Gaz, Taster of Pork

"Gaz, Taster of Pork" is a 2-part episode of Invader Zim.

Plot

Dib has acquired a spellbook, an anthology of various spells in a kind of digital book. Dib thinks that it is no longer usable, but learns that he can try out a spell. Dib tests a spell from the "Shadowhog" on Gaz, who is sleeping in the next room.

The next morning, Gaz doesn't seem to be any different, but it turns out that the spell did work. Gaz discovers that she tastes nothing but pork in everything she eats, even dairy products (although she finds that actual pork tastes the same). Dib desperately works to save her from her fate, even calling on Zim (though it doesn't work out). Gaz becomes a media sensation, and a movie is even made about her (which GIR and a small pig go see).

Finally, Dib transports he and Gaz to the Shadowhog's dimension with a new spell. The Shadowhog turns out to be a tall, large magical being with a pig head. He declares that to reverse the spell (which is a wonderful spell in their demension), Gaz must face him down in a challenge. Dib is forced to wait outside, convinced that Gaz won't be able to win.

As it turns out, the questions are very easy (as Gaz is a video game addict) and they mostly play chess for awhile, as Gaz explains her knowledge of Zim's identity (she knows, but realizes that he is too utterly stupid to conquer the Earth).

Dib suddenly bursts in, begging the Shadowhog to spare Gaz and punish Dib instead. The Shadowhog attempts to explain, but Gaz stops him. The Shadowhog then punishes Dib to clean the toilets, which, for some unknown reason, are horrible. Gaz happily goes home.

Trivia

• Character actor Jeffrey Jones voices a deranged hobo and the Shadowhog.

• The second time Gaz admits that Zim is an alien, but too incompetent to destroy mankind (though she explains in fuller detail this time). The previous time was in the episode, "Bloaty's Pizza Hog".

• Gaz and Dib actually hold hands in the episode, an unusual sign of affection for the obsessed Dib and the anti-social Gaz.

• Gaz seems to have robotic stuffed animals as "bouncers". She also sleeps in pink pajamas.

• There is an indication that there is a passage of time in the series when Dib points out to Zim that he helped him when they got turned into bologna (a ref. to Bolognius Maximus).

• When Dib is breathed on by Gaz, he says "Father, help me", exactly what Luke Skywalker says to Darth Vader whilst attacked by Emperor Palpatine.