Season 5 comes to a conclusion as Connie - trying to invent a time machine - accidentally brings an aliennote to Earth.
We start off with “Crocodile Rock”; after which the kids see Connie working on a time machine for the school science fair, leading to some good-natured ribbing (including a “Dem Bones” crack by Kenny) before Connie gives it a trial run - which ultimately fails. Following the next song (“Music for the Modern World”); Connie returns to the garage to continue working on the time machine…only for the machine, rather than going in time, brings an alien to Earth, and the alien (named Durf from the planet Worf) is not happy about this event. Before Connie can tell the others, Durf disappears (leading to, among others, Devyn thinking Connie’s been working too hard on the time machine). The others depart (and Durf returns) - and the reason for his disappearances becomes apparent - as all Durf had heard about Earth were wars and shootings, setting up “Try the Best You Can”.
After Connie’s attempts to convince the others she saw Durf once again fall on deaf ears; Durf explains further that his kind weren’t permitted contact with “typical Earthlings” (“Another Part of Me”); but upon seeing the others, Durf decides that it might be a good idea to allow the others to see him, leading to the others apologizing and offering to help. A conversation and some jokes ensue before Durf mentions having to return to Worf, though not before mentioning his belief that Connie would make a great scientist and recommending a few minor tweaks, leading to closing song “Heaven is a Place on Earth” - with Durf departing shortly after the song begins.
In contrast to the previous season; the end of Season 5 marked the biggest cast turnover on Kids Incorporated to date; as Ryan Lambert, Connie Lew, Moosie Drier (Riley) and all but one dancer (Gina Marie Vinaccia, Brian Poth, Dee Caspary and Nicole Cropper) all departed after this season.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Crocodile Rock” (Elton John cover; lead vocals by Ryan)
- “Music for the Modern World” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny)note
- “Try the Best You Can” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Connie)
- “Another Part of Me” (Michael Jackson cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Ryan, Kenny and Devyn)
- “Heaven is a Place on Earth” (Belinda Carlisle cover; lead vocals by Stacy)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Gadgeteer Genius: Connie, seeking to invent a time machine, manages instead to transport an alien to Earth.
- Hallucinations: The others think Connie’s been working too hard and dismiss her statements of seeing Durf as this.
- Invisible Aliens: Durf is this to the other kids until the very end.
