Monday, April 23, 2007

Jimmy Neutron: Scientist or "Pharmacist?"


Good morning out there in blog land!!! I would like to blog today about something that I saw Saturday morning which was very shocking and a tad bit disturbing!

As I scurried about carrying on my typical morning ritual, my 7 year-old asked if he could watch TV in my room. He rushed to tune into Jimmy Neutron which was about 2 or 3 minutes in progress. Occasionally, I will glance at the TV just to see what some of the content matter is (which is how I came about the conclusion that they could no longer watch Ed, Edd, & Eddy), which I have never seen anything derogatory on this show in particular...that was all about to change.

In a nutshell...Jimmy made some "candy." It was little balls of a purple/green/blue mixture in which as he began his quest to make (what I believe was) his 2ND batch, he had his friends over "taste testing" it so that he could get it just right to take a treat to class the next day. He couldn't get it right before his friends had to leave, not to mention, it took the candy about 3 hours to be complete since the sugar bonding was quite a complex process.

When Jimmy took the bag to school the next day, he was a bit reluctant to pass it out, because he wasn't sure if it was just right...but regardless, the class came over and helped themselves. As each person took a piece of candy, a look of pure delight and extreme bliss consumed each and every person in the classroom-including the teacher, but alas, his stock was depleted.

That night while Jimmy lay in bed, the 2 friends that he had "taste testing" the candy two nights before, snuck in his bedroom at about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning...DEMANDING more candy! He tried to "console" them by explaining the process and assuring them that after a few hours, it would be ready, but there was a thunder of commotion outside...it was the entire class...outside his window...at around 2-3 a.m....demanding the candy!

Jimmy saw this as a means for exploitation, thus, there were scenes of his friends and even the teacher on their knees begging, offering money, offering favors etc....for this candy (which by now I began to call CRACK in my mind)!!! I don't know about the rest of you, but as I watched this show and saw people exhibiting typical "dope fiend" behavior for this candy, I was utterly amazed, and quite disturbed!!!

Am I over analyzing/reading too much into this? Help me out here fellow bloggers!!!

10 comments:

mist1 said...

I saw that episode. I liked the part when Jimmy started pimping his classmates. And I almost cried at the end when the teacher got arrested.

Tera said...

Yes Mist, I must admit...that WAS pimping at its finest!!!

Nina said...

Ha! Jimmy the dealer. Interesting. Did the kids make the connection?

Tera said...

Nina~It is very interesting that you ask that. No, I don't think he made that connection per se, because he might not be as "informed" on drug sales...but as Lil D is very perceptive (we all know this), I think he did get the Economic advantages of the show. Supply/Demand...Cretivity/Consumer Interest...and plain old hustling!!!

That's why I didn't make tooooo much of a big deal of it...I just still can't believe it! :)

Nance said...

I'd have to see the rest of it in context, Tera, but if it was basically trying to show how economics works, I think it's harmless. If it didn't use similar sounding name for a drug, and if Jimmy Neutron has a proven track record for teaching lessons like economics and things, I'm sure you're maybe adding a layer of meaning that is unintended. Isn't it a sad commentary, however, how super-attuned we've become, though? Sigh.

Tera said...

Nance~Why yes, it is very sad that the cartoon struck me in that particulary way...you should have just SEEN the way they were acting about the candy!! Almost as if they would die if they didn't get any...almost too extreme!!!

But you're right...that's what Jimmy does...tries to send the message to children about creativity, science, and friendship etc. I'm SURE I read too much into it, it just BLEW MY MIND! :)

Lisa Johnson said...

Yeah, that's kind of scary. I first thought meth or crack. I haven't seen the show, so I can't comment much more than that, but I think that over the years, cartoons have always had adult story lines running through them. That story goes over the kids heads and the adults see the hidden meanings.

Tera said...

Anali~You know, I think you're right! And a lot of comedians have touched on that in some of their acts i.e. Fred and Daphne were "hooked up" on Scooby Doo etc. You make a VERY valid point!

heather said...

i have a six year old daughter and i struggle with this myself. fortunately she would rather watch animal planet than cartoon network. so far anyway....

Tera said...

Heather~Welcome!!! Consider yourself among the lucky! They like that stuff, but of course Science and Science Fiction RULES for a 10 and 7 year old boy!!! :)