His Majesty, King Gunge!
Looking for the cave where Mageggy Vines grow so he and Philo can make a necklace for the Trash Heap, Gunge runs into the Doozers, who crown him their king, due to him matching the picture of their former king. Gunge enjoys the high life but begins to miss Philo. The latter, who's annoyed at the former shutting him out, meddles with the picture and convinces the Doozers he's the rightful king. They kick out Gunge, who realizes how conditional the Doozers' admiration is. Philo finds being the king to be lonely as well, and when Gunge returns, they both go home and finally give the Trash Heap her necklace... with a pair of matching bracelets.This episode contains examples of:
- An Aesop: True friends will love you for who you are.
- Attack the Tail: After Gunge becomes the Doozers' king, Philo goes to find him—then bites him on the tail.Gunge: AAAAHHH! Hey, what did you do that for?
Philo: 'Cause you deserve it, you creep! For being so mean to me!
Gunge: What do you mean, mean? I didn't do anything to you! Oh, you're still jealous because I'm the king and you're not.
Philo: I am not!
Gunge: Am too!
Philo: Am not!
Gunge: Am too!
Philo: Am not!
Gunge: Am too! - Be Careful What You Wish For: In the U.S./Canada version, Sprocket demands that Doc buy him a gourmet dog food called "Rover's Royal Repast." Doc grudgingly agrees to get him a week's supply, but since the brand is so expensive, he brings back only one can, and the serving size for each day ends up being a small spoonful. Seeing this, Sprocket is only too happy to go back to his usual dog food.
- Class Trip: As part of a history lesson, the Architect takes Cotterpin and some of the other Doozers on a trip to see the picture of their former king.
- Continuity Nod:
- Yeaster, introduced in "The Cavern of Lost Dreams," reappears.
- Philo mentions hairy-chested batworms, one of which was seen in "The New Trash Heap in Town."
- Cool Crown: Gunge wears one while he's the Doozers' king, and then Philo wears it.
- Crappy Homemade Gift: Averted. The Trash Heap loves her new jewelry.
- Crowd Song: When he first becomes the king, Gunge wants to party, but the Doozers don't remember how to. Gunge sings "Gonna Party! (Saturday Night)" to teach them how. Not only do most of the Doozers get into the spirit and start singing and dancing along, but so do some random cave creatures.
- A Day in the Limelight: Gunge's day, then Philo's day.
- Distinguishing Mark: The King's tooth. This is how Gunge becomes the Doozers' king. Later, Philo draws an extra tooth on the picture to convince the Doozers that he's their rightful king. And at the end, to make it clear that neither of them is the king, they add a third tooth.
- Driven by Envy: Philo, jealous of the attention Gunge is getting, convinces the Doozers that he's the king, not Gunge.
- Fake King: Philo convinces the Doozers that Gunge is this.
- Friendship Song: "Anything At All," sung by Philo and Gunge when they decide they'd rather be friends again than be royalty.
- Gourmet Pet Food: The episode features Rover's Royal Repast as a fanciful dog food brand that Sprocket demands. He gets his wish but since the stuff is so expensive, he has to conform with tiny portions.
- "I Am Great!" Song: Gunge sings "I'm Gonna Be a Star" on his way to take his place as the king of the Doozers.
- Lonely at the Top: Philo and Gunge both find being a king is isolating.
- Look Behind You: When the Architect shows Philo the king's portrait, Philo says, "Look up there!" then draws an extra tooth on the picture while the Architect is looking up.
- Loss of Identity: When Philo complains to the Trash Heap about Gunge's deserting him, she suggests that Gunge is going through an identity crisis.Philo: What does that mean?
The Trash Heap: Well, it's when someone doesn't know what he wants to be. He just knows that whatever it is, it isn't what he is.
Philo: I don't think I'm gonna ask you to repeat that.
The Trash Heap: Good boy.
Philo: [furious] Because it doesn't explain how he could do something so low! And I'm gonna tell him exactly how low I think he is! [Stalks off.] - Rich Boredom: Or royal boredom. The Doozers put on a circus for Gunge, but he gets bored with it, missing Philo.
- Rightful King Returns: The Doozers believe Gunge is theirs and crown him.
- You Need a Breath Mint: Philo's breath makes the Architect cough.
