Line #58 Recap/OddSquadS1E26RobertPlantGameTime


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_06_09_262.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:You wouldn't believe us if we said that this was Olive's doing, would you? [[NiceJobBreakingItHero Yeah, about that...]]]]
3	'''''Robert Plant'''''
4
5	'''Airdates:''' May 27, 2015 [[note]]PBS Kids premiere[[/note]], May 2, 2015 [[note]]TVO Kids premiere[[/note]], June 7, 2015 [[note]]ICI Radio-Canada premiere[[/note]]
6
7	Olive and Otto must find a way to stop Obfusco's plant, Robert, from taking over headquarters and, eventually, the world.
8
9	----
10	!!Tropes:
11
12	* BigNo: Olive gives one when Robert seals her in.
13	* CharacterDevelopment: Compared to past episodes like [[Recap/OddSquadS1E9SkipDayTheGreatGrinaldi "Skip Day"]], Otto is much more confident on solo missions, something that manages to surprise Olive in this exchange:
14	--> '''Olive:''' I know this is dangerous, and you're nervous of leaving me behind-
15	--> '''Otto:''' Nah, not really. ''[runs off as Olive looks utterly confused]''
16	* CommLinks: The front of Olive's badge phone is able to be detached to create a small portable device worn in the ear, which is how she communicates with Otto.
17	* ContinuityNod: Obfusco's office was briefly seen in [[Recap/OddSquadS1E19HoldTheDoorFlatastrophe "Hold the Door"]].
18	** [[Recap/OddSquadS1E13LifeOfOBrianWhateverHappenedToAgentOz This isn't the first time]] (or even the [[Recap/OddSquadS1E5ReindeerGames second time]]) someone who isn't a tube operator has operated the tubes -- although Otto only operates the computer connected to them, and not the tubes themselves.
19	* CoolHorse: Obfusco apparently has one, fitting with his {{Cowboy}} theme. However, it disappears entirely the first time he does his StealthHiBye act.
20	* {{Determinator}}: Briefly inverted when Otto remarks that he can't keep up with Robert because he's growing too fast. Luckily, he has Olive to help set him back on the right path.
21	* DerailedTrainOfThought: Otto takes the time to point out a few landmarks that show up on the map of headquarters before Olive sets him straight.
22	* {{Foreshadowing}}: Olive manages to pry apart a plant (with rather thick vines) with ''her own bare hands'' -- strength that is only seen in Directors such as Ms. O. As it turns out, Olive becomes an Odd Squad Director in the [[Recap/OddSquadS1E40OIsNotForOver Season 1 finale.]]
23	* FryingPanOfDoom: Olive uses pots and pans from, well, the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Pots and Pans Room]] in order to hold back Robert.
24	* GilliganCut: Olive believes that getting to Obfusco's office will be easy. One transition and an OrbitalShot later, she and Otto quickly find that most every route is blocked except for one.
25	* HereWeGoAgain: As thanks for caring for Robert, Obfusco entrusts Olive and Otto with his other three plants...all of which have instruction books in varying thicknesses.
26	--> '''Olive and Otto:''' [[ThisIsGonnaSuck No way...]]
27	* HiddenDepths: Like Olive and Ms. O, Otto can also operate the tube operators' computer with ease despite working as an Investigation agent and having never worked in the Transportation department.
28	* IveHeardOfThatWhatIsIt: When Olive asks Otto to give her some landmarks, he responds with "Absolutely! Who are landmarks?"
29	* LethalNegligence: The episode's plot happens because a frustrated Olive decides to give up on reading Obfusco's thick instruction book on how to take care of his titular plant. She decides to water it the same way one would water any plant, by simply pouring the rest of the cup filled with water onto it. This causes the plant to begin growing out of control and snake around Headquarters, and eventually, trap Olive for a few moments before she can get to the antidote.
30	* LookingBusy: Olive and Otto do this in order to escape Obfusco. It doesn't end up working.
31	* MagicAntidote: When Obfusco's antidote is placed on Robert, the plant immediately shrinks and goes back to normal.
32	* {{Medusa}}: Obfusco mentions that he danced with her sometime in his past, and that she was an excellent dancer.
33	* MinimalistCast: With the obvious exception of the client in the ColdOpen, only Olive, Otto and Obfusco get speaking roles.
34	* MusicalThemeNaming: Obfusco's plants are all named after the band members of Music/LedZeppelin -- Robert, Jimmy, John and John Paul. When introduced, the plants have their own [[{{Leitmotif}} Leitmotifs]] that represent what each band member plays. The episode's title falls under this as well.
35	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Olive pouring the entire cup of water on Robert instead of following the instructions causes him to grow out of control and nearly take over headquarters.
36	* NoSenseOfDirection: Otto doesn't know his left from his right. Luckily, Olive helps set him straight with the "L" trick -- whichever of your open palms makes an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb is your left.
37	* NotMeThisTime: Inverted and [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by Otto.
38	--> '''Otto:''' I can't believe this!
39	--> '''Olive:''' I know, it ''won't stop growing...!''
40	--> '''Otto:''' No! I can't believe that it's ''your'' fault and not ''mine!'' I'm so happy!
41	* OneCrazyNight: A majority of the episode takes place in the course of a night, as Olive and Otto stay late reading Robert's instruction book and stopping him when he grows out of control.
42	* OutOfCharacterMoment: Olive, who has finally had enough of Obfusco and ''snaps'' in this episode. She becomes frustrated with his antics enough to act irrational and not follow the care instructions for Robert, pouring the entire cup of water on him instead of a few drops, which causes him to grow out of control. It gets to the point where Otto -- known for being a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} and the rookie of the pair -- ''tries to talk her out of doing it.''
43	* PoliceCodeForEverything: A rather confusing example. Olive gives Otto a "10-4" (or "okay") when he tells her where to go -- however, Odd Squad doesn't serve as a police force for the town, and don't arrest people (although they do have some police-like procedures, such as interrogations).
44	* PreMortemOneLiner: Olive has one ''hell'' of a badass one as she breaks free of Robert's trap and nabs the antidote.
45	--> '''Olive:''' Show's over, [[TitleDrop Robert Plant.]]
46	* RageBreakingPoint: After spending the majority of [[Recap/OddSquadS1E12BestSeatsInTheHouseAgentObfusco two]] [[Recap/OddSquadS1E16OddOutbreakThePerfectLunch episodes]] dealing with Obfusco's {{Cloudcuckoolander}} antics (and possibly more than that, considering Obfusco was her teacher when she was an agent-in-training), Olive becomes frustrated enough to break when she sees how complicated caring for Robert is -- never mind the fact that she and Otto have been at Headquarters for enough time to be the last agents there. When Otto attempts to reason with her, Olive dismisses him, saying that Robert is just a plant, and simply needs to be watered the same way one would any plant. Unfortunately, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero this has disastrous consequences]] in the form of Robert growing out of control. She is also seen later on growing frustrated at Obfusco when watching his instruction video.
47	* RamblingOldManMonologue: While Obfusco isn't elderly, his instruction video is mostly comprised of him recounting various stories from the past, to the annoyance of Olive and Otto, who have to fast-forward RuleOfThree-style just to actually get to the point where he tells them how to beat Robert.
48	* ShoutOut: The painting of Ms. O and the three horses with her (a {{Unicorn}}, a WingedUnicorn, and a normal horse) is reminiscent of [[https://nails.newsela.com/s3/newsela-media/article_media/2019/04/natgeo-george-washington-crosses-the-delaware-99fe7cbd.jpg?crop=0%2C15%2C3000%2C1702&height=497&horizontal_focal_point=center&vertical_focal_point=center&width=885 the painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware]].
49	** [[Film/DirtyDancing "Nobody puts Olive in a corner."]]
50	* StealthHiBye: Obfusco, natch. And both times he does it, he manages to scare Olive and Otto. The latter agent [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] it the second time around.
51	--> '''Otto:''' It ''is'' kind of impressive how he just disappears like that.
52	--> '''Obfusco:''' ''[popping up behind Olive and Otto]'' Thank you!
53	--> ''[Olive and Otto yell in shock]''
54	* StopSayingThat: When Otto repeatedly says "oh boy" as he's tracking Robert and the route to Obfusco's office, Olive asks him "Can you ''please'' stop saying that?!"
55	* SuperStrongChild: Olive manages to break free of Robert blocking her in by pushing him back long enough to create a hole she can fit through. She is able to reach the vial of antidote and throws it on him before he can capture her again.
56	** Similarly, Otto is also seen pushing a file cabinet -- likely full of files -- back up after Robert knocked it to the ground.
57	* TemptingFate: Olive and Otto remark how watering Robert is going to be easy. Not a second later and Obfusco throws a large, dictionary-sized instruction book down on the desk for the partner pair to follow, much to their chagrin.
58	* TrackingDevice: Olive's suit is embedded with a homing beacon, which allows Otto to track her through headquarters and guide her to Obfusco's office.
59	* TyrantTakesTheHelm: Since Ms. O is absent in this episode, Obfusco -- who is, by technicality, the second-in-command (his department symbol is a heptagon while Ms. O's is an octagon) -- takes over as the leader figure for the episode. He is heading out on vacation, and flexes his status in the hierarchy by making every single employee, including Olive and Otto, handle his responsibilities for him while he's gone. It's implied that he's been doing this for a long time, but it's left ambiguous if Ms. O herself approves of it.
60	* {{Understatement}}: Otto gives an instruction to Olive to pass by a small park. Cut to a patch of grass with a bench, a wastebasket and a streetlamp and zoom out as the much-larger Olive jumps over it with ease.
61	* WhenTreesAttack: Robert grows and spreads across headquarters rapidly, and it's strong enough to the point where it can ''pry open the double-doors in the tube lobby'' -- something [[Recap/OddSquadS1E17RiseOfTheHydraclopsOIsNotForOld only Ms. O was shown to be able to do before.]]
62	----
63	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_06_12_26.png]]
64	[[caption-width-right:350:Perhaps what's more impressive than [[CantYouReadTheSign Otto failing to read the obvious sign]] is his amazing dexterity.]]
65	'''''Game Time'''''
66
67	'''Airdates:''' May 27, 2015 [[note]]PBS Kids premiere[[/note]], May 2, 2015 [[note]]TVO Kids premiere[[/note]], June 7, 2015 [[note]]ICI Radio-Canada premiere[[/note]]
68
69	When Otto gets trapped inside a video game, it's up to Olive to rescue him.
70
71	----
72	!!Tropes:
73
74	* BaitAndSwitch: Ms. O, natch, which gives Olive and Otto a bad fright.
75	--> '''Ms. O:''' Hundreds of futuristic robots have flooded the streets, destroying everyone in their path.
76	--> '''Olive and Otto:''' ''[[BigWhat WHAT?!]]''
77	--> '''Ms. O:''' In a video game.
78	--> ''[Olive and Otto sigh in relief]''
79	* CantYouReadTheSign: Karla has Robo-Blast-Bots roped off so no one can play it. However, the "rope" is nothing more than a small stanchion rope with a poorly drawn "do not enter" sign, which Otto bypasses with ease as he begins playing the game (believing it's some sort of an exclusive game).
80	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Otto takes Ms. O's instruction to go to the arcade as her telling him to play video games all day. Olive informs him that that's probably not what their boss meant.
81	* ComicalOverreacting: When Otto hears that video games aren't a hobby of Olive's, he gives a BigWhat and ''nearly breaks the tubes'' as he tries to hold a conversation with her about why she doesn't like them. He gives up when O'Toole -- surrounded by sparks flying everywhere -- yells at him to let the tubes do their thing, prompting a WhatTheHellHero reaction from Olive as he tells her they'll talk about the situation later.
82	* ContinuityNod: Oscar manages to trap himself in an ice block similar to Ms. O's in [[Recap/OddSquadS1E18DanceLikeNobodysWatchingRecipeForDisaster "Dance Like Nobody's Watching"]]. Unlike Ms. O, however, his upper body is still exposed while the rest of his body is encased in ice, which leaves him able to communicate with Olive freely (albeit he can't play the game to free Otto).
83	* DirtyCoward: When finding out that Otto is trapped inside Robo-Blast-Bots, Karla is quick to pull a ScrewThisImOuttaHere and retreat instead of helping him out, much to Olive's chagrin.
84	* DraggedByTheCollar: Otto drags Olive by the wrist all the way down to the tube lobby.
85	* FriendshipMoment: The time spent with Olive rescuing Otto from Robo-Blast-Bots definitely counts as this, as she's genuinely worried about him dying in-game (and in real life) and willingly plays the game to get him out when Oscar cannot, despite her having no experience with playing video games. She also isn't afraid to give a verbal smackdown (as well as some riddled with FacialDialogue) to Karla for being completely nonchalant about Otto nearly dying for good.
86	* GamerChick: Olive becomes one over the course of the episode despite having never played a video game in her life. She slowly improves and manages to rescue Otto from Robo-Blast-Bots, the arcade game he's trapped in. At the end of the episode, she and Otto rush off to play more games in the arcade instead of immediately going back to headquarters.
87	* {{Homage}}: A few in this episode, with one being the side of the Robo-Blast-Bots arcade cabinet, a reference to ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''.
88	* KarmaHoudini: Karla never gets her comeuppance for acting like a {{Jerkass}} and demanding money from children even when lives are at stake.
89	* KonamiCode: Olive uses this to defeat the final boss.
90	* LaymansTerms: Oscar explains that Otto can get out because he found a weakness in "the fabric of the vector lines." Olive asks him to explain it in "not-Oscar talk". The scientist then clarifies that if the duo can get Otto to the end of the first level, then he can get him out.
91	* MeaningfulEcho: Before Olive and Otto head to the Shmumbercade, the former tells the latter that video games aren't her thing. At the end of the episode, after getting Otto out, she remarks that "I guess video games really ''are'' my thing."
92	* TheMostDangerousVideoGame: Otto becomes trapped in Robo-Blast-Bots, where he is at the mercy of being controlled by Olive -- a person who has never played a video game in her life. If Otto dies in the game, he dies for real, and Olive must get to the end of Level 1 and enter the fortress at the end in order to free him.
93	* NeverSayDie: Par for the course with Creator/PBSKids, even in a video game-related episode. The word "die" is never used, and instead is alluded to with various terms.
94	* OncePerEpisode: Olive and Otto [[DiscussedTrope discuss]] their usage of "What's the problem, Ms. O?" (a {{Catchphrase}} repeated nearly every episode with a few variants) and who should say it.
95	* OneHitKill: The large Ventrillion Olive faces in the BossBattle manages to hit Otto and deplete his LifeMeter entirely in one fell swoop.
96	* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Karla, an employee at the Shmumbercade, only lets Olive and Otto do things if they pay her $1 -- getting into the arcade itself and getting tokens being the two biggest examples. It gets to such an extent where she is portrayed as a complete {{Jerkass}} who has a LackOfEmpathy for Otto -- a child -- potentially dying in a video game (since if he dies in the game, he dies for real), something that Olive becomes increasingly upset over. She also charges money for completely mundane things, such as 10 cents for a card listing the amounts of each coin.
97	* PercussiveTherapy: Olive shoving the joystick in her frustration as to what to do about Otto being unable to move...well, causes him to move.
98	* [[invoked]] PlayTheGameSkipTheStory: An in-universe example occurs when Oscar begins telling Olive the mythology behind Robo-Blast-Bots. However, she cuts him off to continue focusing on the game.
99	* PowerUp: One exists in Robo-Blast-Bots that is shaped like the Settings gear found on phones and mobile devices. It's implied that if a player collects enough of them, the character gains the ability to fire a blast of energy that can break walls.
100	* SpontaneousCrowdFormation: As Olive is playing the game, a crowd begins to form behind her, despite the fact that no one was looking in her direction in the previous shot. Soon, she has an audience watching her (not that she notices).
101	* RageBreakingPoint: Olive gets close to outright snapping at Karla throughout the episode, to the point where her face and words ''scream'' TranquilFury when she gets a GameOver while facing the final boss, has to go and retrieve a token, and Karla begins to count her money to make sure she has a dollar.
102	--> '''Olive:''' ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis It's. All. There.]]''
103	* ShoutOut: One of the arcade cabinets seen is ''VideoGame/Tekken2'', although the name on the cabinet is blocked out.
104	** Oscar name-drops [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Rattata]] at one point when he explains the game.
105	* TheSnackIsMoreInteresting: When Otto gets sucked into Robo-Blast-Bots, he begins to panic about how he's trapped in the game forever, then gets sidetracked by Karla's sandwich that was also sucked into the game.
106	* StereotypeFlip: The episode busts the "women can't/don't know how to play video games" stereotype that was popular at the time the episode aired, by having Olive play Robo-Blast-Bots and become surprisingly skilled at it.
107	* TemptingFate: In response to Otto saying that Olive has never played a video game in her life, Olive remarks with "Ahh, HowHardCanItBe?" Five seconds later, she ends up getting a GameOver and has 60 seconds to revive Otto before he dies permanently.
108	* ToKnowHimIMustBecomeHim: Olive's response to Oscar's question of how she was able to use the finishing move in the BossBattle.
109	--> '''Olive:''' Well, if you allow yourself to ''think'' like a Ventrillion, you quickly come to understand how their struggle for a home planet has created many years of anger and frustration.

Context Recap / OddSquadS1E26RobertPlantGameTime