Line #21 Recap/WishboneS1E12FleabittenBargain


1	[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wishbonefaust.png]]
2	Originally aired on October 24, 1995.
3
4	While helping out Wanda at an arts and crafts fair, Joe meets sleazy salesman Dr. Montana, who is selling a VR helmet called a Wish-O-Matic. Joe is tempted by the device, and Dr. Montana is willing to give him one... for a price. Wishbone is reminded of ''Theatre/{{Faust}}'' as told by Creator/JohannWolfgangVonGoethe.
5
6	!!Tropes
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8	* AdaptationalHeroism: Wishbone's Faust doesn't get Gretchen pregnant out of wedlock, kill her brother, or intentionally wish for Baucis and Philemon to be removed from their home.
9	* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Wishbone as Faust says this almost word for word after accidentally summoning Mephisto. In fact, this becomes a running theme throughout the ''Faust'' adaptation.
10	-->'''Wishbone as Faust:''' Every time I like anybody, something bad happens.\
11	'''Mephisto:''' But you always get your wish.\
12	'''Wishbone as Faust:''' What good is getting your wish when somebody else gets hurt?
13	* BigNo: Mephisto, when Care takes Faust to heaven.
14	* {{Bowdlerize}}: It is [[AdaptationExplanationExtrication not explained why Gretchen ended up dying in a dungeon]]. In the original play, Faust got her pregnant out of wedlock, and she was sentenced to death for committing infanticide.
15	* CompressedAdaptation: ''Theatre/FaustFirstPartOfTheTragedy'' is covered in broad strokes. The adaptation then skips straight to the ending of ''Theatre/FaustSecondPartOfTheTragedy'', picking up at the point where Baucis and Philemon are introduced.
16	* DealWithTheDevil: It is a ''Faust'' adaptation, after all. This is paralleled in the real-world story by Dr. Montana offering to give Joe a Wish-O-Matic in exchange for Wishbone.
17	* FluffyCloudHeaven: This is the version of heaven seen at the end of the ''Faust'' adaptation. It also has a [[DogsLoveFireHydrants fire hydrant]].
18	* {{Mephistopheles}}: He's called "Mephisto" by his friends, but... since he's the nastiest person in the universe... he hasn't many friends. [[EvilLaugh Muh-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!]]
19	* NoAnimalsAllowed: Dogs are not allowed at the crafts fair, but the guard decides to allow it if Joe keeps Wishbone on a leash. Chaos ensues anyway.
20	* PlayingWithFire: Mephisto has fire powers, and fire effects are used whenever he causes something to appear or disappear.
21	* {{Satan}}: The episode [[CompositeCharacter conflates]] Mephisto and the Devil, although the former is usually portrayed as a minion of the latter. This is in line with the Goethe version, which is the one the episode is adapting.
22	* ShoutOut:
23	-->'''Wishbone:''' Maybe I'm wrong, but this could be [[Film/{{Casablanca}} the beginning of a beautiful friendship]].
24	* SnakeOilSalesman: Wanda mentions this trope by name, describing Dr. Montana as a modern version.
25	* SpeakOfTheDevil:
26	-->'''Wishbone as Faust:''' I'd make a deal with the Devil himself if it would change my life.\
27	''[Mephisto appears in a burst of flame]''\
28	'''Mephisto:''' You wanted to make a deal with me?
29	* StockFootage: The shots of Wishbone going in and out of the bushes are recycled from "[[Recap/WishboneS1E08TheSlobberyHound The Slobbery Hound]]."
30	* ThingOMatic: Dr. Montana's VR helmet is called a Wish-O-Matic.

Context Recap / WishboneS1E12FleabittenBargain