The Chips Are Down (Code Lyoko episode)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Chips Are Down" is the thirty-fifth episode of the French animated television series Code Lyoko. It premiered in France on October 26, 2005 and in the United States on September 29, 2005.
Contents |
[edit] Summary
When Ulrich learns that Yumi might have to go back to Japan because her father lost his job, he can't accept losing her. After a misguided attempt to write a letter to the president, he hears the lottery numbers on the radio and gets an idea. Using a return trip, he is able to get a ticket with the winning numbers and give it to Yumi's parents. When the others find out, they kick him out of the group until they can figure out what to do. To make matters worse, Xana activates a tower and possesses Nicolas. On top of that, he creates an army of Krabbes to guard it.
[edit] Recap
The episode starts on the Quad. Ulrich is at the arches standing next to Emilio Rodriguez and Caroline Savorani, who are chatting. Ulrich notices some activity a short distance away. Pushing past Anne-Sophie Munier and Jean Baptiste Pujol, Ulrich reaches Aelita, Odd and Jeremie. They are surrounding Yumi, consoling her. Ulrich comes by and tries to find out what's wrong, but the others are too busy being nice to notice.
Later, in science class, Ulrich finds out that Yumi's father lost his job and that the Ishiyama family might be moving back to Japan. Ulrich is understandably concerned about this, much more so than the others, and makes an excuse to get out of class. He heads over to Yumi's history class. She notices him hanging from the window and makes a similar excuse to leave class.
In the Quad, Ulrich is discussing ways to keep Yumi at school. His ideas are less than helpful. His last idea about writing a Congressman prompts Yumi to make a joke about writing the President. Yumi departs in a huff, leaving Ulrich to his own devices.
That night in his dorm room, Ulrich actually tries to do it. He writes several drafts to the President of the country, but hates them all. Ulrich crumples up his latest draft and discards it on the growing pile. He stops when he catches the lottery numbers for the $30,000,000 prize being announced on the radio. An idea suddenly hits the boy. He copies down the numbers and leaves the room.
At Yumi's house, her parents are arguing over Mrs. Ishiyama being unable to find work. The man of the house responds with angry shouts to his wife's questioning him if he went to the Employment Agency or not.
At the same time, Aelita, Jeremie and Odd are discussing the same problem of Mr. Ishiyama's jobless state. Aelita notices that Ulrich seems to be taking it a lot harder than they are. Odd asks her how she'd feel if Jeremie had to go away forever. She blushes and asks why he'd say such a thing. He replied that he said it just to see her blush. Everyone is cut off by a Return Trip being activated.
Back in time, the gang (minus Ulrich) wonder what could have happened. They decide to investigate after class. When they meet up with Ulrich, he claims he has studying to do. After class, while the others head for the Factory, Ulrich leaves the campus.
On a sidewalk in the city's downtown, Ulrich stops by a street side vendor's kiosk next to a pharmacy. With some money, Ulrich purchases a lottery ticket. As is expected, he marks the same numbers that were read in the radio before the trip. The vendor points out that he's not old enough to play the lottery, but Ulrich just says it's for his mom.
He heads over to Yumi's house and gives the tickets to her parents, asking them not to say who they got it from. The radio announces the numbers shortly thereafter, much to the surprise and joy of the Ishiyamas. When they mention it to Yumi, she's confused because her parents never gamble. That confusion clears up rather quickly when they say Ulrich gave it to them.
In the Ouad, the others confront Ulrich about what he's done. They are CHEESED OFF about the fact that Ulrich didn't tell them what he was planning. Jeremie is especially touchy about the fact that with every return trip, XANA gets stronger. With the crime of increasing XANA's power on his hands, Ulrich is kicked out of the group until they can sort matters out. Yumi angrily gives Ulrich the lottery ticket back.
As if to confirm what they all told him, XANA activates a Tower in Lyoko. At first, just one Krabe appears. It's followed by another, then two more and, eventually, an entire army of Krabes.
Back on Earth, Sissi tries to cheer Ulrich up. Nicolas and Hervé can't figure out what she sees in Ulrich. The two wash their hands in the Boy's Lavatory. Hervé leaves first, just in time for XANA to attack Nicolas. XANA's ghost possesses Nicolas, rounding up yet another minion.
In history class, Jeremie picks up the activated Tower. As soon as class ends, they head for the Factory. XANA-Nicolas is hot on their heels. As they leave, the Gilles Fumet can be heard giving a spiel about ideas for helping destitute farming villages in Africa.
In the Lab, Jeremie sends everyone to Lyoko. Ulrich isn't with them, of course. As Jeremie brings up their Vehicles, XANA-Nicolas can be seen scaling the beam above the Lab via violet electromagnetism. He leaps down and attacks as the gang heads for the Tower.
A Krabe starts walking along side the Lyoko gang as XANA-Nicolas knocks Jeremie out.
XANA-Nicolas begins to reprogram the computer.
The rest of the Krabe army follows shortly. Odd scolds Jeremie on not telling them about the Krabes. Nicolas says in a guttural, unnatural voice that their wounds becoming fatal, which Odd hears and immediately recognizes as Nicolas. The Krabes begin to fire on the gang. Yumi is hit and sent into a roll on her Overwing, eventually being tossed off. The Vehicle is taken out shortly after. Odd flies over to help. After the shot, Yumi is barely able to move. They all take cover behind a small hill. Odd tries to get a look at the monsters and gets hit as well. Aelita uses her Creativity to create a sand wall to block the monsters.
In the Gymnasium, Ulrich is practicing Pencak Silat. Sissi is there, too, despite his protests. Hervé shows up looking for Nicolas. Ulrich overhears him talking about Nicolas' strange actions, voice and eyes. Ulrich knows it's XANA and takes off.
At the Factory, Ulrich finds Jeremie unconscious. XANA-Nicolas is there, too, hanging from the walls. XANA-Nicolas darts around the room rapidly, making him impossible to catch and increasing his danger level. Ulrich tries to kick him, only to have his foot pass right through XANA-Nicolas' midsection. Ulrich manages to trick XANA-Nicolas into the elevator and shorts it out, leaving XANA- Nicolas trapped inside. Jeremie is still out of it, mumbling some incoherent sentences. Ulrich heads to the computer to reassure the others.
On Lyoko, the others aren't doing so well. The army of Krabes has managed to break the sand wall and have the gang on the run. Unable to fix what XANA- Nicolas broke, Ulrich heads back to Jeremie. A quick slap brings Jeremie back to attention. Jeremie figures out that the Scanners were shut down. He fixes them and sends Ulrich to Lyoko.
With the scanners fixed, the gang has their near-invincible status back, according to Odd. Ulrich arrives to help them with the fight. Now that everyone has arrived, the Krabes change tactics. They group up in several lines in front of the Tower. Jeremie brings up the group’s Vehicles. Odd takes Aelita and has Ulrich and Yumi run cover. Odd dives on his Overboard and makes a large jump off a natural stone ramp, shouting “WOOHOO!” as he clears the Krabes. At this point, the Krabes unveil a new attack; an underbelly weapon that obliterates a small radius below them. Luckily, Odd is able to dodge these. Ulrich and Yumi fly overhead, taking out several Krabes along the way. They eventually reach the last line of Krabes, which are intermittently firing their underbelly weapon as they take pot shots at Aelita and Odd. Ulrich comes by and makes a hole in the line allowing Odd and Aelita to get past.
In the Factory, XANA-Nicolas manages to get free of the elevator and heads back to attack Jeremie. Still moving quickly, he catches Jeremie rather easily.
Aelita deactivates the Tower as XANA-Nicolas tries to electrocute Jeremie to death. Nicolas trips backwards and bumps his head, removing the need for a return trip.
At the school, the gang drops off Nicolas at the Infirmary. They decide to let Ulrich back in the group, understanding why he did what he did. When asked what he is going to do with his winnings, Ulrich says he will give it to a charity that builds wells in arid African villages. A call to Yumi reveals that her father has managed to find work. She lets them sit on the news for a bit before telling them where. Ulrich seems pleased with the whole deal and the episode ends.
[edit] Memorable Quotes
- Ulrich: (about Odd) He's really lost it this time.
- Yumi: No more than you have.
- Jeremie: Ulrich, you're the greatest!
- Odd: Hey! What about me?! Don't I get any credit?!
- Odd: I'll do what I do best… Chef's surprise!
- Ulrich: Hi guys. Didn't miss me too much did ya?
- Yumi: Just a little, yeah.
- Odd: (referring to the Krabes) Yeah, but those guys aren't going to keep missing us if we stick around.
- Hervé: I really don't understand what she sees in him.
- Nicolas: You said it. He sure is no match for my looks and my brains.
- Hervé: You think you're handsome, huh?
- Nicolas: No more than you think you're smart.
- Hervé: I dare you to say that again!
- (Nicolas punches Hervé out)
- Sissi: Hey! What’s up Ulrich? You don't look too good.
- Ulrich: You’re right, and when I see you… it gets even worse!
- Ulrich: Why don't we write to a Congressman, and ask for help?
- Yumi: Sure… why not the President while you're at it?
- Ulrich: Hmm...
- Yumi: Are you kidding? My parents would never go for that, and what’s more… they need me.
- Ulrich: Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
- (Ulrich has just found out that Yumi may have to move back to Japan)
- Ulrich: What?! Yumi's leaving, we may never see her again, and I shouldn't panic!!
- Odd: You know what? There is an easy solution.
- Ulrich: Oh yeah, what?
- Odd: Well, you see, if you marry Yumi, then she can get a Green Card.
- Ulrich: Very funny.
- Aelita: I get the feeling that Ulrich is taking this situation even harder than we are.
- Odd: You can say that again. For Ulrich, losing Yumi is... well, imagine how you'd feel if Jeremie had to leave.
- Aelita: (while blushing) Why do you say that?
- Odd: 'Cause I love making you blush!
- Aelita: There are no mirages on Lyoko!
- Odd: (to Aelita in a British accent) Madame, would you do me the honor of climbing aboard my humble... board?
- (Nicolas is crawling on the walls.)
- Ulrich: Come on, Spider-Man!
- Ulrich: You're gonna hate me for doing this, but it's for a good cause.
- (Ulrich slaps Jeremie.)
- Jeremie: Ow! Hey!
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Cinematic Notes
- A large number of Krabes made a wall to block Aelita from getting to the Tower. About two rows of them make up the wall, but when Odd and Aelita dive under them with the Overboard, there were more than two rows.
- When Jeremie transferred Yumi, Aelita and Odd, he didn't select Yumi's card.
- Yumi said there were about 20 Krabes, but seen on screen, there were a lot more than just 20 Krabes.
[edit] Culture Notes
- Ulrich mentions writing a letter to a Congressman, but the legislative branch in the French government isn’t called a Congress like it is in the United States. It is referred to as Parliament.
- Odd said that if Ulrich married Yumi she could get a Green Card, but a Green Card in France is used as a medical identity card and also for driver's insurance. It is not used for immigration purposes like it is in the United States.
| Preceded by: "Missing Link" |
Code Lyoko episodes | Followed by: "Marabounta" |
