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marylikesstuff · 6 years

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I’M ALIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!

Sorry folks, I know it’s been forever since I’ve done of these episode analysis things, but last week’s new episode breathed newfound life back into me. My skin is clear, my hair is shiny, my crops are flourishing, and I’m pretty sure that at least five or six more years have been added to my lifespan.

Without further ado, I’ll see you under the cut~

I still remember back when I first read the description of this episode eons ago. The premise sounded perfectly simple enough: Noms is stressed, is ordered to take a vacation, and is once again saddled with Grizz. You can’t fight fate, honey.

Like everybody else, I had a pretty clear picture in my mind of what this episode would probably entail. Light hearted beach shenanigans with our favorite ball of furry sunshine and ball of furry anger? Seemed likely.

What I didn’t expect, however, was for this to be one of the most stressful experiences watching a kid’s show I’d ever have.

Previous episodes have had Nom Nom being afraid of losing his fame. That was the worst possible thing that we’d been led to believe could ever happen to him. But this episode, ho ho! Does it ever go the opposite route. Instead it shows us what happens when his popularity increases, and it’s like a monkey’s paw/be careful what you wish for type of deal.

The reason Noms is stressed is because his fans will not give him a moments peace. They’re literally mobbing his mansion and climbing up his walls to get into his room.

Yikes.

A doctor is called and we find Noms in terrible shape.

Hoo boy. His drinking habit has really gotten out of hand. I know it started off as a joke before, the whole, “ha, ha, look at this talking koala binge drinking juice as a shorthand for alcoholism.” But now it’s like.... jeez. I could easily see a future episode being about Nom Nom going to an AA meeting with Grizz becoming his sponsor. I really wouldn’t be that surprised at this point.

My poor baby is so miserable.

He explains to the doc his symptoms. Pretty much extreme fatigue, though this being Noms, it’s of course said in the hammiest of fashion.

I’m thinking, ok. This is expected. He’s tired and stressed from all the attention. I get ya, bear crew, I get ya.

But then we take sudden swerve right into HOLY SH*T-ville.

His heart STOPS BEATING.

Just. Right as he’s talking. Completely out of nowhere.

And Farmer was at the ready with a defibrillator, implying that this is far from the first time this has happened. Imagine how scary it must have been for poor Farmer the first time.

I know that Noms has been a reeeaaaaal dingle in the past, and a redemption arc™ would feel unfairly earned if he didn’t go through hell to make up for all the karma that’s due his way, but maybe tone it down a smidge, bear crew. o_o

Haha, wow. That’s quite terrifying. They have grappling hooks.

What do these people even want to do once they get to him? At best force him into signing autographs and taking pictures, I guess. But at worst? Hug and squeeze him to death? Rip out clumps of his fur to keep as mementos? Brr.

The doc gives Noms a heart/stress monitoring device, which works as a beeping, panic increasing time bomb for not only Nom Nom, but also the audience. As soon as it was introduced, I could already feel the mounting anxiety on the horizon.

The doctor very bluntly tells Nom Nom that should it beep too fast, he will die.

Dude. Bedside manner, man!

So yeah. We’re like, only three or four minutes in, and the threat of death is already looming on Nom Nom’s head. Again, bear crew. I can appreciate the sadistic glee one gets from putting their own characters through the wringer. We’ve all tortured our own OCs, we've been there.

All I ask is that you please, please don’t leave the trash koala too permanently scarred.

*ahem* So. Moving right along. The doctor suggests Noms take a vacation, which Noms is quite happy to agree to. He quickly tells Farmer to book a flight to the relaxation center that the doctor tells him about. Btw, it’s so sweet that he’s still calling Farmer by name. Lovely little bit of continuity.

He adorably hops off his bed, pulls out a massive suitcase and--

AAAARGGHHH!!

Dear lord, these people can literally be anywhere. Hiding in suitcases. Behind shower curtains. Inside closets or drawers or under beds. The paranoia this must cause is reason enough for anybody to be constantly on the verge of having a sudden heart attack.

This guy (who according to the credits is named Gerald) wants to collect Nom Nom’s nail clippings. Eeeurrgh.

Gerald is voiced by Tom Kenny, who apparently decided to play him as a really demented sounding SpongeBob. I’ll see you in my nightmares, Gerald.

Nope, nope, nopety NOPE.

Bodyguard-dad to the rescue! We love you, Farmer~

Haha, k. Now that.... that horrifying moment is behind us and totally not haunting my dreams later, I’m thinking, all right. What’s gonna be our excuse for having Grizz tag along this time? He’s been a therapy buddy, an intern, an entourage member. What’s our next stand-in title for “totally a friend at this point, let’s not kid ourselves, Nom Nom.”

Emotional support animal? Ok. Sure. ;)

We get a really great psyche out with Grizz’s introduction. We see a giant shadow at first, prompting a horrified reaction from Nom Nom.

Ah, but oh. Oh. It’s just a mouse, haha.

PSCHE! Cue the psycho strings.

Funny stuff, but there’s also some wonderfully subtle foreshadowing here. When the crazed fan popped up, Nom Nom’s stress monitor starting beeping like mad. But when Grizz shows up? Nom Nom groans, sure, but the stress monitor? Oddly quiet. Not a single beep.

Groan and whine all you’d like hun, but according to your stress monitor, Grizz’s presence isn’t causing you any discomfort at all.

Actually, Nom Nom agrees to pair up with Grizz fairly easily. He’s like, “ugh, fine,” which compared to the all out TANTRUM he threw in Anger Management, is honestly quite an improvement. You’re grownin’ on him, Grizz.

“Remember, if he beeps too much, he’ll die.”

Again, bear crew. Relax.

So they arrive at the airport, and of course Nom Nom is immediately recognized. And I’m here like. Honey. You’re in a public airport, out in the open. I’m not sure what you expected.

This is it, folks. This is the whole episode from here on out: anxiety and stress.

Luckily Grizz (the hero Noms and the world truly deserves) is here to save the day. He quickly buys a disguise of touristy clothes, what with them being right next to a gift shop. I also love how Grizz just throws his money at the cashier, who doesn’t even notice. That got a chuckle out of me.

“I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe!”

Neither can I, oh my god. Save him.

Pfffffft. Not gonna lie. He looks adorable. Good job, Grizz. It’s enough to fool the guy, as well as the rest of the airport, for now. Grizz also calls tiny grandpa looking Noms his “pop pop,” and I’m here dying over what a lovable goober this bear is.

It is 100% necessary that I share this blessed image. ^

No airport shenanigans themed episode of anything would be complete without this classic: the ol’ getting stopped by the metal detector and security bit.

The real shocker here is that Nom Nom doesn’t lose his temper at this. He’s slightly annoyed, but that’s, like... pretty much it. Whether he likes it or not, he’s grown more patient with Grizz.

But of course Noms can’t relax for more than twelve seconds in this episode, as his identity is almost discovered yet again when his wallet is dropped by a security officer.

Ah, hello again stress. Side note though, it is hilarious that a tiny koala managed to get a driver’s license.

Grizz, meanwhile, apparently reeeaaally needs to groom his fur more often. Yeeesh. That’s kinda gross, man.

We’re also treated to, by far, one of the most surreal jokes this show has ever thrown at us. I... can’t even describe this one. Anybody reading this who hasn’t seen the episode yet: try describing this picture without knowing the context.

Good luck.

I love that the artist who came up with this joke stated that he’s super proud of it on his twitter. Y’know what, I’m happy for him. He’s truly living the dream. xD

Meanwhile...

LADY. PLEASE. JUST GIVE HIM HIS WALLET.

He’s literally collapsed.

Hoo boy, the fun times just don’t stop this ep. And by fun times, I of course mean the ‘somebody please stop this anxiety rollercoaster, I wanna get off’ times.

They make it to the gate, but knowing Noms’ luck, they’re unsurprisingly late. He finally loses it and tries to brow beat his way onto the plane, but since the entire universe is against him, I’ll give you three guesses as to what happens next.

He ends up announcing his presence to the entire airport, whoopsie doopsie. Side note: the way he climbs up the podium to reach the woman at the mic is quite amusing. He’s such a tiny thing.

And then--

--AAAAARRRGGHH!! GOOD GOD, I NEED A YOUNG PRIEST AND AN OLD PRIEST! THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!

Kudos to whoever came up with that joke. How hilariously terrifying.

Alrighty, chase sequence is a go. Grizz running through the airport with a tiny Noms tucked under his arm like a freaked out little football is one of the best images this show has ever given me. Bless~

And just look at Nom Nom’s dangling ears underneath his hat. Adorable. Also gotta love that girl’s shirt with the unibrowed Nom Nom on it.

I’m trying to hold down my stupid fangirl squeal here, but heaven help me, if Noms sitting in Grizz’s lap ain’t the cutest gosh darn thing. Neither one seems bothered by it either. Though that’s probably just since their main concern at the moment is escaping the crowd.

They manage to get outside, when.... oh no. No, no, no, no.

No sir, I immediately don’t trust you. It’s a trap.

Despite his panic during the situation, Grizz still takes the time to very gently place Noms inside the plane first before hopping on himself. Never let it be said that this goober isn’t a gentlemen.

Ok, seriously. Just what kind of hypnotic spell has Nom Nom placed on these people?? ...though I’m not gonna lie, I’d be tempted to buy that backpack in real life.

“.....I’m..... die..... ing....”

Ok, universe. You’ve made your point. Please cut the trash koala some slack now? He’s two seconds away from keeling over dead.

It isn’t until now that Noms finally loses his temper and snaps at Grizz. It took this long into the episode, and even then it’s pretty clear that it’s not really any true anger towards Grizz, so much as it’s from all the stress he’s under.

What’s better though is that Grizz actually snaps back. Good on him for standing up for himself, even if it’s just for a second. More people do indeed need to stand up to Noms if he’s ever gonna learn to treat others better.

Ah, but the situation with that conveniently placed pilot is still iffy.

Surprise. It’s our old pal, Gerald. And the way he delivers his line to Nom Nom (the “you sure do look fiiiiine to me” one) is just. So. Skin crawlingly creepy. Please stay 50 yards away from the koala, sir.

Haha, well, things can’t possibly get any worse for Nom Nom’s stress levels, now can they?

Of course they can! Naturally the damn plane has to be struck by lighting on top of everything, BECAUSE GOD HATES YOU, NOM NOM.

*heavy breathing*

Ooooooooh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Here we are at last, everybody. The big moment. The plane’s going down. They all may only have precious seconds left to live. Nom Nom’s stress is through the roof and Gerald has been told to clam up as Grizz pours out his final goodbyes.

The poor guy. Despite every last thing he did to help Nom Nom, he’s still apologizing nonstop for letting him down. Oh Grizz, you wonderful soul. You did absolutely nothing wrong, honey. You were a golden boy through and through.

Noms feels this way too, as he tells Grizz to stop, reassuring him in their final moments that he “didn’t ruin anything.”

That really gets me, just as much as the confession does. He didn’t want Grizz to die thinking he was a failure. He knows in his heart that Grizz did everything in his power to help him.

“You were pretty much the only real friend I had!” He looks as though he’s just now realizing that that’s true, as he’s saying it.

“I LOVE YOU, GRIZZ!”

People. When I first saw this, I quite literally gave a thumb’s up to the sky, as if thanking whatever powers that be up there for granting me this moment. YES, YES, YESSSSSSS~

Like. I had always hoped a moment like this would eventually happen anyway. Noms admitting to Grizz that he’s his only true friend (whereas Farmer is his only true family) is something I feel this show was eventually building up to. But never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that that three letter phrase would also be included. If you ever told me that a future WBB ep would have the grumpy koala tell the cheerful bear that he loves him, I’d have called you crazy.

But here we are. We crossed the river. We climbed the mountain. :’)

You know what makes this scene even more emotional for me? Comparing it to the first episode when these two characters first met. It’s such a stark contrast.

Both scenes are even set up very similarly with the characters sitting next to each other.

Back then, Noms flat out tells this silly bear that he doesn’t need friends. “I’ve got servants. Really yummy food. The internet. I think you can agree, I don’t need anything else.”

Cut to years later, and Grizz has done the impossible. He’s somehow wormed his way into this guy’s icy little heart. I hate to spout a cliche here, but the power of friendship has prevailed. Urrrgh, I’m such a sucker for narratives like that. <3

Grizz’s reaction to the confession though. Pffffffft. Priceless.

It takes him several moments to even register what happened. He understandably can’t believe it could ever be true.

And as if this confession has finally appeased the angry, vengeful universe, the plane miraculously lands safely at the relaxation center. I gotta at least give this to Gerald; he’s apparently a decent pilot.

That’s the look of a guy whose soul completely left his body for a good few minutes.

Grizz kills me here. He’s so stiff. He has no idea what to do in this situation. Holy cow, his celebrity crush just confessed to him, what should he do?!

The stress meter comes to an agonizingly slow halt here, and I actually got pretty worried for a sec. Luckily Noms is still kicking, and hoo boy, is he ever happy to get his furry self off that metal death trap ASAP.

Sweetheart. You go right ahead and celebrate. This is an instance where you’ve undoubtably earned it.

Grizz, meanwhile, still doesn’t know what to think. “You think he meant what he said?” he asks Gerald.

Well you know what I think?

Yes. He meant it. Whether Noms wants to admit it or not. Whether it’s platonic or romantic. Even if he’s only subconsciously aware of it.

LOVES

YOU.

The episode honestly could have ended right then and there and I would have been happy beyond belief. But to my delight, there’s still more! This is the gift that keeps on giving.

Noms is ready to ditch the two, letting forth one of his old-school evil laughs. He’s ready to slide right back into the status quo of being the show’s spoiled rich jerk, buuuut....

“Don’t stress out too much, man!”

Looks at the camera like he’s in the office.

^ And here’s an actual image of me looking back at him.

So just like that, one last kind word from Grizz is enough to get the little furrball to concede. Again, what a huge difference compared to the first episode with Nom Nom. This relationship may not currently have as many episodes dedicated to it as Panda/Charlie has, and what little Grizz/Nom interactions we’ve gotten may not seem like much, but this is still wonderful progress regardless. I’m so darn happy.

Noms sighs and.... veeeeery hesitantly asks Grizz to join him. (NO, NOT YOU GERALD, GET OUT OF HERE)

Nothing beats seeing vulnerable, heck, dare I say it? Shy Nom Nom. It warms my corny heart up so much, you don’t even know. Heck, if this keeps up, his transformation from series antagonist to tsundere schoolgirl shall soon be complete.

It’s kind of a shame that we didn’t actually get to see the vacation in Vacation, but aw, that’s cool. It was truly more about the journey than the destination in this case. Besides, that means that the fans are the ones who get the chance to come up with fluffy scenarios instead.

Personally I like to imagine that Noms immediately dove into bed and slept for a good 23 hours while Grizz built a pillow fort around him in their shared suite. He naturally tucked Noms in and ‘guarded the castle’ as he slept, until he too conked out while watching old action movies on TV.

GERALD, ARE YOU SERIOUSLY STILL HERE?!

Nom Nom’s rare charitable mood somehow even expands to looney old ‘kidnapped me and nearly got me killed’ Gerald, so he does the unthinkable. He gives the guy one of the nails he wanted. That’s quite a sacrifice for Noms, seeing as “They’re like my fingers to me, ok!”

So our glorious episode finally ends with Gerald happy (and rightly told to never come near Noms again), and our cheery bear/grumpy koala duo setting off to the relaxation center together for a very well earned rest.

The sweetest thing about this ending, aside from. Well. The entire scenario in and of itself, really, is that one of the things Grizz asks Noms as they’re walking along is if he can invite his brothers to come. D’aww.

Thanks to anyone who stuck through with me this long. This was a glorious victory, so let us clank our imaginary champagne glasses together in triumph! WHOO HOO!!

#wbb episode analysis

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