Season 5 Episodes
509:AFRAID TO LOVE or: DON'T PIG OUT
Missions:
10: Babysit Pigs
My comments:
Even being a Jew, Noah should not have been so scared to work with the pigs, God commanded the Jews to take care of all his creations.
It was too bad that they did not show the cast helping a pig give birth.
What Bonnie had to say about the episode:
Original Air Date: March 9, 1998
Segment #1
At the Red Roof Inn in Madison, Anne teases Tara for being in love with Dan. On the road, Tara talks to Noah about Rachel. Tara says she feels like an asshole about it all. Noah says it's not Tara's job to look out for Rachel. Tara says she couldn't compete with Rachel and what she and Dan had for two years.
Since their last clue said something about bacon, Roni's afraid that they'll be going to a slaughterhouse.
They drive up to a feed company and meet up with Barb who says they have a package they have to deliver. They go look at the box, which has airholes and they notice that three little piglets are inside.
Mission 10: Babysit three pigs for a week
Noah says since they're in the area that he wants to see his parents.
Noah says pigs in general are not kosher and that he's not going to touch them.
As part of their mission, they must babysit the pigs and then deliver them to the Future Farmers of America.
They drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
They meet Naoh's brothers and parents. They put the pigs in the garage. Then they go into the kitchen and eat dinner. As the girls do the dishes, the guys in the family play guitar in the living room.
Jon talks to Noah's mom about where he grew up in Boston.
Meanwhile, Dan and Tara talk about their relationship. Tara says she feels more secure when she's by herself. He says she might be scared of commitment. Dan says things are getting intense between them and it scares him. Then he says she's probably dump him in two weeks.
Segment #2
The next day, the piglets are fighting with each other in the box and squealing up a storm. Anne separates them and tries to keep them quiet. Anne's talking to the pigs as though they were little kids. They pack up the pigs in the Winnie and leave Noah's parents' house. Now Noah has dyed his bangs green.
Anne says after being in the rural country for awhile, they're ready for the big city of Chicago. They end up checking into a fancy hotel who tell them that there is a no-pets policy. They decide to sneak the pigs up to the room with the luggage cart instead of leaving them in the Winnie overnight. Anne's worried the pigs will squeal and they'll get caught. They don't.
After they are in the room and the pigs' box is put in the bathtub, Noah warns them of leaving the window open too far for fear that the pigs might get loose and try to jump out. They all tease Noah for not wanting to tough the pigs.
Anne and Jon give the pigs a bath. They squeal loudly and the maid is right outside the door listening. Jon says if housekeeping catches them, they're dead.
The pigs continue to squrim and fight with each other.
In the bathroom that night, Noah and Jon sit in the bathroom and try to quiet them down. Noah plays guitar as Jon sings Old McDonald. Noah thinks one of the pigs is singing along with them. They sing the pigs to sleep.
Anne tells Tara that she thinks she and Dan are falling for each other. Tara doesn't know if she's in love with Dan, but she knows she feels close to him. Later on a payphone down in the lobby, Tara is seen crying to her mom on the phone about how she cares for Dan.
Segment #3
That night, Tara and Dan talk. Dan jokes that Tara's going to break up with him. Dan says he can come off as an amazing guy, but that's not the real him.
The next day at the beach, Tara says she knows the next person she has sex with, it'll be making love. Dan and Tara hug in the waves and they kiss passionately.
They pack up and smuggle the pigs back down to the Winnie. They deliver the pigs to the farm where they neet the little kids who will be in charge of raising the pigs.
Mission 10 completed.
Anne and Tara walk back to where the Winnie is and see a mannequin stuck under its back wheel. They start laughing and Anne thinks that's the funniest clue yet. The clue says they will be going to Detroit Receiving Hospital to be resident doctors for a day.
End Segment
They disrobe the mannequin, then Dan tackles it. Noah tackles Dan.
What MTV had to say about the episode:
509:AFRAID TO LOVE or: DON'T PIG OUT
Previously: Dan is precariously perched on the fence that separates Rachel and Tara. Roni fears a slaughter is imminent when the Roadies receive a clue instructing them to "bring home the bacon."
It's a gorgeous morning, and Tara and Anne are simply sitting on the sidewalk, soaking up some rays. Anne immediately starts to tease her pal, goading Tara to admit that she and Dan have fallen in love. But little T only smiles and giggles. Is that a yes?
Everyone piles into the Winnie, and Tara and Noah settle on the couch and slip into a serious discussion. Tara quietly confesses that she felt like an ass while in Rachel's presence. Noah reminds Tara "it's not your job to protect Rachel - that's Dan's job." And besides, Noah continues, you shouldn't feel bad, because nothing has "happened" between you and Dan. Tara confesses that she and Dan finally kissed - just before arriving in Minneapolis. Perfect timing.
The Roadies follow their clue to a feed mill where the proprietors, Barb and Mike, explain the next mission: you must care for three pigs for seven days and then safely transport them from Wisconsin to the Future Farmers of America in Michigan. Now come meet your babies! There they are, the little cuties! Look at them all cuddling in that cardboard box, lying on top of each other like... well, like pigs! It's all very Charlotte's Web. Noah reads an ID tag slung around the neck of one of the pigs: "Go to Noah's House." But Noah doesn't want pigs in his parent's palace - "they're dirty, smelly, and not Kosher - in more ways than one!" The kids gingerly place the piggies into the shower stall of the Winnie and roll on. With an oink, oink here and an oink, oink there...
Noah's place! Huge green lawn, nice house. Kind of reminds you of Dan's place. Mom, Dad, and brother Josh are in the driveway waving a warm greeting. After a round of hugs, Noah unloads the pigs and builds a little house for them in the garage. After a fabulous dinner, Noah, Daddy-o, and Josh each grab a guitar and it's time for a jam session. They've got it going on. Meanwhile...
Dan and Tara cuddle in a quiet corner of the living room. Dan wants a firm answer, "do you care about me?" Tara evades, "I care about a lot of people." After much beating around the bush, Tara confesses she was kind of thinking Dan could be her boyfriend: "I love the idea, but it scares me." Dan confirms, "you're afraid of commitment." Tara can only nod her head. Dan privately admits he's really into our girl, but confesses "she'll probably get rid of me in two weeks."
The next morning, the Roadies pack the pigs into the Winnie and bid Noah's parents farewell. They roll to Chicago, where they check into a swank hotel, but no pets are allowed. Dan reminds everyone, "we can't leave the pigs alone." Right, they might drive away in the Winnie. So how are we going to get them inside? Jon retrieves a luggage rack from the front desk, places the box of pigs on the lowest shelf, and then tosses a blanket over the whole mess. Going up? Into the elevator and into the room and... done deal! Anne transfers the little wilburs into the bathtub. How do you like your new home? Anne explains, "our pigs are like our children and we have to take care of them." Anne and Jon roll up their sleeves and get scrubbing. No, not the floors. They're giving the piggies a bath! And the critters are not happy. The squeals! You'd think they were being slaughtered. It's just a little Mr. Bubble, Wilbur... Now it's time for bed, but the pigs still won't shut up. Jon is nervous. If the hotel staff realize the pigs are in the hotel, if they "smell a smell or whiff a whiff, we're dead." Noah sneaks into the bathroom with his guitar and starts to strum and sing, "Old McDonald had a farm... " And before you know it, the children are snoring sweetly.
Later that night, Anne pulls Tara aside in the hallway for a little heart-to-heart. "I don't care what you say," whispers Anne, grinning, "you and Dan are falling for each other and neither of you will admit it! Falling, falling, falling!" Tara admits nothing, and moves out into the dark night on her own. She slowly walks through the quiet city streets, contemplating her choices. Dan is right behind her eyes. She takes a seat at a local café - the place is empty. She's thinking. What's it all about? Finally, Tara privately confesses, "I've been cheating myself. Dan and I are getting close, but I have been too cautious." Back at the hotel, Tara is sobbing on the pay phone. "Mom, he's my whole life right now." Commitment is frightening. Just ask Tara. Later that night, Dan and Tara sit quietly together in the window seat in their room. The city is at their feet. Dan asks, "are you going to break up with me?" Tara smiles and shakes her head.
The next morning, Dan and Tara wake in each other's arms. Dan whispers, "there are things I want to say to you, but I'm not going to say it all now." Tara reminds him not to say I love you, because "that's gross!" Dan and Tara giggle, and pull each other closer. Don't say it, live it!
The Roadies all hike to a local beach, where Dan and Tara immediately hit the water. They're wrapped in each other's arms as warm waves gently rock them into a state of bliss. Tara confesses, "I know that when I have sex again, it will be making love."
Pig week is over, and the Roadies motor to a large farm in Michigan, where they are
greeted by a group of kids - the mythic Future Farmers of America!! The Rulers, with little reluctance, hand the pigs over to the excited pack of young boyz. The pigs squeal their good-byes as the Roadies cover their ears and wave farewell.
As the Roadies step back to the Winnie, Anne discovers a dead body under their back tire! It's a dummy - and a clue: "get me to the hospital STAT, Detroit Emergency Room." Looks like it's ER or bust!
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