Dexter's Laboratory
Forget the DIY transistor set or the microscope with a meagre 3x magnification: Dexter’s Laboratory is a secret and expansive area of his parents’ house, with state-of-the-art technology that is yet to be invented by us scientifically lagging 3-dimensional folks.
Dexter is a prodigious little boy with a peculiar accent and amusing intonation, influenced, presumably, by the great European scientists on which he models himself (or perhaps all great scientists are born with such an accent).
He tries to make the best of things, despite being unintentionally thwarted by his dreamy, lanky, girly sister Dee Dee, who jetées through each episode, with customary cheer and a playful spirit. She seems vacuous, but she does occasionally outwit him.
Evidently, she is the bane of the industrious little Dexter’s existence, resulting, in one episode, in a very amusing nightmare that showcases the cleverness and wit of this show.
The episode, called Dream Machine, begins with an image of Dexter sitting at a desk, labouring over an exam entitled: “Big Test”. An equation (2+2=___ ) awaits his solution.
Then we hear what sounds like a buzz saw: the camera pans right, and we see a piece of paper entitled “The Purpose of Meaning”, under which is line after line of a complicated mathematical theorem. There is a trail of smoke, and as the camera draws back, we see that it (and the chainsaw sound effect), are coming from a pencil being scraped frantically across the page, as the writer sets about solving the equation.
Shock, horror – it is Dee Dee! She stops writing and says, repeatedly, in her characteristically bright, cheery voice: “ … easy, easy, easy”. A professor walks over, inspects her work, congratulates her, and tells her that her solution to the equation is “intriguing”.
“It’s simple”, she assures him, “ … once you understand that space-time is cuuuuurved”.
This show is hilarious.
But Dexter’s Laboratory isn’t just for nerds (closeted or otherwise). That’s the magic of it: there are pop references galore, (including one character intoning: “Billy – don’t be a hero!”), and themes that young children will understand and relate to (such as pesky siblings, crushes, ownership vs sharing, personal space etc).
Its bright hues, retro design, creative noise, action effects and excellent voice talent, make this show aesthetically appealing as well. Naturally, the bright colours will appeal to children. As will the short episodes, each containing a few stories which are creative but quickly resolved, which is convenient if you want to watch a snippet of something to make you smile, and of course – let’s not forget the children – it won’t tax their attention span. Alternatively, you can click on “play episodes” and enjoy a Dexter’s Lab-a-thon.
If you do that, you might want to fling the complimentary door hanger over the handle of your door, so you’re not disturbed. Believe me: you’ll be tempted.