"King Gus" is the first segment of the fifth episode of Recess.
Synopsis[]
When King Bob comes down with tonsillitis, he appoints Gus as the new King of the Playground. The power goes to his head and he starts ordering people about.
Plot[]
King Bob falls ill with tonsillitis, which results in him not being able to lead. To which he appoints Gus as a substitute King of the Playground during his absence. Under Gus' tenure, he enjoys his role as the King although soon tyrannizes the playground as he becomes more forceful for the students and organizes time for students to meet him, including the gang, more so than Bob.
After solving a dispute between two first-grade girls, Gus starts acting more and more like King Bob, even having his temper and bossiness. He even institutes a cookie tax and imprisons all students who refuse or are unable to pay it and anyone who criticizes or even tries to reason with him. Because of this, more and more students are imprisoned which they then realize that Gus has turned into a tyrant. The prisoners escape (courtesy of Mikey) and decide to dethrone him although a battle ensures from the rebels against his guards. It is abruptly cut as Bob has returned, presumably recovered, to regain his rightful place. Subsequently, he regains his royal powers from Gus, leaving him to be a regular student again. The gang quickly forgive him despite his cruel orders to them included among the students of the playground. Then King Bob asks Spinelli to be "Lord Emperor" of the west playground, much to her exhilaration (here we go again).
Cast[]
- Ross Malinger as T.J. Detweiler
- Rickey D'Shon Collins as Vince LaSalle
- Jason Davis as Mikey Blumberg
- Ashley Johnson as Gretchen Grundler
- Pamela Adlon as Ashley Spinelli
- Courtland Mead as Gus Griswald
- Lane Toran as King Bob
- Justin Shenkarow as Jordan, Jerome
- Michael Shulman as Wizard Boy
- Ryan O'Donohue as Peanut Butter Boy
- April Winchell as King Bob's Mother
Trivia[]
- Moral: Power can corrupt anyone who's unaccustomed to it.
- The episode's title is a reference to the 1991 film King Ralph.
- The plot is similar to the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Rule of Dumb" where Patrick is crowned king by a starfish minister and bosses around everyone in Bikini Bottom just like Gus' behavior.
- The scenario with the two girls and the doll was a reference to the Judgement of Solomon, where King Solomon decided which woman was the mother of a child by declaring it be cut in two. (though incorrectly done by Gus by mistake giving it to the wrong girl)
- The Peanut Butter Boy from "The Kid Came Back" makes his first appearance in this episode. Contrary to the events of that episode however, he actually speaks. He also speaks in "Don't Ask Me".
External links[]
- King Gus at the Recess Wiki
