Ep 11. The Dude / Bonky Fever

The Dude / Bonky Fever is the eleventh episode of the third season of the animated television series Recess. The episode follows the students of Third Street School as they deal with two separate issues.

The first story, titled "The Dude," revolves around a new student at Third Street School named T.J.'s Erikson, who prefers to be called "The Dude." The Dude is a laid-back surfer who quickly gains popularity among the students. The other fourth graders, intrigued by his carefree attitude, start mimicking his mannerisms. Even the usually strict Principal Prickly seems to be swayed by The Dude's charm. However, T.J. begins to feel overshadowed by The Dude's newfound popularity and decides to confront him about it. During their conversation, T.J. realizes that The Dude is not as cool as he appears to be and that being yourself is more important than trying to imitate someone else.

The second story, titled "Bonky Fever," centers around the class hamster named Bonky. The students become enamored with Bonky after a class visit to the science museum, where they learn about how hamsters can carry diseases. The teachers, worried that the hamster could spread germs, decide to keep Bonky under quarantine. However, the students soon discover that the teachers have been hiding a different agenda – they are planning to sacrifice Bonky in the name of science! The fourth graders band together to save their beloved pet and prove that Bonky is not a disease-carrying monster.

Throughout the episode, themes of individuality, peer pressure, and standing up for what is right are all addressed. The episode also showcases the importance of having strong friendships and the lengths that people will go to protect the ones they care about. As always, the episode is filled with comedic moments and slapstick humor that are sure to keep viewers entertained.