RenAndStimpy3

Ren flips out. His description of the methods of torture he is about to inflict seems unending. At the beginning of this episode, the audience can't help but sympathize with Ren a little--the two lummoxes were quite annoying--but now, the narrative has placed Ren in a different position. He has quickly gone from victim to villain, and genuine fear is felt for what he might actually do to poor Sven and Stimpy. They simply are just too stupid to be blamed.

Ren is not happy. Sven and Stimpy have apparently violated his collection of rare, incurable diseases, covered his opera records in bubble gum, and painted his collection of dinosaur droppings like Easter eggs.

Later on, Sven and Stimpy are playing their favorite game: "Don't Whiz On The Electric Fence," as Ren enters.

After Ren threatens the two hapless idiots, he notices the game they were playing (once again, "Don't Whiz On The Electric Fence"). Upon learning that this is their favorite game, Ren unzips his crotch (he never wears pants, so one can assume this is his dog suit) and breaks the game's singular rule.

It's this kind of turnaround that also gives the show its character. Ren is a hothead, this is made clear from the start--but, all at once, he is homicidal. Much like the transition that Sven and Stimpy made from aquaintences to (ahem) "lodge brothers," this is a situation that is brought to a conclusion that is both logical and illogical.

So what's being said here? Cartoon characters are often sent to Hell (most notably Tom the cat) but why does this cartoon chose to end on this note?

Ren, Stimpy, and Sven are suddenly in Hell. The Devil stands before them. "So," the Devil says, "you whizzed on the electric fence, didn't you?"

When Sven arrives, this unit is upset--it's no longer even. Stimpy is far too happy for his own good, and Ren is too angry.

However, careful examination of that first shot may contain the key. Ren and Stimpy alone, waiting for something to happen. The shot is a perfect yin-yang, bliss on one side, tension on the other. This is a delicate balance. That the shot holds so long enforces the point--this is a unit ready to snap.

One reason is just to continue the extremes of the style. All of the gestures on "Ren and Stimpy" are exaggerated to a ridiculous extent, so the story has to match that.

Sven is not just an adventure that Ren and Stimpy face, but instead he represents an even greater threat: a familial intrusion.

The earlier bit with the horse now has a greater importance: Stimpy was stupid and self-abusive, but it was within the accepted confines of the relationship. Ren is always frustrated, but too distracted to lose himself in the violence.

"Stimpy's Fan Club" was the last episode Kricfalusi worked on, and this time only as co-writer with Elinor Blake. Peter Avinzino directs.

The opening shot this time is similar to "Sven Hoek's" opening: Ren and Stimpy sitting on the same chair and waiting. However, this time they are waiting with the same expression on both of their faces. In this episode, both Ren and Stimpy are oddly comfortable with their relationship.