With 3 episodes remaining; we near the conclusion of Season 7 with the kids preparing for an “Earth Day Festival”.
This episode kicks off with a performance of “After the Rain”. We then see Kenny and Flip clearing out the garage as it’s mentioned that Kids Incorporated was invited to perform at the local Earth Day festival at the lake, with Flip mentioning getting to see his cousin Dave; who was working as a forest ranger, before wondering where the others were. First to arrive are Robin and Ana - struggling to contain their luggage (despite their being gone only for a weekend). Eric walks in seemingly traveling light…only because Haylie is carrying most of his luggage (reason: She lost a bet with Eric that Flip wouldn’t have his car - which more closely resembles a golf cart — ready). Flip gets ready to start it…and nothing (Haylie - who suddenly emerges victorious in her bet - remarks “Thanks, you came through!”); though the repair and troubleshooting buys Kids Inc. enough time to run through the next song (“Yakety Yak”).
Unfortunately, Flip is still unable to get the car to start (when Eric points out that it sometimes happened to his dad when he ran out of gas; Flip points out that his car runs on electricity - allowing him to explain the difference between electric and gas-powered cars in terms of environmental impact); though Flip - in response to a question by Eric - suggests it would be impossible to run out of electricity. Eric then notices that the charger plug was accidentally disconnected, resulting in a dead battery (and Flip going to get a replacement battery). While the kids tie down their luggage, a forest ranger who looks very much like Flip with a mustache (and a Southern accent) arrives; leading to the kids being introduced to his cousin Dave, though not before wondering why he wasn’t at the festival. Unfortunately, Dave had bad news in that the festival was cancelled. When the kids press for a reason, Dave points out that the reason for the cancellation was, in a strange irony, pollution, as the lake was fed by a river that goes through several cities and unfortunately over the years had a lot of waste dumped into it. (Ana notes that she and Robin go through their items; while Eric brags that he doesn’t carelessly throw things out before Kenny points out that he doesn’t throw anything out based on his room; Haylie mentions that her parents let her keep the money earned by returning soda cans). When Robin asks what else can be done (as Dave prepares to leave); Dave responds by simply saying to tell others what they can do to prevent pollution, setting up “Please Save Us the World”.
As if on cue, Flip arrives with the spare battery to see 5 dejected kids outside the garage, who then tell him that Dave stopped by to mention that the lake was polluted and the festival had to be cancelled so they could get it cleaned up. After a brief period where the kids try thinking of ways they could help (and Flip stating that if things didn’t change there’s no telling what problems might be in the future), Robin imagines a possible pollution-filled future, with the dancers playing people from the future who stumble across a pollution-plagued present as the kids try to fight pollution (“This is the Right Time”). Newly inspired, Robin has her idea - have an impromptu Earth Day festival at the P*lace.
We then cut to the festival and Flip welcoming them to the first Kids Inc. Earth Day Festival (Flip then jokes that he can’t recycle his old jokes) before introducing the kids as they arrive in non-automotive ways (Eric on a skateboard, Kenny on his bike), Ana displaying a tree made of various recyclable materials, Haylie carrying a wagon with various papers to be recycled, the dancers arriving with signs on saving the Earth) while Dave compliments Robin and the others on their efforts, setting up closing song “Save the Trees”.
Songs performed in this episodenote :
- “After the Rain” (Nelson cover; lead vocals by Ana, Kenny, Robin, Eric and Haylie)
- “Yakety Yak” (The Coasters cover; lead vocals by Eric, Ana, Kenny, Haylie and Ana)
- “Please Save Us the World“ (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Robin)note .
- “This is the Right Time“ (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Robin and Haylie)
- “Save The Trees” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Ana, Kenny, Robin and Haylie)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- The Alleged Car: Flip’s vehicle, later nicknamed the “Green Machine”, is implied to be this given the nature of Eric and Haylie’s bet involved whether or not his car would be ready.
- Bearer of Bad News: Flip’s cousin Dave informs the kids that the Earth Day festival has been cancelled, with the kids themselves filling this role in telling Flip about the cancellation.
- Gadgeteer Genius: On the other hand, Flip managing to build his own electric car over two decades before they became commonplace says a bit about both his interest in the environment and his forward thinking.
- Green Aesop: This episode may have the most obvious example in the series with the Earth Day-themed festival the kids are throwing and the original songs “Please Save Us the World” and “Save the Trees”.
- Guys are Slobs: Hinted at in response to Eric saying he doesn’t just throw things out.Eric: “I don’t throw out everything.”Kenny: “I’ve seen your room. You don’t throw out anything.”
- Imagine Spot: “This is the Right Time” is partly set in a pollution-heavy ghost town sometime in a gloomy futuristic setting.
- Uncanny Family Resemblance: The only significant difference in appearance between Flip and his cousin Dave is Dave's mustache, while Dave also has a Southern accent.
