"Papa For A Day" is a Season 7 episode from the 1980s Smurfs cartoon show.
Characters[]
- Papa Smurf
- Grandpa Smurf
- Brainy Smurf/Papa Brainy
- Smurfette/Papa Smurfette
- Grouchy Smurf/Papa Grouchy
- Greedy Smurf/Papa Greedy
- Hefty Smurf/Papa Hefty
- Flighty Smurf/Papa Flighty
- Miner Smurf
- Handy Smurf
- Painter Smurf
- Clumsy Smurf
- Harmony Smurf (Non-speaking cameo)
- Unnamed Smurfs
Synopsis[]
The Smurfs get a try to be Papa Smurf.
Plot Summary[]
"Okay, who wants to wear the red hat?"
Papa Smurf, with the help of Grandpa, is working on a formula to make an effective Gummy Grout formula, when Flighty arrives and tells him that he was about to do laundry, but Hefty invited him to swim at the pond and he now is unable to decide as always. Papa then points out that Flighty can wash his clothes while swimming. Flighty thanks him and leaves, with Hefty saying that Papa's always the right Smurf to solve a dilemma. Grandpa states that both are right, while Papa complains on wishing to get the solution to the unstable grout formula.
A little while later, Brainy interrupts Papa's work, telling him that he has organized a clean-up campaign against clutter and asks him if the Smurfs can store some of their things outside his house. Papa approves and Brainy rallies the Smurfs, who begin to dump the "junk" from their wheelbarrows. Papa is shocked to see them trying to rid themselves of clutter that way, and asks them to be more organized, proposing to build a place more suitable to store such belongings, like a storage room. Smurfette points out that is a good idea and with Papa's help they could get it ready in no time. Papa states that he has been a little busy at this time and Brainy says that if Papa needs a little time for his own, he can be Papa Smurf for a whole day. Hefty complains that he could be a better Papa than Brainy and Flighty complains as well but gets trapped instantly trying to make another decision. Grandpa intervenes and says that everybody can be Papa Smurf taking turns in using the Papa's red cap and leading for moments the tunnel's construction. Papa points that it might not be such a good idea, but Grandpa states that it's time for the Smurfs to learn the leader's job isn't easy. All the Smurfs rally to take Papa's cap to begin the project, but Brainy states that they can decide who goes first with a (coin) toss. Hefty agrees with Brainy, although he kicks him out of the village. Brainy complains that wasn't the kind of toss he had in mind.
The first Smurf seen taking Papa's place at the beginning of the tunnel's construction is Smurfette who, as Papa Smurfette, orders the Smurfs to pull dirt to one direction to another. Miner complains that he never imagined a day he did not want to see Smurfette, but she's determined to get the job well done no matter how, and even when Handy and Miner disagree with her about the dangerous placement of wreath banners, she reminds them that "Papa knows best". The banners then fall on Smurfette, quickly changing her mind. For a short while, Grouchy is reluctantly made Papa Grouchy and all the Smurfs ask him what to do as he angrily complains "I hate being Papa!".
Meanwhile, at Papa's lab, the latter has advances in his perfection of the grout formula, although he misses the presence of his little Smurfs. Another Smurf seen acting as Papa is Flighty. However, Papa Flighty is unable to make a solid decision in where to shovel, making an upset Miner shout "Papa or no Papa, dig yourself out of this one!" as Flighty gets comically buried in dirt. Greedy then overtakes him as Papa Greedy, pointing out that they need a Papa who can made decisions and his first order as Papa is calling for lunch. However, the Smurfs rally so faster to eat, that Greedy is left with no sandwich to eat, and while Miner and Hefty are glad to see a Papa that can make decisions and prepares good sandwiches, Greedy laments that being Papa can left a stomach emptiness on himself.
Back at Papa's lab, he was sleeping after some hard work and sighing in his sleep "Yes, my little Smurfs. No, my little Smurfs". Grandpa wakes him up and Papa states that he's missing the constant presence of the Smurfs. Fortunately, his Gummy Grout formula is finally perfect and stable. As the Smurfs 'progress' in the construction of their storage tunnel, Brainy in his turn as Papa Brainy 'secures' the Smurfs' success in the project with his supposedly easy instructive to make the construction work more effective. However, all they get is a jam; Hefty trying to hammer nails or Handy removing it, Painter making a tidy wood piece painting job while Clumsy's one is messy, etc. Having enough, Hefty rowdy overtakes him and as Papa Hefty and his first thing was to dispose of Brainy in the usual kick off, but Smurfette stops him and points that a Papa must be tolerant with the Smurfs' behavior, even Brainy's one. And an upset Hefty says "It seems is not going to be easy being Papa".
After days of hardworking, Smurfette complains that this Papa game was not probably the best idea after all. Handy says that everybody got their chance to be Papa for a "day" and being it is more than sporting a red cap and giving orders and instructions. Everybody agreed and decided to give back Papa his surplus cap, but when Smurfette took it from the column it was put, the storage tunnel began to collapse. Grandpa helps Papa prepare the production of the Gummy Grout when the Smurfs who made a getaway in time, tell him that the tunnel is collapsing and taking most of the Smurf houses down to the underground. Papa, now ready to take back his role as leader of the Smurfs, orders Handy to get his tools, tells Painter and Clumsy to pick most boulders as possible and rallies the rest of the Smurfs in order to repair the disaster. A few moments later with Papa's guidance, the collapsing holes are filled with the boulders put on by Painter and Clumsy, Handy organized stable scaffolds to stabilize the working area, and Brainy supplying buckets of the grout from a giant jar in order to asset the ligaments and unions of the columns. Soon as possible, the storage tunnel is finally built well and stable, and the Smurfs celebrate with a banquet that even allows Smurfette's flower crowns and wreaths. Now the Smurfs can store their clutter in extra spaces (For example: Hefty now can store his extra gym equipment and Greedy his extra food if he is to store it). And everybody states that Papa's red cap has the right place as there's only one Papa Smurf, "And only one Grandpa too!" as Grandpa happily points it and winks to the audience.
Trivia[]
- Smurfette temporarily takes Papa's position of leader in this episode, much like a later Smurfs comic book story where he gives her the same (temporary) role, The Great Smurfette.
- This is one of the fewer Season 7 episodes colored on ink and paper (some of them were colored digitally).
- When Papa Greedy calls the Smurfs for lunch, Clumsy (who was leaving the ladder) leaves Handy, causing him to fall. Something similar happens in "A Loss Of Smurf".
Goofs[]
- At one point as the Smurfs are in the tunnel, Grandpa's hat is a normal Smurf hat.
Videos[]
