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Around the World in 11 Minutes
| "Around the World in 11 Minutes" | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Season/Series: | 14 |
| Number in season: | 7a |
| Original Airdate: |  April 25, 2011[1] November 3, 2010[2] |
| Credits | |
| Written by: | Jon Greenberg |
| Storyboard by: | Louis Piché |
| Episodes | |
| Previous "Buster Baxter & the Letter from the Sea" |
Next "Muffy and the Big Bad Blog" |
| Read transcript | |
Summary[edit]
Wondering how big the world really is, Pal, Amigo, Kate, and Mei-Lin take an (imagined) trip around the world, and make a bet with Francine's cat Nemo that they can do in eleven minutes.
Plot[edit]
Arthur and Binky are seen playing baseball, and Arthur explains how all sorts of things are made all over the world, like how the baseball glove and baseball were made in China, or how the cheese in Binky's sandwich comes from Canada. Each item disappears as Arthur says where it was made in or came from. Going further, he tells Binky to look at the tag on the back of his shirt, and Binky does so, finding out that his shirt was made in Malaysia. It then disappears, shocking Binky. Arthur is about to tell him where his pants are from, but Binky stops him, saying that he gets that it's a small world and wants the show to start. Arthur then whispers to the viewers that Binky's pants are from Honduras, with Binky screaming off-screen because his pants disappeared. Arthur then gives a huge smile, knowing Binky's pants would disappear.
After the title card, Mr. Read and Mr. Molina are seen cooking on their grills in the Reads' yard, where lots of people are invited. Meanwhile, Amigo and Pal are watching clouds, with Amigo claiming that one of the clouds looks like a poodle he once knew.
Kate and Mei Lin then show up and ask Pal and Amigo what the word "global" means, as everyone keeps saying it. Amigo then gets a toy globe and explains that the world is a lot bigger than the toy globe. The others then want to travel around the world, and then Nemo shows up and bets Pal that if they can make it around the world before the party is over, then he will get a lamb chop. If they don't make it in time, then Pal will have to wear a t-shirt that says "I love cats" for the rest of his life. Kate is weary of this idea, but Pal accepts the challenge.
They all get into a car and, using their imaginations, travel to Italy, where they meet up with Pepe the flea (from "Flea to Be You and Me"), who then states that his brother Sale will be so sorry he missed them, as he is "itch-hiking" in Australia. After having lunch, they hear a tree branch falling onto their car, and after finding a saw nearby, they realize that someone did it on purpose. Pepe then offers them his scooters, saying that they can return them after their trip around the world.
Taking the scooters, they continue on their journey. They eventually hit a dead end when they reach the ocean. However, they find a boat on the shore, meaning that they can continue. After sailing on their boat for a while, a storm picks up on the sea, and they end up on a seemingly deserted island, where Amigo is starving, claiming that he only had two pieces of pasta and a cherry tomato back in Italy, which may be a lot for Pepe, but not for him. Mei Lin then discovers some dates in the trees, and after having a snack, they realize that they are in Egypt after Kate points out the pyramids in the distance.
Continuing on their journey through the desert in Egypt, they eventually find a hot-air balloon, and take off through the air. Eventually, Mei Lin notices the Great Wall of China, and China is where she was born. Mei Lin wants to stop there, and Pal says that they can have a look-see, considering that they're making good time. However, while in China (where El Boomerang from "Follow the Bouncing Ball" also happens to be), their hot-air balloon is deflated by someone mysterious. Pal then finds a plane, and they plan to fly it back to Elwood City.
On the flight back, however, they realize that they're not alone, as Nemo has hitched a ride onto their plane. When the plane breaks in half, they parachute back down to Elwood City, with Nemo instead falling into a tree. Ending their imagination, Kate, Pal, Mei Lin, and Amigo are excited to have made it back in time (yet Nemo appears to have really fallen into the tree because he has leaves in his fur). Nemo, however, had already eaten the prize. Pal then says that the journey itself was rewarding enough. Since the party is over, Binky brings Mei Lin back home. Kate, Pal, and Amigo then debate about where they should travel to next, finishing the episode.
Characters[edit]
Major[edit]
Minor[edit]
Cameo[edit]
- D.W. Read
- Sue Ellen Armstrong
- Vicita Molina
- Mrs. Molina
- Jane Read
- Buster Baxter
- Thora Read
- El Boomerang
- Grandpa Dave
- Mr. Barnes
- Mrs. Barnes
- Amanda Hulser
Mentioned[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- Pepe wears a yellow cap like Sale in this episode instead of his usual green one.
- Timeline: In the Chinese market, a girl is playing with El Boomerang from "Follow the Bouncing Ball."
Cultural references[edit]
- The episode's title is a reference to the average length of an Arthur story, and also to Jules Verne's book "Around the World in 80 Days." The plot also refers to the book. The book's main character, Phileas Fogg, makes a bet that he can travel around the world in a specific time.
- Pal's line "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!" is taken almost verbatim from Shakespeare's King Lear (III,2).
- In "Never, Never, Never," D.W. refers to the same scene.
Gallery[edit]
1407a Title Card
References[edit]
