After working on a lot of Garfield Show transcripts, I wanted to post a page where I voice my opinions on each episode. This post is all about the episodes from Season 2, since doing all four in one seems a bit excessive. Keep in mind, these are all my opinions. You may disagree, and that's fine with me.
Home for the Holidays Part 1[]
Odie gets a kiss from Arlene
Odie shows his idea, a Christmas tree, to Garfield
Can Jim Davis write more Christmas specials, please? This episode is amazing. Garfield meets Arlene in the grocery store parking lot carrying blankets and food for animals in need. With a little help from Odie, Garfield is persuaded to join her and donate his own food, with Odie tagging along. Eventually, Garfield learns that Arlene wants all the animals to get adopted, and Odie gets an idea of how to do that. He explains it to Garfield, and he is instantly on board. There are so many things about this episode that I love. Garfield's efficient way of decorating the tree, his eventual willingness to help, and the animals are adorable. What I love most about this is Odie. He plays a huge part in this episode. He urged Garfield to help the animals in the first place, (thanks to a snarky remark. Perhaps Garfield is rubbing off on him) he got a kiss from Arlene, (which is one of the most heartwarming scenes I have seen. He just looks so adorable and shy after the smooch) and he came up with the Christmas tree idea in the first place. I'm so glad that Odie had the idea instead of Garfield, per usual. It's such a change of pace and I'm so glad it happened. Garfield even called him a genius at one point, and he was actually sincere instead of sarcastic. A compliment from Garfield is rare on its own, let alone something like that to Odie. Arlene plays a key role, planting the seed for Garfield that Odie watered, so to speak, which brought both pets to the railway yard. Garfield's arc is wholesome and heartwarming. I love it. I cannot give this episode enough praise, and this is only part 1. I cannot find any fault with this episode. It's the wholesome moments that I love the most. I'm giving this a score I don't give out often, but this episode deserves it 100%.
Score: 10/10 Perfect
Home for the Holidays Part 2[]
Garfield, Odie, and the others gaze at the tree they made.
Arlene kisses Garfield, much to his surprise.
This episode had a lot to live up to considering its perfect-scored predecessor, and I'm glad to say it lived up to those expectations. While Jon, Liz, and their families celebrate Christmas, Garfield and Odie help Arlene get their new friends adopted by building a giant Christmas tree in the yard. While Jon, Liz, and the others go to the kitchen, the animals swoop in and steal the food, decorations, practically everything, even a truck, and get it back to the railway station. They string the lights, set the table, and shine the truck's headlights on the disco ball star, getting the attention of Jon, Liz, and their families. The animals wait for people to show up, and the first to arrive are Jon, Liz, and the others. They adopt some of the animals, and soon the other citizens of the city arrive after seeing the tree. Odie's idea that he proposed in Part 1 worked and they all gather together to bring the animals home and eat some of the food. This episode has it all. It has action with the truck scene, worry when Garfield admitted that he wasn't sure that the plan would work at all, suspense when Garfield waited for the people to show up, and it warms one's heart when the animals get adopted. The kittens' loyalty to Rags also tugs at the heartstrings. He's effectively their parent, and having to split them apart is gut-wrenching in all the good ways. The scene where Garfield hijacked the car is hilarious and exciting. Seeing the animals work together to drive the car is amazing. Odie also played a crucial role. He brought the star for the tree, worked the petals in the truck, and flipped the switch to light the lights. I like the scenes with the animals more than the people, but their scenes are also pretty good with some good humor in them as well. The ending, though, is nailed. Arlene kisses Garfield and calls him the spirit of Christmas, they all go into the shelter to eat and a light snow flurry falls. As the credits roll, they play a Christmas-themed melody, compared to the usual theme song they play, and I love it. Honestly, I cannot find anything wrong with this episode. It's pure 24-carat gold. Like it's predecessor, it gets a perfect score.
Score: 10/10 Perfect
Home for the Holidays: Overall[]
Odie looks lovingly at Arlene after she gave him a kiss.
As for the episode as a whole, both parts that is, what else can I say? Anything I try to say would not do it justice. I loved it and I would be willing to re-watch it and Garfield's Christmas Special every holiday. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a watch. You won't regret it. It's absolutely incredible and deserves its rating.
Score: 10/10 Perfect
Ticket to Riches[]
Garfield, Odie, and Jon celebrate winning the lottery.
Odie tries to snap Garfield and Jon out of their trance.
This episode is not half-bad. Jon is busy paying bills when he remembers that they will be reading the winning lottery numbers that night. As they read, Jon sees that he has the winning ticket and has won $27 gazillion. He and the pets celebrate and Jon immediately goes on a spending spree, offering to buy Vito's restaurant and buying a mansion (along with seven different cars, one for each day of the week). They return home one last time, and Garfield notices that Odie is feeling down. The pup doesn't want to leave, though Garfield does. Jon gets new clothes and tells the tailor to throw out his old ones, only to remember that his winning ticket was in those clothes that he just threw out during a call to let his boss know that he is quitting. After a chase, Jon and Garfield are unable to get to the trash truck and return home, only to find the ticket in a pair of pants that Odie was holding. While Garfield and Jon celebrate, Odie hangs his head in sorrow. He did help his friends, though. They all go to get their ticket verified, only to find out that the last number was covered up with pizza sauce, making an 8 look like a 3. Jon and Garfield stand stunned and eventually leave, throwing a tantrum outside the TV station, while Odie watches. It's a very common question: "What would you do if you won the lottery?", and we see what Jon and Garfield would do with that kind of dough. While the idea isn't novel in the slightest, it is relatable, in a sense, since we all imagine it. I like the consistency. Odie was not interested in winning in the first place, and he stays that way throughout. Jon's boss firing him after he quit is also funny. The chase is a little bit standard, but it does raise the stakes dramatically. Jon and Garfield standing frozen after finding out they weren't winners is also funny. Their grins are hilarious, and Odie trying to get their attention is something else I like. Finally, there's Jon and Garfield at the very end, throwing a tantrum at the end. Odie doesn't say anything decipherable, but I like to imagine it's something like "Money isn't everything." or "They just don't get it." There's a lot of stuff I like about this episode, though I'm not sure if it has that "wow" factor.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Gravity of the Situation[]
Garfield illustrates the story of how gravity was discovered.
Garfield and Odie enjoy zero gravity, much to Jon's disbelief.
Solid episode, not bad at all. Nimbus the alien stops on Earth to recharge his UFO. As he does, Jon goes to prepare dinner, which Garfield notes to Odie that Jon's cooking has been more terrible than usual. This has been because Jon has not had work recently, but he is about to get a break when Eddie Gourmand calls him and offers him to illustrate his cookbook, assuming Jon is a good cook. Jon tells him that he is, and Eddie informs him that he'll be by at 8:00 to sample Jon's cooking. He hurries to the store to get ingredients, and Nimbus parks in Jon's empty garage, unhappy with Earth's gravity. Inside, Garfield dumps his bowl of "food", which Nimbus devours. Odie lets him eat his portion and Nimbus complains again about the gravity. After a brief educational moment about how gravity was discovered by Isaac Newton's cat, Nimbus pulls out a device that turns gravity off. Everything in the house starts floating, even Odie and Garfield. After the initial shock wears off, the pets start to enjoy floating around. Meanwhile, Jon returns with the groceries, and is horrified to see that Eddie is at the door, waiting for his dinner. Jon goes around back and sees his floating pets. Nimbus soon turns off the gravity manipulator, dropping silverware and dishes perfectly on the table, the groceries perfectly onto plates, and Garfield and Odie imperfectly onto the floor. Eddie notices the salad as well as the stir fry Jon made thanks to the lack of gravity seconds ago. Nimbus heads out, with his UFO all recharged, and Garfield and Odie wonder how they floated until they see Nimbus' UFO outside. He admits that he manipulated gravity and they bid each other good-bye. As for Eddie, he enjoys Jon's cooking and Jon gets the job illustrating the cookbook. Garfield notes how everything worked out. I like this episode, very fun. Garfield and Odie having fun with zero gravity is really enjoyable, and the brief educational segment is unexpected and kinda funny. Odie got a lot of screen time, the way I like it, but he didn't really do much aside from being Garfield's sidekick. And, in the end, everyone wins. I like this episode. It's just really solid. There is nothing spectacular, but it was fun and there was nothing bad either, so it gets a good score.
Score: 8/10 Fantastic
Blasteroid[]
Jon sends Garfield and Odie to their mission to save the world.
Odie gets an idea on how to save Garfield.
I'm not really a fan of the sci-fi episodes. That being said, I really like this one. Garfield is home scarfing lasagna. A ravioli-shaped drone from the planet Parma--where the residents are lasagna--spies on him and watch with anger at Garfield's feeding frenzy. When he catches and eats the drone, that is the final straw. King Parma orders Earth be destroyed, and General Gorgonzola has a giant meatball be launched at Earth. Professor Bonkers notices this and alerts everyone via the news, which Jon and the pets see. They panic, until they learn that a rocket perfectly designed for Garfield and Odie is ready to launch. Jon drives his reluctant pets to the observatory where Bonkers gives them the plan: drop off an explosive payload on the meteor and escape. The pets suit up, take off, and land on the meatball, where Garfield smells the familiar scent and devours the entire thing, inflating his belly to bigger than ever before. He is bigger than the rocket, which is a problem since he now has no way to back inside it and go home. Odie, of all characters, has the bright idea to give Garfield a grapple attached to the rocket and to fly him back to Earth. The plan goes smoothly until Bonkers informs everyone that Garfield is not the asteroid that will destroy the world. Odie gets out of the rocket to fix the newest problem, and he does so by poking his fat feline friend, causing him to deflate via burping. Garfield soon returns to his normal size and he and Odie land unharmed on Earth. They all celebrate with Italian food, and the payload the pets were supposed to drop on the meatball landed on the planet Parma, about to go off. This episode has a lot to like about it. The action starts really quickly with the Space Lasagnas planning revenge on Earth almost right off the bat. It also focused primarily on Garfield and Odie, which are my two favorite characters. Above it all, though, I like the fact that it was Odie that saved the day, even if he didn't get the credit for it. (Not like he wants it. He it often humble when it comes to his accomplishments, like saving a fish in Underwater World or feeding poor kittens in The Six-Can Solution) If nothing else, he gets a "good boy" from me. I also give Garfield props for complimenting Odie, or at the very least, making him feel good. Those are very rare coming from the fat cat, and I applaud him for that. Where has this episode been all my life? It blew away my expectations, and it gets a well-deserved score for that.
Score: 9/10 Awesome
The Art of Being Uncute[]
Pretty solid, not gonna lie. Nermal is staying with Jon and the pets for a couple of weeks, which rubs the pets the wrong way, but when Garfield hears about a cute kitten competition and its prize, (A six-month trip to Greenland) he encourages Nermal to enter. Nermal signs up, but upon learning about the judge's new criteria for cuteness, the opposite of cute, Nermal becomes quite discouraged (He takes an unnecessary jab at Garfield. Not cool, but Odie seemed to enjoy it). He sadly leaves, but Garfield offers to train him how to become uncute. He shows the uncute way to eat lasagna, quite sloppily, but when Nermal tries nibbling his piece, Garfield gets Odie to lick Nermal's face, something Jon finds cute. Their next training is how to play with a ball. Nermal bounces it around cutely, (Resulting in Garfield pausing the cartoon. Great use of the fourth-wall break) so Garfield has Odie fetch the ball, which results in him and Nermal falling into a trash can. Garfield decides to pull out all the stops, giving Nermal an "uncute makeover," which results in him covered in trash. He is so disgusting that even Odie is repulsed. The next day, Garfield and Odie take Nermal to the cat show, and Nermal seems like he is about to win, but when the judges see Garfield covered in food from a banquet table, they reward him the prize instead of Nermal (Take that, Nermal. Now you know how it feels to lose). Garfield is flown to Greenland, where he meets Nermal look-alikes from all over the world. Horrified, he rides the plane home. There is a lot to like. My favorite parts being when Garfield paused the cartoon to speak to the viewer and Nermal's final uncute form. I do kinda wish Garfield didn't have to endure the other Nermal look-alikes from around the world, (It would've been funny just to see Nermal argue with his copies about who is cuter) but at least he got out of dodge. I give Nermal this, I did not hate him in this episode. Seeing him brag about how cute he was at the very top was annoying, and him taking a shot at Garfield part-way through was low, but aside from that, Nermal had some solid moments, and now he knows what it is like to lose. Seeing him ugly is a nice change of pace as well. The episode is pretty solid, it had some good moments sprinkled in, but nothing really that sets this apart from top-tier episodes.
Score: 7/10 Great
The Spy Who Fed Me[]
Garfield cannot escape the Motorized Meow Monitor, which finds him in the sewer with a sandwich.
After crashing into the trash, Garfield finds the tracking device caught between his toes.
Solid episode, not gonna lie. Garfield is put on a strict diet of carrot sticks and lettuce, but he sneaks unhealthy food to himself behind Jon's back. After realizing that Garfield is gaining weight, Jon takes him to Liz, who gives him a tracking device called the Motorized Meow Monitor that follows a collar strapped around the cat's neck. Now, Jon can watch Garfield's antics from the comfort of his own home. Later, Garfield swipes some lasagna from Vito's, only to get caught by Jon and the Monitor. The fat cat reluctantly gives back the lasagna. He tries other ways of getting food, but the monitor follows his every step, even down to the sewers. Garfield eventually gets the collar off, but remembering that Jon has a replacement, decides to use the collar by tricking Jon into believing that he is leaving by boat. Panicked, Jon hurries to stop him, but is too late. Meanwhile, Garfield slips inside the car and devours sandwiches and Jon soon relents and lets him pig out. Later that evening, Jon goes out for a date with Liz. Garfield wishes him good-bye and slips the extra collar into his pocket. As everything possible goes wrong on the date, Garfield and Odie watch on the computer, laughing their tails off. There is a lot to like about this episode. Garfield sneaking himself snacks is hilarious, and him getting followed by the Monitor this way and that (especially into the sewers) is also funny. His trick on Jon is clever, and I like how Jon eventually caves and lets the cat off the diet. That ending, though, is hilarious. Watching Jon's escapades on his date is gold, and seeing the pets' reactions are also priceless. Odie did not do much, only appearing for a few frames and the ending, but I still really like this episode. The ending I really like, the beginning and middle are fine, and it's all around solid.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
The Haunted House[]
Garfield realizes that Odie was right: they are being haunted by a ghost cat.
Garfield reads the episode's script with his friends.
I really like this episode. Jon takes his boss's advice to do his drawings in an empty house to avoid distraction from his ever-ringing cell phone. He brings his pets along with him. As Jon works, Odie encounters a ghost cat, and Garfield is soon to follow. They run away and get Jon for help, but Jon is convinced that ghosts aren't real, because he read about it on the internet. When Garfield and Odie wonder why Jon can't see the ghost, Ghost Cat explains that humans can't see ghost cats, and that he is cursed to haunt this house until a human believes in him. Garfield and Odie offer to help Ghost Cat escape his prison. Various tries to get Jon to believe don't work, until Garfield paints himself white and hangs in front of Jon, causing him to run out of the house screaming about Ghost Cat, freeing the ghost from his life of haunting the house. His boss hears him yelling about the ghost cat and is convinced that it's a wonderful idea for a comic book. Odie scrubs the paint off of Garfield and pizza is delivered to them. This episode has numerous fourth-wall breaks. The most apparent of these is when Garfield asked the director for a copy of the script, which is given to him multiple times. He even notes that there will be a chase scene later on to Odie and read about how he convinced Jon to believe in ghosts. The fat cat also reads the script while Odie washes him. The pup himself had a descent role. He was the first one to see the ghost, and he woke up Garfield and pointed the ghost out to his best friend shortly after, resulting in a chase. He also helped Garfield with his scheme at the end, and Jon's adamance to trusting the internet also shows a bit of how not smart he is. I like the gag where Jon says that nothing on the internet is ever wrong. While that is obviously untrue, I hope that my writing on this site is correct. The ghost idea isn't really novel, as Garfield has encountered monsters and aliens before, but I love the fourth-wall breaks and Odie had a solid role. It gets a high score because of those factors.
Score: 8.5/10 Fantastic
Which Witch[]
This is a good episode, and a nice introduction to Mrs. Cauldron, a character I would put in my "above average" category among characters in this show. Odie stumbles upon Garfield, who is watching a TV show that tests one's bravery. Garfield shows Odie he's not afraid of anything, except for Drucilla and Minerva coming to visit. Odie is bewildered, until Garfield shows him a scene from a previous episode, (One of my favorite types of fourth-wall breaks) which causes Odie to panic and the pets hide under the bed. However, the girls find them and dress up Garfield, a chase ensues and Garfield eventually lands in a neighbor's, Mrs. Cauldron's, shopping cart. The twins meet her and believe she is a witch, but Jon ushers them inside for a story. (Odie sees Garfield dressed up and, despite Garfield's threats, bursts out laughing here. Sometimes the pup can get his licks in at Garfield, and I like that) Later, Jon reads the story of Hansel and Gretel to the girls, and Garfield decides to spy on them. Hearing the story gives Garfield an idea. Using candy, he baits the girls into Mrs. Cauldron's house, who welcomes them with open arms. With the twins gone, Garfield decides to take a nap, where he dreams that Mrs. Cauldron is actually a witch about to use the twins in a casserole. He awakens in horror from his nightmare and hurries to save the girls, (I appreciate this. It shows that though he finds the girls annoying, at the very least he doesn't want them in danger. I think it sort of rounds out his character, but maybe that's just me) only to find them enjoying tea with the witch. (Garfield breaks the fourth-wall in hilarious fashion here) He takes the girls home, who agree not to dress him up, but they did turn him into a goat, revealing that Mrs. Cauldron really is a witch (I mean, where else could they have learned that?). I like this episode for Garfield's arc. He is annoyed and humiliated by the twins, so he gets them out of his fur, only to come running back for them when he thought they were in danger. It shows his character quite well, and there really is a soft spot for the girls. I also think this is a good introduction to Mrs. Cauldron, a recurring character who is also a witch with magical powers. I like the hints that she is a witch sprinkled throughout. This episode would also get referenced a couple of times in Season 4. I will say this: I wish Odie didn't vanish 2/3 of the way through. He appeared with Garfield when the twins got tricked and then never again throughout the episode, and I prefer a more heartwarming ending, maybe Garfield and the twins going home and Mrs. Cauldron revealing herself in some different way, maybe one final shot of her over a cauldron or practicing magical powers. Something like that, but overall, Garfield's character arc, the fourth-wall breaks, and Odie enjoying a good laugh at the fat cat bring this episode a great score.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Cyber Mailman[]
This episode has grown on me over time, despite the ridiculous premise. (I suppose it's no more a ridiculous premise than some of my favorites, like Mother Garfield and Blasteroid) The episode opens welcoming the viewer into The Garfield Zone, with Garfield himself telling us that this episode is gonna be weird (Fourth-wall breaks. I cannot get enough of 'em). The episode itself begins during Herman Post's mail route. After delivering Jon's mail, he realizes hat Garfield loosened the tires on his mail truck, prompting the postman to quit. The next morning, Professor Bonkers and the Post Office Manager take Jon and Garfield to the post office to present them how Jon will get his mail delivered: via a computer hologram of Herman Post that Garfield cannot abuse. Garfield, despite his frustration, decides to lick a plate of tacos clean on the computer and unknowingly drops taco sauce into it, causing the machine to malfunction. The next day, Herman uses the hologram to deliver Jon's mail, and due to the malfunction, delivers tomorrow's mail today, including tomorrow's newspaper. Jon notices and sees the winning lottery numbers, and despite the initial confusion, buys a lottery ticket with those numbers in the paper. While watching the reading of the winning numbers, Jon wins the lottery, and does the same thing 42 times straight (Wash, rinse, repeat). He soon gets on the news and learns of an investor called Bernard Scambury, who can triple his money. He takes his check to Bernard and leaves, only to realize by reading the paper that Scambury took his money and ran. They are unfortunately too late to stop him and he is gone. Jon thinks he can regain his money just by using that lottery exploit, but Garfield points out an article about an explosion in the post office. Jon and the pets speed over there to warn them. Bonkers is certain that it won't explode, however, unless someone dripped taco sauce on it. (So then why would you bring tacos in the first place? Judging by your reaction when Garfield ate the tacos, it was you, Bonkers, that brought them. Someone explain that to me) The Cyber Mailman's computer short circuits and blows up, but everyone escapes unharmed thanks in part to Jon and the pets warning them. Herman Post, however, has to go back to his old job of delivering to Garfield's house in person, and as a result, he gets stuck in quicksand, ending the episode in... The Garfield Zone. (I do like the fact that the episode came full circle, and Garfield restating how weird this episode was gonna be is a perfect ending) I don't know why, but this story is just a little too weird for me. Even if we could get tomorrow's paper today, we still don't know tonight's winning lottery numbers because they haven't happened yet. Jon also didn't mention reading the comics for the next day, the biggest missed opportunity in this episode in my opinion. (Especially since Garfield read the comics during Mother Garfield) However, I do think it would be cool if we could get the future paper with all the things, like tomorrow's Sudoku, comics, and the sports scores of the day prior. (That's all I care about, at least) It is fun to imagine, the episode itself is kinda fun. Jon and the pets' chase to the Post Office is intense and dramatic, and winning millions of dollars daily is something we can only dream of. Odie didn't have that much to do, unfortunately. He was only a side character that had a fair bit of screen time for the most part. But there were some good moments, like the fourth-wall breaks, so I don't hate this episode, but the story is just a bit too weird for me to give it a higher score.
Score: 6.5/10 Good
Odie for Sale[]
Garfield uses a disguise to try to get into the Allworks' mansion.
Anthony Allwork and his son Jack are reunited.
Not bad, though I'm not sure if it's higher than great. Desperate to make a little extra money to pay Anthony Allwork and avoid getting sued, Jon sets up a yard sale. Jon has Garfield put price tags on everything, and as a joke, he lists Odie as costing two cents. While they drive by, Anthony and his son Jack get out to inspect the yard sale. Jack notices the tag on Odie and Jon reluctantly sells him to Anthony (under threat of lawsuit). Jon demands that Garfield get him back and won't feed him until he does. The fat cat learns of where Anthony and Jack live (thanks to a network of mice) and heads out to return the pup. Odie, meanwhile, was feeling down, unwilling to play with Jack at all. Garfield employs using various disguises to try to get inside, only to get rejected each time. He finds a way in through an open window, and Jack realizes that Odie wants nothing to do with him (much like Jack's father) and the puppy wants to go home. Jack decides to bring him back, and Garfield gets caught by Anthony and his butler. Odie is returned to Jon, but Anthony shows up and threats to call the cops. Eventually, Garfield shuts Anthony up and Jon explains that Jack wants quality time with his father. The Allworks reconcile and do something together, and Garfield offers to get rid of Nermal. The opening is OK, Anthony planning to sue everyone is pretty funny, but Garfield did not show much remorse for selling Odie until Jon took away his food privileges. Admittedly, Garfield often tries getting rid of the dog, but he did not miss him in the slightest. The episode does get better as the time progresses, Garfield does try to bring Odie back, so he did the right thing in the end, even if it was for the wrong reason, and I like how he said he didn't know how he got the costumes. That is a brilliant fourth-wall break. I like how Jack returned Odie, and the Allworks' arc. Going from suing the umpire of the kid's Little League game to finally doing something together is very wholesome. They nailed the ending and the fourth-wall break is good, both of which drive up the score.
Score: 8/10 Fantastic
Farm Fresh Feline[]
Garfield was hypnotized into thinking he's a monkey, and now he holds a banana with his toes.
Garfield is a bit woozy after taking a long fall off a ladder.
This is another solid episode. Jon, Odie, and a reluctant Garfield are going to the farm to help Doc Boy do chores. While there, Doc Boy introduces them to Dr. Whipple, who has a hypnotism device to make cows give sweeter milk. Jon wonders if it can make Garfield do chores, and they decide to find out. They test it on him and make him act like a monkey. It works, and then they make him do all the chores, but at the sound of a bicycle horn does the hypnotism wear off. He does them and the humans (and Odie) relax with some TV. While Garfield does the chores, he runs into Jon's car, and the car alarm switches him from hypnotized to unhypnotized. Eventually, he breaks out of the loop and plots revenge against Jon, Dr. Whipple, and Doc Boy. He swipes the hypnotism device and uses it on them (as well as Odie, but that might have been collateral). He makes them become his servants and admits that he could get used to this. This episode starts out differently than others, with an immediate chase involving Garfield and Jon, with Odie watching on the sidelines. This also had one of Odie's longer, more decipherable lines, "Hey! Wait for me!" I like that. Even though Odie didn't get much screen time, he did some good things while he was on screen. He overheard the humans talking about the hypnotism device and tried to warn his fat feline friend. Garfield cut him off before he could, though. (Odie also swiped Jon's food, which is pretty funny) Garfield's hypnotism antics are also pretty good, from acting like a monkey to his super efficient work on the farm, the best one being falling off a ladder and noting that he is "dumber than Odie." He did get his payback on everyone at the end, though I wish Odie didn't get hit with it. He tried to warn Garfield about it. He wasn't involved with the humans' scheme at all. However, I believe that he was just collateral, wrong place at the wrong time sort of deal. But overall, it's pretty solid. Props for setting it on the farm. Not many episodes involve the farm. However, there isn't much exceptional pushing it over the top.
Score: 7/10 Great
Dog Days[]
Odie gets an infinite doggy cookie for helping Nimbus.
Jon eats out of Odie's dish in the aftermath of everyone behaving like dogs.
This episode is just OK. Nimbus is flying through space when he accidentally loses his supply of marshmallows. He flies to Earth to retrieve them. There, he meets up with Odie, who found the marshmallows in a trash can and points them out to Nimbus. As a thank you, Nimbus gives Odie a doggy cookie that regenerates itself after every bite. Nimbus heads out, and the next day, Odie gives Garfield some wake-up slurps. Garfield shoos him off, and Odie licks Jon. He soon starts acting like a dog, and then licks Liz. She starts acting like a dog as well, and so did Herman Post when Odie licked him. Confused, Garfield goes to the internet to find answers, and finds a chat room about his show. Upon finding the problem, he hurries to stop Odie and everyone else that got licked, only to realize that they're gone and the whole city has become behaving like dogs. He managed to find Odie and asked him if anything strange happened to him. Odie comes clean about his encounter with Nimbus the night before, and Garfield fears that the people will be like this forever, when Nimbus appears next to him to check up on Odie. He goes to leave, but Garfield stops him and explains the problem. Using Garfield's saliva, Nimbus is able to make an antidote and everyone is back to normal. Nimbus takes the infinite cookie back and instead gives Odie marshmallows in return. Nimbus leaves, but the pets are surprised to see Jon eating dog food. Garfield notes that it would take more time for some people. Admittedly, although the concept is unique and clever, it's not really that memorable. It's played out, so to speak. Something bad happens, Garfield figures it out, and eventually he saves the day. Odie did play a major role, even if he didn't get as much screen time, and all he did was lick people mostly. While this is just his friendly nature, he is rather one-dimensional in this episode. Garfield spent a fair bit of time looking for him in the middle of the episode, which is for some good laughs, sure, but nothing special. I wouldn't say this episode is bad, but it's just there.
Score: 5/10 Meh
With Four You Get Pizza[]
This episode is an episode. I don't have much to say about it. Jon and Liz are going out of a date at Vito's, and they force Garfield and Odie to stay at home due to an incident that happened the last time they, namely Garfield, were there. Jon explains what it was to Liz on the ride there: Garfield used a bungee cord to steal food and raced off, only to forget out said cord and get flung back into Vito himself, knocking him into a vat of marinara (Vito needed artificial respiration after the incident, which I found pretty funny). Vito banned all animals from his restaurant after that, unaware that his pets were stowing away on the roof. As Jon and Liz enjoy their date, Garfield gets an idea to get inside. He and Odie disguise themselves and pretend to be the daughters of Jon and Liz. Things escalate when Jon's boss, Mr. Barker, notices him and comments that he was about to fire him, but seeing his family causes him to reconsider. Jon plays along with this, and two more cats. Liz wants Jon to spill the beans, but Eddie Gourmand arrives, shooting a shot for his TV show (There was also a moment where Garfield and Odie started slucking the same spaghetti strand. That was good) Eventually, Nermal and Myron, decide to take a page from Garfield's book and disguise themselves, also pretending to be Jon's and Liz's daughters. Eddie gets Jon on his TV show and his and Liz's families see it, shocked at the "news" that Jon and Liz are married and have kids. Things continue to escalate until Nermal drops his napkin. He bends down to pick it up, exposing his tail to Vito, who sees it and unveils the animals' plot. A chase ensues, and Vito, in a fit of rage, kicks everyone out and bans them. Jon admits to Mr. Barker what happened, but Mr. Barker enjoyed the spectacle and asks Jon to draw it up for him for a promotion. While Garfield is bitter since they didn't get dessert, the pets, Jon, and Liz return home to see a surprise wedding shower from their families, complete with a full wedding cake. The pets get their dessert, and Jon has to awkwardly explain to Liz's father what happened. As I said at the top, there isn't that much to say about it. It has some zany humor, crazy hijinks, and things of that nature, but that's not my favorite episode. Don't get me wrong, if you are in to that sort of thing, then this is the episode for you. It even has a happy ending, with the pets getting the dessert that Garfield craved. There were some funny moments sprinkled in here and there, but the story isn't anything special or over the top in my opinion. It's fine, the story is fine, the ending is solid, and it has its moments, but it's not great. It's solidly in the good category of episodes.
Score: 6.5/10 Good
The Bluebird of Happiness[]
Garfield and his hatchling hug, reunited after a season apart.
Odie glares angrily at Nermal for giving Garfield's bird to Harry. To his credit, Nermal is truly sorry for what he did.
Now this is a great episode. Nermal is being chased by Garfield inside and is eventually caught. Odie nonchalantly heads outside and sees Harry lording over a bluebird. Terrified, Odie runs inside to warn Garfield, who is performing the "saw-the-kitten-in-half" magic routine. (Funny) Upon hearing that it's a bluebird that is in danger, Garfield races outside with Odie, swoops in and steals the bluebird from Harry's paw. They hide in the house, and blockade the door. Odie wonders why Garfield is so protective of the bird, and the fat cat shows him clips from the episode Mother Garfield to explain why. (I love the fourth-wall break here) Ever since Garfield hatched a few bluebird eggs, he's been protective of bluebirds. Odie then asks if that bird that Garfield saved was one of the chicks he hatched before, and though Garfield is initially doubtful, he realizes that it is one of his babies when the bird calls him Mama. This is really heartwarming and adorable. He is feeding the bird when Nermal barges in, now freed of the magic box. Nermal refuses to leave, until Garfield threatens him with another magic trick. After leaving, he meets Harry, who tells him that the bird inside might be cuter than him. Unable to take the blow to his ego, Nermal wonders what he can do. Harry tells Nermal that he'll give the bird a good home if the kitten gets the bird outside, and Nermal agrees. As the pets and bluebird nap, Nermal pilfers the bird's nest and hands it over to Harry. (I don't like what Nermal did, but that's typical for him, I think) Odie wakes up, overhearing the transaction, and goes to investigate. He sees Nermal handing the bird over and alerts Garfield of it. The pets confront Nermal, and Garfield hurries to stop Harry. Nermal regrets what he did and recruits Odie and his powerful doggy nose to help get the bird back. (I love this part of the episode. Nermal finally puts his giant ego aside and feels remorse for doing something cruel, even if it was to his mortal enemy Garfield He even went so far as helping save the bird afterwards, such a giant change from his normal, self-centered self) Odie and Nermal find Harry first, and the pup's barks are heard by Garfield. Harry manages to take care of the three of them handily, (Odie and Nermal first and then Garfield) but the bird's mother and siblings swoop in to save the trapped bird. Harry flees in terror, and Nermal confesses to Garfield that he did a cruel thing and deserves a punishment, namely being mailed to Abu Dhabi. (He takes responsibility. For being such a proud cat, it's such a welcome change to see Nermal admit that he did wrong, especially to the fat cat) Garfield agrees, but notes that Nermal did try to help rescue the bird and decides not to mail him to Abu Dhabi, but to Greenland instead. After finishing this, Garfield and Odie watch the bluebirds fly. There is nothing about this episode I don't like. Nermal's arc is probably my favorite part about this episode. He went from selfish to selfless, and admitted that what he did was wrong at the end. I also love Garfield and Odie, and how far they went to protect the bluebird. The final "defeat" of Harry is a nice callback to Mother Garfield and I love the fourth-wall break when Garfield showed Odie clips from that old episode. There's a reason why this episode's description is longer than most: because I love it so much. It has everything, action, suspense, a great fourth-wall break, yet also moments that tug at the heartstrings. This episode had big expectations to fill considering it's a Part 2 to Mother Garfield, and I'm pleased to say that it exceeded those expectations. Is it on par with Home for the Holidays? It's close, but I think Home for the Holidays just barely edges it out, but there's nothing to be ashamed about with a score this high.
Score: 9.5/10 Awesome
Honey, I Shrunk the Pets[]
Odie and Squeak arrive just in time to rescue Garfield from an incoming truck.
Garfield is amazed by a lasagna bigger than he is.
I like this episode. Garfield lies in his lawn chair outside for a nap. While he sleeps, Nathan hits him with a shrink ray which turns him smaller than a mouse. He encounters several pigeons (who are much bigger than he is) who eat his lunch. While he tries in vain to scare them off, Garfield realizes that he bit off more than he can chew. He flees from the pigeon flock and sees Odie on the other side of the lawn. He begs the pup--who is curious about Garfield's small stature--to hide him, and the pup slurps him into his mouth and carries him inside. He goes to Squeak and reveals Garfield to him, and while Garfield thinks that Squeak has grown, the mouse counters that the cat shrunk. They peek back outside and see the shrink ray in action on a birdbath. It is shot from Nathan's house, and Garfield is determined to get to the bottom of it. He gets caught in the middle of the street, but Odie and Squeak save him and get him to the other side safely. Garfield hides inside a delivery of lasagna to get inside the house and manages to make it upstairs. After getting a scare from a spider bigger than him, Garfield hides inside Nathan's lasagna, which the boy plans to enlarge. He does so, and the cat is back to his normal size. Nathan tries to shrink him again, but Garfield uses the tray to deflect the ray back at him, shrinking him. Later, Garfield and Odie eat dinner at the table, grateful that the fat cat's back to normal, but Garfield's mind is elsewhere. When Squeak asks him about it, he imagines himself using the size-altering ray to make giant lasagnas at Vito's. I'm a sucker for Garfield and Odie saving each other, and I also like Nathan and Squeak. This episode had all of those aspects. Odie first saved Garfield from the pigeons, and later he and Squeak rescued Garfield from becoming a cat pancake. I like that. I also like episodes with Nathan. I like him as a character and like the fact that they typically revolve around Garfield and Odie. The ending is also pretty good with Garfield deflecting the ray back at Nathan and then imaging himself enlarging foods. Garfield is right, "a guy can dream, can't he?" There's a lot that I like, and it's memorable, hence a high score.
Score: 9/10 Awesome
Garfield Astray[]
Odie worriedly looks over a concussed Garfield.
Odie is overjoyed to see his best friend again, and Garfield feels the same to see Odie.
This is another episode I really like. Nermal is staying in Jon's house for a couple of months, and Garfield is strangely happy about it before revealing that his smiling face is a mask. Jon heads out, and Nermal goes to get a treat and watch TV. Garfield schemes to be rid of Nermal, and using an overly-complicated domino effect, he flings the kitten out of the chair into a trash can. He laughs uncontrollably, but as he does, he unintentionally loosens a bowling ball from a bookshelf, causing it to land on his head and knocking him out. Odie starts licking his head in an attempt to revive him, and Nermal returns to confront Garfield. Upon doing so, he learns that Garfield has lost his memory due to the blow to his head, and this is proven by his lack of desire for the lasagna in the kitchen. Nermal tells Odie to go outside and wait for Jon, and he tells Garfield that he's an alley cat named Ichabod and essentially kicks him out of the house. Garfield shrugs and heads out, taking Nermal's word, and Nermal makes himself at home by hanging pictures of himself everywhere. Garfield, meanwhile, meets a couple of brother alley cats, Teno and Geno, while scavenging for food. They show him around and eventually make their way to Vito's alley, where the chef shoos them off. The brothers tell Garfield about a bulldog named Crusher, but Garfield is too hungry to care and dives for some lasagna that Vito tossed into the garbage. Just then, Crusher confronts him and a chase ensues. Eventually, Crusher corners Garfield and is about to strike, but the cat bangs some trash can lids, prompting Vito to call animal control. Crusher is soon captured and Garfield feasts on the lasagna. Upon tasting it, he gets his memory back and hurries to deal with Nermal. When the fat cat gets back, Odie is overjoyed and greets him, though Nermal tries to shoo him off again. Garfield later offers to be Nermal's servant, which the kitten accepts, and while Nermal reclines in the chair, Garfield flings it forward, launching him into a package. The fat cat tapes it up and mails it to Abu Dhabi. Later that night, Garfield serves a meal to Teno and Geno, probably as a thank you. Like I said, I really like this episode. Odie had some good moments, like licking Garfield to try and save him and greeting him when he came back. The chase scene was better than most since it had a casual stop right in the middle. I find that funny. Nermal taking over the house sounds like something he'd do, especially to get back at Garfield for throwing him into a trash can. Teno and Geno are also cool characters who are nice to Garfield and appreciative of his generosity at the end. I like that ending. Garfield got back at Nermal and helped his new friends out. Due to all these factors, this episode gets a high score.
Score: 9/10 Awesome
History of Cats[]
Garfield shows a cat's contribution to the Mona Lisa.
Squeak and his rodent friends, fed up with Garfield, tackle and apprehend him.
Here is another example of a solid episode that I like. Garfield presents the viewers with a documentary of what he calls, "the most superior animal on the entire planet." Despite Odie hoping it's dogs, Garfield is alluding to cats. He then presents several movies presenting the history of cats, from the caveman days to their regal status in ancient Egypt to the Medieval Ages, basically all the best moments in cat history, and the false narrative that cats eat mice. He then shows the great achievements that cats have made throughout the centuries: cats invented cheese, painted the Mona Lisa, and helped Beethoven write his 5th Symphony. Eventually, Squeak and the other mice get fed up with Garfield and his "representation of history", shall we call it. They tackle him and demand that he presents an accurate retelling of history, or else they will tell Jon how much pizza Garfield bought on Jon's credit card. Garfield agrees and retells the same stories, except with mice doing all these great achievements instead of cats. Garfield wraps up his documentary by explaining that mice have contributed a lot, and the mice are appreciative of it. They thank Garfield and leave, but after they do, Garfield reveals to Odie that he has no intention of revealing this to the public. He makes two copies, one with the mice embellishment and the other without, and sends the one explaining how great cats are to the network to get produced, and throws the other one in the garbage. He and Odie leave, unaware that the mice switched the DVDs, sending the mice endorsement off to get made and the cat endorsement to the trash. Garfield's retelling of history is quite funny, and the way the mice just attacked Garfield is also hilarious to me. A flying elbow drop in a cartoon will always bring a smile to my face. I credit this episode for being original, since only two episodes have this type of format, and I give Garfield credit for agreeing to the mice's demands and explaining the "truth" about mice (even if he was blackmailed). He did his rodent friends a solid and the mice were ultra appreciative. I also like that ending, how the mice switched the DVDs. It's like they got the feeling Garfield would do something sneaky and out-tricked the trickster. Clever. All in all, another solid episode that I like. Some good humor, some good heart, though I would've liked to see more Odie.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Black Cat Blues[]
Garfield celebrates it not being Monday by twirling on his toes.
Garfield's bad luck reaches painful highs when he gets crushed by a garbage compactor.
It was bound to happen sooner or later: an episode without my pooch Odie. However, I really like this episode regardless. Garfield wakes up and decides to sleep and eat for a change of pace, when he dreads that it might be Monday. He worriedly checks the calendar and, upon learning that it isn't Monday, he celebrates with a couple of sandwiches and a day of lounging in his lawn chair. While he relaxes, he sees a depressed black cat named Jonah walk past. After this, several unfortunate circumstances happen to Garfield: he gets hit by a rake, his favorite TV show gets pre-empted in favor of a nine-hour documentary on raisins, and the TV blows up. Harry arrives afterwards and Garfield tells him about his string of bad luck. Harry tells him about Jonah and then flees after more bad things happen to Garfield. The fat cat tries to get a good-luck charm, but this backfires when he accidentally upsets a wasp's nest. After diving into a trash can to avoid the wasps, he gets thrown into the trash compactor and gets pounded flat. He decides to look for Jonah to get him to undo the curse, and eventually finds him. He learns the reason of Jonah's depression, a breakup with his girlfriend, Mindy, so Garfield schemes to get them together. That evening, Garfield tries to get them back together, but Mindy is having none of it. When Garfield sticks a grapefruit slice into Jonah's mouth to make him smile, Mindy seems to like it, but this fails when Garfield pats Jonah on the back, making him swallow the slice. Hopeless, Garfield goes to leave, but slips on a banana peel, causing Jonah to laugh. Hearing Jonah laugh causes Mindy to regain interest and the two get back together. The next day, Garfield tells what happened to Harry, and how the curse is gone, but then he gets crushed by a piano. Garfield then tells Harry that today is Monday. Despite the lack of Odie, and Jon for that matter, (as far as I know, the only episode to omit both characters) there is a lot that I like. The string of bad luck Garfield has is hilarious, and the ending is wholesome with Jonah and Mindy rekindling their relationship. Honestly, there isn't a lot to this episode, it's very simplistic, but for whatever reason, I like this. Maybe it's because I am a simple person who lives a non-exciting life. The ending is great, the beginning is fine, and the middle is actually pretty funny. I also like the references to Garfield's hatred of Mondays. This was semi-regular in Garfield and Friends, even getting several episodes devoted to this, but not so much in The Garfield Show. I applaud this episode for that, and for making a pretty great episode even without my favorite character. Applause.
Score: 8/10 Fantastic
Night of the Apparatuses[]
I'd classify this episode as a good, not great. Jon had just installed a new smart-system called Millie, much like smart homes and Alexa before smart homes and Alexa. He shows his pets, though Garfield isn't impressed until Jon has Millie cook the lasagna in the oven. Millie soon falls for Jon, unbeknownst to him. As he showers and Garfield waits for dinner, Jon tells Millie to sent Liz an email about their date. This makes Millie jealous, and this escalates when a bolt of lightning hits the house. It courses through Millie, making her more powerful, and she soon has all the appliances terrorize Jon, Garfield, and Odie. Garfield tells Jon to call an expert, Webster the computer geek. Webster soon arrives and Jon and the pets take him upstairs to the problem. Millie is too powerful and her appliances corner them, except for Odie, who is being chased by the hairdryer. As he runs, he trips over the power cord, unplugging Millie and her tyrannical rule. Jon's computer is taken away and he replaces it with a typewriter. There is not much special about this episode, as it uses a typical formula. Characters are in trouble, but manage to save the world. There were some funny moments, especially the fourth-wall breaks. Garfield got shaved and told Odie that he would have his fur back in the next scene. Sure enough, he did. Garfield also got crushed by a door and thought he'd be back to normal in a moment, but wasn't, as least, not immediately. I like this aspect, and I also like the fact that they sort of predicted the future (This episode was made in 2011, before Amazon's Alexa and other smart devices were normal). But aside from this, this episode just isn't that memorable or special in any way. The fourth-wall breaks are pretty good, (and that hikes up the score a bit) and Odie saving the day--if unintentionally--is nice to see (it's usually Garfield who has the idea or saves everyone, so it's cool to see the pup get some time in the limelight) but aside from that, it doesn't have that wow factor or tug at the heartstrings that would make it among my favorites.
Score: 6.5/10 Good
A Gripping Tale[]
I like this episode, a fair bit. Garfield and Odie are watching a pirate movie when Jon informs them that he has spare donuts for them. Garfield grabs them all, and Odie follows him outside. After they leave, Liz tells Jon about a possible giant squid living in the sewers, which worries Jon. Meanwhile, Garfield determines how to divide the donuts, when the dog darts to the donuts and dashes away with them. Garfield follows, and Odie soon thinks that he lost Garfield, until he cat stands in front of him and tackles him, causing him to lose control of the donuts. The donuts roll down the hill, with the pets in hot pursuit, but all of them get flushed down the sewer before they can get one. Garfield gets angry with Odie for losing the donuts and storms away. As he leaves, a giant tentacle reaches up and grabs Odie. Garfield attempts to save him, but is unable to and Odie is pulled under. Garfield finds another manhole and dives into it. He soon loses hope of finding Odie when a tentacle grabs him. The giant squid has both pets in its tentacles and plans to eat them both. This gets the attention of the news, who shows it on TV for all to see, including Jon and Liz, who attempt to save them. Garfield realizes that he and Odie are about to be dinner, but he spots the donuts and distracts the squid with them. The squid puts the pets down in favor of the donuts and they race over to a valve. They twist and turn it until a gate opens, releasing the water and sucking the squid to the ocean. The pets reunite with their owner and return home safe and sound, though Garfield is bummed that he didn't get any donuts, and the squid terrorizes people near the ocean's edge. Now this episode and Night of the Apparatuses have a similar story: Garfield and his friends are in trouble and the cat saves the day. Even though I think this trope is a bit common and overused, there are a few things that push this above Night of the Apparatuses. First, this episode featured a lot more of Odie, and it showed his mischievous streak. While the pup is known for his lovable, innocent nature, this episode showed his more sneaky side when he swiped the donuts in the park. Second, Garfield tried to save the pup. I'm a sucker for the pets trying to save each other. It shows that they do care about each other, despite Garfield's slightly rough exterior. Third, Odie did not just accidentally trip over the solution. Garfield had the idea and Odie helped him out, similar to Home for the Holidays, except for Odie having the idea with Garfield's execution. I like this episode, despite the common scenario. It gets a decent score because of it.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Jumbo Shrimpy[]
This is another solid, decent episode. Garfield, Odie, and Jon are part of a studio audience watching Doc Whipple's new show starring Shrimpy the Elephant. Garfield isn't impresses and leaves to get a snack. As he goes, he notices sadness in Shrimpy's eyes, but shrugs it off. He finds snacks and devours them, but overhears Whipple demeaning Shrimpy. He sneaks in and slips Shrimpy a bite to eat and lets him free of his cage before returning to Jon and Odie. They all leave, unaware of the fact that Shrimpy escaped and was following them. Whipple, however, found out and called the police to investigate. Jon heads out to visit Liz, trusting his pets to head home. Shrimpy makes his presence known to the pets, who agree to hide him and bring him home. They disguise him as a dog, make it to the house undetected, and shove him through the front door. Upon getting home, Garfield gets Shrimpy a meal and the elephant accidentally sucks up Odie in his truck while the pup drinks. He spits Odie out, and Jon enters the kitchen, soon spotting the elephant. He calls Whipple, but realizes that neither Shrimpy nor the pets want him to go. He quickly hangs up and tries to help. Garfield recommends sending him to a zoo, but before they can, Shrimpy sees Al, disguised as a giant peanut, and chases him. Al traps him and the pets, and Whipple shows up with the officers. Whipple reprimands Shrimpy, and the police hear his threats and arrest him for mistreatment of animals. The next day, they are all free and Odie offers Shrimpy a peanut. There is a lot I like, Garfield's generosity for one. Him sharing food with anyone is very rare, and I like that in this episode. Shrimpy's great escape is intense and captivating, and Garfield's and Odie's willingness to help is wholesome. There's also some good comedic moments, like Shrimpy sucking Odie into his trunk (Garfield called Odie his friend during that scene. Thumbs-up from me) and Jon's delayed reaction when he first saw the elephant. The ending also lands, with the villain getting arrested, Shrimpy free, and him and the pets being friends. All these factors add up to give it a solid score.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Pirate Gold[]
This is a solid episode that I like. Jon is fixing the fridge while Garfield is in the living room watching a pirate movie TV. Jon leaves, and a trio of dogs wonders if Garfield will give them shelter from the rain. Inside, Odie stumbles upon the refrigerator manual and brought it to Garfield, who imagines himself as a pirate. He uses the manual Odie brought him as a map and imagines the living room as a pirate ship. He makes himself a hat out of a newspaper and soon, Odie and Squeak are also swept away in Garfield's imagination and begin sailing the high seas. Meanwhile, Hercules, Rottweiler, and Three-Colored Dog sneak inside. The pets and Squeak get caught in a thunderstorm that makes Odie queasy, and this gets the attention of the dogs, who peek into the living room. They see the pets and mouse, but aren't caught up in the fantasy the way the others are. The dogs shrug it off and look for food, and the pirate band arrives at an island. Rottweiler makes sure the coast is clear, and after seeing that it is, he and his canine friends chow down on the food in the fridge. Garfield finds them and sees them celebrating in a treasure chest instead of the fridge. Garfield's pirate-themed threats are laughed off by the dogs, until the fat cat shows them his pirate crew. Hercules also becomes captured by Garfield's imagination and so do the other two dogs. The imagines pirates chase them out of the house (or island) and Garfield, Odie, and Squeak enjoy their treasure: food. Jon soon returns and isn't surprised to see Garfield sitting in front of the TV. Garfield asks who needs a TV when one has an imagination? Credit to this episode for setting a good chunk of it in Garfield's imagination. Most of them involve his dreams, and those are mostly nightmares. This also focused on three of my favorite characters in Odie, Garfield, and Squeak. Get Squeak in more episodes, I really like him. The dogs make descent antagonists (even if they aren't that antagonistic) and the ending is pretty funny when they get wrapped up in Garfield's fantasy. There is a lot of good stuff here, and I'd be happy to re-watch it, but I would not stick it in my list of top-tier episodes.
Score: 7/10 Great
Detective Odie[]
Now this is an episode I really like. It starts off with a rat named Packy who swipes Jon's wallet from his dresser. He leaves and crosses the street into a neighbor's house, Mrs. Shmidlap, and sneaks inside. He spots her bracelet and grabs it, replacing it with Jon's wallet. Mrs. Shmidlap walks in and notices her missing bracelet, as well as Jon's wallet on the floor. Meanwhile, Jon and Garfield wake up and start their day, and Odie wants to play fetch with Garfield. The cat throws the stick across the street and returns to his chair for his coffee, but find out that there is a rubber ducky where his cup should be. Squeak walks up and wonder what's the matter, and Garfield explains. Squeak realizes that his cousin Packy the packrat--who is visiting from down the street--is behind this and explains to Garfield that Packy loves to switch stuff out. Garfield gets his coffee back, but finds other things that Packy switched, including his bed, which angers him. Later, Jon gets a couple of detectives at his door, wondering about the disappearance of Mrs. Shmidlap's bracelet. They arrest him after he discovers the jewelry on his wrist, despite him pleading his innocence, and Odie watches them take Jon away, much to his shock. Desperate to save his owner, Odie races inside for help from Garfield, but the cat is too apathetic to do anything. The pup remembers something Jon said and returns to the scene of the crime, using his powerful nose to track the trail around the house and eventually to Packy, who Odie figures is the culprit. They tussle, but Odie eventually comes out on top. Meanwhile, Garfield is wondering where Jon is and sees a news report about his supposed theft. Garfield knows that Jon wouldn't, but wonders who would. His question is answered when Odie arrives, holding Packy in his paw. The pets carry the mice to the police station where Jon is being interrogated and show the detectives the true thief. Jon is released, and Packy offers the viewers something for the remote. Odie really carries this episode. His devotion to his owner is what sparked his investigation in the first place, and it turns out the lovable albeit unintelligent puppy solved the case. It's such a nice change to see Odie save the day instead of Garfield, and I like this episode for that. While the pup didn't save Garfield, he did rescue Jon. There was also a fair bit of Squeak in this episode, another character I like. There are also some good fourth-wall breaks, like when Garfield complained about his lack of lines and when Packy offered to trade stuff with the viewers. Between that, and Odie's major part, it scores high.
Score: 8.5/10 Fantastic
Stealing Home[]
This is another episode I really like. Jon is about to leave for his trip. Before he leaves, he gives his pets specific instructions to not open the door to anyone. They agree and Jon heads out. Outside, Bruno, an alley cat who lives in a dumpster behind the house, sees Jon leave and seizes the opportunity. He knocks at the door. Garfield answers thinking it might be pizza. Bruno kicks him and Odie out and makes himself at home by blocking all the entryways (namely the doggy door) and turning the place into a pigsty. After multiple failed attempts to get back inside and kick Bruno out, Garfield and Odie eventually are forced to throw in the towel. They do, however, turn lemons into lemonade and decide to make Bruno's old dumpster into their new home. They tidy it up and repaint it, which gets Bruno's attention. At first, he mocks them for doing it, but when they add carpeting, a satellite dish, and a pool, he slowly becomes more and more jealous until he eventually snaps. He runs over and demands his old home back, and when the pets refuse, he takes it back by force and swan-dives into what he thinks is his pool, but is just a dumpster. The garbagemen take it away, with Bruno still inside, and the pets return to their actual home, only to realize that Bruno trashed it. Jon enters shortly after and kicks the pets out for supposedly making the mess. The pets camp out inside a dumpster outside Vito's. While there, Odie discovers a trapdoor, which opens to a feline party. Garfield and Odie join in and they shoot off fireworks in the end. This episode is a great introduction to on-and-off antagonist Bruno and who he is as a character: selfish, jealous, and greedy, pretty much. The pets' attempts to get back in are also hilarious and I also like how they remade Bruno's dumpster into what seemed like a fancy condo. Really cool. Odie is more of Garfield's sidekick in this episode, as he helps Garfield try to get back inside and helps renovate the dumpster. His major contribution is finding the trapdoor in the final scene. I like the ending. Bruno got justice delivered and the pets also got a happy ending. Overall, a pretty good episode.
Score: 8/10 Fantastic
Full of Beans[]
This is an episode I don't really care for that much. Herman Post delivers a bouncing box to Jon's house from Jon's Mexican friend, Pablo. It is a Mexican jumping bean, which Odie begins to chase. Jon calls Pablo and asks what it is. Pablo explains it to him and says that they're fun as long as no one swallows them. At that moment, Odie swallows it and he begins to bounce on his butt. He bounces around and eventually out of the house, but is wrangled by Jon with a lasso before he can get too far. Jon passes the rope to Garfield, but he is not strong enough to contain Odie and they both start bouncing toward the city. In the city, Al the dog catcher is warned by his boss to catch a dog, as Al has had a losing streak when it comes to that sort of thing. Al comes across Odie and Garfield and follows them on springs. Eventually, the chase ends when Al springs into his boss's office (without catching either Garfield or Odie) and Odie slams into a water tower. Garfield smashes into him, and Odie coughs the bean out. Jon catches it and puts it back into the jar. In the aftermath, Garfield uses it as a servant. To me, there is nothing special about this episode. It just involves Odie bouncing around and causing chaos in the city streets in various ways. Garfield tags along, but they don't do much of anything outside of bouncing. Al shows up for whatever reason, and there was a scene with Dr. Whipple... there's a lot of random things going on. There are some things I like, like the Who Let the Dogs Out reference and the pets in space, but nothing memorable or special in this episode. There is nothing I hate about it, there is nothing awful or cringe, it's just a bit standard and it never did grab me the way other episodes did. A real shame, since this did feature my favorite characters Odie and Garfield a fair bit.
Score: 5/10 Meh
True Colors[]
This is a pretty OK episode with a really good ending. When the TV breaks, Jon calls the repairman to take it away. To soothe a panicked Garfield, Jon digs out his grandmother's old TV for the cat to watch and shares his old theory that the characters on TV could hear him. He heads out for a date with Liz, and Odie also leaves. Garfield turns the knob on the TV and finds Jon's favorite show from his youth, hosted by Dr. Goody-Good, a puppet who encourages kids to be good. Garfield complains about the lack of color and tries to find a different channel, but Dr. Goody-Good is the only thing on. He resigns himself to watch it when Nermal appears, wanting Garfield to direct a movie about the kitten. Garfield responds by kicking Nermal out of the house and into the trash can and then returns to the TV, but Dr. Goody-Good reprimands him for the way he treated Nermal. Garfield protests, but then doubts the doctor can hear him. Goody-Good replies that he can see and hear Garfield and he takes away the fat cat's color. Garfield tries defending himself, saying that he is a good cat, and Dr. Goody-Good wants him to prove it by doing good deeds. Garfield goes into the city to perform some deeds. He helps a woman cross the street and saves Eddie Gourmand from getting crushed by a piano (both of which resulted in injuries to Garfield). He slowly regains his color and looks for one more good deed to do. He hears Nermal cornered by a trio of angry dogs. He at first shrugs it off, but eventually decides to intervene. He insults the dogs, which results in him getting chased, cornered, and eventually beaten up. Nermal is unappreciative, but Garfield's head returns to its normal orange and he races home to thank Dr. Goody-Good. When he arrives, however, he learns that their original TV is fixed and Jon got rid of his grandmother's TV. Garfield tries catching up to it as it gets taken away, but is unable to and sadly says good-bye. He returns to Jon's office and learns that Dr. Goody-Good is retired from Jon, who was curious and decided to look it up online. Jon and Odie leave, but Garfield says good-bye to the doctor before joining his friends. Unbeknownst to Garfield, Dr. Goody-Good replies that he did good. I like the concept of Garfield losing his colors. Other than that, though, the first several minutes were just OK, though I'm not a fan of Nermal's last line, where he insulted Garfield for doing something stupid instead of thanking the fat cat for saving his life. Is it any wonder why I don't like Nermal much in this series? He is so egocentric, and while that is true in the comics, I don't like how it's portrayed in this show (A "thank you" wouldn't have hurt, Nermal. Oh my gosh). What I really like, though, is the ending. Garfield's pursuit of Dr. Goody-Good is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to watch, since he is so genuine and desiring to thank him. I'm glad Garfield did manage to thank the doctor at the end, and Goody-Good's reply, that also gets a thumbs-up from me. They nailed that ending, spot on, and that alone moves the score from good to great.
Score: 7/10 Great
Mind Over Mouse[]
It took two seasons and 45 episodes for Squeak to get a leading or co-leading role, and it was well worth the wait. Garfield is planning to steal some ice cream but Squeak tells him not to bother, as some will fall out of the truck when it hits a pothole. That exact thing happens, and Garfield grabs his loot. Squeak then tells him that he will be covered in rotten fish, and that also happens. After cleaning up, Garfield goes to ask Squeak how he knows the future, and Squeak responds with a few more predictions, from Jon hitting his thumb with a hammer to tripping over Odie to Garfield leaving to wonder how he does it. All three of them are accurate. Squeak then reveals to the audience how he can predict the future: he has been watching The Garfield Show in advance. (Love the fourth-wall break) He shows the next scene and Garfield plans to use Squeak's predictions to get famous, which happens promptly after. The rodent agrees to this and Jon learns of his cat's "talent". Within the week, Garfield becomes famous for his predictions and he and Jon are slated to be on a talent show called Somebody's Got Talent. If Garfield can predict the future, he will win $1,000,000. Jon, Garfield, and Odie head out, while Squeak stays behind, realizing he hasn't watched the end of the show yet. As he fast forwards through it, he accidentally deletes it and can't rewatch it because it has been preempted. With no other choice, he heads toward the TV station in dread. Later that night, Garfield's ESP is put to the test when he has to guess the top card of a 52-card deck correctly to win the million bucks. If he fails, Jon will be dropped into rancid cheese. Garfield is really nervous without his mouse and decides to take a wild guess--the Three of Clubs--when Squeak arrives. Odie notices and so does Garfield, and Squeak guesses the Jack of Diamonds. Garfield goes with Squeak, only to find out that it was the Three of Clubs after all. Jon is dumped in the cheese and they all head home dejected and (in Jon's case) angry. Later that night, Squeak spills the beans about how he knew the future, showing Garfield his show on the TV, which prompts a chase between the cat and mouse. What I like most about this episode is not that Squeak finally got some time in the spotlight, (He is usually relegated to side character or supporting character) but that Garfield corrected several major American sporting events, including the World Series. This episode debuted in 2011, and the winner of the 2011 World Series is my favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals (It was an instant classic, and Game 6 of that best-of-7 series will forever be iconic in baseball lore). Just imagine telling Cardinals fans that we were gonna win the World Series with only a month left in the season, when we were nearly out of the playoff race, but that's beside the point of this post (I'm a diehard sports fan. I could go on and on). As for the episode itself, I do like that Squeak gets a main-character role. Like I said, he is usually a side or support, so seeing him get a main role is so refreshing, especially as a big Squeak fan. His enthusiasm when showing the viewer the channel that gets The Garfield Show is so infectious and I felt that giddiness while writing the transcript. He is so hyped about it and I love it. I also find it impressive that Garfield beat the odds (though it is a cartoon show, so real-world stats don't apply) and guessed the correct card, it's just that Squeak showed up at the wrong time. I would've preferred a happy ending to whatever that was, but then again, I probably couldn't write a happy ending after Jon gut dunked in cheese. However, it was by accident that Squeak deleted the show. He did not do it on purpose, but then again, if I just lost a chance at $1,000,000, I would be ticked, too, at the friend who I trusted. So yeah, that's probably the best ending possible since I can't come up with anything better. Despite my problems with the ending, there was a lot that I love about this. Squeak's enthusiasm, Jon getting dunked, (That was pretty funny) and the reference to the future World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. (I am aware that this episode debuted in June, four months before the Fall Classic, but I don't care. I'm just glad we won that series) But the cherry on top is, of course, the fourth-wall break that this episode is built upon. I love me a good fourth-wall break, and because of all these factors, this scores high. Maybe even higher if they got the Three of Clubs right. As an avid card player, I know the suits on the Threes go in a line from top to bottom, not in a triangle shape. But, that's just a minor nitpick.
Score: 9/10 Awesome
Parrot Blues[]
This episode surprised me, in all the best ways. Garfield greets the audience and tells them not to expect much, as he plans to sleep through the duration of the cartoon, (strong start with a fourth-wall break) when Jon arrives with what he calls, "a new friend," while Odie is out visiting Doc Boy on the farm. He introduces Garfield to Paxton, the pessimistic parrot that belongs to Jon's boss. Paxton is unimpressed with everything, and so is Garfield, who decides to go to sleep. Meanwhile, as Jon is calling Doc Boy to check on Odie, Paxton flies outside and tells Herman Post that his job will soon be obsolete, causing him to burst into tears. Jon notices then when he gets his mail, and Garfield is awoken by the sound of weeping mice. He grabs Paxton, who is giving the mice bad news, and Jon asks why Paxton is so pessimistic. Paxton shows him what's happening in the world, freaking both Garfield and Jon out (and this episode wasn't even made in 2020. Yikes) Jon decides to call Liz while Garfield attempts to get Paxton to smile, to no avail. Liz recommends taking Paxton to Dr. Whipple, something the parrot is not keen on. He flies out the window, and Jon and Garfield scour the neighborhood to find him. Garfield reaches him in the park by following the trail of depressed people, (one of whom is Nermal, who got a harsh dose of reality. Oof) nabs him, and carries him off to Dr. Whipple. Whipple, however, is unable to do anything and hands Paxton back to Jon and Garfield, weeping. Out of options, they take Paxton home and are forced to endure his negativity until Doc Boy returns with Odie. The excited pup licks Jon and Garfield, tickling them both, (Garfield confessed that he was happy to see Odie. The two really love each other, even if Garfield won't admit it) and then notices Paxton. He gives the parrot a friendly slurp, which while initially disgusting Paxton, it starts to rub off on him. Paxton notices how happy Odie is and the two embrace in a friendly hug. Paxton's heart melts (I think mine did, too) and he finally has a friend. Six months later, Paxton is on TV as a motivational speaker, dedicating his career to his best pal Odie, and Garfield agrees. Life is great, though it is "even better with pizza." (Just so long as said pizza doesn't trigger any food allergies) What carries this episode singlehandedly for me are those final scenes, the one where Odie meets Paxton and the scene six months afterwards. Odie's unconditional love for everyone shines brighter than ever when he makes an immediate friend in the parrot, and in turn, Paxton has a lifelong friend, and you can't get a better friend that Odie. Watching the hard-hearted Paxton melt faster than ice cream in the Sahara Desert at noon is so beautiful. I also just love seeing Odie greet Jon and Garfield, and the fat cat admitting that he is happy to see Odie is just icing on the cake of an outstanding scene. Afterwards, seeing Paxton call Odie out for putting him on his current path, a motivational speaker, is really cool. Not that Odie wants or needs praise, it's still cool to see him get some from time to time. The rest of the episode had some pretty funny moments sprinkled in, and the fourth-wall breaks to bookend the episode are also great (as all fourth-wall breaks are). Garfield's final line is so true, life is great, and it's a great message. I was not expecting to like this episode as much as I did, but that ending and Odie making the absolute most of his limited screen time carries this episode to a score that most episodes can only dream of. Well done.
Score: 9/10 Awesome
The Mole Express[]
This episode is nothing special. Jon is outside in the back barbecuing some burgers. Odie is playing with squirrels, and Garfield is on the roof seeing if the neighbors are doing anything edible. During his search, he spots Al and Pete, the dogcatchers, driving by. As they go, Garfield's friend Myron tells him that the dogcatchers have been getting bonuses for catching strays, and then asks Garfield for help. Garfield gives him some rushed advice and runs off to get some burgers. Unbeknownst to Garfield, Myron tries to sneak away, but is caught by Al and taken away. Meanwhile, Garfield is about to eat, but then the grill, burgers, and Jon himself fall into a hole. Jon hurries to call someone, and then Garfield himself falls in a hole. He soon meets the creator of the hole, which is in actuality a tunnel, and it's a mole who doesn't have time to talk. Garfield climbs out and Harry runs up to him, asking for shelter from Al and Pete. Garfield is preoccupied and tells Harry to hide behind the garage. Harry does so, but is promptly caught by Al and Pete, and this time, Garfield notices. Just then, Odie and his squirrel friends run up and tell him that the mole is wrecking the squirrels' homes. If nothing is done, the squirrels will have to leave, something that neither they nor Odie want to happen. Garfield soon gets an idea and puts it into action. He draws up some plans and returns to the tunnel, along with Odie and the squirrels. They give Mole a distraction dance and while they do, Garfield swaps out the mole's plans with his own, which eventually results in the mole digging straight into the city pound, where Myron and Harry are locked up. Garfield frees them and the rest of the strays, Al and Pete are fired by Mr. Cannel after the latter finds no animals in the cages, and the strays are freed. Mole, however, is behind in his tunnel, but Garfield shows him another plan that he got approved by other moles. Mole agrees and gets to work, and it is revealed by Garfield that those he gave the mole lead straight to China. This whole episode is... fine. Like I said, there is nothing special about it, but there are some things I did like about it. Odie and the squirrels being friends is a nice callback to one of my favorite episodes, Up a Tree, (That alone keeps it from getting a 5/10 because I just love Up a Tree that much) and the rescue scene is cool. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I do think the "Garfield saving the world" trope is a bit overused, and this episode is just an offshoot of that when he saves his friends. I will give him credit: he did save Odie's friends, the squirrels, from moving, so there's that. However, there is nothing that memorable or anything that stands out in this episode. There is nothing terrible or cringe about the episode, but nothing that justifies giving it a higher score than this because it's just about average. Nothing better, nothing worse, simply slightly above average.
Score: 6/10 Good
Unfair Weather Part 1[]
Season 2 ended with a two-parter, and the first of the two is securely solid. A heatwave hits Jon's town hard, it's so hot that Garfield and Odie are unable to peel themselves off the floor. Jon watches the news and learns that one man, Anthony Allwork, is making a nice buck off of the heat thanks to being the owner of A/C manufacturers, ice cream makers, and other ways to beat the heat. Garfield and Odie drink the last of the lemonade in the refrigerator, and when Jon catches them in the act, he chases them slowly into the living room. During the chase, the doorbell rings. Jon answers it to find his twin cousins Drucilla and Minerva waiting outside. The pets hide in a kitchen cabinet, and Jon remembers that he promised to take the girls camping that day. While he is initially reluctant, he gives in and takes them camping, and drags his unwilling pets along with him. Upon reaching the forest and setting up the tents, Jon dives into the lake, only to find out the hard way that most of the water has evaporated due to the heat. The twins notice the flowers drying out and beg Jon to do something. Garfield is frustrated with their request, when an odd cloud forms above them. It begins raining, and everyone runs for cover, save for the twins, who want to play with Garfield and Odie and chase them out of the tents. Aunt Ivy calls Jon and he informs her of the rain, much to her confusion and frustration. The cloud then drops some snow, and then the wind picks up, and then it hails, and finally, it rains cheese sandwiches, which Garfield grabs and eats. Soon, the cloud leaves and floats above the forest. Jon, the pets, and the twins follow it to a house in the middle of the forest. Jon and the pets enter and see odd machinery run by a man who supposedly controls the weather. Before further explanation can be had, however, the episode is put on hold. The episode itself is fine, with some good humor here and there, (the slo-motion chase was pretty funny) but nothing exceptional in my opinion. The twins are not my favorite characters, but they aren't that annoying other than the "We wanna be there" scene. What I really like, though, is the fourth-wall breaks. When Jon gets the call on his cell phone, his ringtone is Garfield's theme song for the show. Garfield even notes how familiar the song is and asks Odie if he recognizes it. At the end, Garfield tells the viewers that he hopes that this episode is a two-parter at the very end. I am a sucker for fourth-wall breaks, and these examples are pretty good. But overall, there is nothing I hated about it, but I wouldn't put it in the upper-tier of episodes.
Score: 7.5/10 Great
Unfair Weather Part 2[]
Much like it's predecessor, this episode is solid as well. The man Jon and the pets met in Part 1 introduces himself as Hi Pressure, the latest in a long line of weather controllers. He explains how he controls the weather, and how it rained cheese sandwiches on Garfield and the others. Jon asks if he can stop the heatwave, but Pressure replies that he got bought out by a big company, Anthony Allwork's company. The rich businessman then shows up and demands Pressure stop trying to cool the weather down and then orders the operation be destroyed, and it literally is. Allwork reveals his true intentions: people are buying his cooling supplies, air conditioners and the like. Odie growls ferociously at him and he leaves in his limo, unaware that Garfield and Odie are stowing away in the trunk. Upon reaching Allwork's building, Garfield and Odie sneak around until they come to a room with Pressure's weather-controlling technology. Odie wonders what to do, and Garfield responds that they will be found and a chase will ensue. Sure enough, that happens, and Beasley the security guard chases them throughout the building. Garfield manages to dunk a bucket on Beasley's head, disorienting him and causing the weather maker to malfunction. It starts raining indoors, and the pets skedaddle. They stumble upon another room with a big buffet, and that gives Garfield an idea. He and Odie grab loads of food and return to the weather maker. Garfield puts all sorts of food into the machine, from chowder to canned ham, causing Allwork to bring Hi Pressure in after his technicians failed to figure out the problems. Pressure gets back in the saddle and considers giving it up, but not before letting it rain lasagnas over Jon's house as a thank you to Garfield. I like how this episode picks up immediately after Part 1 ended, which makes sense since this would've been shown immediately after its predecessor. Garfield's first line is a fourth-wall break, and I like that. Other than that, this episode is pretty OK, with a problem occurring and Garfield solving it. There is a lot of drama with the demolition of Hi Pressure's operation, and I like that. Though the twins are in this, they have like three scenes, which I am not complaining about. Odie indeed had a lot of screen time, but he was more Garfield's sidekick, taking a backseat to the fat cat while he came up with the ideas and whatnot. Odie did, however, give Garfield a helping paw when he carried a load of food in with him to the weather maker, and I also like the moment when he stood his ground and growled at Allwork. He stands up for what is right, quite a contrast to Garfield, who can be bought by snowcones. Credit where credit is due, though, Garfield backed Odie up, so he also disapproved of Allwork's actions. My favorite moment was probably the ending, when Garfield was watching it rain lasagnas and catching some in his mouth. He laughs like his dreams have come true in that scene, and they probably have in that moment. But overall, it's on par with Part 1. Some funny moments, but I would've liked to see Odie do more instead of just running around with Garfield. Regardless, there was nothing I hated, it is memorable, and that ending is great, and admittedly, that alone bumps the rating up.
Score: 8/10 Fantastic
Unfair Weather Overall[]
This is far from my favorite multi-part series in the show. Heck, it's not even my favorite in the season, but there is nothing terrible about it in the slightest. This series is just well-rounded, Odie gets a lot of screen time, and it has a good handful of fourth-wall breaks. I can never get enough of those fourth-wall breaks. While I think that the trope of Garfield saving the world is kind of overused, there is a creative story about a man controlling the weather. I can't bash this series, it's not bad enough for that, but it's not good enough to be one of the upper-tier episodes. Thus, it gets a respectable score, and nothing more.
Score: 7.75/10 Great