Ep 5. Big Time Merchandise

In the third season of the teen sitcom Big Time Rush, the band's popularity continues to soar as they navigate the ups and downs of life in the music industry. Episode 5, titled "Big Time Merchandise," sees the boys faced with a major business opportunity.

As the episode opens, the band is thrilled to learn that their catchy new song, "Music Sounds Better With U," has become a massive hit. They're getting tons of airplay and requests for interviews, and even random people on the street are starting to recognize them.

But with great fame comes great responsibility - and great merchandising potential. The boys are approached by a shrewd businessman named Arthur Griffin, who wants to create a line of Big Time Rush merchandise. At first they're ecstatic - finally their faces will be on t-shirts and lunchboxes and all sorts of other cool stuff!

But they quickly realize that there's a catch. Griffin is demanding a huge cut of the profits, and he wants to control every aspect of the merchandising process. He picks out cheesy designs for their t-shirts, and even wants to put their faces on a line of perfume (which smells like corn chips, of all things).

The boys are torn. On one hand, they want to make the most of their fame and rake in some serious money. But on the other hand, they don't want to feel like they're selling out or compromising their integrity as musicians. They also don't want to upset their fans by forcing them to buy lame merchandise.

The episode follows the band as they struggle to find a compromise. Kendall, the leader of the group, tries to negotiate with Griffin and come up with a more reasonable deal. Logan, the brainy one, does some research and learns about successful bands who have made a fortune without selling merchandise (like Radiohead).

James, the handsome one, initially wants to go along with whatever Griffin says - after all, he could use some extra cash to buy fancy cars and designer clothes. But he starts to see things from the others' perspective when he realizes that Griffin is playing them for fools.

And Carlos, the goofy one, provides some comic relief as he tries to create his own line of merchandise (including a line of Big Time socks and Big Time dog collars). He also tries to get his pet chihuahua, the aptly named "Mr. Bongo," to help with the negotiations.

All of the boys work together to come up with a solution. They brainstorm their own merchandising ideas, which include a line of eco-friendly clothing made from recycled materials, and a line of sportswear (since Kendall and Logan are both athletic).

They also come up with a clever way to promote the merchandise without seeming too pushy. They create a mock infomercial in which they make fun of themselves and their own penchant for cheesy merchandise. They also showcase some of the items they think would be actually cool, like customized skateboards and autographed guitars.

In the end, the boys realize that the most important thing is to stay true to themselves and their fans. They turn down Griffin's offer and decide to take a more grassroots approach to merchandising. They want to make sure that the things they put their name on are things they actually believe in, and that their fans will actually enjoy.

The episode ends on a high note, as the band plays a sold-out concert in which they wear their own customized eco-friendly t-shirts and sportswear. They also throw out free merchandise (like signed drumsticks and guitar picks) to lucky fans in the crowd. The episode's message is clear - sometimes the best business decision is the most honest one.