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"Itch to Explore" is the first episode of the first season of Craig of the Creek.
Synopsis[]
Craig's quest to map the entire Creek takes him and his friends to the treacherous Poison Ivy Grove.
Plot[]
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Craig lays out paper and art supplies on the dining room table to draw a map of the Creek, but just as he starts drawing, his older brother Bernard enters with his girlfriend Alexis and kicks him out so they can work on their homework. Craig tries to convince them of the importance of his work, only for the two to rib Craig for using scented markers. Afterwards, he tries to work in the living room, but his younger sister Jessica yells at him saying "Time is money, Craig!", and gives him unwarranted economic advice. Craig moves to the exercise room, where his father Duane is pedaling a stationary bike. Its attached fan blows Craig's art supplies everywhere, causing him to give up and head to the Creek.
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Over at the Creek, Kelsey is training her pet budgie Mortimor using J.P. as a target. Craig greets them and asks what they are doing. Following Kelsey's explanation, J.P. decides not to help with Mortimor's training. They return the question, to which Craig responds by explaining his map. He points out various landmarks and the kids who made them famous. He expressed his desire to make a name for himself. J.P. asks about the big empty spot at the center of the poison ivy grove. Craig explains that it is an unexplored clearing.
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Seeing his chance to make his mark on the Creek, he goes to the Trading Tree, with Kelsey and J.P. in tow. There, they trade with Kit for adventure supplies. The Stump Kids fantasize about their potential status if they discovered a new area of the Creek. Returning with calamine lotion, Kit warns them against going to the grove.
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Arriving at the grove, the Stump Kids put the finishing touches on their protective suits. Craig attaches a fishing line to a tree to allow them to path their way out and hands the rod to J.P. As they walk through the ivy, Kelsey hits the ivy with her sword, Craig contemplates the peace of the place, and J.P. reels out the fishing line. Craig reassures Kelsey following her concern about the danger of the mission, only for J.P. to get himself tangled in the line stuck on some foliage. A thorn punctures his suit, but Kelsey manages to tape it up. J.P. apologizes for getting distracted.
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Standing atop a rock, Craig looks at his map and determines that they are halfway through the ivy. Suddenly, the fishing line breaks. Without the rod, the Stump Kids are forced to navigate using landmarks. While they discuss naming the clearing, they hear rustling. As they look around for the source of the sound, a log swings at them. They dive out of the way, causing a tear in J.P.'s suit. They run through the grove to the creek so they can inspect the tear.
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J.P. has developed a rash. Craig searches his purse for the lotion, only to discover it missing and footprints leading away. Kelsey believes they should follow the creek out of the grove, but Craig doubles down, reasoning that whoever is following them must be protecting something important. Something starts following them in the ivy. They climb up a tree to escape. All their suits tear as they jump between branches in search of a sturdy one. Craig apologizes for getting them stuck up a tree while J.P. scratches his rash. Craig promises to jump out of the tree and run to get help.
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Craig's jump sends him right back on top of the branch. He tells Kelsey and J.P. to jump with him. They land on a trampoline, which Craig realizes was their destination. As they bounce, they hear more rustling, and its source finally reveals himself: a kid.
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He identifies himself as the Scratchless One, immune to poison ivy. He explains that until they discovered the trampoline, it was his only place for alone time, away from his six siblings. He gives the lotion back, which J.P. immediately squirts on his rash.
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Craig thinks for a second, then draws on his map. He shows it to the Scratchless One: a warning on the grove, reading "DANGER | KEEP OUT!!". The Scratchless One thanks Craig for being understanding. The Timekeeper's sousaphone sounds for dinnertime. Craig realizes they are still stuck, but thinks of a solution.
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With the help of the Scratchless One, the Stump Kids time their trampoline bounce to send themselves high into the air. They admire the view before abruptly landing in someone's backyard. They stand up triumphantly. After a beat, Kelsey collapses backward and Craig and J.P. groan in pain.
Characters[]
Main[]
Supporting/Minor[]
- Bernard
- Alexis
- Jessica
- Kit (debut)
- Duane (debut)
- Scratchless One (debut)
- Beth the Timekeeper (non-speaking)
- Michelle Xin (mentioned)
- Lisa Kowalski (mentioned)
- David Brenneman (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- J.P. claims that Ferdinand Magellan had a bush-related fatality, but he was actually killed in the Battle of Mactan.
Videos[]
References