Ep 40. Episode 40 - Give a Thought to Planned Pregnancy

The show Gintama, Season 1, Episode 40 is titled "Give a Thought to Planned Pregnancy." This episode takes a comical approach to discussing the serious topic of family planning and birth control.

The episode begins with a pregnant woman walking into Odd Jobs Gin, seeking assistance from Gintoki and his team. The woman, who is visibly pregnant, explains to them that she is actually looking to prevent pregnancy, not become pregnant again. She had gotten pregnant unexpectedly and now wants to avoid a similar situation in the future.

Gintoki, at first, is very confused by her request. He does not understand why she would want to prevent pregnancy when she is already carrying a child. However, after the woman explains the difficulties of raising a child while also trying to make ends meet, Gintoki begins to understand and sympathize with her.

Gintoki and his team then proceed to help the pregnant woman by researching and presenting various birth control methods to her. They go through the various options available, including condoms, birth control pills, and even traditional Japanese methods.

Throughout the episode, the show pokes fun at the different birth control options available. For example, the show characterizes condoms as banana skins and creates a comedic scene where Gintoki unintentionally uses one as a mouth guard, much to his team's horror.

Meanwhile, the show also manages to touch on some of the economic and social factors that prevent women from accessing birth control. The pregnant woman mentions that she cannot afford to go to a hospital or even a pharmacy to buy birth control pills. Gintoki and his team go out of their way to find her a free clinic that provides low-cost birth control.

Throughout the episode, the show maintains a lighthearted tone, even as it touches on more serious issues. The team's antics and comedic moments keep the audience engaged and entertained, while still delivering a valuable message.

In the end, the team manages to find a method of birth control that works for the pregnant woman and ensures that she won't have to worry about another unplanned pregnancy. The episode concludes with Gintoki and his team reflecting on the importance of family planning and the different challenges that people face in accessing birth control.

Overall, Gintama's Season 1, Episode 40 is a surprisingly thoughtful and nuanced take on the topic of birth control and family planning. Despite its comedic approach, the show manages to convey important messages about the difficulties that people face in accessing contraception and the importance of making informed decisions about reproductive health.