Ep 3. Ren's Toothache / Rubber Nipple Salesman

Ren & Stimpy is an American 2D animated television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon in the early 1990s. The show takes a humorous and often crude look at the daily life of two unlikely best friends, Ren the Chihuahua and Stimpy the cat, as they navigate through various adventures and misadventures. Retro Essentials season 1 episode 3 presents two vastly different but equally entertaining storylines; Ren's Toothache and Rubber Nipple Salesman.

The episode begins with Ren experiencing a terrible toothache. Despite his intense pain, Ren refuses to go to the dentist and instead decides to take matters into his own hands. He attempts to extract the tooth using various tools and methods but to no avail, resulting in hilarious and painful consequences. Meanwhile, Stimpy takes on a new job selling rubber nipples door to door. Although initially struggling to make a sale, Stimpy's kind and empathetic nature allows him to connect with his customers and become successful in his new profession.

Ren's Toothache and Rubber Nipple Salesman showcase the unique and offbeat humor that Ren & Stimpy is famous for. The animation is wonderfully exaggerated and grotesque, with close-ups of Ren's painful tooth and Stimpy's rubber nipples. The voice acting is also superb, with Billy West and John Kricfalusi bringing the characters to life with their distinctive and quirky vocal performances.

Throughout the episode, Ren's Toothache offers countless moments of physical comedy, with Ren's attempts to extract his tooth leading to disastrous and hilarious results. The comedic timing is perfect, with each situation escalating to an absurd level. Ren's stubbornness and insistence on doing things his own way despite the consequences highlight the character's neurotic and controlling personality.

Rubber Nipple Salesman, on the other hand, has a more heartwarming and wholesome storyline, as Stimpy demonstrates his innate ability to connect with people and make them happy. Despite the strange and somewhat uncomfortable nature of his product, Stimpy's genuine concern for his customers' happiness and wellbeing shines through. The storyline is a testament to the show's ability to create emotionally resonant moments amidst its crude and absurdist humor.

Overall, Ren's Toothache and Rubber Nipple Salesman are standout episodes in the first season of Ren & Stimpy. They exemplify the show's unique brand of humor, memorable characters, and excellent animation and voice acting. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy revisiting these classic episodes, while newcomers will appreciate the show's eccentric and irreverent style.