The Smurfette (The Smurfs, 1981)

"The Smurfette (The Smurfs, 1981)"
"Smurfette, we love you."
Part of Season: 1 Episode Number: 27 1 (Production order) Writer: Duane Poole Tom Swale Len Janson Chuck Menville (story) Peyo (original concept, uncredited) Previous episode: "Gargamel the Generous" Next episode: "Spelunking Smurfs" (Broadcast order) "The Smurf's Apprentice" (Production order)

"The Smurfette" is the twenty-seventh episode in Season 1 of The Smurfs and an adaptation of the original comic story of the same name, albeit with many alterations. Despite being the 27th episode being aired, this episode is considered the pilot for the Hanna-Barbera series in production order. It was written by Len Janson, Chuck Menville, Duane Poole and Tom Swale.

Why It Rocks

1. It introduces us to the characters of the Smurfs, including Smurfette (who eventually became the true main protagonist of the entire franchise), and its main villains Gargamel and Azrael.
2. Smurfette was originally a crafty spy created by Gargamel, until Papa Smurf transformed Smurfette into a tomboyish little cutie that she is today. However, she unfortunately has the stereotype of being a damsel in distress in most of the later episodes.
   • Her chatterbox trait in her original appearance was dropped when the story was adapted for television. For most fans, it was for the better.
3. Great voice talents from Lucille Bliss, Don Messick, Paul Winchell, etc.
4. Wonderfully lush backgrounds, which were lacking in many Hanna-Barbera productions outside of the Smurfs. They also stayed true to Peyo's handiwork in drawing the backgrounds.
5. Use of classical music compositions (including original ones), composed by Hoyt Curtin.
6. The characters were already established in the series, despite Jokey and Handy's voice being the only thing different.
7. Some running gags, which were used sparingly in some cases.
8. The court scene is arguably the best part of the episode, where Smurfette confesses that she's been taking orders from Gargamel. This scene was taken from the original comic story.
9. The Smurfs themselves are tolerable for the most part, especially when they're not singing the Smurf song most of the time.
10. Some of the material from the original comics are retained, while most of the scenes are fairly new material.
    • For example, the idea of Clumsy being distracted by the original Smurfette and unintentionally attacking Brainy with a mallet was added in by the animators at Hanna-Barbera. This didn't happen in the original comic story.
11. Good animation in the episode, especially the scene where the Smurfs start to woo Smurfette.

Bad Qualities

1. Despite being the very first episode during the production, NBC rudely aired this episode, as the series' 27th episode by mistake.
2. Not all of the scenes land, as the picnic scene is the only part that falls flat. Smurfette invites her newfound fellow Smurfs to a picnic, but claimed that they have stuff to do and no time to sit with her. After sitting down in the forest for hours, Jokey was the only one that came (only to give her an exploding present and leaves).
   • In fact, most of the scenes were cut from the original comic. Had some of them been left in, it would have been more interesting to hear Smurfette's terrible singing voice before her transformation.
3. A couple characters such as Jokey's voice is different, not helping that June Foray wasn't there to voice the character yet. Handy Smurf's voice also matches Lazy's, which looks very off putting.
4. Some parts can be hit-or-miss.
5. Most of the animation had off-model issues, such as miscoloring a character or drawing characters with misfigured features and proportions.
6. "The Smurf Song" is pretty annoying to hear at the beginning, but was only used as an instrumental piece throughout the episode.

Reception

It holds a rating of 7.1/10 on IMDB.

Trivia

• The episode is based on the third comic book album of the same name for The Smurfs comic book series, with many differences:
  • The comic book story originally began with the Smurfs in their everyday lives and start a party. In the episode, the episode starts with Gargamel ranting and raving about how much he hates the Smurfs (including their sickeningly sweet happiness).
  • Grouchy originally engraved a heart in the middle of the comic book story. In the episode, it happened at the end during Smurfette's celebration.
  • The other Smurfs reluctantly agreed to go on a picnic with Smurfette and played games with her. In the episode, the other Smurfs had stuff to do and no one came to her picnic (except for Jokey).
  • Gargamel hardly ever gets any news from Smurfette, but is greeted by a female clone of him at the end. The episode has the same elements, but with Gargamel making contact with Smurfette through her communication compact.
  • Papa Smurf gave Smurfette a makeover using plastic smurfery. This was changed to magic in the cartoon episode.
  • Smurfette was a chatterbox and kept talking, which caused the Smurfs to hate her. In the cartoon episode, she uses her feminine wiles in an attempt to seduce the other Smurfs.
  • Smurfette teaches the Smurfs how to dance properly and sang a poorly sung song during a night party. This was cut in the cartoon episode.
  • In the comic, Smurfette chose to leave the village in order to restore the status quo. In the cartoon episode, Smurfette becomes the Lone Smurf and rescues her fellow Smurfs from Gargamel.
  • In the cartoon episode, Smurfette desires to become a real Smurf and stay in the village. This does not happen in the comic.

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