The Louds book a stay at an all-inclusive resort, only to find the vacation is not what they imagined.
Synopsis[]
The Louds are shopping at the mall to find a new coffee table after Lana destroyed theirs while using it as a dog sled. As they walk through the mall, Lincoln spots a kiosk promoting all-inclusive vacations. Upon approaching the kiosk, the family is suddenly welcomed by Vic (whom they don't recognize), where he showcases a brand-new resort which promises all the luxuries of a five-star hotel for an incredibly cheap price. At first, Rita and Lynn Sr. refuse, but upon seeing the low price and at the kids' begging, they agree to go. As Lynn Sr. signs the papers, Lisa, after reading a loose sheet, suggests that they read it first, but her words are dismissed.
The Louds' vacation was the best...
...until it became the worst.
The next day, the Louds arrive to the resort, where they discover that it's owned by Vic. Despite being aware of his shady reputation, the Louds take their room key and head to their assigned room. However, the moment they enter, they discover that it's nothing at all like the pamphlet promised: it's completely run down, the garbage can has never been emptied, all the amenities like blankets, towels, pillows, the toilet and electricity need to be paid for with quarters, and there are pigeons under the bed. Lynn Sr. immediately brings his complaints to Vic, demanding that they get a better room, but Vic tells them that they're currently at the yellow level, and the next level up is extremely expensive. This makes Lynn Sr. tell his family that they need to make the most of what they got.
Throughout the weekend, the Louds attempt to make the most of what they can get. However, it becomes very evident that everything Vic offers is completely stacked against them.
First, the family attempts to watch the finale to The Dream Boat, but the broadcast signal goes out, and despite their attempt to pay for the connection as fast as they could, they never get to know what happens.
Second, the family visits the breakfast buffet so they can get something to eat, but Vic tells them that, since they're at yellow level, the only food their level provides is canned tuna (and that they need to pay for the can opener).
Third, the family is about to go swimming in the pool, but, after telling them again that they're yellow level, they're only allowed to dip their toes in the pool, and that they need to pay extra if they want to get their whole bodies in the water.
Lola discovers that the resort offers spa treatments, and learns that the service yellow level members get involves Gilly massaging the patient's back by whacking it with her tail.
Lincoln and Lynn Sr. are prepared to go for a free boat ride, but instead of a boat, they ride in a barrel down a raging river and over a waterfall.
With all this poor treatment they've endured, Lynn Sr. declares it to be the last straw and demands Vic for a refund. However, Vic denies the request, saying that it's in the contract. With all that has happened, Rita suggests that they just go home, but Lincoln says that if they do, Vic is essentially getting away for his bad actions. When Lola questions what they could possibly do, Lincoln suggests that they get Katherine Mulligan to go undercover and expose Vic's scandalous business tactics.
Later, Katherine arrives (wearing a wig), ready to go undercover. However, while observing Katherine, the Louds discover her breaking all the yellow level violations without any repercussions, and by the time Katherine does her report, she actually says nice things about the resort. Vic arrives and reveals that he knew the family tried to set him up, as Katherine foolishly gave herself away by asking him to valet the news van. Because of Katherine's report, more customers are coming to the resort, and thus, the Louds are no longer able to stay in their room, as he proceeds to downgrade them to beige level. As a result, the Louds are now residing in a decrepit wooden shed. After watching Vic let Gilly bite through Vanzilla's tires, Lynn and Leni complain that the reptilian pet is a menace and think it should be illegal for Vic to own. This gives Lisa the idea to check the Michigan State Department of Wildlife's regulations.
The Louds are now having the best vacation ever.
Later, the family approaches Vic and tell him that, after doing some research, they discovered that Gila monsters are not allowed at hotel establishments, and that they have already called up Animal Control to take away Gilly. Not wanting to lose his pet, Vic cracks and begs for mercy, saying he'll give them anything. When Lynn Sr. says that they want the luxury vacation they were promised, Vic agrees to bump them up to red level, prompting Lisa calls up Animal Control to tell them it was a false alarm. Soon enough, the Louds are having a much better time at the resort, as they get to indulge in all the things they were restricted from at the start.
Despite being listed in the credits, Luna has no lines in this episode.
Trivia[]
Lincoln appears on the title card as the stink cloud, just right of the "Please Do Not Disturb" placard.
At the beginning of the episode, the Royal Woods Mall sign has "Morgan returns" written on it, referencing how this episode marks Jared Morgan's return to storyboarding after he last boarded "Silence of the Luans" in Season 5.
This episode seems to be a role reversal of the Season 2 episode "Suite and Sour", where, instead of the Louds giving the hotel they're staying at trouble, the hotel is giving the Louds trouble (courtesy of Vic).
This episode takes place after the events of "Electshunned" and "High Crimes", as Lincoln is well aware of all the shady things Vic did in the past.
The way Lincoln tries to cannonball into the pool, only to be stopped before he could land is similar to the running gag of him never being able to cannonball into a pool in the Season 1 episode "Linc or Swim".
This episode brings up how Lana has a dog sled team, first shown in "Tea Tale Heart".
However, unlike in the aforementioned episode, El Diablo, Hops, and Bitey are not part of Lana's dog sled team, as she uses Cliff and Walt in their place. Charles, however, remains.
This episode reveals the following:
Lana recently used the coffee table as a sled for training her dog sled team, but she crashed it into the wall, broke it, and threw its remains into the fireplace.
The Loud family missing the end of The Dream Boat due to not paying enough for television service is similar to Lincoln missing ARGGH! due to the blackout he caused in "Left in the Dark".
Lisa mentions that it is illegal to own a Gila monster in Michigan. In real life, this only applies to Gila monsters taken from the wild; captive-bred Gila monsters are legal to buy and sell. However, some other states outlaw possession of Gila monsters, regardless of their origins.
If one listens carefully, Lynn mispronounces the type of animal Gilly is (Gila monster) by pronouncing it as GEE-la instead of HEE-la.
Innuendo: The Louds react in disgust to Vic kissing Gilly.
Irony:
Lisa tried to warn Lynn Sr. to look at the legally binding notice on the contract, but since he refused to look at it, he ended up learning too late their vacation was non-refundable.
The Louds thought that allowing Katherine Mulligan to do an exposé on Vic would cause him to get busted, but she had her cover blown by asking Vic to valet the news van, thus allowing her to violate all yellow-level rules without being charged.
Lisa attempted to have Vic exposed for committing a felony by calling Animal Control to alert them about Gilly, but the Louds ultimately ended up coercing Vic into upgrading them to red level, and Lisa told Animal Control that her report was a false alarm.
References[]
Doom Service - The title of this episode is a pun on room service, which can refer to either a service provided to hotel guests in their rooms or the hotel department responsible for this service.
The Shining - The hotel room that the Louds end up staying in is numbered 237, the same number as the hotel room that Danny Torrance is warned to avoid in this 1980 psychological horror film.
The wallpaper in the hotel also resembles the carpet from the Overlook Hotel.
Coincidentally, Lola remarks that their hotel room is like something out of a horror movie.
Peanuts - Katherine Mulligan's swimsuit is yellow with black zigzags, just like Charlie Brown's shirt.
Errors[]
When Lola begs Lynn Sr. to do something about the pricey situation of the hotel room, her left arm overlaps her pearl necklace.
Possible: This episode reveals that Vic's last name is McGillicuddy, even though his signature from "High Crimes" indicates that his last name starts with an F. However, it is possible that his middle name may start with an F, or that he was trying to hide his identity.
When Lincoin tries to jump into the pool and gets pulled back, the rope is on the left side of the screen, but when he lands, the rope is on the right side of the screen
When the Loud family enters the foyer, Luan isn't walking on the ground.
When Vic mentions there's a fee to use the can opener, the can opener appears on the back of his head.
Videos[]
Loud Family Has the WORST Vacation Ever?! - 5 Minute Episode "Doom Service" - The Loud House
