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"You don't pull barges from the side!"
— Theodore
DifferentStrokes,DifferentBoats114
Different Strokes - Different Boats
Director(s)

Robert D. Cardona

Producer(s)

Andrew Cochran

Writer(s)

Jeff Rosen

Narrator

The Harbour Master
(Denny Doherty)
Jan Nonhof (Dutch Dub)

Air date

July 9th 1993

Previous episode

Foduck the Vigilant

Next episode

Hank and
the Mermaid

Different Strokes - Different Boats is the fifth episode of the first season.

Plot

Theodore is given the job to move a barge named Barrington. Theodore likes moving barges because no pilot boats are around to go along. Barrington is waiting for Theodore with a load of pipes to take to the oil refinery. Theodore ties his tow rope onto the barge and sets off. Moving barges can be tricky, because they go one way as the tugboat goes the other. So as Theodore is getting close to Blankston buoy (who is mistaken for Bedford), Theodore goes one way, and Barrington goes the other. But Theodore has him going around Blankston the way he is going. Pearl tells him he's doing a good job. And that makes Theodore feel good.

Next day during the morning work meeting, the Dispatcher tells Emily she needs to lift marker buoys so they can be repainted. But Emily frowns at that. Then he tells Hank that he'll be moving Barrington, and for Theodore to teach him. Theodore is stunned. Hank hasn't had the chance to move a barge before. And he hasn't taught anyone anything before. So, they set off to fetch Barrington. Then Theodore realizes Hank's anchor is dangling again, and reminds him to tuck it in. As they reach Barrington, Hank goes around the side of the small barge, much to Theodore's disappointment. Because tugboats don't pull barges from the side. But Hank thinks if he can pull ships that way, he could do the same with barges. So, he pulls Barrington away to the oil refinery, and Barrington doesn't bounce at all through the whole trip. Probably because Hank is doing just fine. Theodore is cross and chases after Hank. Meanwhile, Emily is having a hard time lifting Blankston out of the water. Theodore is teaching Hank the difficulty of moving barges around something. But it doesn't really matter, because Barrington goes exactly the way Hank is turning. Hank thanks Theodore for teaching him, but he thinks it's all wrong. And that makes him sad.

Next morning, the Dispatcher tells Hank and Theodore that Pearl is going with them to observe what Theodore taught Hank, and to test if he's ready to move barges by himself. Theodore isn't sure about it, but they go anyway to pick up Barrington. Theodore begs for Hank to pull from the front. And even though it doesn't feel right to him, he complies. On the way to the oil refinery, Hank is really nervous and bounces off Barrington. And Barrington bounces in the water. Theodore even tells him about which way a barge should go, but Hank is too confused about which way to go. Meanwhile, Emily tries to lift Blankston out of the water again. She is trying to get him on her deck, but he keeps falling back in the water. And she is about to give up. But then comes trouble. Hank hasn't tucked in his anchor again and he gets caught on Blankston. And that causes Emily to rock from side to side and Barrington to spill some pipes. Pearl goes back to report to the Dispatcher with a disappointed look. Hank assumes he has failed. And Theodore knows he is to blame. But he does teach Emily about lifting buoys. She should simply lift Blankston to the side of her. Emily never does it that way, but she'll try. And it works. She thanks Theodore, but he's thinking of different things and how they work.

Theodore and Hank return to the dock. The Dispatcher is waiting for them and tells them that there are two barges to move. But Pearl gave him her report on Hank and tells Theodore he'll have to do them alone. Hank is still feeling upset about failing his test, but Theodore tells him he is ready to move barges. Both Hank and the Dispatcher are surprised. But Theodore explains Hank doesn't do a good job pulling barges his way but is great moving them his way. The Dispatcher thinks about it, while Theodore and Hank compliment the way they move barges their own way. And they set off together to move the two barges.

Characters

Trivia

  • The episode title is a take on the phrase "Different Strokes for Different Folks".
  • The scene of Theodore going under Benjamin Bridge is used in the opening of the show.
    • Also, part of the episode (with the footage sped up) was featured in a PBS Kids promo from 2001, called "Use your Imagination," which was released on several PBS Kids VHSs from 2001-2004. During the scene, Carla's horn can be heard.
  • First appearance of Barrington.
  • This is probably the second episode to be filmed in the series, after Is Anybody Listening? That's because The Dispatcher is missing the insignia on his hat, as well as Bedford still being on the model of Blankston.
  • This is the final episode to be dubbed into French.

Goofs

  • When Hank is having a hard time pulling Barrington Theodore's way, Theodore keeps swapping places next to Hank and Barrington. Also, when Hank says "I don't think I can pull from the front", Theodore appears to steer off course and then immediately stop.
  • Throughout most of the episode, Barrington's eyebrows are falling off.
  • When Hank is heading towards Blankston, the buoy is facing Willy's Island, but when Hank hits him, the buoy is facing towards Emily. Also, Blankston appears to be behind Emily, but in the next scene, he is beside her.
  • Theodore's head moves a little when he keeps telling Hank his instructions.
  • Blankston is mistaken for Bedford.
  • In the last scene, The Dispatcher is missing the insignia on his hat.
  • When Theodore is pulling Barrington around Blankston, a studio light can be seen just above Benjamin Bridge.
  • When Theodore is being told to teach Hank to move barges, Hank's underwater mechanism is visible.

Video Release

In Other Languages

Language Name Meaning
Dutch Leder Zijn Eigen Manier Each In His Own Way
French A Chacun sa Methade To Each his Own Method

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