Recap / The Backyardigans S 1 E 11 Castaways

Original Airdate: September 19, 2005

Music Genre: Bossa Nova

Absent Character(s): Tasha

Uniqua, Tyrone and Pablo are castaways washed up on a Deserted Island after a shipwreck, surviving with the natural resources provided to them by the island. But little do they know, they're not alone, as fellow castaway Austin, who's too shy to actually speak to them, helps them from afar.

"Ahoy there, ahoy, we are tropes!"

• An Aesop:
  • It's okay to be shy, but breaking out of your shell is important for understanding those around you.
  • Don't be afraid to say hello to someone.
• Comically Missing the Point: When Austin's presence is discovered by the other three, Pablo and Tyrone don't clue in just yet that he's responsible for the strange happenings on the island. Uniqua, who connected the dots straight away, turns to the viewer and shrugs in befuddlement at this.
• Fear Song: "Shy Guy", sung by Austin over how too nervous and timid he feels about talking to the other castaways.
• Instantly Proven Wrong: Back-to-back, no less! Uniqua claims she is the only one on the desert island, but is immediately contradicted when Tyrone greets her. The two then declare that they are the only two people on the island, only to be proven wrong again when Pablo comes along. Later subverted when it looks like Austin is going to prove them wrong about being the only three people on the island, but he doesn't because he's too shy.
• Sinking Ship Scenario: Not actually present, but the title song of the episode does give this as an explanation to how the main three became castaways.
• Shrinking Violet: This episode cements Austin's characterization as one of these, right down to giving him a whole song about it, "Shy Guy".