User blog:EpsilonMk46/Between the Lines: Change of Heart

Greetings, one and all. I am EpsilonMk46: the lone rebel that stands against the popular opinion.

The status quo is a tricky beast to conquer, isn't it? We've had it since the beginning of the show and it just isn't going anywhere. So what can an episode do that could possibly topple such a mighty beast? ........It can't. Roll it.

When the synopsis for this episode first came around the corner, I was rather intrigued that the writers would possibly take away one of Clyde's signature character traits and blow everything we knew about the man straight out the window. But aside from that, it also gave us some unique perspectives on other characters that I was willing to give a chance even if I didn't really get anything close to what I wanted out of the episode.

But just because one teensy little piece of the status quo was rendered unharmed, does that alone make this episode absolutely unbearable? Well, I say we dive right in and find out. This is Change of Heart!

We open appropriately enough with Lincoln sitting around eating carrot sticks while reading a book. (Wait... but that's not how a video game nerd behaves. I expect you to remedy by the end of the episode, traitor!) Lori then comes in on the phone with one of her gal pals.

Lori:  [on the phone] "Whitney, wait till you see my new shoes. They will literally blow your mind!" [She opens the door and it turns out to be Clyde who is struck by her beauty.] Clyde:  [nervously infatuated] "L-L-Lori?" [gets a nosebleed which spills on Lori's shoes, making her scream so loud the crows fly away, and faints.] Lori:  [aggravated] "Ugh. Never mind, Whitney."

Yeah... I actually think he did you a favor there, my dear. Those shoes looked like they were direct copies from all your other pairs of shoes. I mean, by God, how many shoes of the same make does a girl need?

Afterwards, Lori goes into detail about how Clyde constantly ruins her precious shoes. ........I think I just found out why she has so many pairs.

Lori: "Lincoln, do you have any laundry?" Clyde:  [sees Lori] "L-L-Lori?" [nosebleeds and gets her shoes ruined, making her scream.] [Next, the boys are looking in the fridge for a snack and take out a dish with Lori right behind them.] Lori: "Hey, you'd better not eat all the leftover gazpacho." Clyde:  [nervous] "L-L-Lori?" [starts acting like a robot] "SYSTEM OVERLOAD. DOES NOT COMPUTE. SYSTEM OVERLOAD. DOES NOT COMPUTE. SYSTEM SHUTTING...DOWN..." [His shut down knocks the gazpacho out of Lincoln's hand and lands on Lori's shoes.] Lori: "GAH!" [Now, Lori is in Vanzilla.] Lori: "Mom, Dad, I'm off to practice!" [notices Clyde in there for some reason; startled.] "Clyde?! What are you even doing here?" Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [shaking]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "L-L-Lori?" ''[His nose blood squirts right onto her shoes. Lori just bangs her head on the steering wheel's horn.]''

Okay... this may be my morbid side popping through here but I'm just going to ask anyway. How in the world is Clyde still alive?! Just look at all of the blood that Clyde emptied out of his system through the three times  he went head over heels for Lori and the numerous times he did the same thing throughout the entire series. Either we are dealing with a superhuman or a reeeaaaaaalllyyyy dedicated weeaboo.

But we can discuss Clyde apparent immortality later. Right now, Clyde came to an inner actualization.

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [calm]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Ugh. I just wish Clyde could act normal around me." [leaves] Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [comes to]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "So do I, my sweet angel. So do I." [opens a locket of a picture of a startled Lori.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "But how am I supposed to act normal around such a beautiful, flawless..." [starts nosebleeding again] Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [shoves carrot sticks up his friend's nose.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Don't worry, buddy. We'll figure something out."

'sigh' When I first watched this scene, I just knew that this would never come to fruition. I always had doubt somewhere in my mind that there would just be some random excuse that would pop up out of the ether to somehow make the status quo come out on top. But even so, as I keep on rewatching this scene, I feel as if it's indirectly taunting me and saying that this'll never come to be and that I am a fool to even think that Clyde would get over his crush. That is why this single scene brings forth my greatest problem with this episode: the Clyde plotline is a giant insult. Look, I understand that one may not be willing to let go of something that got a character popular in the first place, but do you really have to rub that in our faces, writers?

Whatever, so while trying to find a solution that will inevitably be for naught, Clincoln McCloud come across an unlikely source of aid.

Mr. Grouse:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [from outside; talking to Leni]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Dang blast it! Eberhardt's dog went number two on my lawn again!" Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Try doing what I do, Mr. Grouse. I'll name all 40 states, and by the time I'm done, I've forgotten why I was mad." Mr. Grouse:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Well, actually, it's 48. But I'll give it a try." [starts naming them in alphabetical order]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California..."

........I have opinions on this. Do not get me wrong here. I thoroughly enjoy the idea of Leni being a source of help and guidence but........it's Leni! The girl who couldn't spell "fun" correctly and keeps running into walls due to her cluelessness. And you mean to tell me that she'd be the one to provide meaningful advice onto others? It doesn't even have any buildup whatsoever from anything in the show; it quite literally comes out of thin air. I mean, I agree that she has a heart of gold and all that jazz but it still just seems so bizarre and outlandish for her to gain a lot of pragmatic skills so spontaneously.

But aside from that, the boys then ask Leni to help Clyde out with taking control over his feelings.

Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Sure! What do you need my help with?" Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [stammering]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "L-L-L-L..." Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Lemons?" Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "L-L-L-L..." Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Leggings?" Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "L-L-L-L-L..." Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Of course! Loofahs! Well, first of all, natural fibers are the way to go." Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "He's talking about Lori." Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oh. She doesn't use a loofah." [whispering]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "That's why she has bacne." [Lincoln facepalms] Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "No. I want to learn how to act normal around her, or at least just stop bleeding on her shoes." Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Have you tried shoving carrot sticks up your nose?" Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Yes! And bread sticks, and pretzel rods, and corn dogs, which you really need to let cool down first." Leni:<span style="font-weight:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;"> "Well, no worries. I know other ways to help you." [takes Clyde]

................Don't even think about it fanfic writers..... I've got my eyes on you. We already have Lincoln shipped with everything but the kitchen sink; we do not need Clyde to be shipped with everything too!

Afterwards, Lori comes downstairs wary of a bleed happy Clyde.

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Lincoln, is Clyde still here? This is literally my last pair of wearable shoes." Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Don't worry about Clyde. He's hanging out with Leni." Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Really?" ''[From the kitchen, Leni and Clyde are laughing. Lori peeks in to see it.]'' Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oh, Leni." Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " Leni and Clyde? That's...weird.<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">"

Oh uh hehe. Did I forget to mention that Lori develops some inner personality within her in this episode? Yeah. you might wanna brace yourselves for any sort of crazy moments that might arise because of this........

After encountering the innevitable new shipping pair, Lori suddenly comes to a self-proclaimed epiphany.

Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " Now he's getting nosebleeds on her shoes?<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">"  [Lori gasps]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " This can only mean one thing: Clyde likes Leni!<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">" Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [jubilant]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "I'm free! I'm free!" [gasps with joy and runs to Vanzilla.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oh, I am going shoe shopping!" [drives off]

And I know this is going towards that innevitable "Don't jump to conclusions" jargon that we've seen 4 times before but as I've what Lori witnessed between the pair....I really do not blaim her for thinking this way. I mean, think about it. We are dealing with the adolescent human minds here. They are very much susceptable to delusions and misguided conclusions and you have to admit that everything Lori used to arrive at that conclusion just seems to astronomical in order to just be brushed off as a coincidence. So I'll give this a pass.

After shopping at the store that only sells one type of pair of shoes, Lori notices Leni talking with Clyde and she realizes how Clyde may have meant more to her than meets the eye.

[Lori looks at some gifts Clyde gave her in the past.] Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " Well, I will give him that. He is pretty thoughtful.<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">" ''[A series of flashbacks of her receiving those gifts is shown. First, there's a telescope with a note on it and she reads it.]'' Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " Congratulations. A new star has been named after you: Corono Lori-alis.<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">" ''[Lori looks into the telescope and an arrow points to the star in question. Clyde falls out.]'' Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Whoa!" [thuds]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oof!" [Next flashback takes place in winter where Clyde has made a literal snow angel that looks like Lori, but Charles runs up to it to pee on it.] Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Charles, no! Not on my snow angel!" ''[The next flashback shows Lori coming home defeated in a golf game. She finds a teddy bear on the steps and reads the note on it.]'' You may have lost your golf tournament, but you'll never lose my heart. [Lori presses the bear] Teddy Bear:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "I love you fur-ever." ''[Lori doesn't like it very much. End flashbacks. She presses the bear again.]'' Teddy Bear:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "I love you fur-ev..." [breaks down]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "...er..." [pops an eye] Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " [gasps] What am I thinking? I have to get Clyde back!<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">"

And this is the beginning of what I like to call the Lori arc. In this side of things, Lori realizes that while she may not return his feelings for her, he was always there to provide her with moral support and always gave her a reason to be self-confident. And let me tell you right now: I absolutely adore Lori's side of the story. But we can get into why later on.

Right now, we have a hilarious montage of failed "Senpai, notice me." shenanigans.

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oh, hey, guys. Just wondered if anyone wanted some lemonade." [Her very presence puts Clyde in a paranoid state as he tries to act normal.] Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [confused]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Clyde?" Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Ooh! I'll take some!" Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [angrily]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Get your own." [tosses glass aside]

Oooooh....ya might wanna lay low for a couple days, Lori. I think you upset some pretty sensitive fans there...

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Brr! Boy it is chilly today. So glad I have this cozy scarf Clyde made me." Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "It's 85 degrees, and you're sweating." Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [growls like a lion at Lincoln; sweetly to Clyde.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Clyde, wherever did you learn to be such a great knitter?"

W-what did I just tell you?! At this rate, we'll have Lincoln worshipers right out our-

{A mass riot has shown up outside of the house.]

Uuugggghhhh.... *facepalm*

So... after the feul for the latest St. Lincoln uprising was provided, Clyde, Lincoln, and Leni proceed to the final stage of their training.

Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [petrified]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Okay, I'm ready. Let's do this!" Lincoln:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [knocks on one of the support beams; acting.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Oh, someone's at the door. Who could it be? Why, it's my eldest sister, Lori."

Nnggghh... this is so cheesy it makes my milk turn into gouda...

[Enter Leni dressed like Lori] Leni:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [Lori impression]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "OMG. Bobby, texting, literally."


 * D .....and suddenly this became drop dead side-splitting!

Meanwhile, Lori is about to win over Clyde with a new Ace Savvy comic when she notices Clyde getting apparently flirty with Leni and that's where she draws the line. In response, she pulls a rather...unconventional move.

Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " So, Clyde likes the way Leni looks? Fine! I can look like Leni!<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">"

Uuuhhhhhh...........should I...call a doctor or something? Because this looks borderline obsessive.

Thankfully though, Lori realizes her folly ahead of time and makes a vow to set things right with Clyde once and for all.

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "I just need him to like me. Now stop asking questions! I know what I'm doing!" [goes back in the bathroom, takes a look in the mirror, realizes and sighs.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "What  <u style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;">am <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> I doing?" Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " You're trying to win back Clyde. Now stop farting around and straighten that hair!<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">" Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "No, I don't need to win Clyde back. I need to apologize to him." Lori's Thoughts:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> " Don't be a fool!<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">" Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Shove it! I'm not listening to you anymore."

.......Okay that settles it. I'm calling the doc.*picks up the phone* Yes. Hello? I'd like to report a case of a girl trying desperately to get with a boy. Do you have any suggestions? *intangible gibberish* What do mean you're tired of getting cases like this every day? *dial tone* ..........Well, on we go then.

So now that Clyde's training is complete and Lori has a clear conscience to set it to Clyde straight, the two eventually meet at the Loud House and it gives way to my favorite line within this episode:

Lori:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "Clyde! I was just on my way to see you. There's something I really wanted to tell you. First, I wanted to apologize for never appreciating how kind and thoughtful you are. And second, I wanna thank you for making me feel so good about myself all these years. You're a special guy, Clyde, and literally anyone would be lucky to be your crush."

THIS. This right here is the true reason why I adore Lori's side of the story. This is the moment where everything comes full circle and Lori gains a newfound appreciation for Clyde and everything she does for him. So even if we didn't really get any development for Clyde's crush, we most certainly got a mighty piece of development for Lori.

Which brings us to the main reason why I actually think Change of Heart is actually pretty good: It isn't a Clyde episode, but a Lori episode. I would definitely agree that if one were to focus solely on the Clyde aspect of things, they'd be very dissapointed that the status quo reigned supreme and virtually nothing was really accomplished. But I prefer to look at an episode from every single perspective in order to determine the best way to look at it and I found that Lori's tale is actually quite thorough and deep in its understanding of how whenever you are feeling down, sometimes you might need someone to lift your spirits in ways that you wouldn't even think help you out in the beginning. But the real driving point that really nails the development here is how Lori has gained a newfound appreciation for Clyde. She no longer sees him as a total nuisance but rather as a close friend; and that right there is what can truly be taken away from this episode.

.........And then we have this happen.

[Clyde suddenly comes to and sees the real Lori and Leni in her costume.] Clyde:<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">  [nervously infatuated]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "T-T-T-Two Lori's?" [goes into robot mode]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "SYSTEM OVERLOAD. EE-OO." [starts bleeding and malfunctioning across Lori and Leni.]<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;"> "EE-OO-EE-OO-EE-OO."

You've heard it right here, folks. This is what we were building up to this whole freakin' time. All of that training, all of that potential character growth for Clyde was all for absolutely  nothing.

.........Well, thank you for that.

And as the final scene, Clyde goes complete Sanic mode on Mr. Grouse, Mr. Grouse forgets a state within the U.S. and that was Change of Heart! How do I feel about this episode? Well I will say this: even if it turned out to be the biggest slap in the face for Clyde, it was the biggest eye opener for Lori.

Yes, this episode is a complete dissapointment in every possible meaning of the word. But that alone doesn't completely destroy any likability this episode has. I mean, even if the Clyde arc went absolutely nowhere, it did still give way to some very funny moments and quite a good showcase of a pragmatic and helpful Leni. So in a wierd way, I can forgive it for it's shortcomings for giving me a good amount of entertainment. But I really like how Lori was given a lot of depth into her personal insecurities and how she truly feels about Clyde. I honestly never really noticed that the first time waitching it and I had to go through with a discerning eye in order to catch that. All in all, with a slightly mediocre Clyde arc paired with a fantastic Lori arc, I can say that they combine to create an episode that is a very solid "Good".

Story: B

Writing: C+

Characters: B+

Message: A-

Final Score: B

I am EpsilonMk46 and nosebleeds are love; nosebleeds are life.