"Swing on Thru to the Other Side" is the second segment of the thirteenth episode of Recess.
Synopsis[]
Spinelli creates a pseudo-religious philosophy after she comes to the belief that fourth grader Swinger Girl (aka Laura Jameson), 'went over the top' on the swing, passing into another 'higher state of being', making Spinelli's friends concerned.
Plot[]
The kids on the playground once again watch as Swinger Girl tries and fails to get over the swing set. Everyone heads home while Swinger Girl tries again. Spinelli forgets her ball and heads back to get in. Upon arriving, she sees Swinger Girl making her second attempt followed by a flash of light from the sun. Spinelli runs back to the Gang to tell them what she saw, but when they return Swinger Girl is nowhere in sight. At Mikey's suggestion, Spinelli becomes convinced that Swinger Girl not only managed to get over the set, but somehow passed through into another dimension and has an epiphany.
The next day, Spinelli creates a shrine around the swing set and takes on a more complacent personality. Soon she gathers a following and has everyone where flight helmets similar to Swinger Girl. The Gang is shocked to see that Mikey has also joined her following as he likes that Spinelli is moving away from her typical brutish behavior for a more peaceful approach. More children join the Swinger Girl cult including the likes of King Bob. Sometime afterwards, Gus also joins, leaving T.J., Gretchen and Vince the only non-believers.
Just as Vince is about to give in, Spinelli announces her intent to join Swinger Girl in the other dimension, only for Swinger Girl to suddenly show up and resume her swinging. She reveals that she failed her second attempt and took a week long vacation because it was the only time her dad was off work. Everyone is upset that what they were told was not true and angrily quit Spinelli's cult. The Gang come by and comfort Spinelli telling that while her belief was ridiculous, she was teaching positive morals and bringing people together. Spinelli then goes and asks Swinger Girl if she can swing with her and she happily accepts.
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
- Klee Bragger as Digger Sam, Phil, Kid #1, Kid #3, Kid #4
- Francesca Marie Smith as Swinger Girl, Upside-Down Girl, Kid #2
- Lane Toran as King Bob
- Anndi McAfee as Ashley Armbruster, Kid #5
- Elizabeth Daily as Kindergartner #1
- Kath Soucie as Kindergartner #2
Trivia[]
- The name of the episode is a play on the title of the song "Break on Through" by The Doors.
- Disney Television told Joe Ansolabehere that he was not allowed to make the episode due its premise being a take on cult groups; He disobeyed and made the episode. When Disney found out, they agreed to air it only once, as they feared that religious groups would write letters to them, complaining abut the content. When no such thing happened, the episode continued to reappear in reruns.[1]
