Ep 17. The Box of Dirty Tricks

The Smurfs season 2 episode 17, titled "The Box of Dirty Tricks," follows the small, blue creatures as they encounter a mysterious box that seems to possess magical powers.

As the episode begins, the Smurfs are going about their daily activities when they stumble upon the box in the forest. Despite their initial hesitation, they are drawn to the box's intricate design and decide to bring it back to their village to examine it more closely.

Once they return to the village, however, strange things begin to happen. A handful of Smurfs start to act out of character, behaving selfishly and starting arguments with their fellow Smurfs. At first, the others can't figure out what's causing their friends' erratic behavior, but soon they realize that the box is somehow responsible.

Determined to get to the bottom of things, the Smurfs try to figure out how to open the box. One Smurf suggests using a lock pick, but they quickly find that the box is enchanted and cannot be opened by conventional means. Another Smurf suggests using magic, but their attempts fail to produce any results.

As the day wears on and the Smurfs' behavior becomes more and more outlandish, they start to realize that they need to take action before things get even worse. They decide to try one last time to open the box, this time using brute force.

Despite their efforts, however, the box remains stubbornly closed. It's only after they've exhausted all other options that they realize that the box isn't the source of their problems—it's the Smurfs themselves.

By this point in the episode, most viewers have probably figured out what's going on: the box is a kind of magical mirror that reflects back to the person opening it their own worst qualities, amplifying them to dangerous levels. It's a classic fairy tale trope, but one that works well in this context.

The Smurfs quickly realize their mistake and set out to find a way to reverse the effects of the box. They consult with Papa Smurf, who confirms their suspicions and suggests that the best way to combat the box's power is to use the power of positive thinking. It's a hokey solution, but it's in keeping with the show's themes of friendship and cooperation.

The Smurfs band together and try their best to think happy thoughts. They sing songs, play games, and offer each other words of encouragement. Slowly but surely, the box's influence starts to fade away, and the Smurfs return to their usual selves.

As the episode winds down, the box is safely stowed away, and the Smurfs reflect on what they've learned. They realize that they're stronger together than they are on their own, and that even the most beautiful things can be tainted by greed and envy. It's a lesson that feels trite at times, but one that the show delivers with sincerity and heart.

Overall, "The Box of Dirty Tricks" is a solid episode of The Smurfs. It's not groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it's a fun, engaging story that manages to entertain without ever getting too heavy. Fans of the show will likely enjoy it, while newcomers may find it a good entry point into the series as a whole.