- "Those rigs are big alright, but don't worry. I know them well. They all ask for me when they come in here."
- — George
| |
| Theodore and the Oil Rig | |
|---|---|
| Director(s) | |
| Producer(s) | |
| Writer(s) | |
| Narrator |
The Harbour Master (Denny Doherty) |
| Air date |
July 5th 1993 |
| Next episode | |
Theodore and the Oil Rig, retitled Theodore and the Big Oil Rig in American releases, is the first episode of Theodore Tugboat.
Plot[]
A big oil rig named Tex arrived in the Big Harbour in the middle of the night. George and Theodore are told to move him closer to the shore, But Theodore is nervous, because he doesn't know much about oil rigs and is worried he will make a mistake. But George tells him he'll show him everything to know about oil rigs. So, they head towards Tex and George boasts that oil rigs ask for him because of his strength. When they reach Tex, George greets him, but he only stares down at the two tugs. George tells him they were going to move him to a new spot in the harbour, but Tex grouchily tells them he doesn't need their help as he can do it himself and tells them to get lost. Theodore couldn't tell if George was angry or upset at Tex, but he soon notices Tex is moving and quickly moves out of the way before Tex runs into him.
Later, George and Theodore are back at the Great Ocean Tug and Salvage Company dock when Foduck asks them if Tex told them stories about the ocean. George lies to him and says that Tex was tired and wanted to rest. Theodore also lies and says he never met anyone like Tex before. Even though it was slightly true. But it only makes George upset. Just then the Dispatcher tells the tugs that a storm is coming and tells George to make sure Tex's anchor cables are in place. So, George does. But when he tries to warn him, Tex is being rude and dismissive at him. And even calls George a little "tub". This deeply hurts George, and he goes back to the dock. Theodore is pulling Bobby Barge and sees the whole thing and is angry.
Meanwhile, the Dispatcher is telling the tugs to make sure the ships and barges are safe and tied up before the storm arrives. Hank notices George is upset and asks Foduck what's wrong. But he doesn't know after George got back from seeing Tex. Theodore angrily blurts out that Tex was the problem, but Foduck tells him that tugboats have to help every vessel in the harbour no matter what. Theodore wishes that Tex would go back to the ocean as soon as the storm is over. And Emily can tell that it's gonna be a storm as the wind was beginning to blow. As it gets darker, Theodore checks to make sure the barges are safely tied to their docks. But as he passes Tex, he notices that his anchor cables are getting worn and weak. As much as he doesn't want to talk to Tex, he remembered what Foduck told him. So, he tries to warn Tex about his worn anchor cable, but he tells Theodore he can manage the storm just fine and to mind his own business. Theodore figures Tex isn't going to listen, and just heads home hurt and upset. The wind soon picks up and gets strong. George saw Theodore talking to Tex and thought he's friends with the nasty oil rig. Theodore is hurt by the accusation.
The storm soon hits the harbour. Theodore's worries about Tex's anchor cables soon become reality as one of them snaps. The Dispatcher notices it and alerts George to help him. Theodore isn't sure what he'll do as Tex was so mean to him, but George goes to save the oil rig anyway. Tex calls for his help, but as soon as George gets his line on to Tex's leg, the wind began to twist Tex around, and that leads to another anchor cable snapping. Soon, George and Tex are getting swirled around, and George calls for Theodore's help. Theodore is shocked and thinks George is still angry with him, but his emotions can't stop him from saving George and Tex and roars into action. Benjamin Bridge is looming ahead, and Tex is getting closer to him. If Tex isn't saved in time, there would be a terrible accident. Benjamin sees the oil rig and is in a state of horror, yelling at him to turn back. But Tex can't stop and braces himself for impact. Theodore quickly has his tow line around his legs and goes underneath him and pulls hard. And just in time as Tex is just inches away from Benjamin's face. George pulls Tex away from Benjamin with Theodore's help.
As the storm dies down, Tex is placed back into his spot with new anchors. George thanks Theodore for his help, and even though he's small, he's just as brave as the bigger tugs. Tex also thanks them for their help and admits that he was wrong about them. And tells George and Theodore a story he heard when he was in the Gulf of Mexico.
Characters[]
- Theodore
- Emily
- George
- Foduck
- Hank
- Benjamin Bridge
- Tex
- The Dispatcher
- Bobby (does not speak)
- The Clock Tower (cameo)
- Lilly (cameo)
- Donald Dock (cameo)
- Phillip and Filmore (cameo)
- Bedford or Blankston (cameo)
Video Release[]
- Theodore's Big Adventure (1995 The Children's Group)
- Theodore's Big Adventure (1997 Turner Home Video)
- Theodore Tugboat 1 (Norway, Denmark and Finland) - 1997
- Whale (Sweden) - 1997
- Theodore Tugboat - (France) - 2000
- Theodore Tugboat Two (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) - 2007
- Theodore Tugboat Two (Netherlands) - 2012
Trivia[]
- First and only appearance of Tex.
- This episode and The Dark and Scary Cove have the most foreign dubs than any other to date.
Goofs[]
- When Theodore drops Tex's new anchor cable in the sea, studio equipment is visible on the right.
- Emily, Hank and Foduck are nowhere to be seen during the storm.
- In some shots of Theodore throughout the episode, a gap between his mouth and nose is seen.
- The scene where Tex's second anchor cable snaps is mirrored.
- Benjamin's eyebrows are missing as Tex is saved and pulled back.
In Other Languages[]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian | Theodor og Boreplattformen | Theodore and the Oil Rig |
| Finnish | Öljynporauslautta | The Oil Rig |
| Danish | Theodor og Boreplatformen | Theodore and the Oil Rig |
| Dutch | Theodoor & Het Productieplatform | Theodore and the Oil Rig |
| Swedish | Oljeplattformen | The Oil Rig |
| French | Théodore Remorqueur et la Plateforme de Forage | Theodore Tugboat and the Oil Rig |
Watch[]
