Intrigue at the Indy 500 is the twenty-second episode of the first season, and the 22nd episode overall, of the Jem animated series.
Synopsis[]
Eric Raymond panics when he finds out that Starlight Music is sponsoring the world's best driver for the Indy 500, Martino Grandzetti. The gamblers he's dealing with will take their displeasure out on him if their driver doesn't win the race.
Starlight Music's race car is sabotaged, causing Martino to get into an accident that severely injures both him and Rio. With Synergy's help, Jerrica and The Holograms manage to repair the car in time for the big race. Who will win?
Plot[]
Pizzazz is throwing darts a printed picture of Eric Raymond, angry after hearing the news that they weren't invited to a party for celebrity race car drivers. He enters just as Pizzazz throws an egg at the picture, so it lands on his face instead. He explains it's invitation-only, but that they will be able to perform at the Indy 500 victory celebration. Later on at the party, Eric is introduced to handyman Vise, who is there to make sure Eric doesn't back out of the plan to bribe fan-favorite, four-time winner Martino Grandzetti to pull out of the race. Vise's boss provides Eric with a briefcase of money, placing his trust in him. Eric then gives his bookie, Harry, a large sum on money to bet on car #007, when suddenly it is announced that Starlight Music has decided to sponsor Martino, bringing him back into the race. Jem and The Holograms arrive to perform "I'm Coming From Behind", leaving Eric distraught. Martino thanks Jem for all her hard work, when suddenly, The Misfits crash through the automobile club in the Rockin' Roadster after coming up with the idea to gatecrash the party. They drive wildly around the restaurant, knocking over tables, and Martino gets into his car to distract them. They eventually crash into the kitchen and are kicked out by the chefs, covered in spaghetti. Eric is thrown out also.
Vise sabotages Martino's race car, taking off the wheel and removes the brake calipers on the Starlight Special. At the sprint qualifying race, The Holograms and Rio have come to show their support. Rio stands on a platform hoping to take publicity photos, and once the qualifying race is over, it is announced that Martino has set a new qualifying speed record. However, he suddenly loses control of the car and flies into the platform Rio is on, ultimately leaving Martino unable to race. Jerrica visits both Rio and Martino in the intensive care unit, telling them that the Starlight Special was tampered with. She meets up with the rest of The Holograms, using Synergy's help to fix the car before the race in three days time. They follow the blueprints to put it all back together.
On the day of the race, the Starlight Special is back to brand new and Rio is out of the hospital, although still in a cast. Eric, seemingly smug that Martino is still in intensive care, is shocked to see Jem pull up to the starting line. When the race is underway, Jem and Eric's sponsor #007 appear to be neck and neck, and Eric decides to put his bet onto Jem instead. Jem just takes the lead and both cars take a pit-stop, so Pizzazz takes her chance to pull the #007 driver out of the car and take his place as she doesn't want Jem to win. Using dangerous maneuvers, Pizzazz enters first place and causes damage to Jem's car and Eric quickly changes his bet again, back to #007. Jem takes a quick pit-stop as "Ahead Of The Game" plays before heading back into the race, regaining speed on Pizzazz. Jem uses Synergy to conjure a hologram of Pizzazz's conscience, who reprimands her about playing fair. Jem overtakes her during the distraction, and with one last push, she overtakes Pizzazz and wins the race just as the wheel axle falls off and the car spins out.
After the race is finished, Eric is approached by the handymen who he owes money to - but before they can do any damage, Pizzazz bursts in and confronts him about the failure of his plans. Jem is announced the first rock and roll star to win the race, and accepts the Indy 500 trophy, before sharing a celebratory kiss with Rio in front of the cameras.
Songs featured[]
- "I'm Coming From Behind" - Jem and The Holograms
- "Back In Shape" - Jem and The Holograms
- "Ahead Of The Game" - The Misfits
Quotes[]
- Pizzazz (to Eric): You jerk. (throws the hot dog bun at Eric's face) Not only did you forget the mustard, you forgot the hot dog.
- Pizzazz: Don't look now, Eric, but Martino's car is back in the race.
- Roxy: And Jem is driving it.
- Eric: What? That's impossible.
- Jerrica: (after seeing Rio all bandaged up from the car wreck) Rio, I'm so sorry.
- Martino: Think how I feel.
- Jerrica: Martino?
- Martino: Yep. Listen, don't feel bad. It only hurts when I breathe.
- Jerrica: It's auto mechanic time, Synergy.
- Harry: How's it going, Eric?
- Eric: Terrible.
- Harry: Let me guess. You wanna change your bet.
- Eric: Could I?
- Harry: Sure. I get a commission in every bet. You wanna change your bet, I get another commission.
- Announcer: It's a miracle. Jem has survived, but her car has taken an incredible beating.
- Pizzazz Hologram (to Pizzazz): Don't you think it's time you started playing fair?
- Pizzazz: What? Who the heck are you?
- Pizzazz Hologram: Your conscience.
- Pizzazz: Impossible. (swatting at the hologram) I haven't got one. Now scram. Get out of here.
- Pizzazz: Eric, you and your stupid plans. (pinning Eric with her race car) Jem won!
- Pizzazz: (throwing darts at a picture of Eric Raymond) I...want...to...go!
- Roxy: (mouth full) You missed the bulls-eye.
Gallery[]
Goofs[]
- As Eric Raymond tells The Misfits they aren't invited to a racer party, he is holding a vandalized poster of himself. In the next shot where Roxy protests, it has disappeared from his hands, but is immediately back in the shot after.
- Just before The Misfits steal the Rockin' Roadster, the dots of Stormer's belt and headband are missing.
- During "Back In Shape", the star on the car is painted yellow but later it is shown to be white.
Trivia[]
- The last time this episode aired on Discovery Family was on November 15, 2015.
- Martino Grandzetti is based off of real life race car driver Mario Andretti, a winner of the real Indy 500. The race is notable as it is the only Indy 500 in history where the winning driver ran the whole race on only one set of tires.
- There is a potential reference to James Bond as one of the race cars has the number 007, which is Bond's agent number.
- The narrator introduces an encore from Jem's latest rock video, "Back In Shape".
- Pizzazz likes her hot dogs with mustard.
- According to Pizzazz, she doesn't have a conscience.
- This episode demonstrates Synergy having information on other things.