"The Amazing Becky Little" is the 24th episode of the fourth season of Pepper Ann. It aired on February 22, 2000.
Synopsis[]
Nicky's sister Becky was, without a doubt, Hazelnut School's best student, and her visit to Hazelnut brings back feelings of inadequacy for Nicky.
Plot[]
Nicky is complimented on everything she does by the people of Hazelnut. She remembers that her sister, Becky is coming to visit for their parents' anniversary and rushes home to see her. Along the way, Pepper Ann and Milo compliment how great Becky is; revealing that Nicky is slightly jealous of her. Nicky arrives at home, but is almost ignored by her parents when Becky arrives. At dinner, both girls announce some of their accomplishments, but the Littles think that Nicky is comparing herself to Becky, despite her impressive high scores.
Noticing Nicky's anger, Pepper Ann and Milo sign her up to join the Hazelnut Junior Orchestra. This shocks her as she cannot play "Swan Lake" due to it triggering her fear of swans. Pepper Ann and Milo resolve to help her conquer those fears. While out playing on the field, Nicky is struggling to read up on confronting her phobias when Becky arrives and immediately grabs everyone's attention. Coach Doogan reflects on Becky's sports achievements, which Nicky was completely unaware of and is humiliated by a childhood incident when she was incapable of catching a ball.
In a surprising turn of events, Pepper Ann doubles down on her knowledge of psychology and decides to put Nicky through a series of tests to confront her fear of swans head on. These include touching a ceramic swan, riding a swan boat and testing a virtual reality game with a swan that results in Milo getting injured. Pepper Ann and Milo finally take Nicky to a petting zoo where Nicky is mercilessly attacked by the animals. In her anger, Nicky exclaims that she hates her sister, which Pepper Ann deduces is the true cause of her fear, much to Nicky and Milo's surprise.
Nicky confronts Becky on her jealousy when their mother puts exercise equipment in the former's room. Nicky becomes angry until their mom reveals that Becky is weak at bench pressing. The sisters realize that not only were they jealous of each other, but that they both fear swans. They try to confront it together, but find that they are still afraid. Nicky finally joins the HJO by keeping a photo of swans in their underwear (based on a comment Milo made). As the Littles see Becky return to Harvard, it is revealed that their fear of swans came from an evil swan toy.
Cast[]
- Kathleen Wilhoite as Pepper Ann Pearson
- Jeff Bennett as Shelf McClain, Ernie the Janitor, Son of the Soil
- Danny Cooksey as Milo Kamalani
- Clea Lewis as Nicky Little
- Pamela Adlon as Moose Pearson
- April Winchell as Librarian, Abriola Stark, Passengers
- Jim Cummings as Roland Carter, Mr. Little, Computerized Swan Voice, Coordinator
- Glenne Headly as Becky Little
- Kathy Najimy as Coach Doogan
- Kath Soucie as Cissy Rooney, Mrs. Little
Desk Gag[]
"Iceberg, dead ahead!"
Trivia[]
- This is the first and only time Becky Little appears, or is even mentioned. Oddly enough, she is credited as "Beckie", despite her name being spelled correctly in the episode title.
- Part of the episode takes place on July 3, 1997. This is unusual the characters are still attending school, though it could be that they are doing extracurricular activities.
External links[]
