Totally Spies!

Totally Spies!
Spies, From Left to Right: Clover, Alex, Sam
Created by	Vincent Chalvon-Demersay David Michel
Starring	Andrea Baker Jennifer Hale Katie Griffin Adrian Truss Katie Leigh Jess Harnell
Country of origin	USA France
No. of episodes	104
Production
Running time	approx. 0:22 Minutes
Original release
Network	See Broadcasting
Release	November 3, 2001 – Still in Production

Totally Spies! is a French animated television series produced by the French company Marathon.

Overview

Totally Spies stars three teenaged superspies from Beverly Hills: Sam, Clover, and Alex. They fight international crime with special gadgets supplied by their boss, Jerry, who is the founder and leader of the secret World Organization of Human Protection (WOOHP) agency but that wan alex tied clover up with rope and gagged clover with tape over her mouth and tkk off cover shoes and socks and clover is bear feet and aelx tied sam up with rope an dgagged sam with tape over mouth and took off sam shoes ans socks and sam is bear feet and that wan a rope tied alex up and than gagged alex with tape and tok off alek shoes and socks and alek is bear feet the spies are lodt tied to chairs and tkk alex get free but ties moor rope rond clover arms and legs and feet ans mouth and alex ties moor rope arond sam arms and legs and feet and mouth and ties cover and sam back to back and gagged thim (it has been incorrectly claimed that the girls work for the CIA.) They must balance their missions with their day-to-day lives, worrying about tests, boys, and their school rival, Mandy - something of a prima donna. Totally Spies is sometimes described as "American" (despite being produced in Europe) due to its strong shojo influence and use of well-known visual gags and cues, as well as its Southern California setting. Thematically, it is reminiscent of the 1970s TV show Charlie's Angels, with Jerry serving as a kind of amalgamation of "Bosley" and "Charlie." Unlike Charlie, however, Jerry is not afraid to reveal himself to his agents, sometimes going as far as having them forcibly transported to his office (a phenomenon known amongst the spies as "WOOHPing") not only to brief them on their missions but to also inform them of relatively minor personal issues. The show displays a retro aesthetic that pays homage to 60s design/fashion, especially "flower power" and the like, as well as the 1980s anime/manga "Dirty Pair". (The suits and jetpacks used by the Dirty Pair in episode 8 of the original television series are a particularly telling hint at Totally Spies' reference to the show.)

Unlike most shows, the heroes are fairly popular at school. They also change clothes whereas most animated characters do not; this is often critical to their missions (as an element of disguise).

Criticisms

Many, however, consider the show to lack any outstanding qualities. Critics claim that the plotlines of Totally Spies are contrived, and that the characters lack depth. For example, nearly every time the girls are caught and about to be eliminated, their enemies leave suddenly, and often without reason (in a deus ex machina). The spies then easily make their exit with a few gadgets, which are almost always disguised as makeup or some kind of accessory - even though these disguises seem to be pointless, as the show has rarely, if ever, had a situation requiring the gadgets to be disguised. The spies' prerogative of keeping their identities a secret is often contradicted since multiple episodes have shown the three in their spy outfit in public, and in some cases even televised.

Several critics of the show have also pointed out the overuse of "mind control" storylines; however, this seems to be a running gag, as it's nearly always Sam who ends up being controlled.

Certain critics are also former fans of the series itself back from its earlier days, who were convinced the show had "jumped the shark" when the series added "Undercover" and introduced new characters and changed voice actors, some defendants however note that the show's retooling gave the series an identity it had been lacking in the first two seasons.

The theme of secret agents also leading normal school lives has also drawn comparisons from some with the Disney series Kim Possible amongst internet message boards.

Despite these criticisms of the series, it has proven popular enough to continue through several seasons.

Characters

Main article: List of characters in Totally Spies!

Running Jokes

There are several minor running gags on the series, the most well-known is when the girls are in some type of "emergency" (which usually involves ) and suddenly and instantly transported to WOOHP headquarters for a mission brief (or something less drastic). The method of being "WOOHPed" tends to vary from episode to episode, but usually involves a common, inanimate object (such as an umbrella) moving unnoticed towards the spies and sucking them inside (usually through a pipe).

The main ones are the constant fates of the spies (Sam becoming a victim of mind control, Clover becoming a victim of metamorphosis and Alex being clumsy), but there are more, including the "If the pilot's out here/unconscious, then who's flying the plane/chopper?", which always immediately results in the plane or helicopter suddenly lurching downwards as if to crash-land. See each spies section for more details. Another concerns the UPWATI gadget; whenever the UPWATI is mentioned, one of the spies says "UP-whatty?". Another is that the villains are almost always out for revenge on the world or a certain person or organization (usually WOOHP), instead of turning to crime for personal gain (though this has happened).

Easter Eggs

Several easter eggs have been hidden throughout the show. One example would be in ep 33. Green With N.V., one of the scenes shows Alex, Clover & Sam next to a tall pillar that has a Totally Spies sign on it and a picture representing a disco version of the spies used as a promo on one of the TS websites.

Gadgets

Every mission assigned to the spies by WOOHP involves several gadgets given to them by Jerry (or, in series 3 and later, GLADIS). Missions not assigned by WOOHP usually use old gadgets kept by the girls in case of emergencies. WOOHP gadgets often have acronyms that spell out ironic or comical words (often accompanied by reactions from the spies) such as RASH and KURTT. Almost all missions involve the red, green and yellow suits, but these are sometimes overridden by other apparel (for example the UPWATI). Most gadgets are pink, but in season 3 the colour purple mostly replaced pink as the primary colour for gadgets.

Jerry also uses gadgets, but, being male and middle-aged instead of female and adolescent, he uses more "adult-friendly" gadgets. These are often disguised as regular objects, and are usually coloured grey.

Gadgets used solely by Jerry

• GLADIS: Gadget Lending And Distribution Interactive System. Debuting in season 3, GLADIS is Jerry's artificially intelligent assistant. It is integrated into the headquarters building, Jerry's office (in the form of a spheroidal robot with arms and a camera), and even, in one episode, the Spies' home. Jerry created it (or her; her voice is that of a synthesised female), using the neural patterns of a super-intelligent criminal with all the evil synapses (supposedly) removed, and therefore it seems to have its own personality. However, after cranberry juice was spilt on its office presence, the remaining evil patterns were brought out by cranberry juice (The Brain, the criminal its thought patterns were derived from, was allergic to it), causing it to behave psychotically.

• Jerry's "Wallet": An "adult" counterpart to the Compowder/X-Powder, it has the communication functions of a normal Compowder, but is disguised as a wallet. Jerry's mother once caught him "talking into [his] wallet", and attributed it to a lack of parental guidance.

• A fold-up scooter.

• A pair of extra-strong earmuffs.

Standard issue gadgets

These gadgets are standard issue and are therefore never described/vended by Jerry/GLADIS. They are sometimes replaced with superior, mission-specific versions.

• Compowder/X-Powder: The Compowder is the communications device used by the Spies when talking to Jerry, his associates or, rarely, other teens. It resembles a make-up kit, hence the name (powder puff_. Along with other changes to the show from Season Three, the Compowder was recolored purple and upgraded into the X-Powder, which added the ability to instantly change outfits; it has therefore since been used for disguises and to change the girls into their spy uniforms (whereas before the costume changes were unseen). It can also change the appearance of vehicles so it is assumed it can change the appearance of anything compatible (ie made by WOOHP). Another new feature is that when the girls talk to people, they show up as holograms, instead of on the screen. It is shown that in addition to its features used for spying it can also be used to play videos, listen to music, and be used as a pager and cell phone. It should be noted that Alex has broken her Compowder/X-Powder many times.

• Bungee Belts: A belt that launches its beltbuckle with an attached cable. The buckle seems to be able to stick to any surface. It was originally a mission-specific gadget, but after its first appearance it became standard-issue. It is sometimes replaced with a superior (or simply more fashionable) belt.

• Spy suits: The three Spies, when disguises are not required, often use these standard-issue suits. They are colour-coded for each spy: red for Clover, green for Sam, yellow for Alex, blue for the trainee Britney in "Alex Quits" and purple for Mandy in one of the episodes. They are often used in conjunction with the Jetpack Backpacks when moving from one area to the next.

Communication

• Earring Microphone Communicators: The earrings allow the girls to talk to each other when they are separated or when their communicators don't work. It can also pick up sound from far away distances. A banana-shaped version has also been used.

Transport

• Jetpack Backpacks: These are used in many missions to ease transport from place to place. They often have a finite fuel resource, which makes them of limited use in chases. They also have turbo speed modes, which can be used, above all, to blast open doors. In Season three, they are upgraded, hence the change in appearance. The newer version is coloured purple, includes wings and look less cloth-like when not in use.

• UPWATI: Underwater Power Walking Apparatus That's Inconspicuous. As the name suggests, it is a gadget used for walking/swimming underwater. As well as being featured in two episodes, it also has its own running joke ("Up-whatty?")

• KURTT: The KURTT is a road vehicle capable of transforming into any wheeled vehicle. At first disliked by the spies (as it is presented in its incognito mode (a dilapidated brown 70's-esque car)), they soon discover its abilities and start to like it. The name could be a possible reference to the car, KITT, that Michael Knight drives in Knight Rider.

Clothing

• Pogo Gogo Boots: Identical in looks to the spies' standard footwear but with special capabilities. Just like the Just Sticky Enough Gloves they are fitted with suction pads allowing them to stand on ceilings or walk up walls.

• Just Sticky Enough gloves: Gloves that allows the spies to stick to any surface. It is often remarked by the spies that the Gloves aren't "sticky enough" as they often give out causing them to get caught by the villains, although they have proven to be too sticky sometimes.

• Cat Fight Gloves: Gloves with retractable claws. Can also be used in scaling of walls.

• M-ray Contact Lenses (in aquamarine): Contact lenses that allow the user to see through objects. Initially they only work on metal but later they seem to be able to be used to see outlines of people when looking at nonmetal objects. They are often kept in a case in the Com-powder/X-powder. When activated though, contrary to their name, they turn red, not blue-green.

• Drill Heel Boots: A pair of boots with a drill hidden in the heel, used for digging. When not in use, they look identical to the spies standard footwear.

• Press On Sticky Fingers: A form of nail polish that allows the girls to stick to anything that their hands touch.

Infiltration and Attack

• Laser Lipstick: A laser disguised as a stick of lipstick. It is used a lot in the first two seasons but seems to have fallen out of use since. In Danny Phantom it's also used. A reference to spy gadgets in the Bond movies.

• Laser Nailfile: A laser disguised as a nailfile. It seems to replace the lipstick in the 3rd and 4th season.

• "Tornado In a Can" Hairspray: A can of hair spray that causes a tornado when sprayed. Geraldine Husk used a similar item called "Tornado in a Tub" to eliminate the spies in the Season 4 episode Arnold the Great.

• MultiFunction Charm Bracelets: The name is self-explanatory. Features include mini dynamite sticks, drill, and lockpick. It's a pink bracelet used for multi reasons. For example, in Futureshock! Clover uses the bracelets to deactivate the WOOHP security panel at the entrance (due to failure of access).

• Hair Pick Lock Pick: Hair clips capable of picking any pick.

• Wind Tunnel 9000: A hair dryer that can blow things at extreme levels and can also suck air in.

• False Teeth: A pair of false teeth that are able to absorb all liquids that pass through the mouth.

Freezing and Stunning

• Stun Tan Lotion: When the lotion is squirted on an object, it can stop its movement for several hours.

• Ice Queen Perfume: Actually a bottle of liquid nitrogen, disguised as perfume, capable of instantly freezing anything that's in the spray's way. It replaced the Stun Tan Lotion.

Examination

• Crime Scene Scanner Watch: A watch that can scan for evidence in crime scenes.

• LIAB 9000: Lab In A Briefcase. A white briefcase containing scanning equipment; it can be used to identify organisms and chemicals.

Episodes

Season one - 2001-2002 1. A Thing for Musicians 2. The New Jerry 3. Get Away 4. Stuck In the Middle Ages With You 5. Child's Play 6. Eraser 7. The Fugitives 8. Abductions 9. Model Cityzens 10. Spy Gladiators 11. Silicon Valley Girls 12. Queen for a Day 13. Shrinking 14. Aliens 15. Wild Style 16. Black Widows 17. Spies Vs. Spies 18. Evil Boyfriend 19. Game Girls 20. A Spy Is Born Part 1 21. Passion Patties 22. Soul Collector 23. Malled 24. Do You Believe in Magic? 25. Iceman Cometh 26. Man or Machine

Season two - 2003-2004 27. Starstruck 28. Mummy 29. Evil Hair Salon 30. The Yuck Factor 31. It's How You Play the Game 32. Here Comes the Sun 33. Green with N.V. 34. Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands 35. I, Dude 36. Mommies Dearest 37. Zooney World 38. First Brat 39. W.O.W. 40. Stark Raving Mad 41. S.P.I. 42. Animal World 43. Nature Nightmare 44. Alex Quits 45. Totally Switched 46. Ski Trip 47. The Elevator 48. Matchmaker 49. Brain Drain 50. Fashion Faux Pas 51. Toying Around 52. A Spy Is Born Part 2

Season Three - UNDERCOVER - 2004-2005 53. Physics 101 Much? 54. Freaky Circus Much? 55. Computer Creep Much? 56. Space Much? 57. Evil Coffee Shop Much? 58. Forward to the Past 59. Planet of the Hunks 60. Morphing Is Soooo 1987 61. The Incredible Bulkbr> 62. Super Nerd Much? 63. Dental? More Like Mental 64. Escape From WOOHP Island 65. Scam Camp Much? 66. Evil G.L.A.D.I.S. Much? 67. Super Agent Much? 68. Evil Airlines Much? 69. Creepy Crawly Much? 70. Truth Or Scare 71. Feng Shui Is Like Sooo Passe 72. Evil Valentine's Day 73. Halloween--Though some sources state that it was known as "Halloween is Like, So Pagan" according to its production notes. 74. Power Yoga Much? 75. Head Shrinker Much? 76. Evil Promotion Much? Part 1 77. Evil Promotion Much? Part 2 78. Evil Promotion Much? Part 3

Season Four - 2006 79. The Dream Teens 80. Futureshock! 81. I Hate The 80s 82. The O.P 83. Alex Gets Schooled 84. Mime Your Own Business 85. Attack Of The 50 Foot Mandy 86. Evil Jerry 87. "0067" 88. Arnold The Great 89. Mani-Maniac Much? 90. Deja Cruise 91. Evil Bouquets Are Sooo Passe… 92. Evil Heiress Much? 93. Sis-KaBOOM-Bah! 94. Evil Ice Cream Man Much? 95. Beauty Is Skin Deep 96. Like, So Totally Not Spies Part 1 97. Like, So Totally Not Spies Part 2 98. The Suavest Spy 99. Spy Soccer 100. Spies On The Farm 101. Spies In Space 102. Totally Busted (part 1) 103. Totally Busted (part 2) 104. Totally Busted (part 3)

Season Five Currently in production.

Broadcasting

In the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Latin America the series is being broadcasted on Jetix. In the United States it is shown on Cartoon Network. In parts of Asia it is shown on the Disney Channel like its sister production Martin Mystery. In Canada it is shown on Teletoon.

Trivia

• As seen above, nearly every episode of Season 3 has the word "much" at the end of its title. The way the episodes are worded is probably a parody of the girls' (especially Clover's) language tendencies.
• The theme song is based on the Xenomania produced song "Here We Go" by Moonbaby, and was later featured on an album by the British pop group Girls Aloud.
• An untitled Totally Spies movie is planned for 2007.
• The favoured helicopter of the villains of Totally Spies seems to be the Mi-24 Russian attack helicopter, as it is featured in every episode involving a bad guy using a copter transport.
• The show takes place in 2005, as discovered in Futureshock.
• A few dolls of the series were made in 2005.
• In the episode "Super Agent Much?" people somewhat like Martin, Marvin, and Diana from the animated cartoon "Martin Mystery" appear as cameos.
• Many fans on message boards have questioned Alex's race, wondering if is she Hispanic or African-American or mixed with both
• The season 3 episode "Evil Gladis Much?", Clover "commandeers" a girl's Yves Mont Blanc boots, but later in her season 4 cameos she has the boots back.
• Mandy's mother has made more appearances than the main characters' mothers.
• Clover wears a size 6, as stated in "Game Girls" from season 1.
• The access code to enter W.O.O.H.P is 1-3-6.

External links

• Totally Spies official website
• Homepage on Cartoon Network (USA)
• Totally Spies at IMDb
• Totally Spies at The Big Cartoon DataBase
• Totally Spies Picture Archive
• World Organization of Human Protection