Analysis as to why "Who's the Animal" is one of the best episodes in the show
Yeah, so I've been using S1 Alvinnn episodes as background music as I draw brawl stars characters, and I came across this episode that sent a wave of nostalgia that no other episode has done so far. It also taught me that this is the FIRST TIME I'd watch this episode in over seven years, which is wild to say the least.
The premise of the episode is interesting, Alvin has lost his voice and due to some complications, ends up being swapped with a Tasmanian Devil. Right off the bat, using such an exotic animal is already a welcome choice, I also really enjoy the reference to Looney Toones' Taz. Though this episode is the one that taught me that the Tasmanian Devil is a real animal.
I always found this episode quite fascinating to watch, the premise is both cliché and exotic at the same time, and I love it.
Seeing Alvin so passionate about the Taz is just a really sweet aspect of his character, and really made me appreciate him in this episode. The switch itself oddly enough had enough ground to make sense from a writing perspective. Alvin had lost his voice and sounded like an animal, and the complex of Theodore and Simon assuming Taz's weird behaviour were symptoms actually made sense.
I also adore how when Taz decks Theodore in the face, he immediately realises that it isn't Alvin. It's honestly so perfectly in-tune with his character and I love it.
Speaking of him, I really liked the Simon/Dave/Theodore dynamic, it's not explored enough and we generally don't get enough Dave. His screaming and the boys to let taz have the salad will never not be funny.
When I was a kid, I watched this show on POP, and I was today years old when I realised that it cut scenes. I was actually caught off guard when the guy told Alvin "it's gonna hurt". It was even worse when the tranquilliser dart moment came along, because I did not remember watching that as a kid. And I can confidently say that I've watched this episode at least 8 times as a kid.
The episode doesn't feel cramped and I really like how the sense of urgency was portrayed. The actual situation is oddly messed up the more I think about it, and it's fascinating that they were able to make a story surrounding this without it being too weird. Especially considering a lot of this show's episodes are better conceptially than in execution.
Also, hearing Alvin talk was oddly refreshing after his mute-ness for the entire episode, and while we're on the topic of voices, I love Simon's in this episode. It's higher pitched than normal and sounds more akin to the CGI movies.
Finally we have the song. And, I can go on about how this show's songs are super underrated, but this one is one of the best examples. It does not feel like an annoying interlude, as it's placed in a narrativly understandable point in the episode, the song itself is also just fire in every aspect.
It also fits the theme of the episode and overall just slaps.
Also, any episode that acknowledges that the chipmunks are celebs is automatically a W 90% of the time.