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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
--> '''Cashier:''' Uh, can I interest you in a shadow-proof case for your new portal kit?
to:
--> '''Cashier:''' Uh, can I interest you in a shadow-proof shatter-proof case for your new portal kit?
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Up To Eleven is a defunct trope
Changed line(s) 123 (click to see context) from:
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932 1/2 rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
to:
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven up to eleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932 1/2 rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
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Changed line(s) 150 (click to see context) from:
* IdiotBall: Oswald comes across a door with bubbles on it. He goes to open it and asks what could be inside. [[SarcasmMode Gee, we wonder what...]]
to:
* IdiotBall: Oswald comes must have found this in the halls before coming across a door with bubbles on it. He goes to open it and asks what could be inside. [[SarcasmMode Gee, we wonder what...]]
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Not an example of this trope
Deleted line(s) 98,102 (click to see context) :
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: Orla is excited to solve a case in Japan ("a country of great noble warrior history", according to her), and flairs up her response to the client thanking them for coming so quickly. However, her enthusiasm falls entirely flat when she sees exactly what she and the others came to Tokyo to solve.
--> '''Woman:''' Thank you for coming so quickly.
--> '''Orla:''' It is we who thank you, for this opportunity to test our bravery, strength, and fearless resolve. Now show us your oddness!
--> ''[the woman gestures to a small nearby plant]''
--> '''Orla:''' ''[face falls]'' A ''plant?''
--> '''Woman:''' Thank you for coming so quickly.
--> '''Orla:''' It is we who thank you, for this opportunity to test our bravery, strength, and fearless resolve. Now show us your oddness!
--> ''[the woman gestures to a small nearby plant]''
--> '''Orla:''' ''[face falls]'' A ''plant?''
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Added DiffLines:
* ShownTheirWork: Zig-zagged. The sign seen in The Portal Master store is [[BilingualBonus written in Japanese,]] and it's not simply made-up Japanese either -- the English translations are accurate. However, the translations that Orla provides aren't accurate at all. In downwards order, the sign reads:
** Big portals
** Medium portals
** Medium portals
** [[RuleOfThree Medium portals]]
** Maintenance and repair
** Restrooms
** Portal meatballs
** "You are here"
** Big portals
** Medium portals
** Medium portals
** [[RuleOfThree Medium portals]]
** Maintenance and repair
** Restrooms
** Portal meatballs
** "You are here"
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Frickin' Laser Beams entry amended in accordance with this Trope Repair Shop Thread
.
.Changed line(s) 14 (click to see context) from:
* AnotherDimension: The 17th dimension is a rather otherworldly place with multiple moons in the sky, large butterflies that shoot [[FrickinLaserBeams eye beams,]] and singing sharks, among other threats.
to:
* AnotherDimension: The 17th dimension is a rather otherworldly place with multiple moons in the sky, large butterflies that shoot [[FrickinLaserBeams [[EnergyWeapon eye beams,]] and singing sharks, among other threats.
* EnergyWeapon: The giant butterflies in the 17th Dimension shoot EyeBeams at the Main 3 agents.
Deleted line(s) 53 (click to see context) :
* FrickinLaserBeams: The giant butterflies in the 17th Dimension shoot EyeBeams at the Main 3 agents.
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Changed line(s) 115 (click to see context) from:
* BadLiar: Even after being told that the van has 87 floors, Oswald still attempts to convince his teammates that he's got everything under control, when he clearly does not -- and they appear to realize just that: he ''doesn''t have everything under control.
to:
* BadLiar: Even after being told that the van has 87 floors, Oswald still attempts to convince his teammates that he's got everything under control, when he clearly does not -- and they appear to realize just that: he ''doesn''t ''doesn't'' have everything under control.
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Changed line(s) 61 (click to see context) from:
* IgnoredExpert: The cashier at The Portal Master store offers Orla and Omar a chance to sign up for the store's loyalty program, which gives them a buy-one-get-one free deal on portals. Omar says that [[ActuallyAGoodIdea it sounds like a good idea,]] but Orla, naturally, declines and heads off, with Omar giving a whispered "sorry" to the cashier. It isn't until she buys a portal and immediately breaks it offscreen that she gives up the fight and joins the program.
to:
* IgnoredExpert: The cashier at The Portal Master store offers Orla and Omar a chance to sign up for the store's loyalty program, which gives them a buy-one-get-one free deal on portals. Omar says that [[ActuallyAGoodIdea it sounds like a good idea,]] but Orla, naturally, declines and heads off, with Omar giving a whispered "sorry" to the cashier. It isn't until she Orla buys a portal and immediately breaks it offscreen that she gives up the fight and joins the program.
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None
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* DwindlingParty: Opal, Omar and Oswald all disappear at various points in the episode. While Opal and Omar are sucked into the portal together, Omar is sucked in alone, leaving just Orla -- the very person who (accidentally) activated the portal that sucked them in in the first place.
to:
* DwindlingParty: Opal, Omar and Oswald all disappear at various points in the episode. While Opal and Omar Oswald are sucked into the portal together, Omar is sucked in alone, leaving just Orla -- the very person who (accidentally) activated the portal that sucked them in in the first place.
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Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
** The closing credits are also changed beginning with this episode and "Slides and Ladders", showing the van flying through the sky rather than the two main Investigation agents of each season riding the tubes.
to:
** The closing credits are also changed beginning with this episode and "Slides and Ladders", showing the van flying through the sky rather than the two main Investigation agents of each season riding the tubes. It also shows off new vanity cards for the renamed Fred Rogers Productions (having changed its name from The Fred Rogers Company a couple years before) as well as for Sinking Ship Entertainment.
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Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
** The closing credits are also changed beginning with this episode and "Slides and Ladders", showing the van flying through the sky rather than the two main Investigation agents of each season riding the tubes in a first-person point of view.
to:
** The closing credits are also changed beginning with this episode and "Slides and Ladders", showing the van flying through the sky rather than the two main Investigation agents of each season riding the tubes in a first-person point of view.tubes.
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Added DiffLines:
** The closing credits are also changed beginning with this episode and "Slides and Ladders", showing the van flying through the sky rather than the two main Investigation agents of each season riding the tubes in a first-person point of view.
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Changed line(s) 118 (click to see context) from:
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932-and-a-half rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
to:
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932-and-a-half ''932 1/2 rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
Changed line(s) 122 (click to see context) from:
** When stalling Orchid, Opal's "X, Y, Z" answers are to scream, run, and scream and run.
to:
** When stalling Orchid, Opal's "X, Y, Z" answers final three options in her test question are to scream, run, and scream and run.
Changed line(s) 129 (click to see context) from:
* CrossReferencedTitles: A minor example with [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/OddSquadS1E36OscarOfAllTradesSwampsNGators "Swamps N' Gators"]].
to:
* CrossReferencedTitles: A minor example with [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/OddSquadS1E36OscarOfAllTradesSwampsNGators [[Recap/OddSquadS1E36OscarOfAllTradesSwampsNGators "Swamps N' Gators"]].
Changed line(s) 142 (click to see context) from:
* HiddenDepths: If the whiteboard is any indication, Opal is both a good artist, and may have a ''lot'' more mathematical talent than she lets on to.
to:
* HiddenDepths: If the whiteboard is any indication, Opal is both a good artist, and she may have a ''lot'' more mathematical talent than she lets on to.
Changed line(s) 147 (click to see context) from:
* ImpossibleTaskEasilyAccomplished: Opal lists off answers to the first question of the OSMU Van Safety Test by going in the order of the alphabet. When she lists off the final option in Z, "scream and run" Orchid answers the question straight off the bat with Q, "activate laser chicken shield", which stuns the Main 3.
to:
* ImpossibleTaskEasilyAccomplished: ImpossibleTaskInstantlyAccomplished: Opal lists off answers to the first question of the OSMU Van Safety Test by going in the order of the alphabet. When she lists off the final option in Z, "scream and run" run", Orchid answers the question straight off the bat with Q, "activate laser chicken shield", which stuns the Main 3.3 as they wonder how she was able to answer it so quickly. (Of course, they're likely unaware that she's been working for Odd Squad for over 5 years...)
Changed line(s) 157 (click to see context) from:
* TheMaze: There are so many floors in the van (and, as later revealed, so many rooms -- over 900, to be specific) that Oswald gets easily lost, and the majority of the episode is spent with him trying to get back to the bullpen.
to:
* TheMaze: There are so many floors and rooms in the van (and, as later revealed, so many rooms -- over 900, to be specific) (87 and 932 1/2, respectively) that Oswald gets easily lost, and the majority of the episode is spent with him trying to get back to the bullpen.
Changed line(s) 169,170 (click to see context) from:
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: "Now ''where. Is. Oswald?''"
--> ''"No. More. Pictures."''
--> ''"No. More. Pictures."''
to:
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: "Now Orchid does this twice.
--> '''Orchid:''' Now ''where. Is.Oswald?''"
Oswald?''
-->''"No.'''Orchid:''' ''No. More. Pictures."''''
--> '''Orchid:''' Now ''where. Is.
-->
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Changed line(s) 110 (click to see context) from:
* AmbiguousTimePeriod: Averted -- Opal states that she and the other Main 4 have only been inside the van for a week, meaning that "Portalandia" also takes place within the span of a week -- specifically, the week of August 8, 2019.
to:
* AmbiguousTimePeriod: Averted -- Averted. Opal states that she and the other Main 4 have only been inside the van for a week, meaning that "Portalandia" also takes place within the span of a week -- specifically, the week of August 8, 2019.
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None
Changed line(s) 100,101 (click to see context) from:
[[caption-width-right:350:HoldingTheFloor is hard.\\
But don't let Opal do it.]]
But don't let Opal do it.]]
to:
[[caption-width-right:350:HoldingTheFloor is hard.\\
But don't let Opal do it.]]
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None
Added DiffLines:
* BreakingOldTrends: As of this episode, [[ColdOpen Cold Opens]] no longer appear at the beginning of episodes -- instead, the episode usually starts with the Main 4 in the van or at some unique location.
Added DiffLines:
----
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_09_27_portalandia_slides_and_ladders_mp4.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:HoldingTheFloor is hard.\\
But don't let Opal do it.]]
'''''Slides and Ladders'''''
'''Airdate:''' February 18, 2020 [[note]] PBS Kids premiere[[/note]]
Oswald finally lands an interview on a famous Odd Squad podcast with Orchid to talk about the new Mobile Unit van.
----
!!Tropes:
* AmbiguousTimePeriod: Averted -- Opal states that she and the other Main 4 have only been inside the van for a week, meaning that "Portalandia" also takes place within the span of a week -- specifically, the week of August 8, 2019.
* AnAesop: Don't act like you know everything about a subject if you clearly don't. It's okay to not be knowledgeable about some things.
* AnswerCut: Oswald tells Orchid that he knows someone who does know everything about the van and whom would make a better interviewee than him. Transition to Orchid interviewing Omelda while the Main 4 sit in chairs not too far away.
* ArtEvolution: The graphics for things such as numbers (which are in a different font) and blueprints get an upgrade in this season.
* BadLiar: Even after being told that the van has 87 floors, Oswald still attempts to convince his teammates that he's got everything under control, when he clearly does not -- and they appear to realize just that: he ''doesn''t have everything under control.
* BaitAndSwitch: With the announcement of the Odd Squadcast (a podcast based on the show that features characters from the show), one would think that this episode, which is based on an Odd Squad podcast called "Odd Podcast", is a lead-in to that one. Unfortunately, it's not -- the episode revolves around Orchid having her own ''separate'' podcast with Oswald set to be a guest on it, as it revolves around interviewing Odd Squad agents on things they know a lot about. Since the podcast is never seen or heard from again after this episode, whether [[invoked]] TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot or not is up for debate. [[note]] May be justified by the fact that the announcement about the podcast didn't come until a month before the show was set to premiere, and when making the episode, the writers might not have had the idea for the Squadcast until after it completed production.[[/note]]
** Oswald leaves the door to the Bubble Room ajar, which causes bubbles to spill out of the room. While this would be cause for alarm (since the van could become overrun by bubbles), it's ultimately meaningless and doesn't serve any purpose other than to dirty up Oswald some more on his way back to the bullpen.
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Oswald is all dirtied up from his journey to get to the bullpen, while everyone else remains uninjured despite Orchid's tendency to be aggressive. May be justified due to Orchid's CharacterDevelopment.
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932-and-a-half rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
* BigWhat: Oswald gives one when Opal tells him that Orchid has arrived to conduct the interview.
** Opal, Omar and Orla later give one in unison when Oswald tells Orchid that he's not ready for the interview.
* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: Oswald passes by the Cheese Room, the Cake Room, and the Cheesecake Room at one point.
** When stalling Orchid, Opal's "X, Y, Z" answers are to scream, run, and scream and run.
* TheBusCameBack: Coach O, who hasn't been seen since [[Recap/OddSquadS2E31OtherOlympiaTotalZeroes "Other Olympia"]], returns in this episode.
** Similarly, [[invoked]] [[RecycledSet Precinct 13579's Headquarters]] also returns in this episode. However, the Headquarters doesn't ''actually'' appear -- it's merely a green screen, which is made [[invoked]] [[SpecialEffectFailure painfully obvious]] by the fact that Orchid and Coach O are set up directly in front of the double-doors leading to the Trophy Room.
* CharacterDevelopment: While Season 1 and Season 2 Orchid wouldn't tolerate the Mobile Unit's stalling techniques, this episode has her be a lot more tolerant while still being upset at them. Similarly, she also isn't as aggressive as she was in past episodes, instead going for TranquilFury.
* ChekhovsGunman: While trying to find his way back to the bullpen, Oswald bumps into a Maintenance worker named Omelda, who comes to the van once a week as part of the OSMU Maintenance crew and is revealed to be a lot more knowledgeable about the van than Oswald is. No points for guessing who ends up being interviewed by Orchid at the end of the episode.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Orchid thinks that Orson needing a nap is "unprofessional". No one tell her that Orson is a baby, and taking naps is what babies ''do.''
* ContrivedCoincidence: Both ladders Oswald has to climb to get to the main floor happen to be out of order. (No, it's not possible, but hey, RuleOfFunny is in full effect.)
* CrossReferencedTitles: A minor example with [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/OddSquadS1E36OscarOfAllTradesSwampsNGators "Swamps N' Gators"]].
* DeadpanSnarker: For how timid Oswald is, even when he's lost in a van with over 80 floors, he still dishes out snark to Omelda.
--> '''Oswald:''' I'm on Floor ''-1'' now? What do I do?
--> '''Omelda:''' Maybe not a podcast about the van.
--> '''Oswald:''' ''[completely deadpan]'' Can you just tell me how I got here?
* TheDreaded: Orchid, natch. Not only is Oswald anxious about being interviewed by her, but the rest of the Mobile Unit has no issue complaining about her.
--> ''[all in unison]''
--> '''Orla:''' How horrible.
--> '''Omar:''' Orchid.
--> '''Opal:''' Ah, Orchid...
* FlashbackCut: One is shown to explain who is in charge of the podcast: [[BrattyHalfPint Orchid.]]
* GreatBigBookOfEverything: The van apparently has a manual, which helps Opal to assist Oswald in getting him back to the bullpen.
* HereWeGoAgain: Opal praises Oswald for doing the right thing and letting Omelda be interviewed instead of him, even if it meant he didn't get to be interviewed. Oswald, however, states that he ''is'' getting interviewed, only he won't talk about the van -- he'll talk about how to make friends with a caveman.
* HiddenDepths: If the whiteboard is any indication, Opal is both a good artist, and may have a ''lot'' more mathematical talent than she lets on to.
* HoldingTheFloor: Opal does this with Orchid, attempting to stall for time until Oswald can return. She decides to make up an OSMU Van Safety Test for Orchid to take, but she ''sorely'' underestimates just how much experience Orchid has under her belt, as she answers the question off the bat. Then, Omar takes charge and decides to throw a graduation party for the agent.
* HumbleGoal: Oswald's dream isn't to be promoted to a position of power, or be the best agent Odd Squad's ever seen. His dream is to be on a podcast, which is rather tame compared to the aforementioned goals of Olive and Olympia, respectively.
* IdiotBall: Oswald comes across a door with bubbles on it. He goes to open it and asks what could be inside. [[SarcasmMode Gee, we wonder what...]]
* IHeardThat: Oswald says this when Omelda begins ThinkingOutLoud and says that he's going to need good luck for his interview.
* ImpossibleTaskEasilyAccomplished: Opal lists off answers to the first question of the OSMU Van Safety Test by going in the order of the alphabet. When she lists off the final option in Z, "scream and run" Orchid answers the question straight off the bat with Q, "activate laser chicken shield", which stuns the Main 3.
* InstantlyProvenWrong: Oswald takes a slide down to one of the lower floors in what he believes to be in the Spaghetti Room, and when he realizes he's not in the bullpen, he begins frantically checking doors to find another slide.
--> '''Oswald:''' Paint Room? No. Beach Room? No, I forgot my sunscreen! And Cave Room. There's no harm in checking.
--> ''[he enters the room; cue caveman growling at him as he runs back out]''
--> '''Oswald:''' There's harm in checking!
* InsistentTerminology: Opal tells Oswald that he has to get to a "3 slide" in the Spaghetti Room in order to go down to the bullpen. However, Oswald ends up going through the Linguine Room, as Omelda points out -- and going through the wrong one ends up setting him back.
--> '''Oswald:''' There's a ''difference?''
--> '''Omelda:''' Linguine is flat pasta and spaghetti is circular. Linguine also goes better with-
--> '''Oswald:''' ''Okay!''
* LongList: Orchid asks Omelda to name all 932 1/2 floors in the van. Omelda complies, and begins rattling off the names of all the rooms. And she's ''still'' going by the time the episode ends.
* TheMaze: There are so many floors in the van (and, as later revealed, so many rooms -- over 900, to be specific) that Oswald gets easily lost, and the majority of the episode is spent with him trying to get back to the bullpen.
* NervousWreck: Par for the course for Oswald, the CowardlyLion of the group -- he starts the episode feeling confident about himself until the rest of his teammates instill a sense of fear into him by letting him know that the rooms seen in the bullpen are only just a small ''fraction'' of what's in the van.
* NoListeningSkills: Oswald muses that there has to be another way upwards. Omelda tells him that there's another rope ladder around the corner, and he heads right for it, not bothering to listen to what else she was going to say: that said ladder won't take him to the bullpen.
* OffscreenTeleportation: The caveman that Oswald had been running from at a couple points in the episode suddenly appears beside the agent, where it's revealed that they are on good terms with each other.
* ParrotExposition: Opal and Oswald do this at the beginning of the episode.
--> '''Oswald:''' How many other floors are we talking about here?
--> '''Opal:''' 87.
--> '''Oswald:''' ''[growing more anxious]'' Please tell me you said 8 ''or'' 7.
--> '''Opal:''' 87. That I know of.
--> ''[Oswald gives a ragged sigh]''
* {{Podcast}}: Aside from the aforementioned Odd Squadcast, this episode introduces a new podcast that Orchid hosts, titled the "Odd Podcast", where she interviews agents about their talents.
* PrideBeforeAFall: Oswald has a very high opinion of himself and his knowledge about the van, and briefly moves past his timid nature, displaying a sense of confidence. However, he quickly changes his tune when Opal lets him know that there are ''87 floors,'' causing him to panic and head off to quickly brush up on the rooms and floors of the van. He ends up getting lost, which nearly costs him his chance to be on Orchid's podcast, but it doesn't stop him from being prideful to those like Omelda, who quickly shuts him down.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: "Now ''where. Is. Oswald?''"
--> ''"No. More. Pictures."''
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Orchid starts to pull one of these when she's fed up with the Mobile Unit's stalling techniques, but is stopped when Oswald -- the person she was expecting in the first place -- comes sliding down into the main floor.
* SecretHandshake: Oswald and the caveman have one, which doesn't impress any of his co-workers.
* SeriesContinuityError: Orchid refers to Orson with his title of "Agent", rather than by Mr. O, as he was promoted to Director of Precinct 13579 at the [[Recap/OddSquadS2E35OddsAndEnds end of Season 2.]] Whether this [[{{Retcon}} Retcons]] Orson's promotion in that episode or whether it was a dialogue slip-up on Orchid's part is never explained.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Averted. As Oswald is dragging a table and a few chairs across the bullpen, Orla pauses in her mini-golf game to stare at him, and Opal and Omar do the same, eyeing him with confused expressions.
** It's played straight for Orchid, however, as she doesn't even bother to comment on why he's covered in a mess of pasta and bubbles.
* WhatTheHellHero: Orla has this reaction to Opal's method of stalling. And rightfully so, since Opal does a ''terrible'' job at it (and yet, Orchid still falls for it).
* WorldBuilding: This episode serves as a way to get the audience acquainted with the Odd Squad Mobile Unit van, its rooms, and its features. Among the rooms shown are the Cheesecake Room, the Paint Room, and the Bubble Room, among many others.
** In the van, rope ladders are used to ascend to floors instead of stairs, while slides are used to descend ([[MeaningfulName hence the episode title]]).
** The van also has a Maintenance crew, which Omelda is a part of. Those on the crew come to the van once a week to make sure it's in peak condition.
** Continuing the trend of having smartwatches equipped with the main characters, Oswald is revealed to have his own smartwatch, which a circular screen similar to Maintenance to represent the Mobile Unit department's symbol. Later episodes would show the rest of the Main 4 having similar smartwatches.
** The van itself is revealed to have 932 1/2 rooms and 87 floors.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_09_27_portalandia_slides_and_ladders_mp4.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:HoldingTheFloor is hard.\\
But don't let Opal do it.]]
'''''Slides and Ladders'''''
'''Airdate:''' February 18, 2020 [[note]] PBS Kids premiere[[/note]]
Oswald finally lands an interview on a famous Odd Squad podcast with Orchid to talk about the new Mobile Unit van.
----
!!Tropes:
* AmbiguousTimePeriod: Averted -- Opal states that she and the other Main 4 have only been inside the van for a week, meaning that "Portalandia" also takes place within the span of a week -- specifically, the week of August 8, 2019.
* AnAesop: Don't act like you know everything about a subject if you clearly don't. It's okay to not be knowledgeable about some things.
* AnswerCut: Oswald tells Orchid that he knows someone who does know everything about the van and whom would make a better interviewee than him. Transition to Orchid interviewing Omelda while the Main 4 sit in chairs not too far away.
* ArtEvolution: The graphics for things such as numbers (which are in a different font) and blueprints get an upgrade in this season.
* BadLiar: Even after being told that the van has 87 floors, Oswald still attempts to convince his teammates that he's got everything under control, when he clearly does not -- and they appear to realize just that: he ''doesn''t have everything under control.
* BaitAndSwitch: With the announcement of the Odd Squadcast (a podcast based on the show that features characters from the show), one would think that this episode, which is based on an Odd Squad podcast called "Odd Podcast", is a lead-in to that one. Unfortunately, it's not -- the episode revolves around Orchid having her own ''separate'' podcast with Oswald set to be a guest on it, as it revolves around interviewing Odd Squad agents on things they know a lot about. Since the podcast is never seen or heard from again after this episode, whether [[invoked]] TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot or not is up for debate. [[note]] May be justified by the fact that the announcement about the podcast didn't come until a month before the show was set to premiere, and when making the episode, the writers might not have had the idea for the Squadcast until after it completed production.[[/note]]
** Oswald leaves the door to the Bubble Room ajar, which causes bubbles to spill out of the room. While this would be cause for alarm (since the van could become overrun by bubbles), it's ultimately meaningless and doesn't serve any purpose other than to dirty up Oswald some more on his way back to the bullpen.
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Oswald is all dirtied up from his journey to get to the bullpen, while everyone else remains uninjured despite Orchid's tendency to be aggressive. May be justified due to Orchid's CharacterDevelopment.
* BiggerOnTheInside: Yes, we're well-aware that the van is this. However, this episode takes it UpToEleven by revealing that it has ''87 floors'' and ''932-and-a-half rooms.'' Not even the ''diagram'' that Opal pulls up (which automatically locates every slide and ladder in the van) makes much sense.
* BigWhat: Oswald gives one when Opal tells him that Orchid has arrived to conduct the interview.
** Opal, Omar and Orla later give one in unison when Oswald tells Orchid that he's not ready for the interview.
* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: Oswald passes by the Cheese Room, the Cake Room, and the Cheesecake Room at one point.
** When stalling Orchid, Opal's "X, Y, Z" answers are to scream, run, and scream and run.
* TheBusCameBack: Coach O, who hasn't been seen since [[Recap/OddSquadS2E31OtherOlympiaTotalZeroes "Other Olympia"]], returns in this episode.
** Similarly, [[invoked]] [[RecycledSet Precinct 13579's Headquarters]] also returns in this episode. However, the Headquarters doesn't ''actually'' appear -- it's merely a green screen, which is made [[invoked]] [[SpecialEffectFailure painfully obvious]] by the fact that Orchid and Coach O are set up directly in front of the double-doors leading to the Trophy Room.
* CharacterDevelopment: While Season 1 and Season 2 Orchid wouldn't tolerate the Mobile Unit's stalling techniques, this episode has her be a lot more tolerant while still being upset at them. Similarly, she also isn't as aggressive as she was in past episodes, instead going for TranquilFury.
* ChekhovsGunman: While trying to find his way back to the bullpen, Oswald bumps into a Maintenance worker named Omelda, who comes to the van once a week as part of the OSMU Maintenance crew and is revealed to be a lot more knowledgeable about the van than Oswald is. No points for guessing who ends up being interviewed by Orchid at the end of the episode.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Orchid thinks that Orson needing a nap is "unprofessional". No one tell her that Orson is a baby, and taking naps is what babies ''do.''
* ContrivedCoincidence: Both ladders Oswald has to climb to get to the main floor happen to be out of order. (No, it's not possible, but hey, RuleOfFunny is in full effect.)
* CrossReferencedTitles: A minor example with [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/OddSquadS1E36OscarOfAllTradesSwampsNGators "Swamps N' Gators"]].
* DeadpanSnarker: For how timid Oswald is, even when he's lost in a van with over 80 floors, he still dishes out snark to Omelda.
--> '''Oswald:''' I'm on Floor ''-1'' now? What do I do?
--> '''Omelda:''' Maybe not a podcast about the van.
--> '''Oswald:''' ''[completely deadpan]'' Can you just tell me how I got here?
* TheDreaded: Orchid, natch. Not only is Oswald anxious about being interviewed by her, but the rest of the Mobile Unit has no issue complaining about her.
--> ''[all in unison]''
--> '''Orla:''' How horrible.
--> '''Omar:''' Orchid.
--> '''Opal:''' Ah, Orchid...
* FlashbackCut: One is shown to explain who is in charge of the podcast: [[BrattyHalfPint Orchid.]]
* GreatBigBookOfEverything: The van apparently has a manual, which helps Opal to assist Oswald in getting him back to the bullpen.
* HereWeGoAgain: Opal praises Oswald for doing the right thing and letting Omelda be interviewed instead of him, even if it meant he didn't get to be interviewed. Oswald, however, states that he ''is'' getting interviewed, only he won't talk about the van -- he'll talk about how to make friends with a caveman.
* HiddenDepths: If the whiteboard is any indication, Opal is both a good artist, and may have a ''lot'' more mathematical talent than she lets on to.
* HoldingTheFloor: Opal does this with Orchid, attempting to stall for time until Oswald can return. She decides to make up an OSMU Van Safety Test for Orchid to take, but she ''sorely'' underestimates just how much experience Orchid has under her belt, as she answers the question off the bat. Then, Omar takes charge and decides to throw a graduation party for the agent.
* HumbleGoal: Oswald's dream isn't to be promoted to a position of power, or be the best agent Odd Squad's ever seen. His dream is to be on a podcast, which is rather tame compared to the aforementioned goals of Olive and Olympia, respectively.
* IdiotBall: Oswald comes across a door with bubbles on it. He goes to open it and asks what could be inside. [[SarcasmMode Gee, we wonder what...]]
* IHeardThat: Oswald says this when Omelda begins ThinkingOutLoud and says that he's going to need good luck for his interview.
* ImpossibleTaskEasilyAccomplished: Opal lists off answers to the first question of the OSMU Van Safety Test by going in the order of the alphabet. When she lists off the final option in Z, "scream and run" Orchid answers the question straight off the bat with Q, "activate laser chicken shield", which stuns the Main 3.
* InstantlyProvenWrong: Oswald takes a slide down to one of the lower floors in what he believes to be in the Spaghetti Room, and when he realizes he's not in the bullpen, he begins frantically checking doors to find another slide.
--> '''Oswald:''' Paint Room? No. Beach Room? No, I forgot my sunscreen! And Cave Room. There's no harm in checking.
--> ''[he enters the room; cue caveman growling at him as he runs back out]''
--> '''Oswald:''' There's harm in checking!
* InsistentTerminology: Opal tells Oswald that he has to get to a "3 slide" in the Spaghetti Room in order to go down to the bullpen. However, Oswald ends up going through the Linguine Room, as Omelda points out -- and going through the wrong one ends up setting him back.
--> '''Oswald:''' There's a ''difference?''
--> '''Omelda:''' Linguine is flat pasta and spaghetti is circular. Linguine also goes better with-
--> '''Oswald:''' ''Okay!''
* LongList: Orchid asks Omelda to name all 932 1/2 floors in the van. Omelda complies, and begins rattling off the names of all the rooms. And she's ''still'' going by the time the episode ends.
* TheMaze: There are so many floors in the van (and, as later revealed, so many rooms -- over 900, to be specific) that Oswald gets easily lost, and the majority of the episode is spent with him trying to get back to the bullpen.
* NervousWreck: Par for the course for Oswald, the CowardlyLion of the group -- he starts the episode feeling confident about himself until the rest of his teammates instill a sense of fear into him by letting him know that the rooms seen in the bullpen are only just a small ''fraction'' of what's in the van.
* NoListeningSkills: Oswald muses that there has to be another way upwards. Omelda tells him that there's another rope ladder around the corner, and he heads right for it, not bothering to listen to what else she was going to say: that said ladder won't take him to the bullpen.
* OffscreenTeleportation: The caveman that Oswald had been running from at a couple points in the episode suddenly appears beside the agent, where it's revealed that they are on good terms with each other.
* ParrotExposition: Opal and Oswald do this at the beginning of the episode.
--> '''Oswald:''' How many other floors are we talking about here?
--> '''Opal:''' 87.
--> '''Oswald:''' ''[growing more anxious]'' Please tell me you said 8 ''or'' 7.
--> '''Opal:''' 87. That I know of.
--> ''[Oswald gives a ragged sigh]''
* {{Podcast}}: Aside from the aforementioned Odd Squadcast, this episode introduces a new podcast that Orchid hosts, titled the "Odd Podcast", where she interviews agents about their talents.
* PrideBeforeAFall: Oswald has a very high opinion of himself and his knowledge about the van, and briefly moves past his timid nature, displaying a sense of confidence. However, he quickly changes his tune when Opal lets him know that there are ''87 floors,'' causing him to panic and head off to quickly brush up on the rooms and floors of the van. He ends up getting lost, which nearly costs him his chance to be on Orchid's podcast, but it doesn't stop him from being prideful to those like Omelda, who quickly shuts him down.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: "Now ''where. Is. Oswald?''"
--> ''"No. More. Pictures."''
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Orchid starts to pull one of these when she's fed up with the Mobile Unit's stalling techniques, but is stopped when Oswald -- the person she was expecting in the first place -- comes sliding down into the main floor.
* SecretHandshake: Oswald and the caveman have one, which doesn't impress any of his co-workers.
* SeriesContinuityError: Orchid refers to Orson with his title of "Agent", rather than by Mr. O, as he was promoted to Director of Precinct 13579 at the [[Recap/OddSquadS2E35OddsAndEnds end of Season 2.]] Whether this [[{{Retcon}} Retcons]] Orson's promotion in that episode or whether it was a dialogue slip-up on Orchid's part is never explained.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Averted. As Oswald is dragging a table and a few chairs across the bullpen, Orla pauses in her mini-golf game to stare at him, and Opal and Omar do the same, eyeing him with confused expressions.
** It's played straight for Orchid, however, as she doesn't even bother to comment on why he's covered in a mess of pasta and bubbles.
* WhatTheHellHero: Orla has this reaction to Opal's method of stalling. And rightfully so, since Opal does a ''terrible'' job at it (and yet, Orchid still falls for it).
* WorldBuilding: This episode serves as a way to get the audience acquainted with the Odd Squad Mobile Unit van, its rooms, and its features. Among the rooms shown are the Cheesecake Room, the Paint Room, and the Bubble Room, among many others.
** In the van, rope ladders are used to ascend to floors instead of stairs, while slides are used to descend ([[MeaningfulName hence the episode title]]).
** The van also has a Maintenance crew, which Omelda is a part of. Those on the crew come to the van once a week to make sure it's in peak condition.
** Continuing the trend of having smartwatches equipped with the main characters, Oswald is revealed to have his own smartwatch, which a circular screen similar to Maintenance to represent the Mobile Unit department's symbol. Later episodes would show the rest of the Main 4 having similar smartwatches.
** The van itself is revealed to have 932 1/2 rooms and 87 floors.
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* {{Flanderization}}: Oprah's {{Catchphrase}} of "Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" has well carried over into Season 3, even with her promotion. And it still manages to startle the Main 4 just like how it's startled all of the main characters.
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* {{Flanderization}}: Oprah's {{Catchphrase}} of "Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" has well carried over into Season 3, even with her promotion. And it still manages to startle the Main 4 just like how it's startled all of the main characters.characters of the past 2 seasons.
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* FunWithAcronyms: Invoked by Opal -- she comes up with the acronym OSMU, or the '''O'''dd '''S'''quad '''M'''obile '''U'''nit, and reciting it as "Aws-moo" instead of pronouncing each letter individually (which would make it O.S.M.U). Naturally, it's a hit with the rest of the agents, and has been established as a team name for the group.
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* FunWithAcronyms: Invoked by Opal -- she comes up with the acronym OSMU, or the '''O'''dd '''S'''quad '''M'''obile '''U'''nit, and reciting recites it as "Aws-moo" instead of pronouncing each letter individually (which would make it O.S.M.U). Naturally, it's a hit with the rest of the agents, and has been established as a team name for the group.
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger" wasn't a crime 400 years ago.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger" danger by sending them to a perilous [[AnotherDimension dimension]]" wasn't a crime 400 years ago.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger" wasn't on the list of crimes 400 years ago.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger" wasn't on the list of crimes a crime 400 years ago.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger by sending them to a perilous dimension" wasn't on the list of crimes 400 years ago.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger by sending them to a perilous dimension" danger" wasn't on the list of crimes 400 years ago.]]
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_09_26_portalandia_slides_and_ladders_mp4.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger by sending them to a perilous dimension" wasn't on the list of crimes 400 years ago.]]
'''''Portalandia'''''
'''Airdate:''' February 18, 2020 [[note]]PBS Kids premiere[[/note]]
When Orla rushes through constructing a portal without reading the instructions, Omar, Oswald, and Opal end up stuck in the 17th dimension.
----
!!Tropes:
* AlienSky: The 17th Dimension has a purple sky with at least 4 moons.
* AnAesop: Take the time to think things through before you act. Not doing so can put others around you in danger.
* AnotherDimension: The 17th dimension is a rather otherworldly place with multiple moons in the sky, large butterflies that shoot [[FrickinLaserBeams eye beams,]] and singing sharks, among other threats.
* AnswerCut: Omar says that the Mobile Unit will need to open a dimensional portal to return the plant. Orla excitedly asks how they'll do that, and suggests they fire gadgets, do backflips, and summon dragons. WhipPan transition to the Main 4 with a box in front of them as Omar explains that it's a dimensional portal kit that comes with an instruction manual.
* {{Battlecry}}: Orla gives a '''''"CHAAAAAAARGE!!"''''' as she goes to attack the ManEatingPlant at the end of the episode.
* BehindAStick: Opal, Omar and Oswald hide behind a rock to avoid the large butterflies in the 17th Dimension. While Opal and Omar have pretty good coverage, the rock is too small for Oswald to hide behind, so he sticks out like a sore thumb.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: A CheerfulChild Orla may be, but she is still an ancient warrior who can kick your butt with ease, so it's best not to cross her path lest you want a taste of TranquilFury.
--> '''Cashier:''' Well well well, look who should have signed up for the Portal Club!
--> '''Orla:''' I have no time for this. ''My friends are in danger'' so ''let me make my purchase and be done.''
--> '''Cashier:''' Uh, can I interest you in a shadow-proof case for your new portal kit?
--> '''Orla:''' ''[slams her hands on the countertop]'' ''I have no need for such things.''
--> ''[she takes the box; offscreen crashing]''
--> ''[WhipPan transition to Orla with another portal box]''
--> '''Cashier:''' Now would you like to join?
--> '''Orla:''' ''[tired]'' Yes, I shall join the Portal Club.
* BigNo: Omar gives one as he's sucked into the portal.
* BigWhat: Omar, Opal and Oswald give one when Orla tells them that she has to go to The Portal Master store for her fifth kit.
* BinomiumRidiculus: The plant the Main 4 have to take to the 17th Dimension is referred to as a "Geranium Ordenerium", which doesn't grow in Japan.
* BrokenAesop: Orla's lesson about taking the time to think things through is interrupted by Opal pointing out that the plant they were supposed to deliver came back to Tokyo with them. Orla then asks for permission to react without thinking, and once the other agents say yes, she rushes straight for the plant. Later episodes would reveal that AesopAmnesia has fully set in, as Orla still reacts without thinking at times.
* CaptainObvious: When Orla returns from her training, Opal, Omar and Oswald have already completed the portal. When Oswald says "Pretty exciting, eh, Orla?", Orla simply responds with, "It is a rectangle."
* CarryTheOne: In a twist of surprising {{Irony}} for a show whose primary {{Aesop}} is mathematics, this trope is played ''completely straight'' when Oswald begins calculating how much time he, Opal and Omar have before they all become food for the sharks, butterflies, and the ManEatingPlant in the 17th dimension, then utters the trope name verbatim as he writes on a notepad. He doesn't get very far, however, before Orla comes to rescue them all.
* {{Catchphrase}}: This episode introduces a new one for Orla when answering the phone, which simply has her say "I am Orla."
* CharacterFocus: Downplayed. While many episodes do have some or all of the Main 4 agents in some capacity, a majority of them in this season tend to focus on one specific character, and while some episodes make it clear off the bat whom it's about, others are more subtle. In this case, the episode focuses on Orla as her LeeroyJenkins mannerisms overshadow her common sense and send her teammates to AnotherDimension.
* CheerfulChild: Orla is excited to solve another case, and is excited to get a chance to show off her bravery and fighting skills. Unfortunately, she's unaware that Odd Squad nowadays doesn't have as many high-stakes dangers as it did 400 years ago, and becomes disappointed when she finds out that to get to the 17th Dimension, one has to build a portal following the instructions in the instruction manual rather than using more action-based means like firing gadgets.
* DeadpanSnarker: For being an ancient warrior, Orla has a ''lot'' of snark to give in this episode.
--> '''Orla:''' ''That'' is our exciting mission? To deliver a ''plant?''
* DisproportionateCelebration: Played with. The episode opens with the Main 4 celebrating their first official case solved as a unit, which would be a good reason to celebrate. However, Opal later reveals that their ''actual'' first case isn't the one featured in this episode (which has them going to Tokyo, and not Berlin), so their celebration can come off as this.
* DissonantSerenity: Orla accidentally sends two of her teammates to a dimension filled with peril. Instead of feeling even an inch of worry, she acts innocent and happy. (Well, up until Omar scolds her by saying that there were 22 more steps to go through before the portal could be activated.)
** Later on, when she accidentally sends Omar to the portal, she does so with a pure innocent grin on her face before looking around in confusion.
* DwindlingParty: Opal, Omar and Oswald all disappear at various points in the episode. While Opal and Omar are sucked into the portal together, Omar is sucked in alone, leaving just Orla -- the very person who (accidentally) activated the portal that sucked them in in the first place.
* EvolvingCredits: The opening theme is changed once again for the second time. Notably, this is also the final time the opening credits are changed for the duration of the season.
** Instead of the Big O narrating, Opal takes over narration duties in place of Olympia from last season.
** The "and back to me" slide is removed, and the opening narration is also slightly different, with Opal saying that "we travel the world" rather than explaining what Odd Squad is.
** The slide of the giant baby is replaced with a slide from (what was at the time) an upcoming episode, "Wax On Wax Odd".
** Clips from past Season 1 and Season 2 episodes are replaced with clips from various Season 3 episodes such as "Train of Thought" and "Oswald in the Machine".
** The CharacterInTheLogo shot is re-introduced, featuring the Main 5, and the "Who do we work for" line is replaced with "We work for Odd Squad".
* FatalFlaw: Orla's LeeroyJenkins approach to things ends up becoming one for her when she sends the rest of her teammates to the 17th Dimension. Subsequent episodes reveal that she still hasn't learned from her mistake.
* {{Flanderization}}: Oprah's {{Catchphrase}} of "Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" has well carried over into Season 3, even with her promotion. And it still manages to startle the Main 4 just like how it's startled all of the main characters.
* FreezeFrameEnding: The episode ends with Orla leaping towards the plant and making a rather...[[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/oddsquad/images/7/7d/Ffe.png/revision/latest?cb=20200926223038 odd face expression]].
* FrickinLaserBeams: The giant butterflies in the 17th Dimension shoot EyeBeams at the Main 3 agents.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: As the Main 3 are delivering the mathematical {{Aesop}} of the episode, Orla can be seen doing all sorts of acrobatics as training for if (or in her mind, when) danger crops up.
* FunWithAcronyms: Invoked by Opal -- she comes up with the acronym OSMU, or the '''O'''dd '''S'''quad '''M'''obile '''U'''nit, and reciting it as "Aws-moo" instead of pronouncing each letter individually (which would make it O.S.M.U). Naturally, it's a hit with the rest of the agents, and has been established as a team name for the group.
* GoodNewsBadNews: Played the straight way, with Oswald telling Orla the good news followed by Opal telling them the bad news. In their case, the good news is that they aren't being chased by a giant evil plant, but the bad news is that they're now being chased by giant sharks that sing opera.
* GratuitousJapanese: Upon arriving in Tokyo, a woman comes up to the Mobile Unit and begins speaking Japanese to them. [[note]]While it's undecipherable to anyone who doesn't speak Japanese fluently, it's likely that she's saying "Thank you for coming, Odd Squad" or something along those lines.[[/note]] None of the Main 4 can speak Japanese, so they use the Translator-inator gadget, which causes the woman to speak in fluent English so they can understand her.
* HereWeGoAgain: Orla rescues her teammates from the portal, but the plant they were supposed to bring back comes back to Tokyo with them, leading Orla to attack it head-on.
* IdiosyncraticWipes: This episode introduces a new transition wipe for the Mobile Unit, which consists of the department's logo (shaped like a steering wheel) flying down onto a hexagonal dark-colored background, then flying towards the screen with the next scene being shown in the small hole in the middle of the logo.
** There's also another transition wipe introduced for the Mobile Unit, which consists of the hexagonal background closing in on the scene, followed by the logo of the Mobile Unit appearing in a flash of light, then the logo moving backwards as the background clears away to open the next scene.
* IgnoredExpert: The cashier at The Portal Master store offers Orla and Omar a chance to sign up for the store's loyalty program, which gives them a buy-one-get-one free deal on portals. Omar says that [[ActuallyAGoodIdea it sounds like a good idea,]] but Orla, naturally, declines and heads off, with Omar giving a whispered "sorry" to the cashier. It isn't until she buys a portal and immediately breaks it offscreen that she gives up the fight and joins the program.
* IResembleThatRemark: Opal breaks the news to Orla about her bad habit. Naturally, Orla is not pleased.
--> '''Opal:''' ''Please'' don't take this the wrong way, but you have a tendency to rush through things.
--> '''Orla:''' State ''one time'' where I have rushed things.
--> '''Opal:''' On our first mission, the one we just solved in Berlin, you-
--> '''Orla:''' Can you hurry up with this story? It is taking forever.
--> '''Omar:''' ''[reading the instruction manual]'' Step 1-
--> '''Orla:''' ''[groans]''
* ManEatingPlant: In the 17th Dimension, the plant the Mobile Unit bring there grows giant and begins to attack Opal and Oswald, as well as Omar when he gets sucked into the Dimension.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Orla manages to send all three of her teammates to the 17th dimension due to her tendency to be a LeeroyJenkins and rush into things. Eventually she realizes what she's done and sets out to rescue them.
* NoListeningSkills: Orla. Whoo ''boy,'' Orla. She just refuses to listen to her teammates about building the portal, and as a result, she puts them in danger and has them fighting for survival in AnotherDimension.
* NotSoImaginaryFriend: Orla decides to imagine a clone of herself so she'll have someone to yell commands at. Instead of yelling commands, however, the imaginary clone gives the real Orla some advice on how to construct the portal before it disappears.
* OffTheShelfFX: The button to activate the portal looks quite similar to the [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61GcwfBB5JL._AC_SL1500_.jpg Talking Easy Buttons]] that Staples sells, only with the "easy" logo removed on the top and the Staples logo removed on the side.
* ReadingForeignSignsOutLoud: While walking in The Portal Master store, Orla reads a directional sign in an aisle aloud.
* ReadTheFreakingManual: Opal, Omar and Oswald are all willing to construct a portal by following the instruction manual. Orla, on the other hand...
--> '''Orla:''' We are in the land of warriors, and you wish to consult a ''manual?'' We Odd Squad agents have no need of such thing. ''[lunges for the box]'' Allow me!
--> ''[the rest of the Mobile Unit holds back Orla]''
* SeriesContinuityError: Two that occur in the ''same episode.''
** The beginning of the episode has the Main 4 celebrating their first mission solved as a group. However, Opal later reveals that their actual first case was in Berlin, and isn't the case in this episode.
** Omar says that none of the Main 4 can speak Japanese, but when he recites The Portal Master store's slogan, he says it rhymes in Japanese. Directly after that, Orla reads aloud a sign written in Japanese directing them to where they need to go. This is despite the fact that they aren't shown learning Japanese at any point in the episode.
* ShoutOut: Omar mentions how The Portal Master store has a 99-cent meatball lunch special. What store also has meatballs? IKEA, which has stores in Canada, where most of the people working on the show are from.
* StockFootage: This episode introduces the footage of the van flying through the air that kicks off a few of the episodes, which is repeatedly used as an establishing shot.
* SuperCellReception: Even in the 17th Dimension, Oswald, Omar and Opal can still call Orla from where she is in Japan.
* TemptingFate: When Omar says that the group should make T-shirts, Orla says that there's no time, as they have more cases to solve. Oswald then asks when they think their next one will be. A second later and the Big O calls them to assign them their next case.
* ThinkingOutLoud: Orla does this at the climax of the episode, and uses an imaginary clone of herself to give her advice on building the fifth portal.
* ThreePointLanding: Orla does this when entering the 17th dimension, even with a rope in her hand.
* TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse: The entirety of the episode takes place in Tokyo.
* TransatlanticEquivalent: A variant with a store instead of a TV show or music -- The Portal Master store looks an awful lot like a Japanese Home Depot, with its abundance of orange and a section of the store where Omar and Orla check out that looks like a Tool Rental Center. While there are [[https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/30xpuc/whats_the_equivalent_of_best_buy_and_home_depot/ Home Depot equivalents in Tokyo]], none of them match The Portal Master.
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: Orla is excited to solve a case in Japan ("a country of great noble warrior history", according to her), and flairs up her response to the client thanking them for coming so quickly. However, her enthusiasm falls entirely flat when she sees exactly what she and the others came to Tokyo to solve.
--> '''Woman:''' Thank you for coming so quickly.
--> '''Orla:''' It is we who thank you, for this opportunity to test our bravery, strength, and fearless resolve. Now show us your oddness!
--> ''[the woman gestures to a small nearby plant]''
--> '''Orla:''' ''[face falls]'' A ''plant?''
* WorldTour: This episode begins the agents' journey to various locations worldwide, with the Main 4 going to Tokyo.
* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: Opal gives Orla some encouraging words when the ancient warrior believes that she has been given a faulty portal kit.
--> '''Opal:''' You can do this! You may be a brave, strong warrior, but your most powerful muscle is your brain!
--> '''Oswald:''' Technically, your brain is an organ.
--> '''Opal:''' Just slow down and take the time to think through the problem. You'll solve it! ''HURRY!!''
----
[[caption-width-right:350:You'll have to excuse her. "Putting others in mortal danger by sending them to a perilous dimension" wasn't on the list of crimes 400 years ago.]]
'''''Portalandia'''''
'''Airdate:''' February 18, 2020 [[note]]PBS Kids premiere[[/note]]
When Orla rushes through constructing a portal without reading the instructions, Omar, Oswald, and Opal end up stuck in the 17th dimension.
----
!!Tropes:
* AlienSky: The 17th Dimension has a purple sky with at least 4 moons.
* AnAesop: Take the time to think things through before you act. Not doing so can put others around you in danger.
* AnotherDimension: The 17th dimension is a rather otherworldly place with multiple moons in the sky, large butterflies that shoot [[FrickinLaserBeams eye beams,]] and singing sharks, among other threats.
* AnswerCut: Omar says that the Mobile Unit will need to open a dimensional portal to return the plant. Orla excitedly asks how they'll do that, and suggests they fire gadgets, do backflips, and summon dragons. WhipPan transition to the Main 4 with a box in front of them as Omar explains that it's a dimensional portal kit that comes with an instruction manual.
* {{Battlecry}}: Orla gives a '''''"CHAAAAAAARGE!!"''''' as she goes to attack the ManEatingPlant at the end of the episode.
* BehindAStick: Opal, Omar and Oswald hide behind a rock to avoid the large butterflies in the 17th Dimension. While Opal and Omar have pretty good coverage, the rock is too small for Oswald to hide behind, so he sticks out like a sore thumb.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: A CheerfulChild Orla may be, but she is still an ancient warrior who can kick your butt with ease, so it's best not to cross her path lest you want a taste of TranquilFury.
--> '''Cashier:''' Well well well, look who should have signed up for the Portal Club!
--> '''Orla:''' I have no time for this. ''My friends are in danger'' so ''let me make my purchase and be done.''
--> '''Cashier:''' Uh, can I interest you in a shadow-proof case for your new portal kit?
--> '''Orla:''' ''[slams her hands on the countertop]'' ''I have no need for such things.''
--> ''[she takes the box; offscreen crashing]''
--> ''[WhipPan transition to Orla with another portal box]''
--> '''Cashier:''' Now would you like to join?
--> '''Orla:''' ''[tired]'' Yes, I shall join the Portal Club.
* BigNo: Omar gives one as he's sucked into the portal.
* BigWhat: Omar, Opal and Oswald give one when Orla tells them that she has to go to The Portal Master store for her fifth kit.
* BinomiumRidiculus: The plant the Main 4 have to take to the 17th Dimension is referred to as a "Geranium Ordenerium", which doesn't grow in Japan.
* BrokenAesop: Orla's lesson about taking the time to think things through is interrupted by Opal pointing out that the plant they were supposed to deliver came back to Tokyo with them. Orla then asks for permission to react without thinking, and once the other agents say yes, she rushes straight for the plant. Later episodes would reveal that AesopAmnesia has fully set in, as Orla still reacts without thinking at times.
* CaptainObvious: When Orla returns from her training, Opal, Omar and Oswald have already completed the portal. When Oswald says "Pretty exciting, eh, Orla?", Orla simply responds with, "It is a rectangle."
* CarryTheOne: In a twist of surprising {{Irony}} for a show whose primary {{Aesop}} is mathematics, this trope is played ''completely straight'' when Oswald begins calculating how much time he, Opal and Omar have before they all become food for the sharks, butterflies, and the ManEatingPlant in the 17th dimension, then utters the trope name verbatim as he writes on a notepad. He doesn't get very far, however, before Orla comes to rescue them all.
* {{Catchphrase}}: This episode introduces a new one for Orla when answering the phone, which simply has her say "I am Orla."
* CharacterFocus: Downplayed. While many episodes do have some or all of the Main 4 agents in some capacity, a majority of them in this season tend to focus on one specific character, and while some episodes make it clear off the bat whom it's about, others are more subtle. In this case, the episode focuses on Orla as her LeeroyJenkins mannerisms overshadow her common sense and send her teammates to AnotherDimension.
* CheerfulChild: Orla is excited to solve another case, and is excited to get a chance to show off her bravery and fighting skills. Unfortunately, she's unaware that Odd Squad nowadays doesn't have as many high-stakes dangers as it did 400 years ago, and becomes disappointed when she finds out that to get to the 17th Dimension, one has to build a portal following the instructions in the instruction manual rather than using more action-based means like firing gadgets.
* DeadpanSnarker: For being an ancient warrior, Orla has a ''lot'' of snark to give in this episode.
--> '''Orla:''' ''That'' is our exciting mission? To deliver a ''plant?''
* DisproportionateCelebration: Played with. The episode opens with the Main 4 celebrating their first official case solved as a unit, which would be a good reason to celebrate. However, Opal later reveals that their ''actual'' first case isn't the one featured in this episode (which has them going to Tokyo, and not Berlin), so their celebration can come off as this.
* DissonantSerenity: Orla accidentally sends two of her teammates to a dimension filled with peril. Instead of feeling even an inch of worry, she acts innocent and happy. (Well, up until Omar scolds her by saying that there were 22 more steps to go through before the portal could be activated.)
** Later on, when she accidentally sends Omar to the portal, she does so with a pure innocent grin on her face before looking around in confusion.
* DwindlingParty: Opal, Omar and Oswald all disappear at various points in the episode. While Opal and Omar are sucked into the portal together, Omar is sucked in alone, leaving just Orla -- the very person who (accidentally) activated the portal that sucked them in in the first place.
* EvolvingCredits: The opening theme is changed once again for the second time. Notably, this is also the final time the opening credits are changed for the duration of the season.
** Instead of the Big O narrating, Opal takes over narration duties in place of Olympia from last season.
** The "and back to me" slide is removed, and the opening narration is also slightly different, with Opal saying that "we travel the world" rather than explaining what Odd Squad is.
** The slide of the giant baby is replaced with a slide from (what was at the time) an upcoming episode, "Wax On Wax Odd".
** Clips from past Season 1 and Season 2 episodes are replaced with clips from various Season 3 episodes such as "Train of Thought" and "Oswald in the Machine".
** The CharacterInTheLogo shot is re-introduced, featuring the Main 5, and the "Who do we work for" line is replaced with "We work for Odd Squad".
* FatalFlaw: Orla's LeeroyJenkins approach to things ends up becoming one for her when she sends the rest of her teammates to the 17th Dimension. Subsequent episodes reveal that she still hasn't learned from her mistake.
* {{Flanderization}}: Oprah's {{Catchphrase}} of "Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" has well carried over into Season 3, even with her promotion. And it still manages to startle the Main 4 just like how it's startled all of the main characters.
* FreezeFrameEnding: The episode ends with Orla leaping towards the plant and making a rather...[[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/oddsquad/images/7/7d/Ffe.png/revision/latest?cb=20200926223038 odd face expression]].
* FrickinLaserBeams: The giant butterflies in the 17th Dimension shoot EyeBeams at the Main 3 agents.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: As the Main 3 are delivering the mathematical {{Aesop}} of the episode, Orla can be seen doing all sorts of acrobatics as training for if (or in her mind, when) danger crops up.
* FunWithAcronyms: Invoked by Opal -- she comes up with the acronym OSMU, or the '''O'''dd '''S'''quad '''M'''obile '''U'''nit, and reciting it as "Aws-moo" instead of pronouncing each letter individually (which would make it O.S.M.U). Naturally, it's a hit with the rest of the agents, and has been established as a team name for the group.
* GoodNewsBadNews: Played the straight way, with Oswald telling Orla the good news followed by Opal telling them the bad news. In their case, the good news is that they aren't being chased by a giant evil plant, but the bad news is that they're now being chased by giant sharks that sing opera.
* GratuitousJapanese: Upon arriving in Tokyo, a woman comes up to the Mobile Unit and begins speaking Japanese to them. [[note]]While it's undecipherable to anyone who doesn't speak Japanese fluently, it's likely that she's saying "Thank you for coming, Odd Squad" or something along those lines.[[/note]] None of the Main 4 can speak Japanese, so they use the Translator-inator gadget, which causes the woman to speak in fluent English so they can understand her.
* HereWeGoAgain: Orla rescues her teammates from the portal, but the plant they were supposed to bring back comes back to Tokyo with them, leading Orla to attack it head-on.
* IdiosyncraticWipes: This episode introduces a new transition wipe for the Mobile Unit, which consists of the department's logo (shaped like a steering wheel) flying down onto a hexagonal dark-colored background, then flying towards the screen with the next scene being shown in the small hole in the middle of the logo.
** There's also another transition wipe introduced for the Mobile Unit, which consists of the hexagonal background closing in on the scene, followed by the logo of the Mobile Unit appearing in a flash of light, then the logo moving backwards as the background clears away to open the next scene.
* IgnoredExpert: The cashier at The Portal Master store offers Orla and Omar a chance to sign up for the store's loyalty program, which gives them a buy-one-get-one free deal on portals. Omar says that [[ActuallyAGoodIdea it sounds like a good idea,]] but Orla, naturally, declines and heads off, with Omar giving a whispered "sorry" to the cashier. It isn't until she buys a portal and immediately breaks it offscreen that she gives up the fight and joins the program.
* IResembleThatRemark: Opal breaks the news to Orla about her bad habit. Naturally, Orla is not pleased.
--> '''Opal:''' ''Please'' don't take this the wrong way, but you have a tendency to rush through things.
--> '''Orla:''' State ''one time'' where I have rushed things.
--> '''Opal:''' On our first mission, the one we just solved in Berlin, you-
--> '''Orla:''' Can you hurry up with this story? It is taking forever.
--> '''Omar:''' ''[reading the instruction manual]'' Step 1-
--> '''Orla:''' ''[groans]''
* ManEatingPlant: In the 17th Dimension, the plant the Mobile Unit bring there grows giant and begins to attack Opal and Oswald, as well as Omar when he gets sucked into the Dimension.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Orla manages to send all three of her teammates to the 17th dimension due to her tendency to be a LeeroyJenkins and rush into things. Eventually she realizes what she's done and sets out to rescue them.
* NoListeningSkills: Orla. Whoo ''boy,'' Orla. She just refuses to listen to her teammates about building the portal, and as a result, she puts them in danger and has them fighting for survival in AnotherDimension.
* NotSoImaginaryFriend: Orla decides to imagine a clone of herself so she'll have someone to yell commands at. Instead of yelling commands, however, the imaginary clone gives the real Orla some advice on how to construct the portal before it disappears.
* OffTheShelfFX: The button to activate the portal looks quite similar to the [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61GcwfBB5JL._AC_SL1500_.jpg Talking Easy Buttons]] that Staples sells, only with the "easy" logo removed on the top and the Staples logo removed on the side.
* ReadingForeignSignsOutLoud: While walking in The Portal Master store, Orla reads a directional sign in an aisle aloud.
* ReadTheFreakingManual: Opal, Omar and Oswald are all willing to construct a portal by following the instruction manual. Orla, on the other hand...
--> '''Orla:''' We are in the land of warriors, and you wish to consult a ''manual?'' We Odd Squad agents have no need of such thing. ''[lunges for the box]'' Allow me!
--> ''[the rest of the Mobile Unit holds back Orla]''
* SeriesContinuityError: Two that occur in the ''same episode.''
** The beginning of the episode has the Main 4 celebrating their first mission solved as a group. However, Opal later reveals that their actual first case was in Berlin, and isn't the case in this episode.
** Omar says that none of the Main 4 can speak Japanese, but when he recites The Portal Master store's slogan, he says it rhymes in Japanese. Directly after that, Orla reads aloud a sign written in Japanese directing them to where they need to go. This is despite the fact that they aren't shown learning Japanese at any point in the episode.
* ShoutOut: Omar mentions how The Portal Master store has a 99-cent meatball lunch special. What store also has meatballs? IKEA, which has stores in Canada, where most of the people working on the show are from.
* StockFootage: This episode introduces the footage of the van flying through the air that kicks off a few of the episodes, which is repeatedly used as an establishing shot.
* SuperCellReception: Even in the 17th Dimension, Oswald, Omar and Opal can still call Orla from where she is in Japan.
* TemptingFate: When Omar says that the group should make T-shirts, Orla says that there's no time, as they have more cases to solve. Oswald then asks when they think their next one will be. A second later and the Big O calls them to assign them their next case.
* ThinkingOutLoud: Orla does this at the climax of the episode, and uses an imaginary clone of herself to give her advice on building the fifth portal.
* ThreePointLanding: Orla does this when entering the 17th dimension, even with a rope in her hand.
* TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse: The entirety of the episode takes place in Tokyo.
* TransatlanticEquivalent: A variant with a store instead of a TV show or music -- The Portal Master store looks an awful lot like a Japanese Home Depot, with its abundance of orange and a section of the store where Omar and Orla check out that looks like a Tool Rental Center. While there are [[https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/30xpuc/whats_the_equivalent_of_best_buy_and_home_depot/ Home Depot equivalents in Tokyo]], none of them match The Portal Master.
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: Orla is excited to solve a case in Japan ("a country of great noble warrior history", according to her), and flairs up her response to the client thanking them for coming so quickly. However, her enthusiasm falls entirely flat when she sees exactly what she and the others came to Tokyo to solve.
--> '''Woman:''' Thank you for coming so quickly.
--> '''Orla:''' It is we who thank you, for this opportunity to test our bravery, strength, and fearless resolve. Now show us your oddness!
--> ''[the woman gestures to a small nearby plant]''
--> '''Orla:''' ''[face falls]'' A ''plant?''
* WorldTour: This episode begins the agents' journey to various locations worldwide, with the Main 4 going to Tokyo.
* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: Opal gives Orla some encouraging words when the ancient warrior believes that she has been given a faulty portal kit.
--> '''Opal:''' You can do this! You may be a brave, strong warrior, but your most powerful muscle is your brain!
--> '''Oswald:''' Technically, your brain is an organ.
--> '''Opal:''' Just slow down and take the time to think through the problem. You'll solve it! ''HURRY!!''
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