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* ButtMonkey: Richie the neighbor boy becomes one as Pearl's wishes torture him. At first, the serpent's tooth freezes his face and results in him needing chicken soup (which Pearl made a universal antidote) through a baster. He then becomes her errand boy and ends up riding his bike up and down the city for three hours looking for a loaf of pumpernickel, and when he gets back, she pays him a mere dollar for his grueling work, to which he angrily tells her that his mom's going to punish him for being late for dinner. With another one of Pearl's wishes, he promptly goes into a conniption fit, to which Pearl offers another to give him another dollar instead of calling the hospital.

to:

* ButtMonkey: Richie the neighbor boy becomes one as Pearl's wishes torture him. At first, the serpent's tooth freezes his face and results in him needing chicken soup (which Pearl made a universal antidote) fed to him through a baster. He then becomes her errand boy and ends up riding his bike up and down the city for three hours looking for a loaf of pumpernickel, and when he gets back, she pays him a mere dollar for his grueling work, to which he angrily tells her that his mom's going to punish him for being late for dinner. With another one of Pearl's wishes, he promptly goes into a conniption fit, to which Pearl offers another to give him another dollar instead of calling the hospital.
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* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The episode's title and plot are both inspired by the line "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" from ''Theatre/KingLear'', Act 1, Scene 4. Myron even recites the quote himself, noting that the prophet of his native country says it often.

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* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The episode's title and plot are both inspired by the line "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" from ''Theatre/KingLear'', Act 1, Scene 4. Myron even recites the quote himself, noting that the prophet prophets of his native country says say it often.
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* BrattyTeenageDaughter: She's 21 to be technical, but Madlene dresses like Madonna early in the episode and is shown to be the more hot-headed one between her and her brother in regards to Pearl's treatment of them.

to:

* BrattyTeenageDaughter: She's 21 to be technical, but Madlene dresses like Madonna Music/{{Madonna}} early in the episode and is shown to be the more hot-headed one between her and her brother in regards to Pearl's treatment of them.
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** Discontent with how Pearl treats him, Richie the neighbor boy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way, and the serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen, making it so Pearl has to feed him directly via a baster.

to:

** Discontent with how Pearl treats him, Richie the neighbor boy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way, and the serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen, making it so Pearl has to feed him directly chicken soup via a baster.
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In New York, Pearl King (Creator/ReneeTaylor) is the typical overbearing mother, struggling to have her children obey her wishes for them to respect her and live respectful lives. Her son Marc (Brett Marx) wants to go into agriculture when Pearl wants him to be a dentist, and her daughter Madlene ([=JoAnn=] Willette) dresses like Madonna instead of a conservative young woman. Desperate for a solution to her problem, Pearl is given a serpent's tooth by her friend Myron (Louis Quinn), which allows for anything she asks for to magically come true. While her children finally start obeying Pearl, the tooth is also capable of taking anything it is told literally, and Pearl's constant usage of idioms, metaphors, and hyperbole start leading to disaster for her and the family.

to:

In New York, Pearl King (Creator/ReneeTaylor) is the typical overbearing mother, struggling to have her children obey her wishes for them to respect her and live respectful lives. Her son Marc (Brett Marx) wants to go into agriculture when Pearl wants him to be a dentist, and her daughter Madlene ([=JoAnn=] Willette) dresses like Madonna Music/{{Madonna}} instead of a conservative young woman. Desperate for a solution to her problem, Pearl is given a serpent's tooth by her friend Myron (Louis Quinn), which allows for anything she asks for to magically come true. While her children finally start obeying Pearl, the tooth is also capable of taking anything it is told literally, and Pearl's constant usage of idioms, metaphors, and hyperbole start leading to disaster for her and the family.
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* JerkassHasAPoint: Richie may be an insufferable brat, but he's got a valid complaint of how Pearl's request for pumpernickel had him riding his bike up and down New York City, for three hours and made him late for dinner, and he has a right to be pissed when Pearl only gives him a dollar for the trouble.

to:

* JerkassHasAPoint: Richie may be an insufferable brat, but he's got a valid complaint of how Pearl's request for pumpernickel had him riding his bike up and down New York City, City for three hours and made him late for dinner, and he has a right to be pissed when Pearl only gives him a dollar for the trouble.
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* StealthInsult: A rare example where it's self-inflicted. Near the end of the episode, Pearl claims, while holding the tooth, "If any mother has ever loved you as much as I have, then may I turn into a pillar of salt!" That's exactly what happens, showing that her brand of "[[MyBelovedSmother love]]" is nothing special.

to:

* StealthInsult: A rare example where it's self-inflicted. Near the end of the episode, Pearl claims, while holding the tooth, "If any mother has ever loved you as much as I have, then may I turn into a pillar of salt!" That's exactly what happens, showing that her brand of "[[MyBelovedSmother love]]" is nothing special.
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None


* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The episode's title and plot is inspired by the line "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" from ''Theatre/KingLear'', Act 1, Scene 4. Myron even recites the quote himself, noting that the prophet of his native country says it often.

to:

* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The episode's title and plot is are both inspired by the line "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" from ''Theatre/KingLear'', Act 1, Scene 4. Myron even recites the quote himself, noting that the prophet of his native country says it often.

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Changed: 2946

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!! A Serpent's Tooth

In New York, Pearl King (Creator/ReneeTaylor) is the typical overbearing mother, struggling to have her children obey her wishes for them to respect her and live respectful lives. Her son Marc (Brett Marx) wants to go into agriculture when Pearl wants him to be a dentist, and her daughter Madlene ([=JoAnn=] Willette) dresses like Madonna instead of a conservative young woman. Desperate for a solution to her problem, Pearl is given a serpent's tooth by her friend Myron (Louis Quinn), which allows for anything she asks for to magically come true. While her children finally start obeying Pearl, the tooth is also capable of taking anything it is told literally, and Pearl's constant usage of idioms, metaphors, and hyperbole start leading to disaster for her and the family.

!! Tropes:



** Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen.
** This also happens to the protagonist when she accidentally turns herself into a pillar of salt. Downplayed, as she's content with her children expressing the gratitude she so wanted.
* BittersweetEnding: Chicken soup has become a panacea, and the children no longer have an overbearing mother, free to live their own lives. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.
* EverybodyHasStandards: Pearl may be an [[MyBelovedSmother overbearing mother]] who tries controlling her children, and she may not approve of her daughter's choice in men. But when she unwittingly uses the serpent's tooth to turn her boyfriend into fruitcake, she's [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone appalled]] at what she's done.
* ExactWords: The Serpent's tooth does nothing less than turn it's wielder into a RealityWarper, but it makes no room for idioms or figures of speech.
* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist is this in spades.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: When Pearl turns her daughter's boyfriend into fruitcake, she shows dread and remorse for what she did to him, driving her to realize the serpent's tooth is too dangerous for her to wield. Justified, as this is the first time she's (unwittingly) killed anyone with the serpent's tooth.
* StealthInsult: A rare example where it's self-inflicted. The protagonist (whilst holding the Serpent's Tooth) claims "If any mother has ever loved you as much as I have, then may I turn into a pillar of salt." Indeed, that's exactly what happens. In other words, her brand of "[[MyBelovedSmother love]]" is nothing special.
* TakenForGranite: This is the fate of the protagonist after she absent-mindedly declares "May I turn into a pillar of salt!"

to:

** Discontent with how the protagonist Pearl treats him, Richie the Paperboy neighbor boy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's way, and the serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen.
happen, making it so Pearl has to feed him directly via a baster.
** This also happens to the protagonist Pearl herself when she accidentally turns herself into a pillar of salt. Downplayed, It's downplayed, as she's content with her children partly obeying her standards and expressing the gratitude she so wanted.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Myron tells Pearl the phrase directly when she is given the serpent's tooth, and he was right to be cautious when she solidifies herself into a pillar of salt.
*
BittersweetEnding: Chicken soup has become a panacea, and the Thanks to Pearl's last wish, her children no longer have an to endure her overbearing mother, nature and are free to live their own lives. They are lives, while also being able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened happens as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. pillar of salt. She doesn't mind her new state in the least state, though, and declares that it was worth it.
it in the end.
* BothSidesHaveAPoint: Pearl cares for her kids and just wants them to lead decent and respectful lives, but the kids themselves note that her hovering over them 24 hours a day is stifling them from actually living independently.
* BrattyHalfPint: Richie, the son of Pearl's neighbor, is prone to teasing her and making faces, and he doesn't even bother telling his mother to call the police when the Kings appear to have been robbed. Pearl's off-hand wishes give the boy a taste of his own medicine.
* BrattyTeenageDaughter: She's 21 to be technical, but Madlene dresses like Madonna early in the episode and is shown to be the more hot-headed one between her and her brother in regards to Pearl's treatment of them.
* ButtMonkey: Richie the neighbor boy becomes one as Pearl's wishes torture him. At first, the serpent's tooth freezes his face and results in him needing chicken soup (which Pearl made a universal antidote) through a baster. He then becomes her errand boy and ends up riding his bike up and down the city for three hours looking for a loaf of pumpernickel, and when he gets back, she pays him a mere dollar for his grueling work, to which he angrily tells her that his mom's going to punish him for being late for dinner. With another one of Pearl's wishes, he promptly goes into a conniption fit, to which Pearl offers another to give him another dollar instead of calling the hospital.
* ControlFreak: Pearl just can't resist having the feeling of total control over her childrens' lives, even though they're angry and scared of her newfound power.
* EverybodyHasStandards: Pearl may be an [[MyBelovedSmother overbearing mother]] who tries controlling putting her children, children on a leash, and she may not approve of her daughter's Madlene's choice in men. But fashion or men, but when she unwittingly uses the serpent's tooth to turn her Madlene's boyfriend Barry into fruitcake, a slice of bread, she's [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone appalled]] horrified]] at what she's done.
done, crying as Madlene puts Barry into the fridge since she has no idea what to do for him.
* ExactWords: The Serpent's serpent's tooth does nothing less than turn it's turns its wielder into a RealityWarper, but it makes no room for idioms idioms, hyperbole, or figures of speech.
speech, which Pearl dispenses on a constant basis.
* FateWorseThanDeath: Subverted. Pearl turns herself into a pillar of salt thanks to her final wish, but she actually doesn't mind it in the least, as her kids are now able to show her respect and live somewhat respectful lives.
* JerkassHasAPoint: Richie may be an insufferable brat, but he's got a valid complaint of how Pearl's request for pumpernickel had him riding his bike up and down New York City, for three hours and made him late for dinner, and he has a right to be pissed when Pearl only gives him a dollar for the trouble.
* LiteralMinded: The serpent's tooth, which takes all of Pearl's idioms literally.
* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The episode's title and plot is inspired by the line "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" from ''Theatre/KingLear'', Act 1, Scene 4. Myron even recites the quote himself, noting that the prophet of his native country says it often.
* MeaningfulName: Pearl's family name of "King" illustrates the controlling and tyrannical figure her children see her as.
* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist Pearl is this the arch-typical example of such a mother, willing to put her own life on the line for her kids' to be successful, and not minding in spades.
the least that she becomes a salt statue, so long as the kids finally respect her.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: When Pearl turns her daughter's boyfriend Barry into fruitcake, a slice of date nut bread, she shows dread and clear remorse for what she did to him, driving her to realize the serpent's realization that the tooth is too dangerous for her to wield. Justified, as this is the first time she's (unwittingly) killed anyone harmed someone with the tooth in a way she can't reverse.
* NotHyperbole: The titular tooth has the power to make anything its wielder commands come true. It unfortunately falls into the hands of Pearl, who eagerly partakes in the classic motherhood trope of exaggerating things with idioms and metaphors.
* NoSympathy: While Pearl desperately craves her kids' attention and is horrified at Barry's fate, she shows a lot less patience with Richie, only paying him a dollar for his torturous trip for pumpernickel and giving him another dollar instead of calling an ambulance when he goes into conniptions.
* OhCrap: Everyone when Pearl accidentally wishes Barry into a slice of date nut bread. Since he's evidently unable to be turned back, Madlene can only think of putting him in a plastic container and placing him in the fridge.
* POVCam: A brief shot from Marc's view is seen as Pearl and Madlene argue, the camera being blurred due to Pearl's first off-hand wish ruining his eyesight.
* RunningGag: The titular tooth glows to the tune of tribal drums whenever Pearl makes a command to it, intentionally or otherwise.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: Myron, Pearl's friend who gives her
the serpent's tooth.
* StealthInsult: A rare example where it's self-inflicted. The protagonist (whilst Near the end of the episode, Pearl claims, while holding the Serpent's Tooth) claims tooth, "If any mother has ever loved you as much as I have, then may I turn into a pillar of salt." Indeed, that's salt!" That's exactly what happens. In other words, happens, showing that her brand of "[[MyBelovedSmother love]]" is nothing special.
* StrugglingSingleMother: Pearl's husband died years before the episode began, and she's struggling to have her kids live respectable lives with him gone.
*
TakenForGranite: This is the Pearl's fate of the protagonist after she absent-mindedly declares "May I turn into a pillar of salt!"salt!" if any mother loves their kids more than she does hers.
* TooDumbToLive: After she tries to reform and give up the serpent's tooth, Pearl takes it back because she's too attached to its power, despite being warned by her family and friends that it's far too dangerous for her to use. As Madlene calls her out, Pearl claims that she only wants what's best for her and her brother, and ultimately decrees that if anyone harbors greater love for their children, she'll turn into a pillar of salt. The tooth makes that happen immediately, though she doesn't mind in the end.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Pearl enjoys cooking chicken soup every day, and thanks to the tooth, she turns it into a literal universal antidote.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Myron gives Pearl the titular tooth as a way to help her children get into better shape life-wise. She ultimately uses it to turn herself into a salt pillar.
* WhatTheHellHero: Pearl's daughter Madlene calls her out for inflicting physical ailments on her, Marc, and Richie, turning Barry into a slice of bread, and taking the titular tooth back after she tries to get rid of it because of how overwhelming its power is.
* WorthIt: The solidified Pearl thinks this to herself at the end of the episode, as her kids finally show her some respect and comply (partially) with her wishes.
* YourMindMakesItReal: The titular tooth is able to conjure anything its holder declares, and since Pearl is a fan of using idioms and hyperbole, it takes her statements literally.
-----
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Added DiffLines:

* EverybodyHasStandards: Pearl may be an [[MyBelovedSmother overbearing mother]] who tries controlling her children, and she may not approve of her daughter's choice in men. But when she unwittingly uses the serpent's tooth to turn her boyfriend into fruitcake, she's [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone appalled]] at what she's done.


Added DiffLines:

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: When Pearl turns her daughter's boyfriend into fruitcake, she shows dread and remorse for what she did to him, driving her to realize the serpent's tooth is too dangerous for her to wield. Justified, as this is the first time she's (unwittingly) killed anyone with the serpent's tooth.

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Changed: 205

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* AndIMustScream: Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen.

to:

* AndIMustScream: AndIMustScream:
**
Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen.

Added: 54

Removed: 54

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Alphabetical order.


* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist is this in spades.



* TakenForGranite: This is the fate of the protagonist after she absent-mindedly declares "May I turn into a pillar of salt!"
* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist is this in spades.

to:

* TakenForGranite: This is the fate of the protagonist after she absent-mindedly declares "May I turn into a pillar of salt!"
* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist is this in spades.
salt!"
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Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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* BittersweetEnding: Chicken soup has become a panacea and the children no longer have an overbearing mother. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.

to:

* BittersweetEnding: Chicken soup has become a panacea panacea, and the children no longer have an overbearing mother.mother, free to live their own lives. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AndIMustScream: Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen. Her fate at the end of the episode also qualifies.

to:

* AndIMustScream: Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen. Her fate at the end of the episode also qualifies.



* BittersweetEnding:Chicken soup has become a panacea and the children no longer have an overbearing mother. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.

to:

* BittersweetEnding:Chicken BittersweetEnding: Chicken soup has become a panacea and the children no longer have an overbearing mother. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* StealthInsult: A rare example where it's self-inflicted. The protagonist (whilst holding the Serpent's Tooth) claims "If any mother has ever loved you as much as I have, then may I turn into a pillar of salt." Indeed, that's exactly what happens. In other words, her brand of "[[MyBelovedSmother love]]" is nothing special.
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None



to:

** This also happens to the protagonist when she accidentally turns herself into a pillar of salt. Downplayed, as she's content with her children expressing the gratitude she so wanted.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* AndIMustScream: Discontent with how the protagonist treats him, the Paperboy taunts her by making silly faces. She warns him that one day his face will be stuck that way. The Serpent's tooth immediately makes that happen. Her fate at the end of the episode also qualifies.

* BittersweetEnding:Chicken soup has become a panacea and the children no longer have an overbearing mother. They are able to show her the respect she craved from them. The downside is that this happened as a result of her inadvertently turning herself into a statue. She doesn't mind her new state in the least and declares that it was worth it.
* ExactWords: The Serpent's tooth does nothing less than turn it's wielder into a RealityWarper, but it makes no room for idioms or figures of speech.
*TakenForGranite: This is the fate of the protagonist after she absent-mindedly declares "May I turn into a pillar of salt!"
* MyBelovedSmother: The protagonist is this in spades.

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