Original air date: 11/20/2021
Production code: 110b
In trying to help Libby and Scratch get along, Molly tries to force their friendship with a scavenger hunt.
Tropes:
- An Aesop:
- You can't force friendship; it's best to let it grow naturally.
- Put your differences aside and work together.
- It is possible for someone to have multiple best friends.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: By the end of the episode, Libby and Scratch have become friends like Molly wanted, but much to her chagrin, they proceed to bond over the various ways Molly annoys them and they leave her behind as they walk off.
- BFS: Scratch has one during the fantasy sequence.
- Character Development: Scratch for much of season one has denied that he and Molly are friends. This episode has him compete with Libby about who is Molly's bestie.
- Commonality Connection: Scratch and Libby are able to bond by bringing up all the silly things Molly does and all the times Molly annoyed them with her zany schemes.
- Continuity Cavalcade: The scavenger hunt takes Scratch and Libby to various locations from previous episodes, like the softball field, the stage where the school talent show was held, the statue of Sally Tugbottom, the campgrounds, the old folks' home, and the Brighton Bandshell. Libby also mentions Molly bringing bats to the Bat Mitzvah as one of her "schemes", a misconception which Scratch does not dispute.
- Disaster Dominoes: Libby and Scratch's fight over the last clue sets off a chain of events that lead to Molly getting stuck in a giant turnip-slicing machine.
- Dissension Remorse: Scratch and Libby immediately stop their squabbling upon learning Molly was in fatal danger.
- Embarrassing Damp Sheets: Apparently, Libby suffered one of these when at a sleepover with Andrea in the third grade.Scratch: (gloatingly) Pro-tip: Don't drink so much water before bed, alright Tinkles?
- Evil Laugh: Molly does one during the fantasy sequence.
- Flat Scare: When Libby awakens, Scratch greets her with a deadpan "Boo."
- Fire-Forged Friendship: Scratch and Libby finally start getting along after they work together to save Molly's life.
- Funny Background Event: While Scratch and Libby agree that Molly would force them to go along with the scavenger hunt, Molly (in the Brighton Lemmings mascot suit) is tackled by the actual mascot.
- Gone Horribly Wrong: Although averted, Molly's scheme to make Libby and Scratch become friends nearly results in her meeting a gruesome end.
- Immediate Sequel: The episode opens right where "Scratch the Surface" left off, with Libby waking up from fainting after discovering Scratch's existence.
- Minimalist Cast: Molly, Scratch and Libby are the only major characters present in this episode.
- Musical Nod: In keeping with the Continuity Cavalcade above, when Libby and Scratch go to locations from previous episodes, instrumental versions of the songs from the locations' respective episodes play.
- Paper-Thin Disguise : Molly uses these while watching Libby and Scratch during the scavenger hunt. They recognize her instantly. To be fair, you couldn't tell from the mascot costume alone that it was her, but it was obvious from context.
- The Password Is Always "Swordfish": Libby correctly guesses that the code to the hatch on the turnip-slicing machine is the date of Brighton's founding.
- Rings of Death: Libby's friendship bracelet turns into one during the fantasy sequence.
- Scavenger Hunt: Molly has Libby and Scratch go through one of these in order to help them get along.
- Shout-Out: The song in this episode is an obvious parody of Europe's "The Final Countdown".
- The Tape Knew You Would Say That: Molly's video about the scavenger hunt includes a reply to Scratch's snide remark about not having time for it.Molly: Oh, you've got nothing but time, Scratch. I knew he was gonna say that.Scratch: She's good.
- What Does She See in Him?: Non-romantic example. Libby finds Scratch's jerkass behavior off-putting and questions what Molly even likes about him.
