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"Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate" is the 17th episode in the seventh season of Teen Titans Go!, and the 329th overall episode of the series.

Summary[]

When the Teen Titans' beach day is ruined by garbage in the ocean, they learn all about recycling and cleansing the Earth.

Plot[]

The Titans are enjoying a nice beach day on the island shores of Titans Tower, but there's a revolting problem—the ocean is filled with trash. Annoyed by the filth, Robin orders the team to begin "operation clean-up," and they quickly set out to rid the water of garbage. But after a good amount of cleaning, barely anything is accomplished. A bottle washes up next to Beast Boy that reads "PETE," and so the Titans start searching for the trash-producing "Pete." Eventually, they come upon two talking water bottles named Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate. They're actually magical plastic molecules (combining to form "PETE") that can be recycled into pretty much anything...

To further explain, Polly and Tara take the Titans to Jump City Recycling Plant, where a lot of reprocessing takes place. The team watches a conveyor belt turn contaminated plastic bottles into all sorts of new things, such as carpet, chairs, and bags. In addition, Polly and Tara also state that people can reuse plastic for their own projects. But sadly, only 9% of plastic ever gets recycled—most of it goes into the ocean, finding its way to the Great Garbage Patch. The vile warlord who rules the foul domain only allows trash on his island, but Cyborg notes that the rebooted Titans are often considered garbage anyway... They should fit in just fine.

A gigantic mound of trash awaits the Titans and their plastic friends as they navigate through the polluted ocean in a speedboat. The security system identifies them as true garbage, allowing them transit into the filthy island. Suddenly, the ground starts shaking, and from a huge pile of trash pops out Major A.B.S., a military action figure. Starfire wonders why the tiny warlord is living in all this garbage, and so he explains... Long ago, the toy soldier dreamed of being recycled into something great like a garden gnome, but was rejected because of his ABS plastic composition. Cast out into the ocean, Major A.B.S. now has a new dream: vengeance on the recycling industry with his massive garbage robot, the Contaminator!

Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate (Robin and Cyborg)

Robin and Cyborg trip up Major A.B.S.'s robot with a recycled plastic carpet.

Dead set on saving the small 9% of recycling, the team jumps into action. Polly and Tara change into various plastic products, which provide good weapons for the Titans. However, after getting hit with the Major's toxic waste, the two magic molecules can no longer transform. So instead of fighting him, the Titans show Major A.B.S. that he's actually a great recycler, having transformed his trash into a giant robot. Realization hits the toy, and he now sees that recycling is the way to go. Still, he's got all of his island's garbage to deal with...

With a bit of creativity, the Titans, Polly and Tara are able to repurpose all of the Great Garbage Patch's trash, turning it into useful (and even beautiful) scenery and tools. Raven presents Major A.B.S. with a recycled garden gnome outfit, which he instantly loves. It looks like the world is saved from garbage—but environmental problems and incoming meteors say differently...

Characters[]

Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate (Major A.B.S

He may be a toy, but Major A.B.S. isn't toying around...

Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate (Crab) (2)

The Crab from Season 2 returns!

Main Characters

Cameos

Trivia[]

  • This is the first time since 2017 to have a Teen Titans Go! episode premiere in the month of September.
  • The episode title is a pun on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common type of plastic used in plastic bottles and food containers.
  • Major A.B.S. actually resembles Dr. Military.
  • The Titans (except Cyborg) don't actually wear their regular clothes at the beginning of this episode. Instead, they wear their swimsuits. The first time this happened was in the Season 3 episode, "Squash & Stretch".
  • This episode premiered on John DiMaggio’s 53rd birthday.
  • This episode premiered exactly four years after "Labor Day".
    • Coincidentally, both episodes feature the Titans in their swimwear.
  • Cyborg breaks the fourth wall when he says that he and the other Titans are considered garbage ever since the series came out, a reference to criticism by fans.
  • Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate (Storyboard)

    Original storyboard of the episode.

    In the original storyboard, when the five Titans were searching for PETE, the fish which Starfire came across was suffocating due to being strangled by plastic, and she swam away. This fish was later changed into a clownfish that got devoured by a bigger fish in front of her. [1]
    • Also, Robin was not swept away by the waves in the storyboard, but rather lost balance and got knocked out.
  • According to a crew member, there is no indication about the exact relationship between Polly and Tara, but they can be considered as each other's friends.

Continuity[]

  • Raven is seen unhooded for the 132nd time in the series.
  • Starfire is shown wearing the same snorkel from the end of "The Mug", minus the blue rubber flippers.
  • Music from "Pure Protein" is heard when the Titans are searching for "Pete".
  • Music from "Nose Mouth" can be heard when Polly and Tara introduce themselves.

References[]

  • The clownfish which Starfire finds (prior to it being eaten) during the Titans' search for "Pete" appears to resemble Nemo from the Disney-Pixar film Finding Nemo and its sequel Finding Dory.
  • Major A.B.S. seems to resemble the G.I. Joe action figure.
  • Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate (Bottle Caps)

    A DC bottle cap! And a Batman logo, too!? How collectible!

    When Polly and Tara morph into a plastic case with the Titans inside it, it's a reference to one of the Barbie toys.
    • Additionally, the package has the show's logo on it, thus breaking the fourth wall.
  • At the beginning of the episode, when Starfire finds bottle caps while swimming in the water, the current DC Comics logo can be seen on one of the caps she's holding. There's also a Batman logo bottle cap.

Errors[]

  • Robin seems to have forgotten what Recycling is, though he is one of the smartest besides Raven.
  • According to Eric J Pringle, when the Titans are visiting the plastic recycling factory with Polly and Tara, Cyborg has his mouth looped during the scene where Tara explains the machine that removes labels, stray metals and contaminated plastic.[2]
  • At the beginning of the episode, Starfire is shown wearing a snorkel. When she and the other Titans start "Operation Clean Up", her snorkel is gone. Then, when the Titans are searching for "Pete", Starfire is seen wearing her snorkel again as she's swimming underwater. In the shot where she yells "Pete!", her snorkel is gone again and doesn't reappear.

Running Gags[]

  • Robin getting attacked.
  • Beast Boy being attacked by a seagull.

Transcript[]

The transcript for "Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate" can be found here.

Gallery[]

Click here to view more images from Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate.
The image gallery for Polly Ethylene and Tara Phthalate may be viewed here.

References[]

v - e - d Episode Guide

Season 1: April 23, 2013 - June 5, 2014
Legendary SandwichPie BrosDriver's EdDog HandDouble TroubleThe DateDude RelaxLaundry DayGhostboyLa Larva de AmorHey Pizza!GorillaGirl's Night OutYou're Fired!Super RobinTower PowerParasiteStarliarMeatball PartyStaff MeetingTerra-izedArtful DodgersBurger vs. BurritoMatchedColors of RavenThe Left LegBooksLazy SundayStarfire the TerriblePower MovesStaring at the FutureNo PowerSidekickCaged TigerSecond ChristmasNose MouthLegsBreakfast CheeseWafflesBe MineOppositesBirdsBrain FoodIn and OutLittle BuddiesMissingUncle JokesMás y MenosDreamsGrandma VoiceReal MagicPuppets, Whaaaaat?

Season 2: June 12, 2014 - July 30, 2015
Mr ButtMan PersonPiratesMoney GrandmaI See YouBrianNatureSalty CodgersKnowledgeSlumber PartyLove MonstersBaby HandsCaramel ApplesSandwich ThiefFriendshipVegetablesThe MaskSerious BusinessHalloweenBoys vs GirlsBody AdventureRoad TripThanksgivingThe Best RobinMouth HoleHot GarbageRobin BackwardsCrazy DaySmile BonesReal Boy AdventuresHose WaterLet's Get SeriousTamaranian VacationRocks and WaterMultiple Trick PonyTruth, Justice and What?Two Bumble Bees and a WaspOil DrumsVideo Game ReferencesCool SchoolKicking a Ball and Pretending to Be HurtHead FruitYearbook MadnessBeast ManOperation Tin ManNeanCampfire StoriesAnd the Award for Sound Design Goes to RobThe HIVE FiveThe Return of SladeMore of the SameSome of Their Parts

Season 3: July 31, 2015 - October 13, 2016
Cat's FancyLeg DayDignity of TeethCroissantSpice GameI'm the SauceHey You, Don't Forget about Me in Your MemoryAccept the Next Proposition You HearThe Fourth Wall40%, 40%, 20%Grube's FairytalesA FarceScary Figure DanceAnimals, It's Just a Word!BBBDAY!Black FridayTwo ParterThe True Meaning of ChristmasSquash & StretchGarage SaleSecret GardenThe Cruel Giggling GhoulHow 'Bout Some EffortPyramid SchemeBeast Boy's St. Patrick's Day Luck, and It's BadThe Teen Titans Go Easter Holiday ClassicBatman v Teen Titans: Dark InjusticeBottle EpisodeFinally a LessonArms Race with LegsObinrayWally TRad Dudes with Bad TudesOperation Dude RescueHistory LessonThe Art of NinjutsuThink About Your FutureTTG v PPGCoconut Cream PiePure ProteinOpen Door PolicyCrazy Desire IslandThe Titans ShowBooty ScootyWho's Laughing NowOregon TrailSnuggle TimeOh Yeah!Riding the DragonThe OverbiteThe Cape

Season 4: October 20, 2016 - June 25, 2018
Shrimps and Prime RibHalloween v ChristmasBooby Trap HouseFish WaterTV KnightTeen Titans Save ChristmasBBSFBDAY!The StreakThe Inner Beauty of a CactusMovie NightBBRAEPermanent RecordTitan Saving TimeThe Gold StandardMaster DetectiveEaster CreepsHand ZombieEmployee of the Month: ReduxThe AvogodoOranginsJinxedBrain PercentagesBL4Z3Hot Salad WaterI Saw You DanceThe Story in Your EyesPlaying Hard to GetThe Night Begins to ShineLicationLabor DayClassic TitansOnes and ZeroesCareer DayTV Knight 2Justice League's Next Top Talent Idol StarThe AcademyCostume ContestThrone of BonesDemon PromThanksgettingThe Self-Indulgent 200th Episode Spectacular!BBCYFSHIPBDAYBeast GirlFlashbackBro-PocalypseMo' Money Mo' ProblemsTV Knight 3

Season 5: June 25, 2018 - April 4, 2020
The Scoop!Chicken in the CradleKaboomsTower RenovationMy Name is JoseThe Power of ShrimpsMonster SquadReal OranginsQuantum FunThe FightThe GrooverJustice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Second Greatest Team EditionHow's This for a Special? SpaaaaceBBRBDAYSlapping Butts and Celebrating for No ReasonNostalgia is Not a Substitute for an Actual StoryBusiness Ethics Wink WinkGenie PresidentTall Titan TalesI Used to Be a PeoplesThe Metric System vs FreedomThe ChaffThem Soviet BoysLittle ElvisBooty EggsTV Knight 4Lil' DimplesDon't Be an IcarusStockton, CA!What's Opera TitansForest PiratesThe BergeracSnot and TearsCampfire!What We Learned at CampCommunicate OpenlyRoyal JellyStrength of a Grown ManHad to Be ThereGirls Night InThe Great DisasterThe Viewers Decide

Season 6: October 4, 2019 - May 1, 2021
Butt AtomsTV Knight 5Witches BrewThat's What's Up!Crab ShenanigansBrobotsBrain FlipBeast Boy on a ShelfChristmas CrusadersWe're Off to Get AwardsBat ScoutsWalk AwayRecord BookMagic ManTitans Go CasualRain on Your Wedding DayEgg HuntJustice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Justice League EditionMission to Find the Lost StemsDrumsGuitarBassYou're The OneWhere Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 1Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 2Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 3Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 4Ghost With the MostBucket ListTV Knight 6KryptoniteThumb WarToddler Titans…Yay!Baby MouthThe CastSuperhero FeudLucky StarsVarious Modes of TransportationCool UnclesButter WallBBRAEBDAYDon't Press PlayReal ArtJust a Little Patience...Yeah...YeahVillains in a Van Getting GelatoI Am ChairBumgorfThe MugHafo SafoZimdings

Season 7: January 8, 2021 - September 16, 2022
Justice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Dance Crew EditionFeed MePig in a PokeP.P.A Little Help PleaseMarv Wolfman and George PérezSpace House - Part 1Space House - Part 2Space House - Part 3Space House - Part 4Cy and BeastyT is for TitansCreative GeniusesManor and MannerismsTrans Oceanic Magical CruisePolly Ethylene and Tara PhthalateEEbowsBatman's Birthday GiftWhat a Boy WondersDoomsday PreppersFat CatsJamDCPepo the PumpkinmanBreakfastCaptain CoolA Doom Patrol ThanksgivingGlunkakakakahControl FreakA Holiday StoryThe DripStandards & PracticesBelly MathFree PerkGo!Finding AquamanWhodundidit?Sweet RevengePorch PiratesA Sticky SituationThe Perfect Pitch?Pool SeasonKyleTV Knight 7We'll Be Right BackJump City RockNatural Gas50% ChadThe Score365!

Season 8: October 7, 2022 -
Welcome to HalloweenThe Great Holiday EscapeLooking For LoveTeen Titans ActionTV Knight 8A Stickier SituationWinning a Golf Tournament Is The Solution to All Of Life's Money ProblemsAlways Be CrimefightingEaster AnnihilationThe Brain of the FamilyArthurToilet WaterPlot HolesUtility BeltOur HouseBeard HunterElasti-BotNew ChumIntroHaunted TankWarner Bros. 100th AnniversaryWishboneChristmas MagicShipCatpin Freak50% CrewFive BucksWild Card

Top of the Titans: April 27, 2018 - July 20, 2018
Raddest SongsBest Love SongsBeast Boy & Cyborg SongsDance PartyBest Rivals

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