The Perils of Pua
Review By Kyle AKA Reviewer
Broadcast date: 09/27/99
Episode: #816
Location: Osaka/Tokyo, Japan
Mission: 1.) To create a script and voices for Japanese Animation that is to premiere the following evening at a Tokyo nightclub. 2.) Skidome Challenge against Japanese students.
Quote: "Oh, you want me to hold on to your groin?" "Ya, you did last night!" - Veronica and Yes.
Summary
Ayanna and Pua use their voices for something other than screaming at each other
Analysis
"The Perils Of Pua", like last season's "Kayaking and Kidnapping" is one of those episodes where after the first 15 minutes, is well on its way to scoring a big fat goose egg- but miraculously makes a come back in the second half!
The troopers receive a clue via Gestapo service informing them that they'll be lending their voices for a day at Anime productions in Tokyo, Japan; and if there're successful, their short toon will go on display at a local night club... the troopers (as usual) get nothing for their "hard work", and frankly why should they? Furthermore, it would be fairly hard pressed for B-M to even sell this lousy run of the mill excuse for a mission to the Sesame Street demographic!
Since you all no doubt have already read many of my complaints regarding the poor missions this season, I'll say no more till the season recap; but needless to say... when we were shown the kids' split screen auditions (especially Pua's, that even Al Gore would admire), I found my eyes focusing on more interesting visuals, such as the ceiling. Then to add insult to injury, Shawn's later comment about being set up against some real ringers this season made me sit and shout, "What the heck are you talking about!" Either 1.) Shawn's ideal of a "ringer mission" is baby-sitting orangutans and dishing out cash at 4 star restaurants (Ya, that definitely requires nerves of steel). If that's the case, the poor dude wouldn't have survived beyond the Hawaiian cliff jumps in Australia (never mind the rest of the season) Or.... 2.) Boring Mission Production's (cluttered) editing room floor consist of thrilling missions as well; I'll settle for the latter!
Fortunately, things take a some what up hill turn when our travelers receive a pizza topped with pepperoni, and a clue at a local Italian restaurant- informing them to break out their winter apparel for the ultimate ski challenge. So the gang heads out to the skidome (actually, from the outside it looks more like a skislide than a skidome), where upon arrival we find that B-M's welfare program provides assistance for out of work athletes, as well as actors! In this case, it's Eric Bergquist, olympic gold medalist who appears on screen- more so for public relations than anything else; although, his training appeared to have paid off since the dysfunctional Americans were able to beat the Japanese team in every event- which is a stretch in its self (more on this later on).
And on top of all this, they throw on this subplot where pua questions her usefulness to the group.
This type of character plotting- while fairly interesting, is kind of late on arrival; she's just now
figuring this out? However on the flip side, I have to give Pua props for humbling herself in a way by admitting
that she has her own set of flaws, like any human being; now if we could only get Ayanna and
Clueless to acknowledge the fact!
Goofs
- Musical Geography: The farmiliar "You are Here" map- seen right after the opening credits and commercials switched the current location from Osaka, to Tokyo (C'mon guys, which one are you going with?).
- Inquiring Minds Want To Know: Why couldn't the geeks at Anime just been up front with Pua and told her that her voice was too feminine for her part, instead of humiliating her on global television with that goofy altered Barney voice? Add this to the laundry list of ditzy quotes that have made their way on screen, and you suspect the Braindead Morphine Editors don't fancy Pua that much.
- Contrivance: I find it pretty dang convenient that Pawel could mossy on out of the starting gate, a good 4 seconds behind his counterpart, and still win with enough seconds raked up to phone home and ask mom: "How's the weather?" Either 1.) The Japanese Students were really, really bad. 2.) Pawel was really, really good (though common sense tells me to doubt that!) Or 3.) The editors did business as usual. Well, I'm inclined to say all of the above!
NEXT WEEK: What's this! Clueless is accused of (gasp) Plagiarism? Say it ain't so!
Jump straight to "Accusations". Or go back to "Shanghai Surprise".
| Viewer Rating | Results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q: How do you rate The Perils of Pua? (of 80 respondents)  5% 5 - Excellent. 10% 4 - Above Average. 40% 3 - Average. 13% 2 - Below Average. 7% 1 - Far Below Average. 25% 0 - I'd Rather Watch Informercials. |
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OTHER REVIEWERS: Feel my reviews are abit too heavy (or light) on the sarcasm? Want a second opinion? Here are a few Real Rules related review sites I highly recomend!
- Al (...Start Getting Real)
- John (Real World Hawai'i: An Episodic Analysis)
- Bran (Real Tv)
- Kim (Real World Summaries)
- Jill (The Real World - Hawaiian Style)
- Ashley (Real World/Road Rules Hot Spots)
- Erin (Road Rules Semester at Sea)
- The artist formerly known as "CC" (Get Real World 8)
- Kelley/WildGuy (Road Rules Online)
- Paco (The Real World Web)
- Billy & Tracy (These are Road Rules)
- Mrs. Filthy (The "Real World" Review)
- Damitol/Liz (The Real World Blows)
- Mario (RW Hawaii & RR Semester at Sea)
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