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Post by cloudmonet on Sept 14, 2005 11:11:57 GMT -5
Oh yeah.
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soyokaze14
Pink Sloth
Time to step-up...
Posts: 17
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Post by soyokaze14 on Sept 14, 2005 16:02:14 GMT -5
Argh! I can’t believe I forgot to mention something incredibly relevant and telling about Kim in my previous post. Ok, let’s look at the scene by the lockers again. Kim: Now, about that favor... Ron: Look, Kim I... Kim: You see, tonight’s the big Middleton Days Festival, and I don’t have a date. I have a problem, and you are the only solution...Here Kim is presenting a problem she has and letting Ron know she wants him to solve it for her. Essentially she’s telling him “I’m not going out with anyone” (the problem), “I want to go out with you, so why don’t you ask me” (the solution). Thanks to the moodulator overriding her normal inhibitions (come on, she bounces off the walls here) she’s able to verbalize what she really wants: for Ron to make a move. Moodulator or not, I think that’s why she sounds so happy when he “sort of” asks her. At first this may seem odd; after all, she was always able to make the first move with her previous crushes (Crush, and Exchange), so what’s different now? Why is it different with Ron? I think Kim may be subconsciously hanging on to some true love fantasy where she expects her prince charming to show up and sweep her off her feet (or at least make the first move, even if she has to push him to it!). Mankey and Hirotaka were mere crushes, but Ron is something else (even if normally she refuses to accept it to herself) Anyway, this is something I planned to include in my last post but somehow forgot! Hopefully, I’ll be able to write about Ron’s side of things tonight.
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Sydney
Yellow Trout
Holy crapmuffins!
Posts: 90
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Post by Sydney on Sept 14, 2005 16:30:13 GMT -5
Yeah, I know I've been MIA here. I'm back at school, so less time to watch eps (at least until I start procrastinating more) and post, but I always check it so I can more or less keep up. It's all good stuff- I feel that the fact that we can have analysis like this proves how quality this show is, and how much thought goes into character development. I mean, for instance, I'd really never even thought about Kim's distance in Oh Boyz as a result of Ron's Yamanouchi pact- it makes so much more sense that way. But wow, Season 3. We're definitely in shippy realm here. So sorry, if I backtrack a tad, and if this whole thing makes no sense whatsoever since I'm out of practice. It's clear that by the time of Steal Wheels, Kim has no romantic interest in Felix whatsover, which didn't seem to be the case (debatable) at the beginning of Motor Ed, which was probably about a year before Emotion Sickness (how often would a town the size of Middleton have a big fair?). In those first minutes Ron almost seems jealous of Felix distracting Kim when they're at the fair- pretty much the equivalent of a technical date for Ron and Kim- she even describes it to her dad that way, as if she's going out with her boyfriend like any of the other girls at her school might do. And from the other side, remember, at that point, Ron hadn't completely shut himself off from the idea of something happening with Kim, and so her sudden pleasantries with someone else led to a bit of jealing. (That is, before she goes into her whole awkward 'omigod, how do I haaaandle this, he's in a wheelchair, etc.') And so it's interesting that in Steal Wheels, it's the complete opposite. Ron has shoved dating Kim into a "never gonna happen" nook in the back of his mind. Their entire lives, with the exception of Monique coming in (which presented almost the same situation reversed in Pain King), the only friends they've had or needed have been eachother. It would follow then, that Kim would come to expect that she'd be able to satisfy everything Ron would need in a friend. So it probably hadn't occurred to her that there would even possibly be things that she just wouldn't be able to relate to Ron with, that Ron might want, or interests that they couldn't mutually participate in (ie eating at Bueno Nacho). Felix and Ron love video games, Kim would rather pass- thus, when Ron wants to do this, she's at a loss and she's suddenly insecure...his attention has been diverted, just like hers was (admittedly briefly). So she reaches out to him, wears Timmy Turner's baseball cap, Ron says no big, "Ron night' presumably resumes, and we're at ES. So basically, a year later, things have shifted a bit. And you guys have pretty much covered the episode, so I don't need to go in much detail, except that I had a random thought when bringing up Motor Ed again. Why, in ES, does Kim feel the need to technically "ask Ron out" as a "date" (using actual romantic technical language here) when they'd done the basic equivalent for at least two years straight before? Personally, I think it's one of the hints that eventually leads up to Kim's line in StD, "we're not in Pre-K anymore- time to grow up." Maybe, almost midway through her junior year here, she was already starting to become more conscious of the pressure from Bonnie, the rest of the cheerleading squad, as they no doubt started into and discussed their dramatic, "serious" high school relationships- something Kim couldn't relate to in the same way. Tara's moved onto her old crush, (technically) ending the Mankey saga that's characterized Kim's romantic ideals for pretty much the whole of the series. Of course, this was discussed more post-blush, but I think Kim matured a bit in realizing that even a guy who she felt so romantically for that she couldn't even speak (it kind of reminds me of the behavior in those disgustingly unrealistic medieval romances I'm stuck reading now) coherently around, was someone she ultimately didn't connect to...and she was okay with that. Things are getting more serious around her, and she's realizing what it is she wants- but Ron hasn't quite reached that same level she's at...she loves him, but thinks he's immature. He tends to miss things, especially about girls. But even if he's missed a few things on the romantic side of life, he still deserves a lot of credit in ES for the importance that he puts on his friendship with Kim. I reserve his judgment, under the circumstances. The sudden lackage of Josh in his mind must just be unbelievable to him- as far as he's known her in high school, Josh has been the ultimate catch to her. It's got to be a little startling. Here we are at the beginning of Crush all over again, only now, Ron, she does want to go to the dance with you! Maybe the idea of dating her wouldn't have been such a terrifying proposition to him if he'd known she'd been over Josh a while ago, and he'd had some more time to think about it. For the moment, let us take Ron's proclaimation in "Ron Millionaire", that Rufus and Kim are the only two real friends he has, at face value. We can then gather that Ron's friendship with Kim is something that he has never been able to replicate with anyone else. In his experience, it is unique. It is precious to him. ... His friendship with Kim is the thing that he cherishes the most, and whose loss he fears above all else. He is not, at this time, willing to dare love, romantic love, if that means running the risk of loosing what he already has. ...This will continue till "So the Drama", when he learns a cold, hard truth: even if he doesn't dare, doesn't take the risk, then he will loose the friendship anyway, or at least the intimacy that he so values. I couldn't read that without thinking of these lines- And I could never take a chance Of losing love to find romance In the mysterious distance Between a man and a woman
-U2 (in case you guys want to hear it- it kind of runs along the sort of friendship/love fears Ron's dealing with- s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0J829Y68QJH4910D779553U1HF ) But yeah, I agree completely. Kim is all he's got, and he's not ready to risk it- yet. ES isn't really very high stakes, its really contrived. I guess in a way you could call the Eric sitch contrived, but that time around the world's also at risk of destruction...not just Ron and Drakken.
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Post by cloudmonet on Sept 14, 2005 22:04:57 GMT -5
Great stuff, soyokaze and sydney!
But how different is it? I'm thinking. Okay, she asked Josh out in "Crush," after a whole episode's worth of dithering, but in "Blush" she was giving Josh puppy dog eyes. After this date and kiss, her courage is up. She doesn't seem insecure pursuing Hirotaka, or hugging Ron. One can hardly say Kim isn't making the first hundred moves in "Emotion Sickness," but Ron does have to step up and do his bit.
You're right. This is where Kim's real feelings come through, under or around whatever the moodulator's doing to her. I want you to ask me. That is so consistent with everything that happens from now on.
Kim's plan of action after the "breakup," I now believe, is this: "I'm gonna make you notice me. I'm gonna make you want me. And you have to want me so much that you actually get up the courage to say so."
Given Ron's somewhat laid-back, casual attitude toward nearly everything, this strategy actually has some wisdom behind it. But it only really works after Kim gives up on Ron and goes for someone else. They're both so lucky that Erik turned out to be a pawn in Drakken's plot.
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James
Green Badger
Posts: 168
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Post by James on Sept 15, 2005 5:55:08 GMT -5
Wow!!! Things I learned from this thread on ES.
Has anyone noticed when KP was wearing her killer outfit how huge those red bracelets of hers were? I doubt they could have actually stayed on her arm like that.
Missed that quick clip of KP snarling her fingers and growling at Ron (like Shego), had to see that caption to see that. Missed that the first time around.
Guys. ES is just a fun episode. We get to see Kim and Shego lose control of their usual selves, and we get to see another side of them. This has been done on other programs, where characters get drunk, mind-controlled, or something thta shows a different side of the person.
Yeah. I'm surprised by the "cheesecake" scenes as well. Maybe that's part of the fun of the program. Gives something for the adults as well as the kids.
But I'm still surprised with what they got away with.
Eh.. just forget I said that.
Sincerely,
JThree carolyn@dia.net
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GnuHopper
Yellow Trout
"I've got mad 'fu skills!"
Posts: 131
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Post by GnuHopper on Sept 15, 2005 7:25:17 GMT -5
Another thing I noticed on re-watching the episode that could be considered risque is Kim's reaction when she overloads the moodulator chip. Listen to how she sighs in relief -- doesn't that sound a lot like, uh, she's...imitating Meg Ryan in the lunch scene of "When Harry met Sally"?
I'll have what she's having...
(But it gives me a clue to why she's as composed as she is at the end of the episode. KIm has essentially been through an emotional catharsis here. And despite the circumstances, it had to be a relief to finally let out those feelings she has kept supressed for so long.)
GH
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Post by Aers (That Writer Chick) on Sept 15, 2005 10:27:09 GMT -5
I agree about the catharsis - but then I can see her retreating emotionally for the rest of the season until StD because she's been exposed, and in a BIG way for the entire school, her family, and Ron to see. it's the emotional equivalent of running out onto the football field during the big game naked, instead of being in her cheerleader outfit... as for Ron's reaction to all this - I'm sure that he knows that the moodulator was responsible for her "attacks", but isn't sure that now it's off and gone that she really wants to pursue this... he's a true gentleman, sorry to say, and he won't push the point until forced into it. by a swarm of Diablos. *shrug* it IS the way things go in their world, after all...
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GnuHopper
Yellow Trout
"I've got mad 'fu skills!"
Posts: 131
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Post by GnuHopper on Sept 15, 2005 22:56:50 GMT -5
Anyone got anything else to add about Emotion Sickness? Or are we ready to move on to Bonding?
If you got comments left, feel free to add 'em!
GH
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soyokaze14
Pink Sloth
Time to step-up...
Posts: 17
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Post by soyokaze14 on Sept 16, 2005 3:07:11 GMT -5
Now, from Ron’s point of view... The morning after the heist Kim is acting strange, enough for Ron to notice something was wrong. At first Ron is at a total loss to explain what’s going on, but then catches sight of Josh and Tara walking together and assumes her moods are the result of ”keeping the Mankey pain bottled up” So far Ron’s reactions and conclusions seem reasonable enough. In the kitchen he tries to console Kim when she’s upset and then tries to keep up with her mood swings afterwards. Interestingly enough, when he sees Tara walking with Josh he doesn’t even bat an eye at “what might have been”. On a side note: If I was Ron I think I would be wary of Josh Mankey. Why? First, the girl Ron’s all but dating already, crushed on him; and second, a girl that used to like Ron now likes Josh (without Ron even getting a chance!). Now, I’m sure Ron doesn’t think Josh is doing it maliciously, or even on purpose; but I think a little resentment would not be totally out of place. Or would it? Maybe Ron’s thinking is as follows Ron spends all his time with Kim Kim never has time for Josh Josh moves on to Tara Ron’s response: BOO-YAH!!! At the end of the day getting rid of Josh Mankey only cost him a girl he never even knew liked him. Why be upset when it worked out so well? End of side note Getting back to the lockers… Right after the moodulator gets set to "love" Ron is still somewhat confused; but not for long! Oh no...is it what I think it is…Once Ron figures out that Kim’s crushing on him he runs. From this point on we see Ron trying to outrun Kim and getting more and more freaked out at every turn. Sure, the sudden change of attitude in Kim is odd, but to be freaked out enough to make a run for it? Why react this way when previously he’d go into super suave mode (ok, ok, more like try to go super suave) at the slightest interest shown by a girl? I think I know why, it’s the same reason he’s always chasing girls that are obviously out of his reach, and that ultimately makes him decide to break up with Kim. You see, I think our boy Ron is convinced he’s destined to fail at romantic relationships. What factors would make him think such an awful thing? First, we know he’s aware of the food chain, and his place in it (I guess in the KPverse saving the world is not enough to climb up the food chain, or count as school credit). Ron is happy with himself and is confident in what he does, but he understands others are not so accepting of his quirks and label him an outcast. He is not necessarily happy with his outcast status, but he will not bend to peer pressure. Second, his relationship with Kim. This is the big one and will take some explaining. As far as Ron knows there is no girl in the world that likes him as much as Kim. They are always together, constantly depending on each other; and on top of all that, Kim never forsakes their friendship regardless of peer pressure (to which he knows she’s susceptible). BUT….. on several occasions she makes it clear to him that she will not date him. Ouch!! Ever since Crush (Kim crushing on Josh, or Kim crushing Ron’s hopes?) it became apparent to Ron that Kim didn’t see them as a couple at all. In fact, Kim seems to go for the handsome, socially acceptable types, things Ron is not. Ouch again!! And just in case Ron ever gets any funny ideas, he probably has this etched into his memory: Kim: You and me.....on a date!?!? Ron: YIKES!!!In the whole series she never even approaches that look again. Even with the world about to be conquered and all hope lost, it was a miracle Ron was able to open up with his feelings after a look like that! If Kim, who likes him more than any other girl won’t even give him a chance, how is he ever going to have any sort of meaningful relationship with anyone else? He even tries to raise himself in her eyes, but it does no good! Mainly because of these two reasons (although mostly the second one) I think Ron probably feels he is doomed to failure in the romantic relationship department. But I hear you ask: then why does he chase girls constantly? Sometimes he is even quasi-successful! And what about Zita and Yori? He chases girls for many reasons: He is a teenage boy. Just because he feels he’s doomed to failure doesn’t mean he shouldn’t at least try. If he tries and fails, he won’t have to answer any uncomfortable questions from Kim about why he isn’t chasing girls. The sooner he gets rejected the sooner he gets back to hanging out with Kim (which is what he really wants to do anyway). Besides; look at the girls he chases, Bonnie? the college girls? He knows it’s not going to happen. Any time he has any success is because he’s being something he’s not. (Vir-tu-Ron, and Ron Millionaire are great examples of this). This leaves only Yori as the anomaly. Not that it really matters because he knows his stay in Japan is only for a week (it’s almost like fate gives him a hand, and then slaps him around with it). The next time she appears she will again be the exception to the rule. I wish she had appeared more. Anyway… I think Ron is so convinced that his relationships will ultimately fail that even when Kim throws herself at him, he prefers to keep the status quo rather than risk their “friendship/relationship”. Remember, the way things stand they are already closer than just about any couple, the only thing missing is the kissyface! This relationship is really the center of Ron’s life (it’s the same with Kim, but I don’t think she realizes it yet). As he sees it, the choice he’s given is this: take a chance and probably loose her vs. keep the status quo. Kim is too important to him, so he dares not risk it. It is quite different than the choice he’s given in StD: take a chance vs. loose her. We’ll see what he chooses there is quite different as well. Hopefully what I’ve written is at least semi legible and makes some sense to people. I just want to mention two more things: Regardless of whatever Ron decides at the end, or whatever fears he succumbs to; when Kim kissed him, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed back! You could almost excuse Kim for being under the influence of the moodulator, not so with Ron. When he had to react he didn’t freeze, try to get away, recoil in terror, or even freak out, he kissed her back. Whatever hang-ups and insecurities he has were overridden by his emotions, at that moment you know there`s more. Freak out, or kiss back? Hmmmm.....The second thing is just something I noticed. Why does Ron use the term "break up", he and Kim haven`t really even started going out yet! Perhaps he`s counting all the other times they`ve hung out together?
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Post by cloudmonet on Sept 16, 2005 11:43:24 GMT -5
That's as good an explanation I've read as any for Ron's viewpoint here. I'd like to think Ron's ego isn't quite that crushed, but can't think of anything that refutes it. Even his occasional fits of "big-headiness" can be explained this way. Put this together with my theory about Kim's resolve, which means she doesn't understand just how much she's damaged his ego, and we've got a couple who really need to get together, and want to get together, but can't, until someone changes their rules. I'd like to think some parts of "Bad Boy" and "Gorilla Fist" indicate growing confidence on Ron's part, but the lunchroom scene from "So the Drama," in which Erik sees Kim for the first time and asks Ron about her, suggests maybe not so much.
It's depressing and ironic. If Kim only understood this-- but then, Ron's unintentionally done several things which hurt her pretty badly, including not talking about Japan, some of the womanizing attempts, and especially breaking up with her now. If only either one of them would open up and say something! Well, eventually Ron does, and when he does, Kim says yes, so fast that it befuddles everyone who doesn't know or believe what's been going on for a long, long time.
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Post by Aers (That Writer Chick) on Sept 16, 2005 12:16:57 GMT -5
Well, eventually Ron does, and when he does, Kim says yes, so fast that it befuddles everyone who doesn't know or believe what's been going on for a long, long time. I think they BOTH have problems with breaking "Da Rules" - Kim may have mocked Ron for saying that guys like him don't get girls like her, etc. but she's still trapped in the teenage world where it does matter who you date and who you're seen with. If she didn't care, then Bonnie's remarks in StD wouldn't have made her so insecure about taking Ron as a "date" to the prom. Even then she's uncertain about saying anything to Ron directly, because it's an unspoken given that they're a couple - and saying something out loud would create the reality they're both trying to ignore. The Elephant in The Closet, as it were. As well, Kim seems to be a traditionalist at heart - it's fine for Ron to ask her to go to the Stoppable Wedding in "Bad Boy" but she won't make a move until he goes first, admitting his feeling. It's rather funny in this age of woman liberation (and been there, done that) that she's still waiting for HIM to declare his feelings first and then follows behind... because God Forbid that SHE ask RON to the prom and take a step forward in their relationship...
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Post by Forlong on Sept 17, 2005 12:50:21 GMT -5
Another thing about Emotion Sickness:
Ron: What's not to like about Kim. She's smart and cute. Heh heh.
Two things this implies:
1: Ron has not only excepted Kim's flaws, but has grown to like them. Have you noticed that, as the series progresses, Ron complains less and less about Kim?
2: Ron likes Kim for her intelligance more than her looks...but the looks help.
Now, before we move on to Bonding I'd like to point out what might have happened between the two episodes. Kim and Ron deffinately talked about what happened. Ron must have explained why he broke up with Kim. Kim understood. Now, I think that they desided to spend some time appart for a while. They obviously still hang out in Bonding, but not as much. Note that Kim didn't get frustrated that she had to cancel her "Ron Night" while forced to go with Bonnie on her date (can you say, "unfair"?). Kim probably decided to avoid putting Ron in an uncomfortable position by canceling Ron Night until farther notice (I'm not sure when it comes back). This should help people understand Kim and Ron's sepperation in Bonding.
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Post by cloudmonet on Sept 17, 2005 23:12:43 GMT -5
I think being stuck to Bonnie and Barkin precluded a "Ron night" date.
To presume that Kim and Ron actually talked about their feelings with each other between "Emotion Sickness" and "Bonding," beyond what we actually see at the end of "Emotion Sickness," goes counter to everything we know about them to this point. I highly doubt it. Kim and Ron just aren't about to do their usual thing with Bonnie and Barkin watching. Bonnie doesn't seem to care what Kim sees.
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Post by Forlong on Sept 18, 2005 9:42:05 GMT -5
I think being stuck to Bonnie and Barkin precluded a "Ron night" date. To presume that Kim and Ron actually talked about their feelings with each other between "Emotion Sickness" and "Bonding," beyond what we actually see at the end of "Emotion Sickness," goes counter to everything we know about them to this point. I highly doubt it. Kim and Ron just aren't about to do their usual thing with Bonnie and Barkin watching. Bonnie doesn't seem to care what Kim sees. I don't think Bonnie would have cared what Brick saw either, if you know what I mean.
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GnuHopper
Yellow Trout
"I've got mad 'fu skills!"
Posts: 131
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Post by GnuHopper on Sept 19, 2005 11:32:43 GMT -5
Last call for Emotion Sickness before moving onto Bonding! I'll have my comments up before midnight unless there's any significant discussion of EM by then.
GH
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Post by JuPMod on Sept 19, 2005 13:38:19 GMT -5
Let's move on to "Bonding". This thread didn't have any replies for over a day, so it's a sign to move on. Okay now... Except maybe for the nice moment between them in the train car with the lion, I can't see any shippy moments at all in this episode, particularly given that each were bonded/stuck with the people they don't like. Ron ended up bonded to Mr. Barkin and it's a nightmare for the Ron Man. Yeah, they each managed to come to appreciate the other at the end, especially when they worked together to rescue Kim and Bonnie from Dementor. Poor Kim ended up bonded to Bonnie, *the* last person she would ever think of being close friends with. Kim has to endure Bonnie's cracks, going on dates with Brick Flagg, etc. Kim did saw that Bonnie has to endure being teased and picked by her older sisters (Gee, what a pain those two ladies are! ), so It showed she did felt sympathy for Bonnie. In the end, they both worked together to defeat Dementor (only after being rescued by Ron and Barkin). By the end of this episode, everyone seems to be buddy-buddies. Of course, this didn't last long anyhow for Bonnie went back to being rude and crude and Mr. Barkin back to his particular self that picked on Ron (for some strange reason or another). So much for the *bonding* of friendship. It would have been interesting if Kim and Ron were bonded together. I did read a fanfic where Kim and Ron were stuck together by the hands (one hand each though, not both), and it gave each the ability to learn more about each other than ever before. Of course, Kim and Ron had to endure undressing, taking showers, and other personal stuff in front of each other. It would have made things quite interesting, which one reason why Disney wouldn't dare put Kim and Ron stuck together. Teens and adults would immediately come up so many *dirty* thoughts and what this two might endure given their situation. It's not "Mind Games", but it would have been on a totally different level for Kim and Ron if they were bonded together. So for this episode, in the end, there weren't many shippy moments, but it was a drag of an episode somewhat given Kim and Ron had to endure being stuck with two people they do not like.
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Post by J2 on Sept 19, 2005 16:21:23 GMT -5
On a subtle note: Kim putting on makeup. For Ron? Most likely.
One other thing: The girl in the movie is wearing the same dress that Bonnie is wearing.
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Post by Aers (That Writer Chick) on Sept 19, 2005 18:35:15 GMT -5
actually, it was interesting to see Ron take a more aggressive view of going into Dementor's hideout - he charges in with Barkin and unleashes the dogs with a very "macho" attitude... it was more like the Fearless Ferret than "Ron, the Sidekick", if that makes any sense.
if anything this ep helped each of them highlight what makes them stand out from the rest of the students... Bonnie may have a crappy family life and that may account for her nastiness, but Kim doesn't have it THAT much better with the Tweebs constantly threatening to blow them all up. And Barkin may have a major fitness workout going on, but it takes Ron to pull the Pixies together to take the Muffin championship in the end, despite Barkin's military approach...
in a way, this does help Kim and Ron to appreciate how each other works alone - without Bonnie Kim certainly wouldn't have gone for the snowglobe but without Barkin I don't know if Ron would have been so forceful in his attack...
blathering out...
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Post by kpmuppets on Sept 19, 2005 20:55:22 GMT -5
On a subtle note: Kim putting on makeup. For Ron? Most likely. Speaking of that, anyone mind posting that cap on here? I'm surprised it hasn't shown up in the Shippyness thread(s).
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GnuHopper
Yellow Trout
"I've got mad 'fu skills!"
Posts: 131
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Post by GnuHopper on Sept 19, 2005 22:02:28 GMT -5
If Emotion Sickness gave us a look into two of the show's romantic relationships, Bonding takes us inside two of its antagonistic ones, Kim/Bonnie and Ron/Barkin. As a consequence this is a K/R-lite episode, but after ES they probably needed a little space to catch their breath anyway.
Story in a nutshell: another ordinary day at Middleton High, Barkin is making Ron's life miserable (was there any REAL justification for the extra homework? Barkin's attitude towards Ron is straying seriously toward abuse of his authority) and Bonnie is being her usual bitchy self to Kim. Detour to foiling Professor Dementor's heist at a lab (I guess Drakken is off recovering from the beating Shego gave him last ep). Ron accidentally acquires Dementor's "bondo-ball" which causes people (and animals apparently) to stick together. Later back at Middleton High Ron drops it, sprays Kim and himself with the bonding agent, and after a few close calls with more togetherness than even they can probably handle, the two are stuck to two of their least favorite people -- Ron to Barkin, Kim to Bonnie.
What follows is a a mid-level Kim Possible comedy. Amusing, but no big laughs or major character revelations. But I have to say this -- I find Barkin's treatment of Ron a LOT more offensive than Bonnie's treatment of Kim. Bonnie is vain and insensitive, but at least she's driven by an believeable sense of rivalry with Kim (and, as we see here, a certain amount of abuse by her older sisters). But what's Barkin's excuse? He never misses an opportunity to run Ron down ("You are planning on a career in a math-free field?"), forces him into activities that are physically harsh and even dangerous to Ron (nearly drowning him while swimming, forcing a minor to play sports against adults who apparently aren't holding back). Heck, he won't even share the blanket when sleeping at Ron's house! And I don't care if he IS a Pixie Scount Pack Leader -- Steve Barkin needs to be brought up before the school board for a disciplinary hearing, and possibly arrested for abuse. Okay, okay -- this is a comedy. But I honestly can't stand the way the man treats Ron in this episode.
Anyway, Kim eventually gets captured by Dementor, who is a bit smarter than Drakken in that he takes her equipment before tying her up. But Ron, Barkin and the Pixies (?) rush to the rescue. Ron demonstrates his odd talent for communicating with animals (which will show up again a few episodes hence in Roachie) and a couple of giant mutant weiner dogs later it's a happy ending. Kim and Bonnie apparently reach the truce they couldn't come to in Return to Wannaweep (but see how long THAT lasts), Ron gets to join the Pixies, and Kim rolls her eyes. Curtain.
A couple of things:
* In Hidden Talent Bonnie says her sisters (introduced here as Connie and Lonnie) won the talent show the last two years running. But here they seem much older than Bonnie. And if there were only a year or two ahead of Kim in school, wouldn't she know them already?
* Kim, we learn, was once a Pixie scout. Too bad we never got a flashback to that, but I think I know where Ron got his love of Pixie Scout cookies from. Wonder how many boxes he bought off her as kids?
* Both couples, despite being stuck together, go through several changes of clothes throughout the episode. Wonder how THAT worked?
* Bonnie and Brick (B/B?) are "on" this time around. Guess someone had to be shipping this week...
* Personally, I would have rather seen the events the ringmaster described where Kim filled in on the high wire while Ron yucked it up with the clowns. Kim and Ron join the the Circus could've been a nice story IMHO...
That's it for now. We had lovers last time, enemies this time. And coming up in Bad Boys we'll have a strange fusion of BOTH.
GH
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