YMMV / Carl's Date

• Funny Moments:
  • When Dug calls Beta "Alpha", Beta reminds Dug that Dug is the alpha now. Dug smugly says, "That's right. I am Alpha." Carl just rolls his eyes.
  • While pretending to be Ms. Meyer to help Carl practice, Dug is told to say "anything" in response to Carl's typical small talk. The result:
    Carl: A new town swimming pool, great idea.
    Dug: I like bugs.
    Carl: Yes, it does look like a cold front is coming in.
    Dug: I chew on your shoes.
    Carl: (fake laughs) You are so witty.
    Dug: I like to roll in poo.
    Carl: (pause. glares at Dug)
  • Dug has such a bad reaction to Carl's cologne he rolls into the door frame. He finds relief by sticking his nose in a plunger.
• Fridge Horror: If Carl and Ms. Meyer get serious in the future and the dogs are considered quasi-children to the humans, Dug and Beta would basically become step-brothers.
• Heartwarming Moments:
  • It's revealed that all of Muntz's dogs have been happily adopted, even Beta! (formerly Alpha)
  • Dug offers to go with Carl on the date as his "chaperone"/moral support by holding up his leash and, in the gentlest tone we've ever heard from Dug, says, "I will go too."
  • Carl talks to a photograph of him and Ellie before going on the date, saying she'll always be his girl.
• Just Here for Godzilla: The short was a must-see for viewers due to the passing of Ed Asner before its release, making this short the final time they'd hear Asner in the role that introduced him to a whole new generation of fans back in 2009. Some said it was worth the ticket price for Elemental just to see the short.
• Misaimed Fandom: The fans who had a negative reaction to the idea of Carl dating anyone besides Ellie can safely be said to have missed some of the message of Up entirely, given that film was entirely about Carl learning to move on from the death of his wife and moving forward without her.
• Tainted by the Preview: Some fans had an initially negative reaction to the announcement of the short, due to the fact that it would mean Carl might be moving on from fan-favorite character Ellie. However, once further details were released that Carl only reluctantly accepted the offer from a lady friend, this eased up, though some still saw it as an Audience-Alienating Premise. The short itself showed Carl still very much in love with Ellie and simply seeking out a new adventure, as Ellie asked him to do.