23: “The Jem Jam: Part 1”

Synopsis: “The Misfits plot to ruin The Jem Jam, a benefit concert Jem is planning, by tricking Luna Dark into coming with them, while Krissie must deal with Lena Lerner’s spoiled son, Dominic, and Ba Nee is sure that Randy James, a red-haired drummer is her father.”

Summary: Episode 23, the first in a two-part series, is written by Jem creator, Christy Marx.

We open at a by invitation only banquet, hosted by Jem and the Holograms, where they plan on announcing a benefit concert with some special guests. The Misfits are anxiously awaiting Jem’s announcement as the benefit has been kept secret. Eric Raymond has brought Techrat with him, who gives Clash a special camera that will wireless send whatever footage she takes, to a mobile screen so that the rest of the Misfits can see what’s going on. Clash is disguised as a reporter and makes an attempt to find out what’s going on at the banquet. Before Clash can enter, she sees Ba Nee and lies about her father asking to see her in the lobby. Not knowing that Ba Nee doesn’t know her father, Clash’s plan works. Ba Nee asks Clash if he had red hair, and naturally Clash goes along with it and acknowledges. Ba Nee runs off.

In lobby, Ashley finds Ba Nee and asks why she ran off. Ba Nee says a lady told her that her father was waiting for her, but Ashley tries to explain she doesn’t have one. Ba Nee is understandably upset as this is a sensitive subject for her. All Ba Nee seems to know about her father, is that he was American and had red hair. She vows to find her father someday.

In the dining hall, Krissie offers refreshments to some of the guests, but a young boy sporting a leather jacket, rudely asks her for a drink.

Jem takes the stage and announces the Jem Jem. A benefit concert featuring many talented musicians, including: the grand master of rhythm and blues, Rowan Owens, Ron Cox, Lena Lerner (and her son, Dominic), and Luna Dark.

After watching Jem’s announcement, the Misfits are baffled at how Jem managed to secure such top talent for the concert. They want to retaliate but don’t have any clue what to do. Eric Raymond steps in and tells them to wear some special costumes he’s prepared, and that they should just trust him. Stormer is taken aback by the clearly unfashionable and horrible design of the outfits.

Jem announces the final guest: Johnny Deacon. Ashley and the other Starlight girls are pushed out of the way as a few people rush to the stage. A man pushes Ashley aside and says: “look out, little girl.” Ashley vows that someday, people will be asking for her photo.

Cut to a music video by Ashley: “I Can See Me”.

The Misfits disrupt the banquet as they walk in wearing ridiculous body hugging latex suits, with a multitude of obscenely bright flashing lasers. They try to divert the crowds attention by announce their new “improved” look. Jem is furious that the Misfits have crashed the event and dismisses their involvement in the Jem Jam when Johnny Deacon asks if they’re part of it.

A mob of angry punks, who happen to be staunch Jem fans, crash the party. They start questioning who is a real Jem fan and begin attacking several camera men, destroying their equipment. Pizzazz tells Jem that she “sure has some creepy friends,” however Jem denies any relation with them. As some of the guests follow Clash and the Misfits, Aja uses her martial arts training to take down one of the thugs. Jem notices some of the punks trying to steal the Holograms’ equipment, but quickly quashes their attempt by using Synergy to make the guitars look like they’re monsters. Rio and Johnny kick a few punks out, while the rest of the Holograms and Starlight girls work together to capture the remaining few.

Jem: Synergy, I need some punk repellent.

Jem invites the Jem Jam guests to stay at Starlight…