Episode 102: Wembley and the Gorgs

Fraggle Rock
Air Date	January 17, 1983
Written by	Jerry Juhl
Director	Jim Henson

The Gorgs put Wembley's friends on trial.

Pa Gorg, self-proclaimed King of the Universe, is upset that he doesn't have any loyal subjects, but when Junior Gorg catches Wembley in the garden, the Fraggle, ever eager to please, agrees to be Pa's subject. Wembley's friends are determined to rescue him from the Gorgs, but even when they're caught in Junior's trap, Wembley refuses to leave. It's only when Junior threatens to thump the Fraggles that Wembley realizes that "sometimes slavery feels like freedom" and sets his friends free.

Meanwhile, Doc gets a letter from The North American Society of Tinkerers that he has been nominated for Man of the Year.

Fraggle Facts

"I salute you, O king!" Wembley mistakes the Gorgs as possible friends.

The captive Fraggles sing Fraggle Rock Rock.

• The Gorgs consider themselves the rulers of the Universe, although as far as we know, the only other creatures they've ever seen are a few of the Fraggles and some local wildlife. Pa Gorg is constantly worried about invasion, but it's unclear whether there are any other Gorgs in the world.

Notes

• This episode is the first appearance of Pa and Ma Gorg (not counting the opening credits sequence). The Ma Gorg puppet introduced in this episode will be replaced after the first twelve-episode production block.
• This episode marks the first time Doc mentions his neighbor Ned Shimmelfinny and his cat Fluffinella. Mr. Shimmelfinny never appears, but is mentioned often and becomes very important at the end of the series.

International versions

• French version: Doc wins an award from the society of Nouvelle Cuisine, for his pommes frittes melba. Croquette reacts badly to the prospective absence, but after some affectionate bonding, reluctantly gives his blessing with a wave of his paw. Uncle Matt's postcard is identical to the North American version.

Songs

• "Here to There"
• "Recruiting Song (Heed the Drumbeat Now)"
• "Fraggle Rock Rock"

Supporting Cast

• Fluffinella (Karen Prell)

Video releases

• Wembley and the Gorgs (VHS) (HBO Video, 1986)
• Where It All Began (VHS and DVD) (HIT!, 2004) -- closing credits cut on the Special Edition DVD
• Fraggle Rock: Complete First Season (HIT!, 2005)
• Fraggle Rock: Complete Series Collection (HIT!, 2008)

International episode titles

• Denmark: "Vembi hos Gorgerne"
• Finland: "Vempi kohtaa Gorgit" (Video title "Vempi ja Gorgit")
• France: "Wembley Et Les Gorgs" (Wembley and the Gorgs)
• Germany: "Wembley und die Gorgs" (Wembley and the Gorgs)
• Japan: "しまった！ゴーグにつかまった" (Oh No! Captured By Gorgs)
• Netherlands: "Wimmie en de Griezels"
• Norway: "Vembi og gorgene"
• Poland: "Wembley i Gorgi"
• Portugal: "Wembley e os Gorgs"
• Spain: "Dudo y los Goris"
• Sweden: "Vembi och Gorgarna"

Dutch title

French title

German title

Swedish title

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