Poster by Tara Billinger
Max air date: 6/1/2023
Written by: Judah Miller
Joan starts a false rumor about Cleo to turn the rest of the school against her, but a magical gem-infused crown with the power to brainwash anyone it wants into servitude may force the two to confront their rivalry once and for all.
Tropes in this episode:
- A Day in the Limelight: After being put mainly Out of Focus so far for the season, this is the first episode to feature Cleo in a major role.
- Accidental Truth: Joan started a rumor that Cleo's pumpkin spice lattes were made from "blood pumpkins" and the spice mined by child labor. After Joan admits she made that up, it's greatly implied by Cleo's response that they didn't ethically source them anyway.
- Ambiguous Situation: Candide says that the crown can only be worn by nobility, but apparently, a Homecoming Royalty election can qualify. Even so, no one ever wears it but Cleo, a clone of Queen Cleopatra and technically royalty by blood.
- Call-Back: Mr. Butlertron once again has to go and give Joan a pep talk to get the plot moving again, which he acknowledges.
- Colon Cancer: The title has two colons. This is the second example in the show following the first season finale.
- Cruel Mercy: Cleo spares Joan from her brainwashing if only to make her suffer in a world where everyone does what Cleo wants.
- Giant Woman: Cleo uses the crown to grow larger than everyone else when she wants to intimidate people.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Scudworth and Candide plotted to use whoever was crowned Homecoming Queen so they could exploit the crown's power. They both end up brainwashed by Cleo.
- Hypno Trinket: The Homecoming crown grants the power to enslave anyone to its wearer.
- I Do Not Like Green Eggs and Ham: Joan rejects the pumpkin spice lattes and Instruction Boogie that Cleo promotes on principle. However, when Cleo takes over and forces Joan to experience them, Joan realizes she likes them despite herself. A pep-talk from Mr. B helps Joan recognize that she doesn't hate Cleo either. After Confucius points out she isn't that much better morally, Joan is motivated to defend and reconcile with Cleo after stopping her.
- Mind-Control Eyes: Anyone enslaved by Cleo gets pink rings around their pupils.
- Precision F-Strike: After Candide tells the Board of Shadowy Figures that the magic crown must only be worn by nobility, one of them grumbles:"Fuckin' bullshit..."
- Protagonist-Centered Morality: Invoked and discussed in-universe, with Confucius pointing out that Joan's behavior hasn't been that much different from Cleo's, yet Joan is acting like she's the hero. Joan eventually realizes he's right and, while freeing everyone from Cleo's control, admits that part she's played in their feud over the years and apologizes.
- This Cannot Be!: Joan and Cleo's reactions to Joan becoming homecoming queen.
- Vomit Indiscretion Shot: George Washington Carver projectile vomits after being released from Cleo's mind control.
- With Great Power Comes Great Hotness: Putting on the crown cleans Cleo up and fixes her makeup, increases her breast size, expands her butt, and puffs up her lips. While the last changes are no longer visible after their first scene, everyone still treats her like a Head-Turning Beauty as she struts through the hallway.
