Stopwatch

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    I can stop time...


    Time stops... The ball isn't for Josie to take.


    Best Of episode for:
    Josie - 3rd

    • Original airdate: December 6, 2003 on Global Saskatoon as episode 10 of season 2.
    • TNBC/DCKids original airdate: January 31, 2004.
    • UK original air date: December 10, 2003.
    • Writer: Jim Rapsas
    • Director: Jeff F. King
    • No guest stars.

    Five minutes to curfew, Principal Durst warns Marshall, who is in Corrine's room. Outside, Josie and Vaughn pull up in a limo, coming back from croudsurfing. They talk about tomorrow night's plans. As they are about to kiss, bells ring announcing the coming of 11 o'clock; Josie is breaking curfew, Vaughn is staying at his dad's house and doesn't have to observe curfew. Josie's watch reads 10:50 and she figures that she has ten extra minutes but Vaughn's watch tells that the time is 11 o'clock, Josie's watch is slow. She races into the school but Principal Durst is waiting for her. As Josie says that her watch is broken, she drops it to the floor and electric sparks flicker around the face of the watch. The stem that enables the time to change comes out as Principal Durst explains that she is going to write Josie up. Without warning, Josie rapidly spins in place. When she stops, Principal Durst appears frozen. Josie figures it is her watch that has the ability to stop time. She runs up to Corrine, only to find her in the same frozen-like manor. Josie pushes the stem back in and Corrine moves again, and is surprised by Josie's sudden entrance. Principal Durst is quite puzzled by Josie's random vanishing.
    The next morning, Corrine, Marshall, and Lucas are figuring out Einstein's twin paradox, Josie's and Lucas' group project, represented by a clock spinning on a gyroscopic turntable that is to move slower than a clock just sitting on a normal table. Josie is about to be late for class. As 9am approaches, Josie teases one of the stuffed rabbit toys about how she will not be late for class. As the bell rings, Josie pulls the watch's stem and time stops, allowing Josie time to get dressed and go to class. Along the way, she stops to wave her hand in front of the frozen janitor's face. Meanwhile, a figure in a black hood and cape swiftly passes behind Josie in the halls. Josie looks behind her but dismisses the feeling of being watched. Getting to class, Josie pushes in the stem. Corrine is surprised to see Josie suddenly appear for a second time. Lucas appears hypnotized by the gyroscopic table spinning.
    After class, Josie shows off her watch to Lucas, Marshall, and Corrine.

    "A line of those would sell like hot cakes. Do you mind if I take a look?" – Marshall to Josie, about Josie's watch.

    Lucas points out that time is probably slowed down, to Josie's perspective, rather than actually frozen. Lucas brings up their project, which Josie has done no work on. Corrine and Marshall walk off, leaving to let Lucas and Josie settle their goals. Josie says that she will work on it, but not tonight as she has plans with Vaughn, which frustrates Lucas. Josie inquires if he is angry about her not working on the project or is it because she is seeing Vaughn, to which Lucas replies that he is angry that Josie has done no work. Lucas warns her that she shouldn't be messing with the watch, that something may go wrong, and that she shouldn't try anything against Victor until they figure out what else is going on. Josie ignores Lucas' warning but resolves to work on the project.
    At the Pearson mansion, Vaughn returns some papers that Victor wanted him to sign. Vaughn asks Victor how he knew when he liked Sarah, Vaughn's mother. Victor replies that he knew right away, but adds that he knows that Vaughn and Josie have been hanging out a lot and that Josie is not to be trusted. Victor decides to show Vaughn the floating Chi Gong ball, saying that it is what Josie is using Vaughn for.

    "A power source with unlimited potential. With this, we can remake the past or unlock the future." – Victor to Vaughn.

    Victor wants Vaughn to come back later tonight to show Vaughn more. Vaughn now struggles with his plans for tonight. Going into Josie's room, no one is there. Vaughn begins writing a note to Josie but uncovers the other Chi Gong ball. He observes the marking on it as Josie walks in. While trying to discreetly put the ball back, Vaughn says that he has to break their date to work on his science project, Josie is disappointed. That night, Vaughn sneaks out but Josie is watching out her window. She follows him back to Pearson mansion, where Victor and Vaughn are about to take the floating Chi Gong ball into Pearadyne Industries. As it floats, Josie pulls the watch's stem, time slows down, and Josie replaces the floating Chi Gong ball with her other Chi Gong ball. She tells Vaughn that she is sorry for trusting him and that she won't make that mistake again. While doing this, the hooded, caped, figure swiftly passes behind Josie again. Josie once more dismisses the feeling of being watched. In her room, Josie puts the floating Chi Gong ball into a glass jar and attempts to push back the watch's stem but it breaks.
    Josie rushes to Lucas, who is working on their project, for help. Josie apologizes that she didn't listen to Lucas in the first place and writes him a note and leaves the watch. Moments later, time catches up with the watch and the note, since they have been in one position long enough, and they appear suddenly in front of Lucas on the desk. Lucas runs to get Professor Z, Corrine, and Marshall. They theorize that using the gyroscopic turntable to speed up the watch will slow down the time of the watch and bring Josie back into sync with normal time. Trying the idea, they power the turntable and drop the watch on it. The turntable rapidly accelerates, spinning so fast that it explodes. Right as they believe that they have failed, a bright, white, light shines and Josie emerges back into normal time. She gives Lucas credit for saving her.
    At the Pearson mansion, Victor appears mentally crushed. The Chi Gong ball no longer floats. Holding it in the air and then releasing it, the ball falls to the floor. Victor states that something or someone caused it and he walks off angry. Vaughn picks up the Chi Gong ball and notices the marking on it, recognizing it as Josie's other Chi Gong ball. Vaughn is now also angry. The next day, Vaughn wants to talk to Josie, but she snaps at him saying that she is busy. Josie talks with Lucas, who still is slightly confused with his emotions about Josie. Josie shows Lucas the floating Chi Gong ball, saying that she believes that Vaughn knew all along about it.
    Unexpectedly, time seems to slow down again and the hooded, caped, figure walks in. She slides back the hood, revealing herself as Josie's clone. She takes the floating Chi Gong ball, stating that it will go back to where it belongs and that Victor has it for a reason. Eying Lucas, she walks out. Looking down the hall, time still in slow motion, Josie2 sees the janitor and she seems to slightly smile as she walks off. The janitor abruptly looks up, drops his broom, and follows her.

    Episode notes:

    • Janitor's secret message: "When time stops, a mysterious visitor arrives."
    • The band, Old School 101, is Jim Rapsas' best friend's favorite band. The band's mentioning was a shout out to him. Jim's best friend created a good number of the artwork on Josie's side of her room.
    • Even though more episodes were taped later in the same year, this episode is considered the last episode of season 2.
    Personal thoughts: Another episode with a major advance in the plot as a whole. Two big steps in two consecutive episodes. This one felt like it had something extra in it. Just something that made the episode feel like it was a part of something. You get that thing that feels like the epsode was made with care. Like with "Shrink" it felt longer than a half hour but in a good way.
    Also, we have the return of Josie2 (the clone from Culture). She's moved up in the world. She looks like she's helping Victor (and has that bad girl look going on). She did sound like she was going to return it to him. She also seems to snicker at the janitor, who has helped Josie and the Science Club countless times. The janitor gets spooky when he seems like he is chasing Josie2 at the end.
    The J+V fans will be frustrated by this episode. This one offers hope to the J+L fans.
    Rating: 8/10