- For other uses, see Glitter and Gold (disambiguation).
Glitter and Gold is the twenty-sixth episode of the first season, and the 26th episode overall, of the Jem animated series. This episode marks the series' first season finale.
Synopsis[]
Jem and The Holograms are pitted against The Misfits once again. The first group to sell 500,000 records wins the contest, the Glitter 'n Gold Roadster and the glory.
Plot[]
Jerrica, Rio and Kimber are at the shopping mall, watching Anthony Julian and Video direct and film a new music video for the 5th Avenue Boys. Kimber notices that The Misfits have a new song at the top of the charts, and that Jem hasn't been seen or heard from in some time. However, Jerrica doesn't seem to care and storms off. Rio introduces Kimber to photographer Max Conley, who is immediately drawn in by her beauty. They make a date for Saturday night at 6 o'clock. She steps out of the mall and is picked up by her boyfriend, Jeff Wright, and they speed off. Meanwhile, The Misfits waste no time capitalizing on Jem and The Holograms' absence, especially when Owen Beech, the owner of Diskovery Records, promotes a contest. The rules state that the first band to reach 500,000 sales on their album will win a Gold Album and a new car, the Glitter 'n Gold Roadster. The Misfits are surrounded by an influx of paparazzi, who only appear to be feeding their collective ego. They break out into "How Does It Feel?", and Eric Raymond tells them there's nothing stopping them from winning.
At Starlight Mansion, Kimber arranges a date for Saturday with Jeff while Jerrica admits to Synergy that she is jealous of her holographic self, Jem. She asks Synergy to create a realistic hologram of Rio, whom she tells her real identity. The simulation gets angry, telling Jem he hates deception and liars. This only encourages Jerrica to tell the real Rio the truth, believing he will listen.
When Saturday arrives, Jerrica takes Rio outside to tell him the truth about Jem. At this time, both Max and Jeff show up for their dates with Kimber, who realizes what she's done, but it's too late. Max and Jeff begin fighting over her and eventually break a window, causing so much disruption that Jerrica is forced to stop her talk with Rio. Jeff, upset with Kimber's betrayal, breaks up with her, and Max abandons their plans. Rio reprimands Kimber for being deceitful, which shocks Jerrica so much that she refuses to continue their conversation. Rio tells her that he has had enough of her secrets, kicks over a plant pot, and leaves.
At Diskovery Records, The Holograms try to persuade Jerrica to make a new album to compete with The Misfits. Jerrica is somewhat reluctant to the idea, feeling it may be too late to enter the contest, but when she overhears Eric making a comment that she ruined Jem's career, it galvanizes her to enter, and promises Owen she and The Holograms will deliver a new album in time for the contest. Jem reunites with Rio and tells him their plans, where The Holograms decide to use the prizes of the contest as the theme for their new album and look, called "Glitter and Gold".
Eric visits a rough part of town, promising punk band The Skulls a record deal at Misfits Music if they do a job for him in return. Jerrica stays up until late, ensuring that Owen receives the albums in time, but refuses Rio's help as she is still angry with him after their argument. The Skulls manage to track her down and restrain her, as they throw the records out of the van and start destroying them. Luckily, Rio shows up and scares them off before they manage to break all of them. He apologizes for getting mad, but tells her that he still loves her.
The next day, the countdown has begun and thousands of people line up to buy the competing albums. Lindsey Pierce releases the video for their new track, which encourages crowds to purchase it, and both Jem and The Misfits sing "We're Up/You're Down" as they anxiously watch their sales go up. Eric has people handing out money at each Diskovery Record store hoping that they will buy a Misfits record, but the plan doesn't go very well. The Starlight Girls also purchase a Glitter 'n Gold album to help out, and both bands reach 499,999 sales at the same time. Rio buys an album, but is disqualified as he works for Jem. A lady then purchases both albums, so the contest is extended by one point. Then, a boy decides to buy the last Glitter 'n Gold album, so The Holograms win with 500,001 sales. Pizzazz throws a fit, while Jem and The Holograms are awarded the two prizes at the celebratory ball.
Songs featured[]
- "How Does It Feel?" - The Misfits
- "Glitter and Gold" - Jem and The Holograms
- "We're Up/You're Down" - Jem and The Holograms / The Misfits
Quotes[]
- Kimber: Look. The Misfits' new single is at the top of the charts.
- Jerrica: So?
- Kimber: Jem and The Holograms haven't put out a new album in ages.
- Jerrica: I don't want to talk about Jem.
- Synergy: What's wrong, Jerrica?
- Jerrica: I don't know what to do. I'm jealous of myself.
- Jerrica: Rio, I have something to tell you. I am Jem. Show time, Synergy.
- Rio Hologram: All this time, you were really Jem and you didn't tell me. You made a fool out of me. You deceived me. You lied to me.
- Rio Hologram: I hate deception and I despise liars. I never want to see you or talk to you again. Never. (turns as Jem puts her hands through the hologram to stop it)
- Jem: Turn it off.
- Rio: (to Jerrica) You and Kimber are two of a kind. (walking away) Keep your secrets. I've had enough.
- Kimber: Jerrica, please reconsider.
- Shana: We're the only ones who can compete against the Misfits.
- Aja: Rio's mad with you anyway. What have you got to lose?
- Pizzazz: Have you picked our competition yet?
- Owen: Well. I'm considering the 5th Avenue Boys. Jerrica Benton is on her way over here to discuss it.
- Pizzazz: (scoffs) You might as well give us the prizes now.
- Roxy: Those boys don't stand a chance against us.
- Jem: Wait, we need more than a new album.
- Kimber: Something to grab attention.
- Shana: New clothes!
- Aja: A whole new look!
- Jem: The Glitter and Gold look.
- Rio: Jerrica, what are you doing here?
- Jerrica: I guaranteed to deliver Jem's album on time. The contest starts tomorrow.
- Rio: I'll give you a hand.
- Jerrica: I can do it myself. (taking the box of albums from him)
- Rio: You can't go alone. It's dangerous.
- Jerrica: Don't concern yourself, Mr. Pacheco.
- Pizzazz (to Eric): Your dumb plan made no difference at all.
- Roxy: Buy more people.
- Eric: More. I can't buy lunch. I'm going bankrupt.
- Pizzazz: I always said you were cheap.
- Stormer: Well, anyway, we sold 500,000 albums.
- Rio (to Jem): Would my golden lady care to dance?
- Jem: I'd love to!
Gallery[]
Goofs[]
- Jeff Wright's hair, which is usually blond, is black in this episode.
- The Glitter 'n Gold Roadster already has a hood ornament that says "Jem" before The Holograms even win it.
Trivia[]
- The episode was made to tie in with the new re-branding of Jem and introduced most of the new fashions in the "On Stage" and "Smashin' Fashions" toylines.
- The instrumental version of "Come On In. The Water's Fine" is heard while Jerrica reads about Jem.
- The Glitter 'n Gold Roadster becomes the band's new means of transportation for the rest of the series.
- The 5th Avenue Boys band name is an in-joke by Christy Marx on some of the people who worked on the series; they worked on 5th Avenue street. Their names are Jay Bacal (creative director), Tom Griffin (executive producer) and Joe Bacal (executive producer). Jay Bacal is Joe's son and Christy worked closely with him on many Sunbow shows.
- Jem retires her pink eye shadow and starts wearing different shades of colors instead, like purple, violet, blue or gold.
- Clash's hair is now purple instead of red and green. It would stay this way for the rest of the series.
- Around 14 minutes in, as the camera pans across the street, a figure dressed in black with a red collar and a white head can be seen, who looks suspiciously like Destro from G.I. Joe, another series produced by Sunbow Entertainment.
- In total, there were 27 doll Fashions that first appeared in this episode.
- Besides the song of the same name, "Glitter 'n Gold" (stylized that way) is also the name of a whole Fashion in the Jem toyline.
- This was the last time Shana played the drums during a Holograms music video.
- This is the last episode of the first season.
- This is also the last episode before both bands added new members.
- Rio kicking down the plant pot has become a recurring topic when talking about the series, even reaching the status of meme, usually to point out the character's frequent ire fits.