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"You know Theodore, if you were to get your V-Word today, I know just what it would be!"
— Emily
TheodoretheVegetableHeader
Theodore the Vegetable
Director(s)

Robert D. Cardona

Producer(s)

Andrew Cochran

Writer(s)

Kathy MacLellan

Narrator

The Harbour Master
(Denny Doherty)

Air date

July 16th, 1993

Previous episode

Theodore and
the Welcome

Next episode

The Day Ice Came
to the Harbour

Theodore the Vegetable is the tenth episode of the first season.

Plot

Theodore and Hank often think about the day when they would be able to go out on the ocean and have their own V-Words like Emily the Vigorous, George the Valliant, or Foduck the Vigilant. And they wonder what their V-Words would be. Theodore likes Valuable, or Very Valuable. Hank likes Volcano. But Theodore knows it's gonna be a while before he and Hank get their V-Words. And the important thing a tug needs to learn is how to pull ships. And neither he or Hank had the chance pull ships by themselves. The Dispatcher calls for the morning work meeting. But only Theodore and Hank are present. He can tell this is going to be a problem as Emily is still out in the ocean and won't be back for a few hours, George is towing Tex the Oil Rig down the coast and won't be back for a few days, and Foduck is moving anchored ships in the middle of the harbour. And none of them will be available to bring a cargo ship named Julia in. So he disappointingly tells Theodore and Hank that tomorrow will be a busy day and turns away. Hank thinks this is his and Theodore's big chance to bring the ship in. But Theodore is doubtful as he's not a puller yet. Hank nudges Theodore to ask the Dispatcher. The Dispatcher hears all this and asks Theodore if he's ready to do it. Theodore groans a big groan, thinking Hank got him into something he can't get out of.

Theodore and Hank are on their way to meet Julia at the mouth of the harbour. But Theodore isn't sure how he feels about being the tug in charge when Hank asks. Hank thinks they'll be sure to get their V-Words now. Theodore would be Voyager, off to see the seas in the world, and Hank would be Volcano, like he always dreamt about. But Theodore's still not sure. Hank reassures him he'll be helping him. Theodore then tells him to tuck in his anchor. Which Hank does, and he tells Theodore that he's already a great tug in charge. Theodore soon starts to feel better as he can't stop smiling at his friend. So they continue on while they think of V-Words.

When Theodore and Hank arrive to meet Julia, they see that she's a very large cargo ship. And she doesn't seem friendly. Suddenly, Theodore's doubts come right back. He introduces himself and Hank to Julia. Julia tells them pushers go in the back. But Theodore tells her he will be her puller. Julia is doubtful, but Theodore tells her he pulled before. Barges mostly. Julia isn't sure Theodore can be a puller. But her favorite dock in the harbour was opened, and she's carrying fresh vegetables that have to be unloaded. So she gives Theodore and Hank a chance. But if they make a mistake, then she would complain.

Theodore and Hank button on to Julia, and begin to pull her in. Theodore likes being up in front cause he can see everything and feels important pulling a big ship into the harbour. He even toots his horn like George or Emily to signal that everything is clear. Then Pearl arrives to help guide. But Theodore starts to worry again. Pilot boats usually watch carefully to make sure the tugboat does everything right. Pearl can see this is Theodore's first pull and is very impressed. Then she asks if he'll arrive on time. Theodore can see Hank is still in position and reassures her that they'll be there in no time. Pearl goes to check on Hank. Then they reach Willy's Island. Julia tells Theodore he better start turning. But Theodore doesn't. It wasn't the way Emily had taught him. They always get closer to the island, and then turn. That's because other ships were coming the other way. Now Theodore doesn't know what to do. Now the island is getting closer, and Julia starts to worry. Then Theodore signals Hank with his horn to start turning. Then a ship floats by. Theodore tells Hank to stop turning. And they all avoid a collision. However, Julia is silent, and Theodore thinks she wishes Emily was there instead of him. Then Emily arrives back at the harbour and Theodore starts to feel better. Believing she'll probably take over. But then, Julia tells him that he's doing a good job as he did turn at just the right time. Theodore starts to feel better. Emily asks when he got to be a puller, and Theodore whispers so Julia wouldn't hear that there was no V-Tugs around. Julia tells her that Theodore is doing a fine job at pulling. And Emily happily agrees. Then Theodore asks if this means he'll become a V-Tug. She tells him someday he will be, and heads off. Theodore smiles at the thought as he and Hank bring Julia to her favorite dock.

That night, Theodore and Hank tell the others about Julia, and what she was carrying. Emily tells Theodore if he was to get his V-Word that day, then it would be Theodore the Vegetable. All the tugs laugh and head off to sleep. Theodore stays up a little while longer, thinking about the next time he would be the tug in charge in the Big Harbour.

Characters

Trivia

Goofs

  • When Theodore and Hank meet Julia, they're meant to be near the harbour entrance, but in some shots, they are shown floating in front of Willy's Island which is in the middle of the harbour.
  • When Theodore says hello to Julia, a tripod can be seen in the top right corner.

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