- "Look at me! Theodore The V!"
- — Theodore
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| Theodore's First Pull/ Theodore Buttons On | |
|---|---|
| Producer(s) | |
| Narrator | |
| Air date |
July 21st,1993 (Pulled) |
| Previous episode | |
| Next episode | |
Theodore's First Pull (retitled Theodore Buttons On) is the thirteenth episode of the first season and the 2nd episode pulled from Airing.
Plot
Theodore always dreams of what it will be like when he gets his V-Word and being out on the ocean and pulling ships alone. Emily has been out on the ocean many times. Theodore is waiting for Emily while she and Foduck are moving Julia. She promised to help him being a puller. Pulling is one of the things tugboats need to learn in order to have their V-Word, and it's very important. Emily finishes working, and she and Theodore set off to Willy's Island with her lifeboat in tow. Willy's Island is a small island in the middle of the harbour that has a lighthouse on it, whose name is Lily. Theodore suggests they pretend to be out in sea doing a big job. And Emily pretends they're in Spain, which is far away and across the ocean. And that if anyone asks any questions, then they are to say "Si-Si", which means "Yes-Yes" in Spanish. That excites Theodore, as he loves to hear new words from far away places. They continue pretending that Emily's lifeboat is an oil tanker. Tying a tow rope onto a ship is called buttoning on. Which is also the dangerous part. Because a ship is always moving, and the tugboat has to cruise along with said ship at the exact same speed. And it's also important not to bump the ship, because that would damage their hull and the tugboat's. Theodore comes along side Emily's lifeboat, and buttons on to it. He thinks he's ready to button on to a real ship now. Emily isn't so sure but promises to ask one of the pilot boats.
Later, Theodore and Emily set off to practice some more, when they hear George's engine revving. He's telling Foduck and Hank he rescued an oil tanker named Aurea. And every time he tells a story, he vrooms his engines and puffs up smoke so everyone is listening. Emily tries to get Theodore's attention so they can practice more, but Theodore's too focused on George's story. Then he asks him how he buttoned on. George explains he turned up both of his engines, then went straight towards the ship, and at the last second turned sideways, and glided to position. Hank wishes he was like George. Theodore tells him he's getting closer on getting his V-Word, as he has been practicing with Emily. But Emily has already left, feeling disappointed. Theodore is surprised, thinking they were still going to practice.
The next day, the Dispatcher sends Theodore and Emily to bring a ship named Kirby into the harbour. Theodore is excited. He asks Emily if he can button first. She tells him she can ask Pearl if it's ok. Pearl asks Emily if Theodore has been practicing enough. Emily is doubtful, but Theodore says he's ready. So, Pearl decides to give him a chance. Theodore is thrilled. For the first time ever, he's going to button on in the Big Harbour. They meet Kirby at the harbour entrance. Kirby sailed all the way from England and is carrying telephone poles. Pearl warns Emily that he's a nervous ship. Theodore is thinking of what his V-Word would be as he catches up to Emily. Emily tries to tell him to let her keep Kirby nice and still so then he can button on like they practiced. But Theodore isn't listening. He goes up to Kirby quickly, who really is nervous, and thinks Theodore is gonna bump into him. Emily blows her emergency horn to warn him. Kirby tries to reverse, but he can't avoid Theodore. Pearl tells him to watch out. Then at the last second, Theodore tries to turn sideways, but he can't stop. He only nudges Kirby, but that was enough to frighten him and spill some telephone poles into the water. He turns around and attempts to sail back to England. Emily asks why he did that. Theodore tells her that's how George does it.
Pearl chases Kirby and convinces him the harbour is safe. Theodore is upset thinking he blew his chances of being a V-Tug, and watches Emily and Foduck bring Kirby into the harbour. George is resting at the dock when he sees Theodore coming back looking sad. Theodore tells him how he goofed up, and his attempt to button on. Then George tells him he only buttons on that way in case of emergencies, and because he has special engines so he can go anyway that he wants like a helicopter does. Now Theodore feels foolish.
As soon as Emily finishes moving Kirby, she heads back to the dock looking cross. Theodore thinks she's angry with him. But she tells him Pearl thinks it's her fault because she hasn't taught Theodore enough. Theodore admits that he should've buttoned on the way she taught him. And thinks he'll never go across the ocean now. He apologizes and asks if she can help him practice some more. Then one of Kirby's telephone poles floats up towards them. Theodore becomes sad again, because it reminds him what he did. Then Emily smiles and says he is ready to button on. Theodore is surprised to hear this. Then Emily finishes the sentence by buttoning on to one of Kirby's telephone poles and apologize to him. Then afterwards, go practice on Willy's Island. Theodore smiles, and he and Emily go get Kirby's telephone poles from the water.
Characters
- Theodore
- Emily
- George
- Foduck
- Hank
- Pearl
- Kirby (does not speak)
- Lilly (does not speak)
- Julia (cameo)
- Benjamin Bridge (cameo)
- The Dispatcher (cameo)
- Bedford or Blankston (cameo)
- Phillip and Filmore (cameo)
- Donald Dock (cameo)
- The Clock Tower (cameo)
- Aurea (mentioned)
Trivia
- It is revealed that Emily has an emergency whistle. This is the only episode where it is used.
- This is the first time where a different language is spoken - Spanish.
- First and only appearance of Kirby.
- The working title for this episode is "Theodore Pulls A Fast One".
Goofs
- When Hank says "I wish I was like George." a gap can be seen between his eye and face.
- When Theodore returns to the Great Ocean Dock, George's cap is on frontwards, but when George begins talking to Theodore in the next shot, his cap is on backwards.
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