The Hard Easy (Adventure Time)

Last updated
"The Hard Easy"
Adventure Time episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 23
Directed by
Written by Tom Herpich
Skyler Page
Story by Patrick McHale
Kent Osborne
Pendleton Ward
Production code1008-100 [1]
Original air dateOctober 1, 2012 (2012-10-01)
Running time11 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Ignition Point"		Next →
"Reign of Gunters"
Adventure Time season 4
List of episodes

"The Hard Easy" is the twenty-third episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time . The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on October 1, 2012. The episode guest stars Brian Doyle-Murray as Prince Huge and Jonathan Katz as the Mudscamp elder.

Contents

The series follows the adventures of Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada), a human boy, and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake (voiced by John DiMaggio), a dog with magical powers to change shape and grow and shrink at will. In this episode, a group of Mudscamps asks Finn and Jake to protect them from the Mega Frog, their predator. Finn eventually learns that the Mega Frog is actually a cursed prince, and only a kiss can break the spell.

Katz originally was supposed to have appeared in the third season episode "The New Frontier", but scheduling conflicts resulted in him being unable to voice a character for the show until this episode. "The Hard Easy", which was advertised as the 100th episode of the series, was viewed by 2.643 million viewers, and received largely positive reviews from television critics.

Plot

During a rainy day, Finn and Jake are approached by a mudscamp named Woobeewoo (voiced by Kent Osborne), who pleads with the heroes to help save his village. Agreeing to help, Finn and Jake appear before the village elder (voiced by Jonathan Katz) who reveals that their community is under attack by a giant Mega Frog that apparently tries to eat them. Finn and Jake agree to find the beast and stop it, and they set off.

While in the forest, Finn and Jake think they see the Mega Frog, but it turns out to be a wooden effigy. However, behind them, the Mega Frog appears, and he attempts to eat them. Finn and Jake flee into a cave, but the frog gives chase. Then and there, Finn realizes that the frog is not trying to eat them, but rather kiss them; Finn summons up his courage and leaps towards the frog, giving him a kiss that turns the monster into Prince Huge (voiced by Brian Doyle-Murray). The prince thanks the two, noting that he had been cursed for some time, even though he had tried to break his own curse.

Production

"The Hard Easy" was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story developed by series creator Pendleton Ward, Patrick McHale, and Kent Osborne. [2] The opening of the episode, featuring Finn and Jake looking for a source of water to swim in, was based on Herpich's experience trying to find swimming holes in North Carolina. [3] The episode guest stars Brian Doyle-Murray appears as Prince Huge and Jonathan Katz as Mudscamp Elder. Katz was originally supposed to have played the role of Banana Man in the third season episode "The New Frontier", but he was unavailable at the time of recording; musical comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic subsequently filled the role. [4] One of Katz's lines was actually a modification of one of Herpich's jokes. Ward was so pleased with the addition that he kept it in the final cut of the episode. [3] [5]

Reception

"The Hard Easy" first aired on Cartoon Network on October 1, 2012. The episode was widely advertised as the 100th episode of the series. While it was the 100th episode produced, it was the 101st to air. [6] The episode was seen by 2.643 million viewers, and received a 0.6 rating in the 18–49 demographic. This means it was seen by 0.6 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of the episode's airing. [7] The episode first saw physical release as part of the 2013 DVD, Jake the Dad, which included 16 episodes from the series' fourth and fifth seasons. [8] It was later re-released as part of the complete fourth season DVD in October 2014. [9]

Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club awarded the episode an "A−", writing that it "shows exactly why this show has become so successful with variations on that central idea." [6] He felt that while the episode was not "too crazy for the milestone story" the "simple yet striking character designs, stylized dialogue, intense action, clever comedy, and generally chill atmosphere combine to create a delightful burst of animated whimsy, light and frothy but still substantial." [6] Sava argued that the episode took elements from the fairy tales Hansel and Gretel and The Frog Prince , but managed to tweak and change them "through this show's psychedelic toilet filter". [6] Sava was particularly pleased with the Prince's transformation near the end of the episode, describing it thus: "The animation is breathtaking as the frog skin melts away to reveal a human skeleton, which grows nerves and muscles and skin and clothes that form a jolly prince, who has been trying to break his curse for ages." [6]

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Director
  2. ↑ Creative director
  3. ↑ Art director

Related Research Articles

<i>Adventure Time</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of Adventure Time, an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward, premiered on Cartoon Network on November 12, 2012 and concluded on March 17, 2014, and was produced by Frederator Studios and Cartoon Network Studios. The season follows the adventures of Finn, a human boy, and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake, a dog with magical powers to change shape and size at will. Finn and Jake live in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, where they interact with the other main characters of the show: Princess Bubblegum, The Ice King, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Lumpy Space Princess, BMO, and Flame Princess.

<i>Adventure Time</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of Adventure Time, an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward, premiered on Cartoon Network on April 2, 2012 and concluded on October 22, 2012, and was produced by Frederator Studios and Cartoon Network Studios. The season follows the adventures of Finn, a human boy, and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake, a dog with magical powers to change shape and size at will. Finn and Jake live in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, where they interact with the other main characters of the show: Princess Bubblegum, The Ice King, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Lumpy Space Princess, BMO, and Flame Princess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyond This Earthly Realm</span> 11th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Beyond This Earthly Realm" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Ako Castuera and Jesse Moynihan, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on June 11, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lich</span> 26th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"The Lich" is the twenty-sixth episode and season finale of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on October 22, 2012. The episode guest starred Lou Ferrigno as Billy, and Ron Perlman as the Lich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death in Bloom</span> 17th episode of the 2nd season of Adventure Time

"Death in Bloom" is the seventeenth episode of the second season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Jesse Moynihan and Cole Sanchez, from a story by Mark Banker, Kent Osborne, Patrick McHale, and series creator Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on February 28, 2011. The episode guest stars Miguel Ferrer as Death; Ferrer would later reprise his role in the fourth season episode "Sons of Mars".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be More</span> 28th episode of the 5th season of Adventure Time

"Be More" is the twenty-eighth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. It was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Steve Wolfhard, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, Pendleton Ward, Rebecca Sugar, Herpich, and Wolfhard. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on July 22, 2013. The episode guest stars Aziz Ansari as DMO, Paul F. Tompkins as the SMOs, and Chuck McCann as Moe.

Sons of Mars (<i>Adventure Time</i>) 15th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Sons of Mars" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Ako Castuera and Jesse Moynihan, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on July 23, 2012. The episode guest stars Tom Gammill, Miguel Ferrer, and Melissa Villaseñor.

Too Young (<i>Adventure Time</i>) 5th episode of the 3rd season of Adventure Time

"Too Young" is the fifth episode of the third season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Jesse Moynihan and Tom Herpich, from a story by Mark Banker, Kent Osborne, Patrick McHale, and series creator Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on August 8, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Five Short Graybles</span> 2nd episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Five Short Graybles" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich, Skyler Page, and Cole Sanchez, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on April 9, 2012. The episode guest stars Emo Philips as Cuber.

"Return to the Nightosphere" and "Daddy's Little Monster" are the fifth and sixth episodes of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. "Return to the Nightosphere" was written and storyboarded by Ako Castuera and Jesse Moynihan, whereas "Daddy's Little Monster" was written and storyboarded by Rebecca Sugar and Cole Sanchez. Both episodes' stories were developed by series creator Pendleton Ward, Patrick McHale, and Kent Osborne. Originally airing on Cartoon Network on April 30, 2012, both episodes feature the return of Martin Olson as Hunson Abadeer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Your Footsteps</span> 7th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"In Your Footsteps" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on April 30, 2012. The episode guest stars Eric Bauza as a bear and features Ward voicing the Lich-possessed snail.

Goliad (<i>Adventure Time</i>) 10th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Goliad" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on June 4, 2012. The episode guest stars Graham Linehan's children, Wendy and Henry.

Gotcha! (<i>Adventure Time</i>) 12th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Gotcha!" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Cole Sanchez and Rebecca Sugar, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on June 18, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Cookie</span> 13th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Princess Cookie" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on June 18, 2012. The episode guest stars Donald Faison as Baby-Snaps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMO Noire</span> 17th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"BMO Noire" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Skyler Page, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on August 6, 2012. The episode guest stars Andy Milonakis as N.E.P.T.R.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Made Me</span> 20th episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"You Made Me" is the twentieth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Jesse Moynihan, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on August 27, 2012. The episode guest stars Justin Roiland as the Earl of Lemongrab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Would Win</span> 21st episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Who Would Win" is the twenty-first episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Ako Castuera and Jesse Moynihan, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on September 3, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ignition Point</span> 22nd episode of the 4th season of Adventure Time

"Ignition Point" is the twenty-second episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Somvilay Xayaphone and Bert Youn, from a story by Patrick McHale, Kent Osborne, and Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on September 17, 2012. The episode guest stars Keith David as Flame King and Paul F. Tompkins as Furnius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Thief</span> 11th episode of the 3rd season of Adventure Time

"Apple Thief" is the name of the eleventh episode of the third season of the American animated television series Adventure Time. The episode was written and storyboarded by Tom Herpich and Bert Youn, from a story by Mark Banker, Kent Osborne, Patrick McHale, and series creator Pendleton Ward. It originally aired on Cartoon Network on October 3, 2011 and guest stars Ron Lynch as Mr. Pig.

References

  1. ↑ "Shows A-Z, Adventure Time With Finn and Jake". The Futon Critic . Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ Leichliter, Larry (director); Nate Cash (creative director); Nick Jennings (art director); Tom Herpich & Skyler Page (storyboard artists) (October 1, 2012). "The Hard Easy". Adventure Time. Season 4. Episode 23. Cartoon Network.
  3. 1 2 Herpich, Tom (2014). "The Hard Easy". Adventure Time: The Complete Fourth Season (DVD commentary track). Los Angeles: Cartoon Network.
  4. ↑ Webb, Charles (April 28, 2011). "It's 'Adventure Time' With Series Creator Pendleton Ward". MTV Geek. MTV. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  5. ↑ Ward, Pendleton (2014). "The Hard Easy". Adventure Time: The Complete Fourth Season (DVD commentary track). Los Angeles: Cartoon Network.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Sava, Oliver (October 1, 2012). "Review: Adventure Time: 'The Hard Easy'". The A.V. Club . The Onion . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Football' Wins Night, 'Major Crimes', 'Warehouse 13', 'Switched at Birth', 'Alphas', 'WWE Raw', & More". TV by the Numbers . Zap2it. October 2, 2012. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  8. ↑ Leichliter, Larry et al. (2013). Jake the Dad (DVD). Warner Home Video.
  9. ↑ "Cartoon Network-Adventure Time-Complete 4th Season". Amazon. June 27, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.