll
gooseneck lamp - with actual goose neck
teddy bear music box
a dollhouse
hula hoops
a wardrobe
several Jordache bags, but not, as far as I can tell, the one she’s packing
one bed? Either Stacy has very good hearing, or Renee snores like a bear, because it appears that they don’t share a room. It could be that we just aren’t shown Stacy’s side of the room, however.
Songs:
Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll –
I Just Called (to say I Love You) –
You Keep Me Hanging On –
Never Can Say Goodbye –
Footloose –
Back
