Episode 1: Beginnings
A steam train chugs through the deep forests, carrying a new family to the town of Sunnyville. This family is the Duncans, consisting of Robert "Rusty" Duncan, his father and his mother. Rusty complains about their train seats; his mother reacts by telling him to stop complaining while his father reassures him that life will be good for them in Sunnyville.
Upon their arrival in town, the Duncans see their new house; Rusty's father brags that he got a good deal on it and we see why. The house is in bad condition with the interior and exterior in poor shape. Rusty's father falls through the floor and Rusty complains about how bad the house is.
Late, Rusty is shown exploring the wilderness surrounding the town and he can't believe how much bigger it is than any of the city parks he visited in his old home. Hilarity Ensues when Rusty mistakes a vine for a snake and trips over one of the many rocks. It's then that he meets Samantha Macgregor, amusedby his antics. The two become friends on the spot and engage in some witty banter before Sam takes Rusty by the arm. She leads him back to her house to feed him lunch and introduce him to her family. From there, Sam introduces Rusty to her mother, her older sister Margaret, her younger brother Jason, and her baby sister Anna. In spite of his newfound friend, Rusty complains about feeling alone. This causes Sam's family to set up a town picnic to introduce Rusty's family to the townspeople.
By the end of the story, Rusty has new friends and changes his mind on moving to Sunnyville.
Read the first episode free here
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Tropes:
- Art Evolution: Max West's drawing is weaker here in contrast to the later stories. The backgrounds look out of perspective and his characters have limbs more like rubber noodles.
- Bedouin Rescue Service: How Rusty first meets Sam; while exploring the wilderness around Sunnyville, Rusty finds it big and unfamiliar as he is a city kid. Sam encounters him while she's walking in the woods. Not only does Sam get him out of the forest, but she also befriends Rusty, takes him home to feed him and even arranges for a party to introduce his family to the townspeople!
- Early-Installment Weirdness: In addition to the weaker art style, Rusty does a few cartoon-style takes like an Eye Pop when encountering a snake in the woods and a Wild Take when startled by Sam.
- Establishing Character Moment:
- Rusty's complaining on the train triggers two different reactions. Rusty's mom tells him to stop complaining while Rusty's father explains why they had to move and how things will be better in Sunnyville.
- Speaking of Rusty's mom telling him to stop complaining, Rusty responds to her with a sarcastic quip.
- Sam meets Rusty while he's exploring the wilderness around Sunnyville. Sam befriends this total stranger on the spot. Not only that, she also takes him into her own home, feeds him lunch and even arranges for a local party to introduce him to the townspeople!
- Floorboard Failure: Rusty's father falls through the floor when inspecting their new house.
- Meet Cute: How Rusty and Sam meet. While exploring the wilderness and notably scared, Rusty thinks someone or something is stalking him. Sam sneaks up behind him and touches him on the shoulder, leading to Rusty doing a Wild Take.
- Multinational Team: Rusty learns that many of the parents are from other countries - the Eftiramaturs are from the Nordic countries, the Talbots are British and the Tanukis hail from Japan. Rusty even lampshades the diversity.
- Shout-Out:
- Rusty comments on the shoddy condition of his new home and asks if the Addams Family lived there last.
- Upon arriving in their new house, Rusty's father falls through the floor and comments that he sees a quarter under the couch.
- The Snack Is More Interesting: Upon meeting Rei and Hachimon Tanuki, Rusty is more interested in the cookies they're eating and helps himself to the tray after they point out where it is.
- Spit Take: Rusty does one when the loud wails of Sam's baby sister, Anna, startles him.
- Steam Never Dies: Rusty and his family arrive in town on an old-fashioned steam locomotive.
- Straight Man and Wise Guy: Clearly established here - Rusty says or does something funny (wise guy) with Sam providing reaction (straight man).
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Wangst: Rusty does some complaining throughout the story about having to move, how he knows nobody in his new hometown and how the train seats are uncomfortable. - Welcome Episode
