17: “In Search of the Stolen Album”

Synopsis: “As Jem and the Holograms prepare to release their debut album, Eric hires Zipper to steal it, so the Misfits can use the material for themselves. Pizzazz sends the Holograms anonymous letters with clues that will supposedly lead them to the stolen album, but instead they lead them into dangerous situations. In the end, Pizzazz becomes angry at Eric since they got a French lessons album instead of the debut album.”

Summary: Episode 17, written by Rick Merwin. We open at Starlight recording studios, where Jem and the Holograms are rehearsing “There’s A Melody Playin'”, but Jem stops mid way and accuses someone of playing flat.

Jem: Sommebody’s playing a little flat.

Aja: Nah, couldn’t be me, must be the mic or something.

Shana: Maybe you’re wearing the wrong shoes.

Aja: Nah, my shoes aren’t flat, they’re sharp, don’t ya think?

Cut to the Misfits entering, what appears to be an abandoned building in a rough neighbourhood. Eric Raymond, looking quite unkept, is fast asleep at his desk (the desk itself is old and sparse, as if it were left by previous tenants). Stormer slams the door, waking Eric up. He asks the Misfits why they’re dressed the way they are, and Pizzazz answers “when we didn’t want anyone to see us come into a dump like this.”

Eric promptly places blame on Pizzazz’s father for their current situation, as he banished them from Misfits Music. But there’s a chance they can get back on top. The key is to get back into Mr. Gabor’s good graces, by making him some money, Pizzazz claims. Money is all Pizzazz’s father understands, and she has a plan on how to do it. The plan, is for Eric to find a way to prevent Jem and the Holograms from releasing their debut album. Somehow, he must get his grubby hands on the master tape.

At Starlight Music, the Holograms spend some time making phone calls to make sure the preparations for the release of their album are being done on time. After a short montage of the Jerrica, Shana, Aja, and Kimber speaking with various people, Kimber stretches out on the couch, yawns, and says “it’s hard work, being famous.”

Later, at Starlight Recording Studios, the Holograms record their new single, “There’s A Melody Playin'”.

Cue Jem and the Holograms music video: “There’s A Melody Playin'”

At the dilapidated temporary offices of Eric Raymond, where once again we see him napping, Zipper stealthily climbs in through the window (why didn’t he just use the front door?). Eric offers a bonus if Zipper is able to steal the master tape for the Holograms’ debut album.

Cut to the Gabor estate, where a disheveled looking Eric Raymond knocks and the door. Matilda, the house keeper, answers and says “we don’t want any bums here”. Pizzazz allows Eric in, where he announces to the Misfits that they’re leaving town immediately. Something unfortunate is about to happen to Jem and the Holograms’ master tape, and it’s best if they’re not in town when it happens.

Later that night, Zipper breaks into Starlight Recording Studios and completes his mission: stealing the Holograms’ master tape. When the Holograms discover the bad news from Tim, their producer, he says “it was a real pro job. I can’t even tell how the burglar got in.”

Elsewhere, the Misfits are relocated to a resort in an undisclosed location and are enjoying their time away. Pizzazz comes up with a scheme to make things even more difficult for Jem and the Holograms. Since Jem is going to be searching for the master tape, they decide to create a treasure hunt, with “cryptic clues.” Meanwhile, at Starlight Music, the band is confident the Misfits are behind the stolen tape, but they can’t prove it. Concern is growing as they have limited time before they must meet their release deadline, and because they’ve exhausted a great deal of money…