Gaz, Taster of Pork
"Gaz, Taster of Pork" is a double-length episode of Invader Zim, originally produced as Episode 26. While not airing on Nickelodeon in the US, it aired on the Nicktoons Network in the US on August 12, 2006. This is the seventh double-length episode of Invader Zim.
Plot
Dib has acquired a "spell-drive" (hinting that Invader Zim is in the future, where books are obsolete), 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 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 dimension), 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 (with brushes attached in a crown-like fashion to his head), which, for some unknown reason, are horrible. Gaz happily goes home.
References
- This episode suggests that Invader Zim and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac (another comic by Jhonen Vasquez) may take place in the same city. Just before Dib and Gaz travel to the Realm of the Shadow Hog, they seem to be standing on the same fenced in ledge from where Johnny C stares down at the city.
- This entire episode is based off of a "MEANWHILE" featured in the back of "SQUEE'S Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors," another comic by Vasquez. The "MEANWHILE" features Tickle-Me-Hellmo, a demonic children's toy who puts kids through several levels of torture. Level 8 is "Alters child's taste buds so that everything tastes like pork."
- 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.
- The code in Super Kicky Fighter (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → A B B A start) is almost identical to the Konami Code (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A start).
- 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).
Trivia
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- 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.
- One of the children in the cafeteria has a hook for an arm.
- Gaz and Dib actually hold hands in the episode, an unusual sign of affection for the obsessed Dib and the anti-social Gaz. It is seen for a few seconds as Dib and Gaz walk home (the scene after Gaz threatens Dib with the mashed potatoes). This was most likely an animation mistake however, because no one in the DVD commentary knew why it was in the episode.
- Gaz seems to have robotic stuffed animals as "bouncers". She also sleeps in pink angel pajamas.
- When Gaz is looming over Dib with the mashed potatoes, and she throws them away (apparently in the other eye of Zita) he screams "ZITA!", showing some form of affection for Zita.
- GIR's friend Pig from Germs and Battle of the Planets makes a cameo in this episode with GIR getting movie tickets.
- GIR has one line in this episode ("I GOT MONKEYS IN ME!"). Rosearik Rikki Simmons (the voice of GIR) says on the commentary 'I got paid for that!'
- Dib's head seems to be mocked by more people in this episode than any other episode. The people that mock it are the Mysterious Mysteries host, Gaz, the Shadowhog, and even Dib himself.
- This episode marks the final appearance of Gaz.