The Date

The Date is the twenty-seventh episode of The Amazing World of Gumball.

Synopsis
Gumball thinks that Penny asked him out on a date.

Plot
The episode begins with the Wattersons sitting at the dining room table. Richard had just finished telling his family about why you shouldn't mix Pop Rocks and soda. Nicole asks if any of the other family members want to share anything (besides Richard) so Gumball tells everyone about him planning on going on a date with Penny. Nicole is ecstatic and attempts to hug her son and with some effort manages to do so. Darwin admits to his brother that he's impressed by Gumball's confidence, because if he messes up this date Penny might not ever talk to him again.

This realization makes Gumball nervous, but Nicole reassures him that as long as he is himself, then the date will be fine. Nicole leaves for work, and after she's gone Richard chuckles to himself, causing Gumball to ask why. He informs his son that women only think they want someone because they don't know how bad they really are and that it is better to think of someone very successful and be like them. Anais sides with her father, saying that Gumball is kind of a loser. Gumball is saddened by this since he really wants Penny to like him. Darwin suggests that Gumball could buy Penny some presents for the date, but he does not have any money. Richard decides to show Gumball how to get things without paying for them.

The first stop is the "greatest department store in the world"; the dump, where everything is free. Richard finds a fancy, ringmaster-type suit in a pile of junk, while Gumball remarks that what his dad is doing is really gross. Richard retorts by mentioning that Gumball never complained when he fished his son's favourite sweater out of a sewage outlet. Gumball is disgusted again and mentions that he wears his sweater all the time.

After their done "shopping" Richard explains that Gumball's going to need some extra money to treat Penny on the date. Using Nicole's credit card, he carelessly withdraws some money. Unfortunately, he sneezes on the money, and withdraws some more money, while throwing the snotty bills away.

At home, Gumball practices some lines for his date, while Anais comes in and informs him that he should be using proper etiquette during it. He doesn't know what that means, so Anais drags him into her room where a tea party is taking place with her and her dolls. Anais instructs Gumball to politely pour one of her dolls (Mrs. Pumpernickel) a cup of tea, but he refuses on the basis that the doll is looking at him in a strange way. She instead suggests that Gumball should attempt having a civil conversation with her, but when he asks her a question, she doesn't answer. Angry, Gumball insults the doll and throws one of Anais' teacups on the floor and stomps on it furiously. Unamused, Anais tells Gumball to leave.

In the living room, Gumball is telling Darwin that he's fully prepared for the date, but Darwin informs him that there's still one thing he isn't prepared for: the unexpected, which he demonstrates to him by suddenly slapping him. Darwin tells Gumball to follow him to the training camp, or the backyard for a lesson in dealing with the unexpected. He trains Gumball with a cardboard drawing of The Robber, so Gumball knocks it over weakly. Darwin admits that it was pretty good, but it would be even better if he finished with a catchy tagline. He does so for targets of Penny's Father, an imaginary ex-boyfriend of Penny's, and someone who doesn't believe in love. Gumball finishes the last target off by ripping his heart out, which Darwin claimed to be a bit extreme, but he was still impressed by the others.

The next day, Gumball's family is wishing him good luck on his date. Darwin decides to test Gumball's skill in dealing with the unexpected again, with admirable results as Gumball blocks Darwin's sudden punches expertly. Gumball shows up on Penny's doorstep sometime later, Penny looks forlorn as she stands in the doorway. Gumball asks her what's wrong, and she explains that a funeral. Gumball is shocked and asks whom it is for, so Penny explains that the funeral is for Mr. Cuddles, their deceased pet.

Gumball, instead of being sympathetic, instead laughs it off and says that, "I thought it was for an important family member." Penny scowls at him, so Gumball, realizing his mistake, asks how Mr. Cuddles died, and she informs him that he died when her father accidentally flushed him down the toilet. Gumball stifles back laughter, which Penny again disapproves of.

The Fitzgeralds are out in their backyard, mourning the loss of their family pet. Penny asks Gumball to say a few words, so he describes Mr. Cuddles as being as hot as his owner, Penny, was, which she somehow finds comforting. Penny's Sister decides to show Gumball the memorial picture she made for Mr. Cuddles, which reveals that instead of a cute, furry mammal, Mr. Cuddles was in fact a tarantula. Gumball is so terrified by the arachnid that he shrieks loudly and destroys the poster, making Penny's Sister cry.

Penny's Father and the rest of his family are extremely angered by this, and Mr. Fitzgerald suggests to Gumball that it would be for the best if he just left, but beforehand Gumball asks to use their bathroom. While in the bathroom, Gumball finds Mr. Cuddles sitting on the rim of the toilet seat. Despite being afraid of him, Gumball attempts to tell The Fitzgeralds that their pet is alive, but Mr. Fitzgerald tells them to ignore him. After a brief tangle with the tarantula, he lands in Penny's hands, to which she joyously exclaims that he is alive after all.

Since Gumball found their pet, The Fitzgeralds forgive Gumball for making a scene at his funeral, and even Mr. Fitzgerald expresses his approval of him. However, Gumball is more concerned about the fact that Mr. Cuddles bit him during their fight, which Mr. Fitzgerald just brushes off and explains that his venom won't affect him unless he's allergic; which in Gumball's unfortunate case, he is.

At Elmore Hospital, Gumball is lying down in a bed, his face is entire body is covered in severe purple blister caused by the tarantula bite. Penny foolishly brings Mr. Cuddles back to the person that he bit in the first place, and the episode ends with a freeze frame of Mr. Cuddles jumping out of her hands and about to land on Gumball's face.

Characters

 * Gumball
 * Darwin
 * Penny
 * Nicole
 * Richard
 * Anais
 * Penny's Father
 * Penny's Mother
 * Penny's Sister

Minor Characters

 * The Robber
 * Mr. Cuddles
 * Sebastian Longquin

Music
TBA

Trivia

 * This episode has the first speaking appearance of any of the Fitzgeralds.
 * This is the first episode to show Anais' room.
 * Richard's story is based off the myth that drinking soda after eating pop rocks would cause your stomach to explode. This myth has since been disproven.
 * Nicole's credit card company is Blue Cat Bank, most likely because she's a blue cat.
 * If one listens closely, when the flashback of Penny asking him to come to her house she says it's her pet's funeral.
 * At the scene of the hallway, you can see Penny's painting of the cheerleaders from " The Mystery."
 * Apprently despite the spider being flushed they still made a grave.
 * We learn in this episode that Gumball has an unbearable fear of spiders.
 * This is the second time Penny is mad at Gumball.