Ep 19. The Porktrait

In "The Porktrait," the 19th episode of season 1 of Angry Birds, the group of birds we all know and love are up to their usual antics as they try to take down their arch-nemesis, the green pigs. It all begins with a new portrait of King Pig being unveiled in the Pig Palace, causing Red and the rest of the flock to fly into a rage. Why should King Pig be immortalized in such a way when he's caused them so much trouble? The birds decide that they can't let such an insult stand and so they hatch a plan to sneak into the Pig Palace to take down the portrait.

This plan doesn't exactly go smoothly. Early on in the episode, we're introduced to a new character named Minion Pig, who is tasked with guarding the portrait. He sees the birds sneaking around and immediately alerts the rest of the pigs, leading to a wild chase around the palace. The birds use all sorts of creative means to try to disguise themselves and evade the pigs, from pretending to be laundry to hiding in a giant cake. Of course, none of their plans work for very long and before they know it they're surrounded by a horde of green pigs.

What follows is one of the most fun action sequences of the season. The pigs are too numerous for the birds to take on head-on, so they instead use whatever objects they can find in the palace to defend themselves. This includes everything from vases to chandeliers to suits of armor. The animation during these scenes is particularly impressive, as the birds and pigs move with a fluidity and weight that makes each hit and collision feel impactful.

Eventually, the birds are able to make their way to the portrait and, after some more slapstick hijinks, they're able to destroy it. But of course, this doesn't mean that the pigs are going to let them get away with it. Before they can make their escape, they're caught and thrown into the dungeon.

This is where things take a slightly more serious turn. While locked up, the birds begin to reflect on what they've done. Was it really worth risking so much just to take down a portrait? With some encouragement from Chuck, they realize that what really matters is standing up for what they believe in and fighting against injustice. Even if they're sometimes outnumbered and outmatched, they have to keep trying to make the world a better place.

This theme of standing up for your principles is one that's present throughout the entire series, but it comes to a head here in "The Porktrait." It's a nice reminder that even in a show that's primarily about cartoon birds and pigs battling it out, there can be meaningful messages about the importance of standing up for what's right.

All of this isn't to say that the episode is overly serious, however. There are still plenty of jokes and wacky moments to keep things lighthearted. Some of the standout moments include Chuck disguising himself as a pig and trying to blend in with the other swine, and a running gag where the pigs continue to mistake Bomb for a bowling ball.

Overall, "The Porktrait" is a great example of what makes Angry Birds such a fun and entertaining show. There are plenty of action-packed set pieces and comedic moments, but there are also important messages about doing what's right and sticking to your principles. Even if you're not a die-hard fan of the game, this episode is well worth a watch.