Octi Evil

"Octi Evil" is the fifth episode of Season 1. It first aired on Cartoon Network in the United States on December 2, 1998.

Synopsis[]

Blossom and Buttercup's relationship becomes strained as a result of Blossom's dogmatic leadership and Buttercup's recklessness. The two begin to bicker, which makes Bubbles cry and seek refuge in her doll, Octi. This causes HIM to come up with an insidious scheme: making Octi talk, and manipulating the Powerpuff Girls into psychologically destroying themselves.

Plot[]

The City of Townsville is under siege by a three-headed Snake Beast. Though the girls are quick to dispatch the offending beast, Blossom gets mad at Buttercup for disobeying her; Buttercup denies throwing the beast so hard at Blossom that it results in unnecessary collateral damage to buildings in the area. Buttercup comes to think that Blossom is bossing her around for no real reason. Their bickering upsets Bubbles, making her hide in her bedroom and cry. None of the girls has a clue that their activities are being remotely monitored by a force embittered by the girl's otherwise heroic acts. It's HIM, upset at the girls' knack for victory against evil, as well as their passion to oppose it. As so often, HIM is sickened by their heroism, until he watches Bubbles crying and talking to her beloved stuffed octopus doll Octi. This gives him an evil idea.

Back at home, Blossom and Buttercup continue their feuding, while Bubbles shelters herself away in her room again. HIM grabs his microphone and speaks to her, posing as the voice of Octi. An unsuspecting Bubbles is surprised at first, but then she simply cries her heart out. HIM acts kind and understanding, winning Bubble's trust in the process. As he talks to her, he suggests his own opinions, including that Blossom is too bossy for her own good and that Buttercup should be leading the forces that are the Powerpuff Girls.

The next day, when trouble arises from a giant monster resembling a turtle, Blossom orders Bubbles to leave Octi behind. HIM convinces Bubbles into challenging Blossom's authority and leadership style. After seeing an attack pattern fail, Bubbles (per "Octi"'s suggestions) suggests to Buttercup that she should do what she wants to do, and not follow Blossom's instructions, which Buttercup happily accepts. Having earned Bubbles's trust, HIM worsens the relationship between Blossom and Buttercup while forcing his opinions on Bubbles. This leads to an impetuous act of insubordination involving the destruction of a nearby water tower, the near-death of a senior citizen with limited mobility, and the somewhat reckless defeat of the monster.

That night, Blossom and Buttercup's disputes over reckless behavior and allegedly poor leadership erupt into physical combat, only to be quelled by the angry Professor giving them a warning to separate them. Meanwhile, Bubbles is brought to more tears, until HIM reveals himself. He reveals to her that Blossom and Buttercup's fighting resulted from her naiveté; not only does she believe that her toys could really talk, but she is willing to obey whatever instructions they provide. This revelation of exploitation fuels Bubbles' pursuit of HIM as he is destroying Townsville, only to be immobilized.

Upon hearing Bubbles' cries for help, Blossom and Buttercup dart into the city to help, but they are stalled by the hostility between them. It is not until they hear their sister cry out in distress that they put aside their differences and rescue her. They work together to fight the Octi monster, restoring the peace between them and defeating HIM. As Blossom and Buttercup apologize to each other, they conclude that, as often as internal differences may arise between each other, they should not let it get so bad that it interferes with their mission, even if it means that Bubbles is there to remind them of that.

Characters[]

Major Roles[]

Minor Roles[]

Quotes[]

Narrator: It seems once again, the day is saved. But what’s this?

[All these events are taking place on TV. The set is in a room with a single decorating theme—pink, pink, and even more pink. A silhouetted figure is watching.]

Narrator: It appears our girls are secretly being monitored, but by whom? (panicky, terror-stricken) Oh, no! Not— I—I—I can’t say it! This is a villain so evil, so sinister, so horribly vile that even the utterance of his name strikes fear into the hearts of men! (low voice, ominous) The only safe way to refer to this king of darkness is simply… …“Him”.

Narrator: So, after saving the day, the girls return home for some peace and quiet.

Blossom: Shut up, Buttercup!!!

Narrator: Well, maybe not.

Buttercup (to Blossom): No, YOU shut up!!

Blossom: (to Buttercup): YOU shut up!!

Professor: Girls, stop that arguing.

[Octi has just exploded leaving "HIM" defeated after Blossom and Buttercup made up and rescued Bubbles]

Buttercup: (from inside the house) Phew. I'm glad that's over. Hey, Blossom, I'm sorry about fighting with you.

[Cut to the girls in beanbag chairs]

Blossom: Me, too. You know, we're lucky to have a sister like Bubbles, who was only trying to remind us that we're a team.

Buttercup: Yeah, and that any personal differences we've got shouldn't stop us from saving the day and stuff.

Bubbles: (giggles) For all my hard work, I should be the leader.

[Blossom and Buttercup becomes a little surprised by this, then the girls all laugh]

Narrator: (chuckles) You tell 'em, Bubbles. (the standard end shot comes up) So once again, the day is saved - thanks to the Powerpuff Girls.

Trivia[]

Moral: Arguing will get you nowhere; it's best to work together.
The monster which appears in the beginning of this episode resembles a Hydra, a real reptile-like creature with multiple heads.
The episode never explains how Bubbles gets Octi back.
This is the first time Blossom and Buttercup have argued. They eventually argue again in "Three Girls and a Monster".
- It is also the first instance of the girls turning against each other in general. Other examples of this are in "A Very Special Blossom" and "Simian Says".
- Chronologically, the first time the girls argue is in The Powerpuff Girls Movie.
This is the only episode where Octi's facial expression changes from its lazy smile; it becomes a wicked smile when Him possesses it and begins destroying Townsville.
This is the first appearance of Him. This is also the first time that he uses Bubbles for his own personal gain. This would happen again in "All Chalked Up".
This is the first episode where its opening phrase "The City of Townsville..." is followed by "is under attack", making it also the first episode that opens during a siege in Townsville.
This is the first episode to have Octi's name in the episode title, the second being "Octi Gone".
During the fight against Octi, the sides of Blossom and Buttercup's heads are seen for the first time as they face each other.
There is an episode of Powerpuff Girls Z called "It's All Because of Him" with a very similar plot.
HIM's plans in this episode are similar to the plans of Satan from Abrahamic religions: to tempt everyone into chaos and evil, exploiting weaknesses to destroy lives and turn others from God (also from Abrahamic religions). This further implies that HIM represents the devil in this show.

Errors[]

After Bubbles is taken away with Octi, Blossom appears to be in the bedroom but is oblivious to Bubbles being taken away.
When Blossom and Buttercup are telling each other to shut up, they are speaking in one another's voices.
As Bubbles said "You're-", her mouth does not move as she continues and says "Him!".