Mickey returns to focus in this episode, which begins with Riley attempting a joke about knowing the score of a game played that night (when a girl in the crowd asks what it was, Riley answered with "Before it starts, there's nothing to know."). With the joke falling flat, Riley quickly introduces Kids Incorporated for the episode's opening song "Who Wears These Shoes".
Things appear as normal during their break until Mickey starts brainstorming ideas for a new image for the band (when the others aren't sold; he suggests it's for "artistic growth"), specifically having in mind a harder sound mixing Heavy Metal; New Wave; Punk Rock and Funk (when Gloria asks if this new image is "them", Mickey answers by stating they'll never know if they don't try. The younger kids are equally ambivalent as the break ends (setting up "Lucky Star"). Still riding this idea, Mickey tells a preoccupied Riley (taking ice cream inventory) about the plan before getting the idea for the new name: "Rocky Road to Doom". The next day; Riley (reading off index cards) prepares to introduce Ki...er, Rocky Road to Doom. The newly-renamed band (wearing costumes that seem more appropriate for Halloween) opens with a new song Mickey penned titled "Heavy Metal Madness"note ; which lasts just over a minute before it becomes evident the crowd is having none of this, booing the kids off the stage. Renee and Kid are equally furious, yet Mickey decides to dig in (setting up "Bet Your Life It's Me").
Mutiny seems in the making; with the others bolting after Mickey tries to come up with still another new approach (high-tech this time); upon which Mickey finally realizes he really blew it ("Missing You"). Mickey then returns to the P*lace, accepting to drown his sorrows in fudge before Riley reminds him of the importance of being yourself; with Mickey and the others apologizing to each other; setting up closing song "Wake Me Up (Before You Go-Go").
Worth noting is that this marks the most songs (counting the abbreviated "Heavy Metal Madness") in a regular episode (the only episodes with more would be concert episodes "Sock Hop" and "Decade of Hits").
Songs performed in this episode:
- "Who Wears These Shoes" (Elton John cover; performed by Mickey)
- "Lucky Star" (Madonna cover; performed by Kid and Mickey)note
- "Heavy Metal Madness" (Kids Incorporated original; performed by Mickey, Gloria, Renee, Kid and Stacy)
- "Bet Your Life It's Me" (Fame covernote ; performed by Mickey and Gloria)
- "Missing You" (John Waite cover; performed by Mickey)
- "Wake Me Up (Before You Go-Go)" (Wham! cover; performed by Mickey and Gloria)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- A Good Name for a Rock Band: Mickey's idea for a new name for Kids Incorporated is Rocky Road to Doom
- Be Yourself: One of this show's most common aesops appears once again.
- Delayed Reaction: It takes a few seconds for Mickey's plan to rename the band as "Rocky Road to Doom" to register in Riley's mind.
- Zany Scheme: Mickey's ideas for a new image for the band.
