When cartoons use subtle continuity.

H

HAK

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This thread came from the thread debating Stand-Alone vs Subplot.\

Now while we have shows that use continuity, there will be some instances where it's employ in a subtle ambigous way so out of order airing doesn't hurt the story flow. Some instances I have:

1. Justice League "Secret Origins": (While not in order, it does maintain subtle continuity) After Superman is placed in charge of preserving peace throughout the countries. General Wells responded by saying "We can't entrust the safety of the entire world to one man, especially him!". The line in question refers to Superman aiding Darkseid in Superman The Animated Series episode Legacy. Since not all viewers would have watched Superman The Animated Series, the part I underlined was removed. As stated it now carries two meanings:

A. Wells is just being a practical about the world's safety.
B. Or for the fans, he doesn't feel safe about trusting the one who briefly served Darkseid.

2. Gargoyles "The Cage": Brooklyn took the lead in dealing with The Mutates as he is the Second In Command. In the event that the episode aired before Upgrade, his SIC status isn't refered to here.

3. Gargoyles "Double Jeopardy-The Price": Interactions between Matt and the Gargoyles were left out in the event these episodes aired before Revelations.

4. Gargoyles "Monsters": Brooklyn and the Clan wouldn't find out about the whole Avalon World Tour until Pendragon. Elisa calls Matt to give word on their whereabouts, so to keep this in continuity before or after Pendragon air, Matt's answering machine was full.
 
Men In Black the Series, was always interesting to me. Each episode was it's own complete plot, but as the seasons progressed, there were larger plots peppered around. We get introduced to Alpha in season one, and then he returns perodically throughout the entire series. I enjoyed seeing how he had changed, and to see the plot thicken as more about the agency's history was revealed.

The Alpha plot ultimately is what the series ended on, and I can't really complain. I was happy to see what they did with their episodes.
 
Futurama had slight. yet unnoticed until later, continuity nods since the first episode. Notice the shadow on the wall in the pilot, which is explained in the fourth season episode 'The Why of Fry'.
 
It is if you're a first time viewer. It's only after you've seen the entire run (Not including the GC), and on you're second viewing that you realize they're dropping hints that
Owen is Puck in disguise
in 'The Mirror' and 'City Of Stone, Part 1'.
 
South Park. There's a lot of continuity goofs, and the only stuff that has remained "solid" is Garrison's becoming a woman, and Kenny remaining dead for a year.
 
My understanding is that the writers themselves weren't sure what they were aiming for until around "Masks", when things really start happening.

(They never did answer why Slade wanted to destroy the city in "Forces of Nature". I like to imagine Robin asking Slade personally, only to find that it was "To make you ask questions.")
 
The first ones I listed had to downplay development in the event that the episodes aired out of order. For instance, if you didn't see Upgrade (or had it aired after The Cage), you could go with the notion that Brooklyn was just taking charge rather than following his roll of Second In Command.
 
I do remember they aired the episode meant to precede the Avalon mini-series some weeks early, before Upgrade and things did seem a little off to me. But I was really hardcore on the show from the first time I watched it.
 
Hmm... South Park always struck me as having fairly strong continuity (by TV standards)---that "Imaginationland" trilogy made reference/use of two previous episodes (that ManBearPig thing and the "Christmas Critters"), for instance...
 
Or in Ladder to Heaven, where George Bush gives his speach about why they believe Saddam was in heaven. Southpark actually has pretty strong 'continuity,' in an absurdist sort of way.
 
Well, okay, I should say it had frequent continuity breaks, prior to now, Simpsons on the other hand, IT has a lot of continuity breaks, even FG had that for a while...
 
Let's not forget old school TMNT. While the first 2 seasons had a stiffer continuity, there was always the continuity of the Technodrome being trapped somewhere, and having to come out- effectively getting stuck somewhere else.
 
In terms of "subtle", I'd say Hey Arnold after they introduced Lorenzo. There was an episode that introduced him and focused on him, but after that he didn't have any other rolls. However, you could see him in the background for numerous future episodes, even if he never did anything.

Or any show that does that, I guess.
 
Lorenzo actually had a second appearance, and he also had a major role there. He's first introduced in "Rich Kid", and then shows up again in "Arnold's Room".

The funny thing is, "Arnold's Room" originally aired before "Rich Kid", despite the fact "Rich Kid" was produced and meant to air first. Why this happened, I have no idea, but it certainly screwed up continuity for those who followed the show on the first run.
 
I blame Nickelodeon for airing there show out of order. The only animated show I see on Nick that does air episode in order is Avatar for obvious reasons.

I think Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends has subtle continuity like the Episode "The Buck Swap Here" where Bloo was trying to get I think it was a Mongoose and Snake fighting display figure, the guy was over charging and Bloo was about to call him a rip-off artist, while Mac stopped him and said "No! Not Again!" referencing Store Wars episode I believe.

I think that counts for something.
 
correction, in JL "Secret Origins", General Wells never exclaimed "especially Him!" He did emphasize the folly of entrusting global security to one man. Superman was the one who then alluded to his past transgressions by "working hard over the years to regain your trust."
 
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