As the Beach Party Social comes up, vicious rumors threaten Sam and David's friendship, putting Joe in the middle. Wishbone imagines himself as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
This is the first of two episodes based on a Jane Austen novel. It's followed by "Pup Fiction," which adapts Northanger Abbey.
Incidentally, this version of Pride and Prejudice aired in the same year as the miniseries adaptation.
Tropes
- Adapted Out: This being a very Compressed Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, it lacks Mr. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine, the Gardiners, Georgiana, and Charlotte. Lydia eloping with Wickham is also cut from the story.
- And Knowing Is Half the Battle: At the end, Wishbone sums up the messages that the episode is pulling from Pride and Prejudice:"And so, our saga ends. What have we learned? Never judge a book by its cover. Don't worry about how other people see you. Get the facts straight from the horse's mouth. Yeah, like horses are so great. Anyway, why ask me? I'm just a dog."
- Conflict Ball: Handed to Sam and David, who have been friends for a long time and yet nearly destroy their friendship based on some vague rumors. Of course, it's meant to serve as a parallel to Elizabeth getting the wrong impression of Mr. Darcy based on rumor, but at least in that case, Darcy was someone whom Elizabeth had only just met.
- Demoted to Extra: While all five Bennet sisters are technically included in the episode, the three younger ones (Mary, Kitty, and Lydia) are all essentially treated as nameless extras. And as noted above, this includes Lydia's elopement being left out entirely.
- Disappeared Dad: Mr. Bennet never makes an appearance in the Pride and Prejudice adaptation, creating the impression that the Bennet sisters live with only their mother. Notably, it's actually a significant plot point in the novel that the female Bennets would lose their home if Mr. Bennet died, a fact the episode just ignores.
- Feud Episode: This episode focuses on a feud between Sam and David, which is sparked by rumors about who they've asked to the dance. Joe is caught in the middle and eventually forces them to reconcile.
- Insidious Rumor Mill: In the end, it turns out that Damont was responsible for the rumors that caused Sam and David's feud.
- Large Ham: Actress Jeanne Simpson is clearly having a lot of fun chewing up the scenery as Caroline Bingley, whom she plays as an over-the-top snobby villain. This is further accentuated by her costumes, which are more gaudy and extravagant than those of the other Pride and Prejudice characters.
- Regency England: The setting of the fantasy story, since it is an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
- Spit Take: Sam does a rather spectacular one after it is pointed out to Joe that his dress shirt is both on inside out and on backwards. Wishbone even comments "EW! It went up her nose!"
- Standard Snippet: The Pride and Prejudice ballroom dancing features "Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi.
- Themed Party: To be clear, the Beach Party Social does not literally take place on a beach. Instead, it's an indoor party with a beach theme.
- This Is the Part Where...: About two-thirds of the way through, as Mr. Darcy (Wishbone) tries to convince Elizabeth not to throw him out:Wishbone as Darcy: I know I seem rude, but I'm really just the nicest guy — Is this the part where you close the door in my face? [Elizabeth closes the door in his face.] Yes, it is.
