Line #24 Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S10E03MerlinsShopOfMysticalWonders


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6dacb8633772b96407c4404759f0234d.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Try the Merlin Chop: A half-pound of Merlin, served with steak fries, vegetable of the day and whipped dessert.]]
3
4	->'''Crow:''' And so, Billy, the little boy who looks just like you, went through terrible, irredeemable grief!\
5	'''Crow:''' Remember that kitten, Billy? That was ''nothing'' compared to this! At least the kitten went ''quick'', Billy!\
6	'''Tom (as sleeping kid)''': Ooooh Monkey! Oooooh... car coming! Oh, flaming cat. Dog dying, mean psychics! Oh, Grandpa! Help!
7
8	Film watched: ''Film/MerlinsShopOfMysticalWonders''
9
10	This was the last new episode to air on television, airing long after the finale, ''[[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S10E13Diabolik Diabolik]]'', had aired.
11
12	The episode is available in the Gizmoplex [[https://www.gizmoplex.com/mst3k/season:10/videos/mst3k-187-merlinsshopofmysticalwonders here]].
13	!!The Segments:
14	[[AC:Prologue]]
15	* Mike and the Bots are doing 1920s college pranks. Mike swallowed a goldfish, Servo stuffs himself and [[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S04E20TheHumanDuplicators his clones]] in a phone booth and Crow is sitting on a flag pole. He soon falls down.
16
17	[[AC:Segment 1]]
18	* With orders from the Institute of Mad Science, Pearl conducts an experiment involving granting a single individual, in this case Servo, complete power over everyone else. Servo soon turns into a third world dictator, but the addition of fire ants on underpants lead to Servo leaving office.
19
20	[[AC:Segment 2]]
21	* Crow and Servo begin to review each other. At first, the reviews are positive, but soon slips to [[CausticCritic overly negative]].
22
23	[[AC:Segment 3]]
24	* Inspired by Merlin, Servo tries his hand in magic. Somehow, he turns Mike into a giant baby and screams in horror when told that it's time for a diaper change.
25
26	[[AC:Segment 4]]
27	* Mike tries to read the Ernest Borgnine line of children's books to Crow and Servo. The books with innocent names have graphic blood and guts, but ''Dr. Blood's Orgy of Gore'' is surprisingly pleasant.
28
29	[[AC:Segment 5]]
30	* Mike and the Bots get a cymbal monkey from Pearl, but it's actually Bobo in disguise. Disappointed with the scores, Pearl tells them that the movies are going to get worse from here.
31
32	----
33	!!The [=MST3K=] presentation of ''Film/MerlinsShopOfMysticalWonders'' has examples of:
34	* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Mike and the bots get a kick out of the scene where David talks to the psychic, given how she ''[[EnragedByIdiocy very much]]'' barely tolerates David's mere existence.
35	-->'''Psychic''': ''My God,'' David!
36	-->'''Mike''': (as the psychic) You ''moron''!
37	* AdaptationInducedPlotHole: Some dialogue cut from the [=MST3K=] version explains how and why Merlin has the monkey toy, namely that it was "gifted" to him by a rival sorcerer [[ForTheEvulz as a joke]] and he hadn't had a chance to destroy it yet.
38	** The psychic's inexplicable rage at David is much more explicable in the full movie, where it is more clearly shown as desperation.
39	* ChekhovsGun: Subverted, seemingly by accident. The psychic gives David a bethagram (Servo: "I sense the demon's name is Beth."), some kind of magic charm which looks like a sheriff's badge on a string, to protect himself and his family from the evil toy monkey, but (at least in this cut of the film) he's never shown using/wearing it.
40	-->'''Mike:''' ''[as David, picking up the "bethagram"]'' Huh, Borgnine forgot to write this in.
41	* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: “Did she just threaten him with SEX?”
42	* CoversAlwaysLie: In one host segment, Mike looks through four children's books by Ernest Borgnine. In keeping with [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids the nature of the movie]], three of the books have innocuous titles like "Slow Bear's Woodland Picnic" that mask their [[SugarApocalypse dark and gory imagery]]. "[[NeverTrustATitle Dr. Blood's Orgy of Gore]]," on the other hand, is about eight plump mice who get little sweaters and live happily.
43	* CelebrityResemblance: “It’s Creator/AlastairSim.”
44	* CymbalBangingMonkey: The one in the movie inspired Pearl to make Professor Bobo dress up as one of these to scare Mike and the 'bots. Bobo screws up, Mike and company aren't impressed, Bobo apologizes profusely and begs them not to tell Pearl.
45	* DarkerAndEdgier: During the scene where the kid is watching an [[Series/{{Ultraman}} anime fight scene]]:
46	-->'''Servo:''' This is the anime version of ''Literature/TheTaleOfPeterRabbit''.
47	* DesignatedHero: Discussed InUniverse, as Mike and the Bots point out how Merlin's actions have caused more harm than good.
48	-->'''Servo:''' ''[as Merlin]'' It's my mission to release evil into the world and gradually recover it, following the deaths of many innocent people.
49	* DirtyOldMan: How Merlin comes off during his search for the toy monkey.
50	-->'''Crow:''' See, here's his problem: he's goin' around dressed like that, asking women, "Have you seen my little monkey?"
51	* DissonantSerenity: Merlin. In the movie, too, but even more so in the riffing.
52	-->'''Crow:''' ''[pleasantly, as Merlin nods to himself as if he did a good job]'' Remember to believe in magic... or IllKillYou
53	* DisproportionateRetribution: Repeatedly pointed out and mocked.
54	** Critic Jonathan was being a jerk for no real reason, but as Borgnine's grandson points out, Merlin and Zurella obviously knew exactly what kind of horrorshow they were unleashing on him, and Madeline, and [[ThatPoorCat their poor cat]], when they gave him the book.
55	** After the pawn shop owner informs Merlin that she already sold the toy monkey:
56	--->'''Merlin:''' Blast it!\
57	'''Crow:''' ''[as Merlin]'' Now I gotta [[DraggedOffToHell send you to Hell]]!
58	* DogGotSentToAFarm: After the father in the second half finds the body of Sparkle the dog, and his son asks what happened, Mike quips "I ''very quickly'' sold him to a farm where he'll be happier."
59	* DownerEnding:
60	-->'''Crow:''' (as grandson) So evil always wins, Grandpa Borgnine?
61	-->'''Mike:''' (as Borgnine) That’s right, Billy. Even your tiny soul is doomed.
62	* EnragedByIdiocy: The mean psychic lady the dad seeks out in the second story snaps at him for every snarky, skeptical thing he says, while talking about demons and magic rituals as if they're obvious, everyday things everyone already knows. Mike and the bots go to town -- they really don't even have to exaggerate that much (at least when it comes to her tone).
63	-->'''David:''' Great, should I wear garlic around my neck, too?\
64	'''Psychic:''' My GOD, David!\
65	'''Mike:''' ''[as the psychic]'' You MORON!\
66	'''Psychic:''' ''[later]'' And remember, David, NEVER let it know!\
67	'''Servo:''' ''[as the psychic]'' ...You stupid BASTARD, I could stab you in the eyes right NOW, so help me GOD!
68	* FoodAsBribe: Parodied during Merlin's conversation with the man in the park:
69	-->'''Man''': As it happens, I own a small trinket stand across the way.
70	-->'''Crow!Merlin''': I'll give you a cookie if you shut up.
71	* FreudWasRight: Invoked by Tom. When the first segment ends with the restaurant critic transformed into a baby, with his wife deciding to raise him as her son, Tom quips that this whole segment was based on a story written by Freud.
72	* FlagpoleChallenge: The 1920's college prank Crow does in the beginning.
73	* {{Gorn}}: Described. Based on the horror content of the innocently-titled ''Merlin's Shop'', in Segment 4, all of the Ernest Borgnine-authored children's books are like this (with the exception of ''[[NonIndicativeTitle Dr. Blood's Orgy of Gore]]''). In ''Santa's Workshop of Shimmering Delights'', for example:
74	-->'''Mike:''' ...Oh, man. Wow, well ''[[HarmfulToMinors this]]'' [[HarmfulToMinors is inappropriate]]. Here Erin the elf's hands get scissored off in the sheet metal crimper.
75	* HarmfulToMinors: A very notable RunningGag throughout the episode is that Grandpa Borgnine ''[[{{Jerkass}} really]]'' [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids doesn't care that Billy isn't the right age to be hearing his stories]]:
76	-->'''Servo:''' ''[as the kid]'' No, Grandpa Borgnine, leave light and hope for me! Please!\
77	'''Crow:''' ''[as Grandpa Borgnine]'' Get out from behind that cushion, Billy! It gets worse!
78	** "So, Billy, the little boy who looks ''just like you'' went through terrible, irredeemable grief!"
79	* ITakeOffenseToThatLastOne:
80	-->'''Crow:''' The verdict is in, and the world was not awaiting a chubby, pompous eunuch!\
81	'''Servo:''' Chubby?! What do you mean, chubby?!
82	* {{Jerkass}}: The critic from the first story provokes this response within the first minute of his screentime:
83	-->'''Jonathan''' Nice trick. Tell me, is that really the ''limit'' of your power, "sorcerer"? Oh, I'm sorry, allow me to introduce myself...
84	-->'''Servo:''' ''[as Jonathan]'' [[SmugSnake I'm Bob Jackass!]]
85	* KickTheDog: Both pets meet a bad end in each segment. Lampshaded by Crow, as the dog is about to die in a fire.
86	-->'''Crow!Borgnine:''' [[{{Jerkass}} (cheerfully)]] Remember that kitten, Billy? That was ''nothing'' compared to this! At least the kitten went ''quick'', Billy!
87	* LargeHam: Jonathan in the first story, InUniverse. He gets increasingly over the top as he's both tempted and prematurely aged by the book of magic spells Merlin gave him.
88	* MondegreenGag: According to the episode guide, the writers thought the kid was singing "F***ing old Martian" instead of "Rock'n'roll Martian" the first time they heard it.
89	* MythologyGag: A literal one to Arthurian Mythology.
90	-->'''Mike:''' (as Merlin) Should probably break things off with Nimue. It’s not fair to Zurella.
91	* NarmCharm: Invoked, in-universe and out: Best Brains ''love'' the kid playing with the monkey while wearing goofy glasses singing, "[[BigLippedAlligatorMoment Rock 'n' roll Martian!]]", saying it was a perfect example of one of those self-invented games kids always do. They were also [[ActuallyPrettyFunny greatly amused]] by [[LargeHam Jonathan]]'s snarky ThinkingOutLoud comments in the first story.
92	--> '''Crow''': ''[chuckling]'' What's his deal?!
93	* NeverTrustATitle: In-universe; "Dr. Blood's Orgy of Gore" is nowhere near as gruesome or horrific as its title suggests.
94	* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Many riffs and a host segment directed at Grandpa Borgnine say this. Mike and the Bots are certain that kid will be having nightmares for a very long time.
95	* NoControlGroup: Played with during Pearl's experiment. She did attempt a control group using Bobo being given power without the addition of fire ants, but Bobo included fire ants by accident.
96	* {{Padding}}: InUniverse. Mike and the Bots notice that Grandpa Borgnine's "story" seems to contain an awful lot of idle moments where not much is happening.
97	-->'''Servo:''' Man, Borgnine's grandson must really bored by now.\
98	'''Mike:''' ''[as Grandpa Borgnine]'' ...Then he puttered around the kitchen for awhile, and got himself a cold drink!
99	* PlotHole: After the kid explains how Merlin really was responsible for the first segment's twist ending, Mike comments "The kid's figuring out all the plot holes."
100	** After burying the toy monkey outside of the town, David is shown about to be crushed by a tree and presumably killed. The next scene shows him with his arm in a cast and a few bruises.
101	--->'''Crow:''' ''[as the kid]'' But, Grandpa Borgnine, the tree fell right on him!\
102	'''Mike:''' ''[as Grandpa Borgnine]'' I know, but I wrote myself into a corner.
103	* RunningGag:
104	** The graphic events on-screen being casually described by Ernest Borgnine to his grandson.
105	--->'''Mike:''' ''[as Grandpa Borgnine]'' And the devil cat grabbed his throat and pulled out bloody strips of sinew and flesh!
106	** Madeline in the first story [[TooMuchInformation randomly bringing up the fact that]] she's [[LawOfInverseFertility unable to conceive]].
107	** Jonathan's derision of the Latin language.
108	* ShoutOut:
109	** Pearl's certification tests are the "[[Creator/JoelSchumacher Schumacher]]-[[Creator/JoeEszterhas Eszterhas]] Cinematic Pain Differential" and the "[[Creator/EdWood Wood]]-[[Creator/BertIGordon Gordon]] Tedium Inventory".
110	** In one scene, Madeline's bed falls through the floor.
111	--->'''Mike''': Ahh, it's the [[WesternAnimation/WallaceAndGromit Wallace]] method for [[WesternAnimation/TheWrongTrousers going down to breakfast]].
112	** When the boy finds his toy in the garbage...
113	--->'''Mike:''' ''[as the boy]'' Dad is ''so'' going into [[Literature/ItsAGoodLife the cornfield]].
114	** "[[Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey What are you doing, Dave?]]"
115	** "Merlin, you bastard!" "[[Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968 You blew it up!!]]"
116	** "[[Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow Riff Raff]] at home."
117	** The "totally not pieced together Creator/ErnestBorgnine movie" that Servo talks about during the end credits is made up of several Borgnine projects, including ''Film/{{Marty}}'', ''Series/McHalesNavy'', and ''Film/FromHereToEternity''.
118	--->'''Servo:''' I think it's called ''Series/{{Airwolf}}''.
119	* SlasherSmile: A particularly hideous example from the AssholeVictim / VillainProtagonist of the first story as his reckless spellcasting [[RapidAging rapidly ages]] him into a stock EvilSorcerer.
120	-->'''Mike:''' It's [[MonsterClown Possessy the Clown!]]
121	* SmallNameBigEgo: Jonathan seems incredibly full of himself for a small-town newspaper critic who reviews stores at the mall. Mike and the Bots run with it.
122	-->'''Servo:''' Look, my reviews have destroyed whole cities!
123	* SpaceWhaleAesop: After Pearl does an experiment involving Mike and the bots, she concludes that "[[ItMakesSenseInContext fire ants in the underwear can change the course of whole governments]]."
124	* StrawCritic: Servo and Crow become niche reviewers and review each other in one of the segments. It starts out civilly and mostly positive, but then, following a few [[CantTakeCriticism minor criticisms]], escalates into giving each other virulent and vehement thumbs-down.
125	* TakeThat: "Oh look, it's something else Satan created: Japanimation."
126	* ThisIsGoingToBeHuge: Apparently, Grandpa Borgnine is very confident that his script will be a smash:
127	-->'''Crow:''' ''[as Grandpa]'' I also have a script called ''Film/{{Chinatown}}'', [[ItWillNeverCatchOn but I don't like it as much]].
128	* TooMuchInformation: Crow's reaction, word for word, when Madeline casually brings up her infertility in casual conversation, explains that they can't adopt because Jonathan would never raise someone else's child, that she hasn't told him yet and it's affecting their marriage and there's "no hope at all" medically speaking... You know, light, parking-lot conversation.
129	-->'''Mike:''' ''[as Madeline]'' ...plus the polyps in my colon...\
130	'''Servo:''' ''[as her friend]'' Look, I gotta go.\
131	'''Crow:''' ''[[[SarcasmFailure skeeved-out stammering]]]''
132	* TheUnintelligible: Merlin's oddly muffled "You're welcome!" becomes this. "Yo'w wuhcuh!" Crow can't get enough.
133	* VertigoEffect: Used as a ReactionShot when David's mother brings the evil monkey ''back'' to the house: "[[FauxHorrific My cabinets are flying away!]]"
134	* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: [[invoked]] Grandpa Borgnine wrote a bunch of children's books that are all incredibly dark, violent and gruesome... except for "Dr. Blood's Orgy of Gore", which is about eight plump mice who get little sweaters.
135	----
136	->''"[[TheStinger Rock 'n' roll Martian...! Rock 'n' roll Martian!]]"''

Context Recap / MysteryScienceTheater3000S10E03MerlinsShopOfMysticalWonders