The Magic School Bus In A Pickle
Original airdate: October 21st, 1995
Subject: Microbes
Focus Student(s): Keesha, Arnold
Keesha's cucumber has gone missing, and a pickle has replaced it. She deduces that since Ms. Frizzle had the only key that her teacher was responsible for the theft, which Ms. Frizzle admits. During the classroom trial that follows, Ms. Frizzle teaches the class about the Microbe Gang, the "criminals" that change vegetables into things they're not.
Producers Segment
The male producer answers the questions about the episode while writing on a clipboard. While this is happening, Liz attempts to make a pizza.
Tropes
- And There Was Much Rejoicing: At the end of the trial.D.A.: Members of the jury, have you reached your verdict?Carlos, Ralphie, Phoebe and Wanda: We the jury find Ms. Frizzle innocent of all charges! Yaaaaaaay!
- Borrowed Catchphrase: This time, it's Arnold's turn to say "To the bus!"
- Calling the Old Man Out: Keesha is mad at Ms. Frizzle for taking her cucumber since it won first prize.
- Can't Believe I Said That: Evoked nearly word for word when Arnold realizes he just said "Maybe we need to shrink some more."
- Continuity Nod: Arnold in "The Haunted House" mentioned that he'd go study to be a lawyer to get Carlos out of a "dungeon". Here he shows that he has the makings of a defense attorney.
- Courtroom Episode: Keesha insists on putting Ms. Frizzle on trial for the loss of her cucumber and it being turned into a pickle.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: Arnold, when Ms. Frizzle suggests taking the trial on a field trip.Arnold: We're taking the court on a field trip! ...A field trip!? What am I saying?!
- Genre Blind: Ms. Frizzle insists on being completely honest during her trial, even with Arnold trying to get her "clear of all wrongdoing". Justified in that she wants to teach the class, and it's not a real trial.
- Hypocritical Heartwarming: Arnold serves as Ms. Frizzle's defense lawyer, despite getting intimidated on her field trips.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Arnold suggests taking the class on a field trip to find the Microbe Gang and later suggests they need to shrink more. Lampshaded both times.
- Out-of-Genre Experience: Subverted. Despite this being a Courtroom Episode, Ms. Frizzle intends to educate while on trial.
- Shout-Out: Ms. Frizzle's serial number shown in her mugshot is 24601.
- That Was Objectionable: Arnold objects to "being the smallest defense attorney in history". In fact, most of his defense is raising objections.
