The Off-Beats - An Off-Beats Valentine's Special - Toonstalgia

 The Off-Beats - An Off-Beats Valentine's Special

Toonstalgia

Brief

The Off-Beats hope for romance on Valentine's Day.

Thoughts

This special proved the show worked in a longer format.

The Off-Beats reminds me Peanuts cartoons in the best ways. I couldn't stop thinking about the iconic Peanuts Christmas dance scene.

Tommy stands up for himself. The end between Beth and Tommy is an honest ending. Beth has shown she doesn't have a strong sense of self. She isn't confident and won't stand up to Tina even though she's making herself unhappy. Tommy respects himself enough to draw a line. When the Off-Beats are together, they respect each other and want to help each other.

Simple Details I Love: Tommy sings the melody first stuck in his head in "Tommy's Song". February is a cat who lands on her head. Tommy refers to the "Populars clump", meaning they just accept that a bunch of kids walk around as a single unit and even sleep in that unit which is so weird to think about. I love having details like these to notice.

Details, Details

Tina gives Tommy a nasty Valentine then forces him to shred the card to avoid getting into trouble. While forcing Tommy to shred the Valentine, Beth and Tommy develop romantic feelings for each other. 

Grubby Groo is holding a Valentine's Day dance at his Ad Hoc Cafe. Repunzil is excited but Betty Anne is disdainful towards the holiday. September is sad thinking about his absent love, February. Tommy hides his new romance from his friends. He confides in September who relates to his romantic woes.

Tommy sends Beth a Valentine. Beth sneaks away from the Populars clump. Tommy and Beth begin their secret relationship. Repunzil develops a crush on Tommy. Tommy flees from Repunzil's effort to give him a Valentine.

August asks for Betty Anne's coaching in how to treat girls. Tommy tells Betty Anne about his secret relationship with Beth. Tommy covertly steals seconds with Beth behind the Populars clump's back.

Tommy begins to feel unsatisfied in his relationship with Beth. Betty Anne breaks the news to Repunzil that Tommy has a girlfriend. Repunzil is sad but dedicates herself to helping her friends find love. Betty Anne is instantly infatuated with Grubby Groo's nephew Brad. August continues to seek his Valentine. 

During a late night meeting, Beth and Tommy decide to reveal their relationship by slow dancing together at the Valentine's Dance. August gives Tina a Valentine using the Heartrometer 4000. It doesn't go well.

Everyone converges on the Valentine's Dance. September reunites with February. Betty Anne asks Brad to dance. He agrees and she immediately passes out. August dances with a gadget.

When Tommy and Beth get their chance to dance together, Beth mocks him to save face with the Populars. Repunzil comes to Tommy's defense and tells them to stop mocking her friend. Repunzil offers her unconditional support and friendship. Beth goes to talk to Tommy. He breaks up with her because he wants to be in a relationship with someone who will be honest about their relationship.

After the dance is over, the Off-Beats dance together at Cafe Ad Hoc.