Ep 4. What Is Time?

Forky Asks a Question season 1 episode 4, titled "What Is Time?" poses an existential query that many of us have pondered at some point in our lives. Forky, the cheerful spork from Toy Story 4, is back to quench his thirst for knowledge as he embarks on a quest to unravel the enigma of time.

As the episode commences, we see Forky perched on a bookshelf, staring at a clock ticking on the wall. The curiosity in his eyes is evident as he turns to Mr. Spell, the computerized book, for guidance on the concept of time. Mr. Spell takes a solemn pause, processing Forky's question deeply before opening a portal that takes them both to Professor Time, a man well versed in all manners of clocks and calendars.

Professor Time greets Forky warmly, but the latter is so mesmerized by the numerous clocks all around that he barely registers the greeting. The professor patiently guides Forky through the history of clock making, starting with hourglasses and sun dials before advancing to mechanical clocks and eventually the ubiquitous digital clocks of today.

Forky is thoroughly captivated by the mechanisms and intricacies of the clocks, but he still cannot comprehend the abstract concept of time. The professor then uses a visual cue to explain time zones and international time differences before delving into the concept of time travel and the associated paradoxes.

Forky takes a mental note of all the information but remains firm in his query, "But what is time?" Professor Time pauses, considering his words before settling on a poetic analogy. "Time," he says, "is like a river that flows ceaselessly, and we are all boats, moving forward with the current." He explains that just like we cannot stop the river or halt the flow of time, we must learn to navigate it while appreciating the journey.

Forky's mind waterfalls with the profundity of the professor's words, and he thanks him before exiting his laboratory, eager to share his newfound wisdom with his toy friends. But before he can leave, Professor Time gifts Forky a clock of his own, which he proudly carries away, a testament to his pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

As the episode concludes, we see Forky back with his toy friends, showing them his new clock and explaining the many wonders the professor introduced him to. The episode ends on a poignant note, with Forky valuing the journey of learning that led him to a deeper appreciation of time, while still accepting the enigma of its nature.

Forky Asks a Question season 1 episode 4, "What Is Time?" is an ode to the human thirst for knowledge, and the pursuit of understanding in the face of mundanity. It's a reminder that sometimes the most profound answers lie not in the complexity of the question, but in the act of asking.