EPISODES 41-50
Darkwing Duck in Cleanliness is next to Badliness​
41.
Cleanliness is next to Badliness Episode 26 October 15, 1991 Animation: Walt Disney Television Animation (Australia) Pty, Limited Steelbeak is ordered by FOWL to commit bank robberies in order to quickly raise funds. Feeling this is below him, he asks Agent Ammonia Pine to help him out, pretending he has feelings for her. At the same time, Gosalyn convinces Darkwing to start his own fan club for profit. One of the most cruel and mean spirited episodes of Darkwing Duck. However, it has a great comeuppance for villain Steelbeak; a lesson in how we shouldn’t selfishly take advantage of others. Gosalyn learns this lesson too, as she feeds her fathers ego in order to exploit his heroism and his fans. We also get a very bleak look at genre fandom of the time too; an era when nerds were only seen as geeky stereotypes. A great scene involves the live stage event for the Darkwing Duck fan club, in which our hero, dressed in sequins, name checks celebrity performer Wayne Newton. Steelbeak’s manipulation of the oblivious and somewhat vulnerable Ammonia Pine is pretty insidious, and it becomes increasingly awkward to watch as she believes they have a more personal relationship with one another. It is satisfying to see her get the last laugh at the end, as Steelbeak rolls around in mud. This karmic payback is made more deserved as the episode opens with Steelbeak in his penthouse apartment, making excuses to a badly neglected love interest whom he disposes of through a trap door. Gosalyn is amusingly calculating in this episode, with the precocious sophistication of an entertainment agent, which she would revisit in A Duck By Any Other Name and Let's Get Respectable. Disney Australia’s animation is fluid and good looking as always. The double barrelled soap bottle tank that the villains use is wonderfully wacky. 
Darkwing Duck in Going Nowhere Fast
42.
Going Nowhere Fast Episode 76 November 23, 1991 Animation: Sunwoo Animation At a bank robbery, Negaduck uses the first portable particle accelerator, which will speed up all the molecules in a bank vault, enabling him to easily access the money. Unknown to him, Drake and Gosalyn are also at the bank. Drake transforms into Darkwing and Negaduck shoots him with the accelerator, giving him the ability to move at superspeed. However, this causes him to age quickly… From the opening scene, as Drake queues impatiently with Gosalyn at the bank, this is a story about the need to be patient and not live life too fast. With this theme, it also veers into elderly living with humour and tragedy. The plot is both classic Silver Age science fiction and also a great parody of the genre too. A lot is at stake and the physical comedy is really well staged, as is the action. The episode is filled with a rich variety of shots that really help emphasise and sell an exhilarating sense of speed. The action and the way it is illustrated is breathless, from Darkwing racing through the streets to dynamic aerial map shots of St. Canard. Darkwing outrunning a runner, cyclist and a sports car are genuinely thrilling, as is the set piece with crystal glass thrown from a department store. The sequence in which Gosalyn is rescued is visual storytelling that only great cartoons can tell. Expectations are subverted when Darkwing runs past the construction site of a new building. There is unexpected, creative breaking of the forth wall, during a Negaduck newscast. He also makes a televised live threat to the city of St Canard, aptly in the form of a healthcare infomercial. Negaduck’s jokes aimed at the ever ageing Darkwing are suitably aggressive and cruel. The borderline deus ex machina ending is gloriously absurd, but is also an intricately worked out play on science fiction storytelling. Negaduck wanting to photograph the death of his vulnerable nemesis is as extremely morbid as it is hilarious. Philip Giffin’s music benefits from some extra bass to give a Carl Stalling Powerhouse feeling of movement. 
Steelbeak, Comet Guy, Darkwing Duck and Launchpad in Smarter Than a Speeding Bullet
43.
Smarter Than a Speeding Bullet Episode 27 October 17, 1991 Animation: Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc. Darkwing drops in on Steelbeak, who is burgling a rubber duck factory as part of a scheme for FOWL. Unexpectedly, Comet Guy, a humanoid superhero from the Planet Mertz crash lands at the crime scene. Comet Guy is the worst champion the planet Mertz has ever had, and has been sent to train under our planet's finest champion. As with episode Bad Luck Duck, this really does an outstanding job of portraying pain. The villain’s plot, involving the FOWL rubber ball, is intriguing and involves Stealbeak with a small army of FOWL’s eggmen soldiers. Much feels at stake, making the addition of Comet Guy’s idiocy truly anxiety inducing. Comet Guy undermines Darkwing in every painful way. He is clumsy, naive, overly sensitive, self pitying, pompous and simple minded. He speaks without thinking, has no spatial awareness and has no independent thought. We see Darkwing endlessly disappointed by Comet Guy. He is even irritating to look at, with his over proportioned muscular body and deep but child like voice. The episode explores how one must turn a weakness into a strength, and Comet Guy’s big weakness is to transform into a dancer at the sound of a bell. This sets things up for some surprisingly infectious dance numbers, in which Comet Guy transforms into a dancer of ballet, flamenco, can-can, tap, calypso and... pop star MC Hammer! An outstanding sequence has Steelbeak briefed via satellite by FOWL high command as Comet Guy simultaneously tap dances around the room. The FOWL rubber ball is also a perfectly judged Darkwing MacGuffin, as knowingly goofy as it is threatening. There are atmospheric layouts of the various factory settings and the SHUSH training ground (all SHUSH training scenes throughout the series are a delight to watch). The FOWL egg tank vehicle and oversized novelty teapots are also worthy of note. Great animation by Disney Japan, particularly of Steelbeak wearing a bucket on his head. The twist ending is lovely. 
Gosalyn and Darkwing Duck in Getting Antsy
44.
Getting Antsy Episode 4 September 10, 1991 Animation: Sunwoo Animation Darkwing is underwhelmed by what appears to be a lack of crime in St. Canard. Unbeknownst to him and Launchpad, select city buildings are disappearing. After snacking at Hamburger Hippo, Launchpad realises he left his scarf at the burger bar. When the duo return to it, the place has disappeared. Buildings are being miniaturised by the ray gun of villain Lilliput and his army of hungry ants. The next day, Gosalyn demands that they attend Goony Golf as promised, and Drake agrees. The golf park is owned by Lilliput… An energetic episode with a strong theme about how we shouldn’t underestimate what is in front of us and take things at face value. Also it’s another fun cartoon look at circa 1991 American consumer culture, with the characters enthusiasm for in-universe brands like Hamburger Hippo (Launchpad orders “Two cheese food product burgers with fries, one Hipposhake and an apple flavoured pie substitute”) and St. Canard’s crazy golf park, Goony Golf. As with the food of Hamburger Hippo, Goony Golf’s product is also interchangeable with the real thing: A world where novelty miniature buildings and actual shrunken skyscrapers cannot be told apart. Fun, fast and witty, Getting Antsy is also a well directed and paced take on Honey I Shrunk The Kids. There is dynamic shot construction, a lot from a tiny perspective, particularly the staging of a miniaturised Darkwing in a buggy race against the ants. There are well constructed montages where we see Lilliput miniaturising buildings, Gosalyn destroying the Mallard house, as well as one that shows Drake, Gosalyn, Launchpad and Honker each playing golf. Each person has a golfing moment that perfectly summarises their character, from Launchpad digging into a water pipe to Honker's mathematical calculation of how to score a hole in one. A lot of effort is visible on the screen. Lilliput is a fun, goofy villain and gets pretty close to ending life in St. Canard. The various sequences with a tiny, hyper squeaky voiced Darkwing are hilarious, as are the long shots that depict miniature Darkwing as an annoying flying bug. A random joke in which Drake accidentally turns into William Drakespeare is also laugh out loud funny. The unexpected ending, in which two mute germs named Blob and Ray appear full size is inspired. They both look as though they might have wandered out of Gary Larson's The Far Side. Equally so is Darkwing as a contagious virus that undoes the villain. 
Megavolt and Quackerjack in disguise with Darkwing Duck in Stressed to Kill
45.
Stressed to Kill Episode 53 March 3, 1992 Animation: Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc. Darkwing is tense and frustrated, as the crime is low. All of St. Canard’s citizens have fallen into a catatonic state of indifference. Launchpad is reading a new book on relaxation called Stressbusters. They then happen upon a series of crimes against the overly calm victims. These are being committed by Megavolt and Quackerjack, dressed in various costumes. A play on fashionable self-help books and relaxation therapy, which were popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The episode is similarly manic and Looney Tunes in nature as the episodes Bad Luck Duck and Disguise the Limit. It begins with a very intriguing first act, especially at a bowling alley where two workers speak of pirates involved in a new type of bowling involving a Jackhammer, marmalade and a pack of giant panthers. For no reason, Quackerjack leads Megavolt in dress up throughout the episode, as a cowboy and Indian, a pair of Shakespearean actors, pirates, clowns, giant pumpkins, Egyptian royalty and, most importantly, therapists Doctors Heebee and Jeebee. Their costumed hijacking of a Hamlet performance is particularly brilliant. The montage in which Darkwing attempts to calm himself, accompanied by the narration of the Stressbusters book, is a well executed tribute to the Goofy instructional shorts of the 1940s. While the episode relishes in the absurd, it is unclear exactly what Quackjack and Megavolt’s plot is, other than to engage in their random silliness. They begin with mostly cash based robberies, but then for no reason erect a great toy pyramid tribute to their newly invented ‘law of fun’ for St Canard. A recurring gag is introduced two thirds into the episode, with a big pay off: The snack Crazy Kevin’s Classic Cocktail Weenies, complete with Ren and Stimpy style inanimate close up product shots. Kevin Crosby Hopps was the episode’s story editor. Disney Japan provides typically robust animation and visuals, including a whirlpool and Megavolt’s car rendered in 3D. The episode contains a great piece of dialogue. At one point, Megavolt asks, regarding Quackerjack’s flame throwing fire engine “Isn’t a fire engine supposed to spray water?” Quackerjack replies “Of course not, then it would be a water engine.” 
Gosalyn, Darkwing Duck and Launchpad in Let's Get Respectable
46.
Let's Get Respectable Episode 49 February 20, 1992 Animation: Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc. Darkwing is annoyed that he is ranked so low as a superhero, described by members of the public as being scary and destructive. Gosalyn insists that she can channel market research and give him an image makeover as a non-threatening hero. He becomes a massive success, but attracts the attention of Negaduck, who wants to destroy him. An entertaining, meta attack on focus groups and committee decision making. The point is made more satisfying with the inclusion of Negaduck, the darker side of our hero. Negaduck is characteristically self assured and, given a gang of henchman here, a natural leader with no self doubt. It is fitting that he poses as the voice of the press as well. As with episodes A Duck By Any Other Name and Cleanliness Next to Badliness, Gosalyn is incredibly media and marketing savvy here, to an advanced degree. She is incredibly convincing and very funny in this mode. Darkwing is reconfigured as a lightly toned, petal throwing and gentle superhero, riding a replacement for the Ratcatcher called The Swan of Peace. It is ludicrous but builds to an unexpected triumph and public celebration of the hero, seldom seen in the series. This is one of the few episodes where St. Canard is heavily populated and seen mostly during the bright daytime. It is refreshing to see busy sidewalks, vast crowd scenes, street parades and key to the city ceremonies all bustling with people and public authority figures. The wealth of locations really add tremendous scope to the episode. We even meet the police chief and mayor of the city. Gizmoduck is bookended as the more popular hero and is paid off very well at the end. Disney Japan provide vibrant, colourful artwork and animation. A joke involving a catch ball ends with a Warner Bros style painful visual. The same result comes from a collapsing construction crane and Darkwing’s face is driven over by a car twice. 
Darkwing Duck calls out Quackerjack in Toys Czar Us
47.
Toys Czar Us Episode 32 November 11, 1991 Animation: Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc. After Gosalyn is caught playing baseball in the halls for the third time, her school principal hands Drake a book called The Perfect Parent. Drake decides to prioritise Gosalyn over his work as Darkwing Duck, and be more active in her life. Meanwhile, Quackerjack is stealing all of the toys in St. Canard so there will be no choice but for consumers to buy from his brand. Another attack on self help books. A superhero upping their parental responsibilities is an interesting premise. As a father, Drake wants to give Gosalyn what he thinks is best for her. The loosely similar plot with Quackerjack has the villain trying to bypass parents and give children what he thinks is best for them; his toys. Ultimately the message is that good parenting becomes team work between the child and the parent. The episode opens with a tonally sensitive parent teacher discussion between Drake and the school principal. She awkwardly sympathises with his single parent status, and there is a restrain here which is refreshing.There’s a very well orchestrated montage in which Drake juggles his domestic work with reading the Perfect Parent book and his superhero thoughts. The visual gags are plentiful. It’s amusing how Drake at one point embarrasses Gosalyn before her all male friends. The darkest moment has Gosalyn and her school classmates as chained child slaves at an underground factory line, assembling miniature grim reapers. The episode is very well paced. There are a great variety of locations and well executed gags. These include Launchpad dying as a comedy warm up act, stalling Gosalyn’s school play Gone With The Breeze, and the educational toy, Mr. History Doll, a variation of whom returns somewhat in episode Quack of Ages. The animation by Disney Japan is expertly fluid and colourful. The various Chattering teeth are excellently rendered. The visual storytelling is vibrant. Bobo the inflatable clown and the high rise toy shop (that looks like a Duck universe FAO Schwarz) it destroys are particularly impressive. 
Drake Mallard as Teapot Duck in Days of Blunder
48.
Days of Blunder Episode 19 October 1, 1991 Animation: Sunwoo Animation At a large professional wrestling event, Darkwing is facing the giant Masked Mangler. Quackerjack is robbing the box office. Darkwing apprehends him, but to his humiliation, it is revealed to be Quackerjack’s own branded play money. Quackerjack approaches Darkwing as Dr. Leopold L. Loon, and asks to let him overcome his new self doubt. Darkwing meets him and the equally self doubting Mr. Meekus at the clinic. The episode revolves around Darkwing losing and rediscovering his identity, ultimately realising exactly who he is. Quackerjack is chaotic and childlike throughout most of the series, but here and in episodes Quack of Ages and Stressed to Kill, he makes for an interestingly manipulative adversary, posing in disguise as figures of authority, particularly psychiatry experts. Wrestler the Masked Mangler gets the better of Darkwing’s ego, although it is never explained why Darkwing has ventured into the world of professional wrestling. However, the adversary is mirrored perfectly by the flashback to the psychological deep dark recesses of Darkwing’s primitive past. There is an amusingly offbeat, short sequence at the Lace and Doyley Society, with a reading of Emily Duckinson’s Darkling Wood, whilst Drake serves patrons as Teapot Duck. The venue becomes flooded in tea after Drake’s costume malfunctions. Quackerjack has some entertaining toys in this episode. His henchman, the wind-up robot Teddy, is very funny. Quackerjack’s giant novelty roller-skate car is a great moving vehicle for the villain, as is the giant Terror Teddy. After Meekus and Darkwing fail at the jobs Quackerjack had assigned to them, we get a Looney Tunes style suicide attempt involving a boulder, rope and a bridge, followed by a great motivational speech before a shimmering starscape. 
Darkwing Duck and Launchpad take action in Water Way to Go
49.
Water Way to Go Episode 10 September 18, 1991 Animation: Kennedy Cartoons, Inc. Darkwing is asked by SHUSH to stop FOWL from targeting the oil reserves of the country Oilrabia. However, Launchpad, feeling unappreciated, wants to step up from sidekick to hero, and Darkwing grudgingly agrees to give him a shot. A fun episode about how we shouldn’t take others for granted, featuring strong amounts of physical comedy. The plot, concerning a weather machine, feels ever so loosely reminiscent of the one from the spy movie In Like Flint. The most large scale episode with Darkwing as an international spy rather than a superhero. Although written just before the events of Operation Desert Shield in 1990, it coincidentally features an oil rich monarchy under threat, with the unsubtle name “Oilrabia”. However, the country is entirely absurdist, more a kind of Looney Tunes depiction of a desert nation, with sight gags such as Palaquins dressed as limosine bodies. The animation by Kennedy is lively, with some stunning depictions of desert storms, tidal waves and warfare. The dune vistas are really spectacularly rendered, and the closing pyrotechnics are like a cinematic take on Chuck Jones. Many stormy clouds take to the screen, the most memorable being artificial and following Darkwing around. The opening in the Audubon Bay bridge is full of dazzling high contrast lighting and shadow work. The music by Philip Giffin is specially scored for the episode and is nothing short of lavish. 
Darkwing Duck watches Gizmoduck in Up, Up, and Awry
50.
Up, Up, and Awry Episode 34 November 14, 1991 Animation: Kennedy Cartoons, Inc. Working undercover, Darkwing discovers that the horseshoes of St. Canard are being stolen from the racetrack, by Megavolt in a big blimp. Gizmoduck then arrives, and Darkwing must compete with him to stop the villain. Another attack on Darkwing’s ego. Unlike Tiff of the Titans, this is not about the need for people to work together, but rather to not get competitively distracted with others and to stay true to who you are. Thematically, the episode emphasises the desire to chase the successes of others, and does this symbolically from the opening horse race, through to Darkwing wearing a makeshift Gizmosuit. Gizmoduck merchandise is fun too, including the defective Gizmodoll. Gizmoduck gets an introduction referencing birds and planes, solidifying him as the Superman to Darkwing’s Batman. Another play on comic book lore has a quick scene in which Darkwing tries to acquire superpowers via a device called the Gamma Gamma 5 Beta Caperi. Megavolt’s mysterious and imaginative criminal scheme is really well set up, and the clarity of the visual storytelling is very strong. Amusingly, as with her episode The Quiverwing Quack, writer Dev Ross has Sharks appearing in the Audubon Bay, here depicted as muscular strongmen. |