In an attempt to get the kids in the camp spirit, David initiates them into a dated ritual called The Order of the Sparrow. When he promises the kids will get a prize, they jump at the opportunity to join. But what if the prize sucks?
Tropes:
- Ambiguously Brown: Though it's never confirmed outright, this episode implies that Max is of Indian (subcontinent, not Native American) descent.
- The Anti-Nihilist: David knows the fight is probably hopeless, he knows Max might very well be right about the world - and he doesn't let it stop him from struggling on anyway.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Max finally gets his wish: David's spirit crushed and ideals ruined. And only too late does he realize that it doesn't make him feel any better.
- Braids, Beads and Buckskins: David's Indian costume plays this straight and then some, much to the annoyance of everyone who sees it.
- Breaking Speech: Max gives one to David when he is struggling to light a fire in the middle of the rain, saying how the world isn't as happy as David pretends it is and he needs to stop caring.Max: Do you really think a big campfire and some outdated, honestly kind of racist tradition is going to make anyone care about anything? No one gives a shit, David. Nobody want to be here. God. It's like you live in this stupid make-believe world where "everything's great!" The universe doesn't work that way, idiot! Just look around. It's what I've been trying to show you since day one! Life sucks. And we live in a world of desensitized, apathetic assholes! Why don't you just get with the program and stop giving a shit?
- Bribing Your Way to Victory: The campers try to butter David up to win the prize, each attempt less sincere than the last.
- Defrosting Ice King: By the end of the episode, Max has gained a little respect for David and his beliefs, and even lets himself be dragged into the Order of the Sparrow ceremony. When David awards Max half of his broken staff, Max almost looks touched for a moment - before using it to brain Space Kid.
- Determinator: David finally reveals to Max that he's not just an Iron Butt Monkey with a cheerful demeanor, but a man relentlessly determined to keep the camp going in the face of overwhelming odds.David: You were right. Times have changed. Whether I like it or not. The campers don't care. Gwen doesn't care. Even the founder of this place has better things to do. That's why I'll never stop trying. Because somebody fucking has to.
- Dude, Where's My Reward?: Whenever anyone tries to do a "good deed" or convince David about their love for nature, they immediately ask for a personalized reward. This ends up deconstructed when Max points out that none of their efforts are genuine since they don't actually care about David's Order of the Sparrow, they're only doing it because they think they'll get something awesome out of it. David tries to claim a little "motivation" doesn't hurt anyone, but Max argues that only works until they realize there is no real prize. Indeed, when David reveals that the "prize" is a bonfire, all the campers immediately lose interest over not actually getting something they want.
- Everyone Has Standards: Max may be a prodigal asshole, but he's appalled by David's racist Indian costume.
- Precision F-Strike: When Max demands to know why he won't stop caring about the camp, David just answers, "Because somebody fucking has to." It's the first and only time he curses in the series, and it's this more than anything that seems to finally break through to Max that David's convictions are equal to his own.
- Stepford Smiler: Deep underneath his cheer, it's revealed that David is fully aware of what a sad state the camp is in.
- Tsundere: When David's bonfire falls apart, Max is the one to pull everything back together for a man whose worldview he claims to hate. David is overjoyed. Max is not.Max: Do not look too deeply into this!
- Values Dissonance: This happens in-universe with David's Indian ritual for The Order of the Sparrow. Dressing up as a stereotypical Indian, complete with Braids, Beads and Buckskins, might have been fun and acceptable for David back when he was a kid, but these days it just comes off as racist and insensitive, something that Max is vocal about.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Even Gwen is disappointed that the prize David offered the campers turned out to be nothing but a bonfire.
- What You Are in the Dark: When David is knocked out cold by the collapsing bonfire, Max had every opportunity to walk away and rest on his philosophical victory. Instead, he lights the bonfire, persuades the campers to go ahead with the ceremony (with accurate Indian costumes), and even duct-tapes David's staff back together.
