Title: The Picture Frame

Plot Summary:
Micky, Davy, and Mike are coerced into robbing a bank by two thugs with the explanation that they're shotting a film using the hidden camera technique. Once The Monkees successfully carry out the robbery and bring the cash back to the thugs, the thugs anonymously phone the police turning them in. The Monkees are arrested, questioned, and tried by a jury. While Micky, Davy, and Mike are defending themselves in court, Peter goes on a hunt to dig up some evidence to clear their name. Romping and jokes result.

Review/Rating:
This happens to be the first episode Beth ever saw, and the episode that made her fall in love with The Monkees. heh. It's also one of the few instances in Season Two where The Monkees don't seem ready to suicide at the first bad joke. They're all hilarious in this one -- an episode brimming with puns, physical comedy, and ridiculousness -- which makes the insanely far-fetched plot and conclusion work really well. The music is phenomenal (two of their best Yay We're In Charge Now tunes) It doesn't hurt that they all look adorable, either.

Romps/Music:
Pleasant Valley Sunday: Peter being chased by the thugs, with clips of a mimed performance in the Rainbow Room cut into it.
Randy Scouse Git: Mimed performance in the Rainbow Room. Micky's wearing his carpet, Mike makes faces, and Peter looks effing hot. For realz.

Meet The Villians: The bad guys in this episode are J.L. and Harvey. J.L. is the ringleader and brains. Harvey is his dumb sidekick. They were berets and take advantage of poor, unsuspecting musicians for fun.

Here He Comes To Save The Day: Peter saves the day. He discovers the photo at the studio, and gets it to the judge in time to adorable her into letting The Monkees off the hook.

Today's Lesson Is:
· Don't trust anyone wearing a beret.
· There's no such thing as the hidden camera technique in film.
· Women shouldn't be judges.
· A cute baby picture will get you out of anything.

Outstanding Outfit: Peter's outfit during the Randy Scouse Git performance is h.o.t. Actually, all their outfits during that are. But yeah, Peter looks supergood.

Catchphrases/Running Jokes:
· Davy's stupid "Ooh!"
· The use of that baby photo.
· Micky's gangster voice.
· Davy "looking" through the peephole at The Pad.


Pastor Mike: Mike is just as r-tarded as everyone else in this episode...which is why we love it so. Heh.

Davy's Scale Of Obnoxiousness:
Davy was pretty damned adorable and lovable in this. The only reason he got a one was because of that stupid "Ooh!" Anytime he does that, he adds a point to his obnoxiousness scale.

How Dumb Is He?: 2/5
Peter was pretty dumb in this. He went to the wrong studio, and then grabbed the wrong photo (we suppose worked out for them ultimately, but still). The only reason his score wasn't higher was because his stupidity ended up being the only reason they didn't end up in prison. Normally his dumb mistakes get them into trouble, not out of it. We can't hate on him for using his mental disability for good. haha

Line Of The Episode: Indeterminable. The whole episode is a series of puns and plays on words, which makes it impossible to pick one.

For The Win: 2/5
This is a pretty weak ending. We get the joke, but the idea that a judge (despite the fact that there's a jury present to decide the fate of the defendants) is going to let thieves go free because of a cute baby picture is really awful. Most episodes end on a bad joke, but this one's reeeeal stupid. However, we would like to add that the quick ending does make room for a fabulous "Randy Scouse Git" video, so all is forgiven.

Quotes:

"We're gonna be stars...uh, the guys, me..."

"What do they want us for?"
"That library book! It's a week overdue!"

"I don't think you're guilty, I just don't see how you could possibly be innocent."

Miscellaneous
· Peter totally says "fuck" when the police come to arrest them. It's bleeped out, but you can see it. We're not stupid.
· That ditzy blonde chick with the freakishly blue eyes makes another appearance in this one. We *heart* her.

Photos
We will add screen captures when we're darned good and ready. So...meh!