Airdates: April 1, 2015 note , April 11, 2015 note , May 31, 2015 note
When some of the members of Soundcheck go missing, Otto and Olive must bring them back together in time for their big concert.
Tropes:
- A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read: Played for Laughs with the client in the Cold Open, who has the unfortunate affliction of his thoughts being manifested in the outside world for everyone to see — including Olive and Otto. However, shortly after he explains the situation to them, he thinks of a new thought, and this exchange occurs:Olive: Is that a bear dressed like a ballerina riding a shark in outer space?[cut to a wide shot where the man is thinking exactly that]Man: I'm allowed to think whatever I want to think.
- Artistic License – Physics: Somehow, a medium-sized fan was able to blow three adult men up into the air and out of a window. Except for Danny T, who got his nails done and is using them to grip onto the stage. Bonus points go to the fact that the fan wasn't even moving.
- Ascended Fanboy: Otto becomes one yet again, going so far as to perform at a live concert with Soundcheck.
- Bait-and-Switch Comment: Olive's reaction to her partner's Soundcheck Room.Olive: I'm speechless.Otto: I know, right?Olive: In a bad way.Otto: [disappointed] Oh...
- Berate and Switch: Ms. O does this when she first lays eyes on Otto's Soundcheck Room. She begins to angrily scold Otto for using such a room and having it all to himself without her permission (which Olive agrees with her on)...until she begins to praise him instead, wishing the trio good luck before walking off. Olive's reaction
is nothing short of What the Hell, Hero?. - Breather Episode: Along with "Jinx", it's a rather comedic episode before the Wham Episode "Training Day".
- Big Word Shout: The group, bar Otto, begins to leave to find Johnny J. However, they leave Otto himself in the dust as he packs up his travel-size Soundcheck Room.Otto: Wait, wait, waitwaitwaitwait. WAAAAAIT! WAAAAAAAAAAIT!!
- Big "YES!": Otto does one when Soundcheck invites him and Olive to perform at their concert. This is in stark contrast to Olive, who looks outright terrified before eventually giving up on her retaliation.
- Call-Back: Otto and Danny T reunite and catch up on their lives after the events of "Soundcheck".
- Cheerful Child: Otto is this to an absolute T, dancing along with Soundcheck as they sing their new song and even getting Olive in on the fun (much to her chagrin).
- Chroma Key: Soundcheck films their new music video for their newest song "The Force of Gravity" using a green screen. Funny enough, the camera movement of the scene makes it look like the music video has edits made to it in real time while Soundcheck is performing their song.
- Comic-Book Fantasy Casting: Otto in his concert performance attire looks similar to Bruno Mars, even having a similar hairstyle.
- Continuity Nod: Quite a few from "Soundcheck".
- Otto's Soundcheck Room plays a smooth jazz version of "Take Away 4", the song Soundcheck performed that caused the problem in that episode. Similarly, he also has the outfits that he and the other band members wore during their "Gonna Add One" performance.
- Just like in "Soundcheck", Olive is tortured for the entirety of her time spent with the eponymous band.
- A related nod: one of the songs that plays in the Soundcheck Room is "Up, Down, Left, Right".
- Concert Episode: Of a sort; the episode revolves around reuniting Soundcheck in time for their concert, which both Otto and Ms. O have tickets to. By the end of the episode, the former and his partner get to perform with Soundcheck onstage.
- Dance Party Ending: The episode ends on Soundcheck performing their new song, with Olive and Otto singing and dancing alongside them, including a "YEAH!" Shot.
- Deadpan Snarker: Yes, being snarky is practically Olive's bread and butter. But this episode takes it nearly up to eleven — when she isn't being tortured by Soundcheck's singing, she's snarking, either verbally or with her expressions.Danny: Aight, here's the 411. The rest of Soundcheck is missing!Otto: What?!Olive: Oh, that's too bad.
- Delinquent Hair: Both Olive and Otto wear pompadour hair while performing with Soundcheck. It's downplayed, however, as they are far from being delinquents, and Olive has the rest of her hair tied up in a bushy ponytail.
- Didn't Think This Through: Danny T tells his bandmates that they are performing in a concert before they hit the stage to perform at said concerts, because he doesn't like to worry them with details. Due to Danny's poor planning, none of his bandmates know that they have a concert tonight, and are blissfully unaware. Olive calls him out on this.Olive: That seems like a bad way to work.Danny T: I can see that now...
- Double Meaning: Danny T explains that when fans were brought into the studio where he and the other band members were performing, things got out of hand. Otto takes this to mean fans; i.e., people who like Soundcheck's music. Danny T was talking about fans; i.e., the machines.
- Dramatic Drop: Ringo does this with his fork when Danny T informs him that the band has a concert.
- Dramatic Wind: Invoked by Soundcheck, who added fans to make wind blow through their hair. Unfortunately, it has the side effect of blowing all of the band members bar Danny T out of the window.
- Flanderization: Danny T was initially introduced as a passionate artist who didn't want to change his song to help out the townsfolk due to simply just being a music artist. Anyone who's worked as a singer or songwriter knows that this was a less-than-favorable move to make, as "Take Away 4" and "Gonna Add One" are implied to be two separate songs, and the former wouldn't be "changed" at all. This episode takes the Take That! of Soundcheck as directed towards generic boy bands like One Direction and cranks it up a notch, as it features Danny T teetering on Too Dumb to Live territory, emphasizing his idiocy. This may be justified by the "Adults Are Useless" philosophy the show is known to have. Ah well. At least he Took a Level in Kindness.
- This also applies to the other members of Soundcheck as well, who were presumed to be at least of average intelligence. In this episode, however, they are just as idiotic as Danny T.
- Foreshadowing: One of the more subtler examples of this when applied to this series. Otto reveals that he downloaded Tony D's new single 43 times.
- Hell-Bent for Leather: Both Olive and Otto's concert performance outfits have them sporting leather jackets.
- Hidden Depths: While it was heavily implied in "Soundcheck" that Olive doesn't like pop music, this episode outright confirms it. What music she does like, however, is never revealed.
- Danny T can apparently weld. When he shows it off to the group, Olive tells him to turn the torch off (lest his stupidity causes an accident).
- Johnny J is incredibly good at sports to the point where he can rival Olive in some of them.
- I'm Not Doing That Again: When it's suggested that the group listen to Tony D's new single to predict which animal he's with, Olive responds by saying that she's not listening to another Soundcheck song. Otto agrees...before he decides that they should watch the music video for the song instead.
- List Song: "Zoo-logical" and its lyrics are basically Tony D listing off his favorite animals.
- Long Song, Short Scene: "Zoo-logical" and "The Force of Gravity" both have parts of them played throughout the episode, but neither of the songs are heard in full. The same goes for the smooth jazz remix of "Take Away 4" and the instrumental version of "Up, Down, Left, Right". All four full tracks are on the show's album, Stop the Music (there is no instrumental version of "Up, Down, Left, Right", however).
- Musicalis Interruptus: Olive interrupts Soundcheck's singing twice throughout the episode.
- No Sense of Personal Space: As demonstrated in the episode's page image, Otto ropes Olive into his dancing by clutching her shoulders and making her dance with him. Of course, Olive being Olive, she refuses to comply; the first time he does this, she's quick to throw his arm off of her shoulder.
- Poster-Gallery Bedroom: Exaggerated — Otto doesn't just have posters of Soundcheck in his Soundcheck Room, but he has Shmumber Beat magazines, clothes they've worn during performances, and a ton of other memorabilia decking every single wall. You'd be hard-pressed to find a section of wall that isn't plastered in Soundcheck in some form or another. If it weren't for the fact Soundcheck is a boy band comprised of four members, the room would also qualify as a Stalker Shrine. He even has a travel version of the room that he totes around in a suitcase, which is stored in Hammerspace.
- Prescience by Analysis: This episode's math lesson. Otto uses his skills of knowing everything about Soundcheck to predict where the missing band members are.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Olive attempts to back out of the case simply because she doesn't like Soundcheck. Ms. O's response doesn't mince any words.Ms. O: I hear what you're saying.Olive: Great. So I can skip this one?Ms. O: No. I just said I hear what you're saying. Danny T, tell Olive and Otto what's wrong.
- Sequel Episode: To "Soundcheck", only this time around it's the other band members who are forcibly separated from Danny T.
- Stalker without a Crush: Otto knows everything about Soundcheck — and he means everything. Where they go, what they do, etc. Olive greatly disapproves.
- Stereotype Flip: Danny T is shown to have gotten his nails done in various different colors, which busts the stereotype surrounding men getting beauty treatments similar to women (nails, etc.).
- That Reminds Me of a Song: When getting wind of the concert happening, Ringo and Tony D exclaim that they're so happy, they can sing. Olive attempts to stop them before they can start, but her efforts prove to be in vain.
- This Is Gonna Suck: The second time around that Soundcheck sings their new song, Olive doesn't even bother protesting.Tony D: That makes me so happy, I...I feel like singing!Olive: [gives an exasperated sigh] Of course you do...
- Torture Chamber Episode: Parodied, as much of the episode's humor derives from Olive being consistently tortured by Soundcheck singing their new song (as pictured above). She eventually gives up the good fight when invited to sing with the band.Olive: If you can't beat 'em...join 'em.
- Trophy Room: Johnny J appears to have one, if the photo Otto has is any indication. And he has a ton of trophies in various different sports to go along with it.
- Work Off the Debt: Averted; Ringo doesn't finish his plate of spaghetti, but he isn't shown paying for it either — and considering this is a sit-down restaurant, it's likely he did a dine-and-dash.
Marco Polo is a hard game to win when you all Speak in Unison.
JinxAirdates: April 1, 2015 note , April 11, 2015 note , May 31, 2015 note
When Odd Squad agents come down with a case of the Jinx, it's up to Oscar and Dr. O to save the day and get the Jinx Cube from Jimmy Jinx.
Tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: Oscar and Dr. O team up in order to get the cure for the rest of the main cast's Jinx.
- Anti-Villain: Tiny Dancer is apparently an environmentalist, which Oscar calls her out on.Oscar: Are you sure you're a villain?
- Artistic License – Cars: The Cold Open client's main problem is that his car horn is making a quack sound. Olive and Otto pop open the hood of his car...only for Otto to take out what can only be described as an elderly duck, revealing it to be the source of the sound. When the two agents leave, the client starts his car, only for it to make various other animal noises instead. Needless to say, horns don't work like that.
- Breather Episode: A typical wacky-hijinks episode before the Wham Episode "Training Day".
- The Bus Came Back: The Noisemaker returns after having been absent since his debut in "Odd Outbreak". This return is notable for the fact that David Tompa, who plays him, was only supposed to appear in that episode and not make any further appearances.
- The Cameo: Orzack, one of the agents affected by the noise outbreak in "Odd Outbreak", makes a cameo appearance here as one of the agents who has the Jinx.
- Catchphrase: Discussed by Oscar and Dr. O, as the former is attempting to find a catchphrase of his own. Oddly enough, Oscar does have a Catchphrase — two of them, actually, that he uses as greetings: "Hey guys!" and "Greetings, agents!" (The latter is primarily seen in Training Videos, while the former is the one used in the episodes proper.)
- On the other side of the coin, Dr. O has "What's next?!", which has been a mainstay catchphrase for her since her debut, and doesn't change in the episode.
Oscar: Aww man! All the good ones are taken. - Code of Honor: All of the villains have one in the form of the "No-Tattletale Code", meaning that villains can't snitch on other villains. This is what prevents those like Baby Genius and the Noisemaker from outright giving answers to Oscar and Dr. O.
- Continuity Cavalcade: A host of villains show up in the riddles Baby Genius, Noisemaker, and Tiny Dancer give Oscar and Dr. O, including Circle Sue, Symmetric Al, and Fladam, among others.
- Continuity Nod: This isn't the first time someone has gotten confused about which office to go to when summoned.
- The Noisemaker brings up the time when he gave his chocolates to Odd Squad that made them make funny noises. And Dr. O doesn't appear to have forgiven Oscar for his mistake (just mentioning it makes him mortified).
- Dr. O and Oscar outrun laser chickens at the end of the episode.
- Devil in Plain Sight: Played for Laughs when Oscar manages to spot Tiny Dancer, a villain dressed like a ballerina who is hiding behind a plant that's as tall as her, but has thin leaves.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Dr. O yelling at Baby Genius and making him cry is very reminiscent of parents who yell at and otherwise verbally abuse their babies, for varying reasons. Bonus horror points go to the fact that she works as a babysitter on the side, as revealed in "Hold the Door".
- The Drag-Along: Both Oscar and Ms. O are extremely uncomfortable going out into the field to fetch the Jinx Cube, as both of them work in positions that don't require them to exit headquarters. Upon receiving encouragement from Olive (spoken through Ms. O), they realize they don't really have a choice and go out to retrieve the item.
- Face Your Fears: One of the main plots of the story, aside from the Jinx outbreak. Oscar is hit with the fear the hardest, and becomes somewhat of a Shrinking Violet up until the duo reach Jimmy's apartment. On the other hand, Dr. O's comically serious demeanor makes her seem like she's fearful at all about going out onto the field.
- Finish Dialogue in Unison: Subverted; Dr. O responds that there's only one thing to do when she and Oscar arrive at the apartment complex: go inside. Or in Oscar's case, go in screaming. Oscar justifies his words with Exactly What I Meant to Say.
- Freeze-Frame Ending: The episode ends like this.
- Growling Gut: Implied; Otto does mention that his stomach is starting to growl, but there's no noise accompanying it, even though neither him nor Olive get a bite to eat throughout the episode.
- Hand Gagging: Olive, Otto and Ms. O do this in unison when the latter gets the Jinx disease, albeit they do it to themselves instead of to each other.
- Here We Go Again!: The episode ends with Oscar and Dr. O attempting to outrun a laser chicken, as a result of them Tempting Fate and telling Ms. O that they feel more comfortable going out onto the field, asking her to give them another case.Oscar: I DON'T THINK I'M READY FOR THIS!!
- I Am What I Am: Noisemaker fully embraces his loud, boisterous state despite Jimmy Jinx telling him to turn down his music.
- I'm a Doctor, Not a Placeholder: Is combined with Borrowed Catchphrase, since this trope is one of Dr. O's Catchphrases. Oscar manages to borrow it at one point.Noisemaker: Velcome to Villain Estates! You must be evil scientists.Dr. O: I'm a doctor, not an evil scientist!
- Instant Illness: The Jinx spreads rapidly throughout headquarters, to the point where there's an entire crowd of infected background agents, in addition to Olive, Otto and Dr. O, by the time Oscar and Dr. O retrieve the Jinx cube.
- In-Universe Soundtrack: The Noisemaker plays some music for Oscar and Dr. O as they figure out his word problem.
- Lampshade Hanging: When Dr. O tells Olive, Otto and Ms. O that they have the Jinx, they respond by repeating the name of the disease for confirmation. Oscar then responds that "it's like there's an echo in here". He's not wrong; the sound of the rest of the Main 4 speaking in unison does create a noticeable echo.
- There's also this exchange that occurs when Ms. O holds up Baby Genius's rattle:
Ms. O: This is how I tell my agents to go see Baby Genius.Oscar: Why don't you just...say it?Ms. O: Because that's not how you... (sighs and facepalms) Never mind.- Ms. O and the rest of the agents who have the Jinx are quick to point out how annoying talking in unison is and how they aren't going to get any work done.
- Oscar hangs lampshades on tropes enough times in this episode to qualify as a Drinking Game.
- Leitmotif: Tiny Dancer has one in this episode: a dainty, airy-sounding tune, which is fitting with her ballerina theme.
- Musical Theme Naming: Tiny Dancer, named after the Elton John song of the same name.
- Not Afraid of You Anymore: Dr. O and Oscar spend a good portion of the episode being afraid of going out into the field and fetching Jimmy Jinx's Jinx cube, as it's not what they're used to (being two employees working in the Medical and Science ranks, respectively). By the time the duo reach Jimmy Jinx's apartment, they give a Rousing Speech to him about being comfortable with the task they're assigned.Oscar: Wait, Jimmy! We were scared trying new things too, so we just stayed in our headquarters. But now, we're out here, on the streets, solving a case, being brilliant!Dr. O: Funny thing about fear: it isn't very funny. A wise doctor once said-Jimmy Jinx: Here. [hands them his Jinx Cube] I have some English muffin pizzas in the oven, I felt like this was taking a while, so... [closes door]
- Not So Above It All: Dr. O isn't above celebrating with enthusiasm when she and Oscar find Jimmy Jinx's apartment.
- One Degree of Separation: Not only do Fladam and Circle Sue live on the same street, but the Shapeshifter, Symmetric Al, Even Steven, and Jimmy Jinx all live in the same apartment complex. Funny enough, said complex is called Villain Estates.Oscar: These villains do pretty well for themselves.
- Parlor Games: Ms. O and the rest of the infected agents play Charades (on Otto's and/or Olaf's suggestion) and Marco Polo as a way to pass the time while Oscar and Ms. O get the Jinx Cube. While the Charades game isn't shown, Marco Polo is (see the episode's page image above), and it goes about as well as you'd expect.Everyone: This idea was worse than Charades!
- Red Herring: The client in the Cold Open is written this way, having knowledge on Odd Squad's agents, their gadgets, and their mannerisms while averting the usual Adults Are Useless trope that is commonplace in the show. One would think that with this knowledge, he'd be a villain of some sort (particularly, the "Jimmy Jinx" mentioned in the episode), or perhaps a former agent of the organization — but no, he's just a client afflicted with some sort of oddity, and he's never mentioned again.
- Rousing Speech: Ms. O, who is quarantined inside of her office away from the other infected agents, appears to give one of these before it's revealed that Olive is the one who came up with the words. Doubles as a bit of Foreshadowing for the Season 1 finale.Ms. O: I know you're scared. It's scary doing new things. But I wouldn't send you out on the field if I didn't believe in you with all my heart.Oscar: Wow, Ms. O. That's really nice.Ms. O: It wasn't me. It was someone out there.Rest of agents sans Olive: Probably Olive.[Olive gives a smile and a thumbs-up]
- Series Continuity Error: Despite her holding up the same rattle to tell Olive and Otto to see Baby Genius in "The Odd Antidote", Dr. O doesn't understand what Ms. O is saying when the Director holds up the same rattle (and on that note, neither does Oscar, even though he was present when Ms. O held it up in "My Better Half").
- Sidetracked by the Analogy: Doubles with Metaphorgotten in this exchange when Dr. O and Oscar are walking through the warehouse.Oscar: Is this even the right place?Dr. O: It sure isn't the left place.Oscar: [I'll have you know,] I thought that was really funny, but I'm just too scared to laugh.
- Speak in Unison: The Jinx's one side effect, as indicative of its name. It is a contagious disease that, when spread to a person, causes them to be roped into saying the same thing the infected is saying at the same time. The only way to cure it is with the Jinx Cube, in the possession of a villain named Jimmy Jinx. Olive and Otto inadvertently get it when they say the same thing at the same time, and is played out like a typical "jinx" moment before they realize they can't stop talking at the same time.
- Stealth Hi/Bye: Olive and Otto manage to do this accidentally in the Cold Open, emerging from the tubes inside of a man's car.
- The Disease That Shall Not Be Named: Surprisingly averted — the show is comprised of illnesses that do have allusions to different real-life diseases, but said diseases aren't named. However, this episode has Oscar and Dr. O outright state that the Jinx works similarly to the chickenpox, which is the first real-life disease that has been named in the show.
- Trust Me, I'm an X: Dr. O returns to this in full form.Oscar: Dr. O and I have caught the Jinx before, so we can't catch it again. It's like the chickenpox.Dr. O: It's similar to the chickenpox.Oscar: I just said that.Dr. O: I'm a doctor, it sounds better when I say it.
- Uncomfortable Elevator Moment: Inverted. Tiny Dancer attempts to go down via the elevator (Evil Laugh and all) but has to wait for it to come back up. What follows is a very awkward silence between her, Oscar and Dr. O that lasts for a few moments before the elevator arrives.
- Villainy-Free Villain: Jimmy Jinx. He fits the alliterative Theme Naming of a majority of villains, but a lot of other villains hate him for vast, irrelevant reasons (e.g., Tiny Dancer hates him because he doesn't separate his trash from his recycling), and he doesn't do anything out-and-out villainous. He does, however, act like a bit of a Jerkass.
